How do remove power on servo between movements.

[Eebel]

Hi, I have this Arduino Nano sketch that is intended to run a "Bad Motivator" sequence for my Star Wars R5-D4 droid. There are four buttons that I am using to test and tune the sequence on my workbench. However, the sequence will be triggered from a remote when installed in my droid. Everything works as I expect. However, I have an issue with the servos always having power. In this application, I always want to move the servo and then remove power from the servo so I don't waste battery power and also so the servo does not heat up and burn out. Since the droid can be powered for 8-10 hours at a time, and the Bad Motivator sequence will only be used 10-12 times an hour, I am worried I will burn out the servo.

I have tried using the .detach() command. However, after that command no further commands are received by the servo. I have tried reattaching the servo before each use. However, that also causes issues in unintended movements. I feel like I am close, but missing something obvious. Can anyone help?

Tim

`void loop() {
//Check button states
buttonReset.loop();
buttonTestPump.loop();
buttonTestSmoke.loop();
buttonTestAll.loop();

if(buttonReset.isPressed()){
//Servo1.setEasingType(EASE_BOUNCE_IN);
Servo1.easeTo(servoClosed,45); //close at 45/sec
updatePixels = false; //stop updates to pixels
ring1.ColorWipe(0,0,0); //turn NeoPixel ring off;
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("Button Reset Pushed");
#endif
}
//Run pump only-toggle
//Also run servo limits
if(buttonTestPump.isPressed()){
//Toggle the Button state
statePumpButton = (!statePumpButton);
digitalWrite(PIN_PUMPRELAY, statePumpButton);
if (statePumpButton){
//Open Servo
//Servo1.setEasingType(EASE_BOUNCE_OUT);
Servo1.easeTo(servoOpen,360);//was 360
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("buttonTestPump Pushed to Open Servo");
Serial.print(" statePumpButton: ");
Serial.println (statePumpButton);
Serial.print(" servoOpen Value: ");
Serial.println (servoOpen);
#endif
}
else{
//Close Servo
//Servo1.setEasingType(EASE_BOUNCE_IN);
Servo1.easeTo(servoClosed,45);
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("buttonTestPump Pushed to close Servo");
Serial.print("statePumpButton: ");
Serial.println(statePumpButton);
Serial.print(" servoClosed Value: ");
Serial.println (servoClosed);
#endif
}
}
//run Smoke..but turnn pump on
if(buttonTestSmoke.isPressed()){
stateSmokeButton = !stateSmokeButton;
digitalWrite(PIN_PUMPRELAY, stateSmokeButton);//turn pump ON
digitalWrite(PIN_SMOKERELAY, stateSmokeButton);
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("buttonTestSmoke Pushed");
Serial.print("stateSmokeButton: ");
Serial.println(stateSmokeButton);
#endif
}
//Run Entire sequence
if(buttonTestAll.isPressed()){
//stateTestAllButton = !stateTestAllButton;
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("buttonTestAll Pushed");
Serial.print("stateTestAllButton: ");
Serial.println(stateTestAllButton);
#endif
isTriggered = true;
}

if(digitalRead(PIN_TRIGGER) == 0){
//Trigger signal from user detected
isTriggered = true;//digitalRead(PIN_TRIGGER);
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("PIN_TRIGGER State Read as:");
//Serial.print("stateTestAllButton: ");
Serial.println(isTriggered);
#endif

}

if(isTriggered && !wasTriggered){
//start smoke sequence only if isTriggered is true and wasTriggered is false
isTriggered = false;
//set wasTriggered to true to keep it from firing twice without finishing.
wasTriggered = true; //Set the sequence active flag to true
//Store the times of the events for easy reference
smokeOnMillis = millis() + 1000;
smokeOffMillis = millis() + 4000;
pumpOffMillis = millis() + 5000;
//Turn airpump ON
digitalWrite(PIN_PUMPRELAY, HIGH);
Servo1.easeTo(servoOpen,360);

#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println("isTriggered was true;");
#endif

}
if (wasTriggered){
updatePixels = true;
//ring1.update();
if(millis()>pumpOffMillis){ //should run this last
digitalWrite(PIN_PUMPRELAY, LOW); //Pump OFF and reset flags for a subsequent trigger
isTriggered = false; //set this false again incase we got a second command while running.
wasTriggered = false;
//ring1.ColorWipe(0,0,0); //turn NeoPixel ring off;
}
else if(millis()> smokeOffMillis){//should run this second
digitalWrite(PIN_SMOKERELAY,LOW); //Smoke OFF
}
else if(millis()> smokeOnMillis){//should run this first
digitalWrite(PIN_SMOKERELAY, HIGH); //Smoke ON
//Open Servo
//Servo1.setEasingType(EASE_BOUNCE_OUT);
Servo1.easeTo(servoOpen,360);//was 360
}
}
if(updatePixels){
ring1.update();
}
// Servo1.update();
// if(!Servo1.isMoving()){
// Servo1.detach();
// }
}`

[ArminJo]

Servos should not use much current after they reached the requested position, since they must be working in model aircrafts with small batteries.

[Eebel]

It's not about the power used as mush as running a servo constantly heats it if it is not perfectly aligned. These droids are constantly moving over bumpy surfaces and his head literally spins. The servos are not in a stable environment and when in an inactive state it is best to have them unpowered.

[ArminJo]

Ok, I got it.
After detach, the servo is not "powered" any more.
I added sample code at the end of the OneServo example.