Using the V5 3-Wire Servo – VEX Library

The VEX 3-Wire Servo is a motor equipped with an integrated microcontroller that enables precise angular positioning within a
100-degree range of motion. While continuous motors rotate freely, a servo motor uses an actuator to move to a specific position at a fixed speed and actively resists external movement while holding that position until given a new command.

Connecting the 3-Wire Servo

V5 Brain is shown with its eight 3-Wire ports highlighted. These ports are labeled alphabetically from A to H.

1. To connect a 3-Wire Servo to a V5 Brain, locate the 3-Wire ports on the side of the Brain.

V5 Brain is shown with the 3-Wire Servo device connected to one of its 3-Wire ports.

2. Connect the VEX 3-Wire Servo to one of these ports.

Configuring in VEXcode

VEXcode V5 Devices menu after the Add a device button has been selected. The 3-Wire option is highlighted.

1. Select 3-WIRE from the Device window.

VEXcode V5 Devices menu after the 3-Wire option has been selected. The Servo option is highlighted.

2. Select SERVO from the list of 3-Wire devices.

VEXcode V5 Devices menu with the 3-Wire Port menu shown.

3. Select which 3-Wire port the Servo is connected to.

VEXcode V5 Devices menu with the 3-Wire Port menu shown and the first Port selected. Below, the Done button is highlighted.

4. Select Done.

Note: Change the name of the Servo by selecting the name to the right of the Servo icon. In this screenshot, it is named "ServoA".

Using Servos with Blocks

Diagram of the 3-Wire Servo device with its range of motion shown as 100 degrees total. Labels indicate that when used in Blocks projects the Servo is centered at 50 degrees, ranging from 0 to 100.

The VEX 3-Wire Servo has a total range of 100 degrees, with the lower bound at 0 degrees, the upper bound at 100 degrees, and 50 degrees as the exact center.

Note: A VEX 3-Wire Servo begins each project by automatically centering itself at 50 degrees before completing any movements.

VEXcode V5 Spin servo block that reads Spin ServoA to position 50 degrees.

The motor can be controlled using the Spin Servo to position block by entering the desired angle for the motor to move to.

For more information about this block, go to the Spin Servo to position block API Reference here.

Using Servos with Python / C++

Diagram of the 3-Wire Servo device with its range of motion shown as 100 degrees total. Labels indicate that when used in Python / C++ projects the Servo is centered at 0 degrees, ranging from negative 50 to positive 50.

The VEX 3-Wire Servo has a total range of 100 degrees, with the lower bound at -50 degrees, the upper bound at 50 degrees, and 0 degrees as the exact center.

Note: A VEX 3-Wire Servo begins each project by automatically centering itself at 0 degrees before completing any movements.

Python

servo_a.set_position(50, DEGREES)

C++

ServoA.setPosition(50.0, degrees);

The motor can be controlled using its corresponding method in Python or C++ and entering the desired angle for the motor to move to.

For more information about these methods, go to their API Reference for Python or C++.