Maximum actuators per CM-510? (current limit)

[encrust]

(Newbie to these forums)

I'm planning to build a much improved scorpion (compared with the bioloid premium kit example) which will use a total of 28 or 30 actuators. I'm aware that RoboPlus Motion only supports 26 actuators but I'm planning to use C. It is the electrical limitations which worry me.

I've seen figures like 0.9amps for CM-510 I/O, and resting power consumption of up to 50mA for a Dynamixel. This suggests that 18 actuators doing very little could almost exceed the CM-510 current limit alone.

Can anyone please let me know if there is a computable limit, or if you have had any experiences with far more than 18 actuators at once? I will not be moving all 30 actuators at once, but they will all have torque switched on.

Any thoughts much appeciated.

[Dewey]

As you no doubt know the CM510 has a 10 amp fuse, this is inline with the lipo battery in the normal mode of opertion/connection. So its going to stop the lipo bursting into flames or the robot wiring melting in the event of a short.

There is no reason why you can't apply the lipo voltage directly to the bus. The CM520 is not then acting as an on/off switch or a circuit protection device. Current is then what your lipo can give, or of course what the wiring bus can stand.

I would strongly advise that you still put some fuse protection in place but no need to worry about an overload affecting the CM510

[encrust]

Thanks for your quick and informative answer. That all makes sense.