= What Servo Controller to use for servo motors on air vents? =

Done! I spent $32 for Pololu serial 8-servo. Keep this page here for your reference.

Also keep in mind that Pololu's USB controller will be no more useful with Linux than Pololu's serial controller, because it's not a true USB adapter, but a USB/Serial bridge based on CP2101 chip, specifications for which are not available. Negotiations with Silicon Laboratories were attempted at least by two people, and resulted in nothing. Summary is available at [http://www.kroah.com/log/2004/11/18/ linux kernel monkey log].

However, the USB controller has a serial interface as well, so you may consider buying it and using with Windows, or with Linux as a serial controller in hope that either the USB protocol will be hacked, or common sense prevails and SiLabs opens the specifications, thus making an open driver possible.

Options:

= USB =

  * [http://www.phidgets.com/index.php?module=pncommerce&func=itemview&KID=110470144068.217.6.201&IID=31 Phidget] 1001 4-Motor Phidget-Servo: USB device for controlling four servo motors. Packaged with USB cable, and manual. Product Cost:CDN 75.00 power supply 6V 1.5A CDN 16 S&H = ???

The same thing is available at [http://www.hvwtech.com/pages/products1a.asp?CatID=28&SubCatID=85 HVWTech] for $57.95 or CDN 73.95 $8 S&H

  * [http://www.pololu.com/products/pololu/0390/ Pololu] USB 16-servo controller for $81 $6 USB A to mini B cable, S&H free.

  * [http://www.acscontrol.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ACS&Product_Code=ACS-USB-SERVOII&Category_Code=USB Ackerman Computer Sciences] has ACS-USB-SERVOII USB controler for 8 servos with 8 opto inputs & Eight sink outputs for $94.95 $8 for enclosure $ 4 for USB AB cable ?? S&H.

  * [http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=52 Lynx Motion] has USBB-01 USB controler for 8 servos with 8 opto inputs & Eight sink outputs for $94.95 ?? (the only visible difference from the Ackerman's board is the external power connector).
 
= Serial =

  * [http://www.seetron.com/prices.htm#SSC Scott Edwards / Seetron] has SSC-ASD2 Mini SSC II Serial Servo Controller for 8 servos, assembled for $44 $8/S&H $6 for SSC-CBL DB9 serial cable for SSC-ASD2

  * [http://www.servocity.com/html/servo_controllers.html Servo City] sells #SC8450 for $39.95 ?? S&H. Robotzone Eight Servo Controller Board allows you to control up to eight hobby servos using a computer via a standard serial connector. An extra servo plug has been mounted on the Controller Board so that you can power the servos separately from the controller board and the rest of your device. A 9Volt or other drive battery (not included) powers the controller board itself.
 
  * [http://www.pololu.com/products/pololu/0390/ Pololu] has serial 8-servo and 16-servo controllers for $32 or $52 respectively. They also have $23 USB to serial adapter. The serial 8-servo is the one I selected. Now I found the power connector is not included, that will delay adaptation for a while.

  * [http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=52 Lynx Motion] has 8-servo and 12-servo serial controlers for $43.95 and $59.95 and $19.95 6V 2A regulated power supply.

 
= Other =
 
  * [http://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/shop/Servo_Controllers2070.htm Robot Electronics U.K.] has SD21 - 21 Servo Control Module. Refresh Rate - 20mS under all conditions, Control interface - I2C. Optional Controllers - Picaxe-18x, BS2p, Atom or BX-24 can be fitted. Position Control - Directly programmed in uS
Speed Control  - From maximum down to 20 seconds for full rotation
Servo Power - separate terminals for voltage of your choiceÂ
Logic Power - separate terminals or from servo supply when 7.2v battery is used. Expansion - 3 x I2C connectors for £21.99 £15 S&H. How can I get my data to I2C interface?