MG995 High Torque Metal Gear Servo Motor

Specifications

• Rotation Angle: 0° to 180° (Position Control).

• Torque:

  • ~9.4 kg-cm (at 4.8V).

  • ~12.0 kg-cm (at 6.0V).

• Speed:

  • 0.20 sec/60° (at 4.8V).

  • 0.16 sec/60° (at 6.0V).

• Gear Type: Composite (Semi-Metal / Heavy Duty Plastic internal mix).

• Dead Band Width: 5 µs.

• Operating Voltage: 4.8V to 7.2V DC (6V Recommended).

• Weight: 55g.

• Dimensions: 40.7 x 19.7 x 42.9 mm.

• Connector Wire: 300mm standard 3-pin.

Key Applications & Projects

• Robotic Arms: The shoulder and elbow joints of acrylic robot arms (standard 4-DOF kits).

• Biped/Hexapod Robots: Walking robots that need to support their own chassis weight.

• Automatic Dispensers: Pet food feeders or valve turners.

• RC Throttle/Steering: Standard 1/10 scale RC cars and boats (recreational use).

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• The Prerequisite: You’ve likely pushed a SG90 (9g) servo to its limit and heard it crunch or refuse to lift.

• The Upgrade: The MG995 provides 10x the torque of an SG90. This unlocks the ability to build Physics-Based Mechanisms—levers, pulleys, and claws that actually grip objects, not just wave at them.

• Effort Level: Intermediate.

  • Hardware Requirement: You MUST graduate from USB power. This motor requires an external power supply (Batteries/Adapter).

Virtual Technician: Wiring & Safety

Pinout Guide:

• Brown: Ground (GND) - Connect to Battery (-) AND Arduino GND.

• Red: VCC (+) - Connect to External Power Source (5V-6V).

• Orange: Signal (PWM) - Connect to Microcontroller Digital Pin.

⚠️ Critical Power Warning: Do NOT power this motor directly from an Arduino 5V pin.

• The Risk: This motor can draw spikes of 1.5A to 2A. The Arduino regulator can only handle ~500mA. You will reset your board, cause erratic behavior, or burn the regulator.

• The Fix: Use a 5V 3A Power Adapter or a high-current Li-Ion battery pack.

Accessories

Included in Box:

• 1x MG995 Standard Servo Motor.

• 1x Set of Servo Horns (Cross, Star, Disc types).

• 1x Screw Set for mounting and horn attachment.

Required (Sold Separately):

• Power Source: 5V 3A Adapter or LM2596 Buck Converter.

• Controller: Arduino UNO / Mega / ESP32.

• Connections: Male-Male Jumper Wires.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this the "Original" TowerPro MG995? No, this is the "Economy Grade" version. It performs similarly but is manufactured with cost-effective materials for students and hobbyists.

2. Why does my Arduino reset when the motor moves? You are likely powering it from the Arduino. This motor draws too much current. Use an external 5V power supply.

3. Are the gears 100% metal? This Economy version uses a "Composite" gear train—some gears are metal, some are reinforced plastic to keep costs low. For full metal, buy the MG996R.

4. Can I control this with a Raspberry Pi? Yes, but the Raspberry Pi cannot power it. Use an external 5V supply for the Red/Brown wires, and connect Orange to GPIO.

5. Why does the motor jitter/shake? Jitter is usually caused by insufficient power (voltage drop) or a noisy PWM signal. Ensure your power supply provides at least 2A.

6. What is the difference between MG995 and MG996R? MG996R is the upgraded version with a newer PCB, higher torque, and smoother movement. MG995 is the older, budget-friendly design.

7. Is it waterproof? No, it is not water-resistant.

8. Can I rotate it full 360 degrees? No, this is a standard 180-degree servo. For continuous rotation, look for "MG995 360 Degree".

9. What is the max voltage? It can handle up to 7.2V, but we recommend 6V for the best lifespan. 12V will burn it instantly.

10. How much weight can it lift? "12kg-cm" means it can hold 12kg at a distance of 1cm from the shaft. At 10cm, it can hold 1.2kg.

11. Does it come with the metal horn shown in some videos? No, standard packing includes robust plastic horns. Metal horns are sold separately.

12. Can I use the standard Servo.h library? Yes, it works perfectly with the standard Arduino library.

13. Why is the motor getting hot? If the load is too heavy (stalling the motor), it will heat up rapidly. Remove the load immediately to prevent burning.

14. Is the wire copper or aluminium? Standard copper signal wire.

15. Can I use this for a CNC machine? No, servos like this are not accurate enough for CNC. You need Stepper Motors for that.

16. Does it work with PCA9685 Servo Driver? Yes, that is actually the best way to drive multiple MG995s!

17. What is the stall current? Approximately 1200mA to 1500mA (1.5A).

18. Can I use a 9V battery? No! 9V batteries have very low current (Amps). The voltage will drop instantly, and the motor won't move properly.

19. How do I centre the servo? Write servo.write(90) in your code before attaching the horn to ensure it's in the middle.

20. Is this good for steering an RC car? For casual bashing, yes. For competitive racing, we recommend a faster digital servo.