QuadMeUp

Simple servo tester with Arduino

Servo tester is a useful little device that is needed specially when you do not have one. I’ve been placed in a situation like that few days ago what I was trying to connect ailerons with servos on my Depron plane and setup correct control throw. Luckily, I own a few Arduinos, so 15 minutes later I owned a divice like that:

It is an extremely simple servo tester based on Arduino Pro Micoro that can send 3 different PWM pulse lengths: 1000us, 1500us and 2000us. That gives min, neutral and max stick position on RC radios. Perfect to setup control throws and neutral positions.

Required parts:

Arduino. Any Arduino will do. I used Arduino Pro Micro, but any can be used. Even barebone ATmega328 running internal oscillator on 8MHz,
Breadboard,
Tact switch,
Some golpins to make servo connector,
Cables.

Electrical diagram goes as follows:

Program is also not complicated:

	#include <Servo.h>

	Servo servo;

	const int PIN_BUTTON = 6;
	const int PIN_SERVO = 5;

	int pos = 1500;

	int prevButtonState = HIGH;
	int currentButtonState = HIGH;

	void setup() {
	servo.attach(PIN_SERVO);
	servo.writeMicroseconds(pos);
	pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP);
	}

	void loop() {

	currentButtonState = digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON);

	if (currentButtonState == LOW && prevButtonState == HIGH) {
	pos = pos + 500;

	if (pos > 2000) {
	pos = 1000;
	}

	servo.writeMicroseconds(pos);
	}

	prevButtonState = currentButtonState;

	delay(100);
	}