Power HD Continuous Rotation Servo AR-3606HB

The servo cable is terminated with a Futaba-compatible JR-style connector.

Overview

The AR-3606HB is a standard-sized servo that has been built by Power HD specifically for continuous rotation. At 6 V, it has a maximum rotation speed of 71 RPM (no-load) and can produce up to 93 oz-in (6.7 kg-cm) of torque. It features two ball bearings on the output shaft for reduced friction, and it offers easy access to the rest-point adjustment potentiometer. The servo can be controlled using a direct connection to a single microcontroller I/O line without any additional electronics, which makes it a great actuator for beginner robotics projects. You can find more information about this servo under the specifications tab and in its datasheet (399k pdf).

The AR-3606HB continuous rotation servo converts standard RC servo position pulses into continuous rotation speed. The default rest point is 1.5 ms, but this can be adjusted by using a small screwdriver to turn the middle-point positioner. Pulse widths above the rest point result in counterclockwise rotation, with speed increasing as the pulse width increases; pulse widths below the rest point result in clockwise rotation, with speed increasing as the pulse width decreases.

The servo has a 12″ (300 mm) lead that is terminated with a JR-style connector and includes additional servo horns and mounting hardware. The following picture shows an example of the hardware that might be included (actual hardware could vary):

This robotics servo, which also sometimes goes by the Power HD part number AR3606HB, is compatible with our servo controllers and has a Futaba-compatible output shaft, which means it works with our servo wheels for standard servos (25T, 5.8 mm spline). This servo is also compatible with our Mounting Bracket for Standard-Size Servos:

If you are looking for a similar servo that is capable of limited-range position control as opposed to continuous rotation speed control, consider the Power HD standard servo 6001HB, which has almost the same size, weight, speed, and torque as the AR-3606HB.

Note that, as with most hobby servos, stalling or back-driving this servo can damage it.

Continuous rotation servo comparison

Continuous rotation servo size comparison. From left to right: SpringRC SM-S4303R, Power HD AR-3606HB, FEETECH FS5106R, Parallax Feedback 360°, Parallax (Futaba S148), and FEETECH FS90R.

	6 V		4.8 V		Weight (g)	Size (mm)	Direction vs pulse (1ms → 2ms)	Digital?	Feed­back?	Price
	Max speed (RPM)	Stall torque (oz·in)	Max speed (RPM)	Stall torque (oz·in)
SpringRC SM-S4303R	54	71	43	46	41	41.3 × 20.7 × 40.2	CW→CCW			$21.39
SURPLUS SpringRC SM-S4303R 2-Pack	54	71	43	46	41	41.3 × 20.7 × 40.2	CCW→CW			$24.74 for a pair of servos
FEETECH FS5106R	95	83	75	67	43	40.8 × 20.1 × 38.0	CW→CCW			$24.35
Parallax Feedback 360°	140	35	–	–	41	40.0 × 20.0 × 37.2	CW→CCW			$29.95
FEETECH FT90R	135	21	108	18	9	22.9 × 12.1 × 26.5	CW→CCW			$12.63
FEETECH FS90R	130	21	100	18	9	22.5 × 12.1 × 23.4	CW→CCW			$9.82