Fusion Ai Kit - Servo options

General
1

The Sunfounder AI Kit comes with small SG90 servos which are connected directly to the AI hat.

But I want to use bigger servos (like MG996 which typically operate at 1.8A).

Normally an external power supply is necessary, but the AI Kit already has battery supply and may have other electronic components that allow direct connection to servos to hat!

What is maximum mA tolerance for a servo that Fusion AI hat can handle before causing problems?

2

Hello, thank you for contacting SunFounder support! Regarding your question about the servo interface power capability on the Fusion AI HAT, we’ve checked the official specifications and here’s the answer.

According to the official documentation for the Fusion HAT+, the servo interface (PWM interface) provides a maximum output of 5V/5A, which is shared with the Raspberry Pi. The documentation explicitly lists compatible servo types, including:

  • Micro servos: SG90, MG90S
  • Standard servos: MG996R, DS3218
  • SunFounder custom servos

So the MG996R standard servo you mentioned can be connected directly to the Fusion HAT+'s servo interface. A single MG996R draws about 1A under normal operation and about 2.5A when stalled, both within the 5A power supply range.

However, please note the following:

  1. Total current management: If connecting multiple servos simultaneously, carefully calculate the total current draw. If the total current exceeds 5A, we recommend using an external power supply (BEC) to avoid overload and ensure stable system operation.
  2. Common ground requirement: If using an external power supply for the servos, make sure the servo ground is connected to the Raspberry Pi’s ground, and the signal wire is connected to the Fusion HAT’s PWM pin.

For more detailed specifications, you can refer to the official documentation: Features — SunFounder Fusion HAT+ documentation

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us!