MG996R 13KG High Torque Digital Continuous Rotation Servo - 360 Degree Metal Gear High Quality

Specifications

• Model: MG996R (360-Degree Version)

• Operating Voltage: 4.8V to 7.2V DC

• Stall Torque: 11 kg-cm (at 4.8V) / 13 kg-cm (at 6.0V)

• Rotation Type: 360-Degree Continuous (Endless)

• Control Method: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for Speed/Direction

• Stop Point (Null): ~1500 µs

• Gear Type: Metal Gears

• Spline Count: 25T (Standard Futaba size)

• Dimensions: 40mm x 20mm x 36.5mm (Main Body)

• Weight: ~55g

• Connector Type: JR / Futaba compatible (Brown/Red/Orange)

Key Applications and Projects

• 2WD / 4WD Robot Rovers: Bolting custom RC wheels directly to the 25T spline to act as the primary drive motors for a mobile robot. No external motor driver required!

• Continuous Winches: Creating a motorized spool that can endlessly wind or unwind a string to lift trap doors or raise flags.

• Radar / Camera Panning: Sweeping a lightweight LiDAR sensor or camera around in endless, continuous circles.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• The Ultimate Easy-Wire Rover: Standard DC motors require external motor drivers and complex wiring. Evolve your robotics by using two MG996R 360-degree servos instead! Mount them to a chassis and attach wheels to the servo splines. Connect the power wires to a 6V battery pack, and plug the signal wires directly into an Arduino's digital pins. Using the standard Arduino <Servo.h> library, servo.write(90) stops the wheel, servo.write(180) goes full speed forward, and servo.write(0) goes full speed backward. You now have a fully programmable robot base with minimal wiring!

Package Includes:

• 1 x MG996R High Torque Metal Gear 360-Degree Servo

• 1 x Straight Single-Arm Plastic Horn

• 1 x Double-Arm Plastic Horn

• 4 x Rubber Vibration-Damping Grommets

• 4 x Brass Eyelets (Ferrules)

• 5 x Mounting / Horn Screws

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between this 360 servo and a 180 servo? A 180-degree servo moves to a specific angle and stops. This 360-degree servo is "continuous rotation"; it spins endlessly like a regular motor, and you use the control signal to dictate its speed and direction rather than its position.

2. Can I command this servo to hold an exact angle (like 45 degrees)? No. Because the internal feedback potentiometer has been removed to allow endless rotation, the servo no longer knows what angle it is at.

3. How do I make it stop spinning? Using a standard Arduino servo library, sending a command of 90 (or a 1500µs pulse) will bring the motor to a complete stop.

4. How do I make it spin forward or backward? Sending a command greater than 90 (up to 180) spins it in one direction. Sending a command less than 90 (down to 0) spins it in the opposite direction.

5. How do I control the speed? The further your command is from the center point (90), the faster it spins. 95 is a slow crawl, while 180 is maximum speed.

6. What does "13KG" torque mean? It means that if you attach an arm that is 1 centimeter long to the servo spline, the servo can lift a 13-kilogram weight at the end of that arm (when powered at 6V).

7. What is the operating voltage? The servo is rated to operate safely between 4.8V and 7.2V DC. 6.0V is generally ideal for balancing speed and lifespan.

8. Can I power this directly from my Arduino's 5V pin? No. A high-torque servo pulls too much current under load and will instantly brown-out or damage your microcontroller. Always use a dedicated external power supply.

9. What do the three wire colors mean? Brown is Ground (GND / Negative). Red is Power (VCC / Positive). Orange/Yellow is the PWM Signal wire.

10. Are the gears metal or plastic? The internal gear train is constructed from brass and steel alloy metals for high durability under load.

11. What is the spline size for attaching custom wheels or horns? The output gear features an industry-standard 25T (25-tooth) Futaba-style spline.

12. What are the black rubber pieces and brass rings for? They are vibration dampers. Push the rubber grommets into the servo flanges, slide the brass eyelets into the rubber, and drive your mounting screws through the brass.

13. Is the MG996R waterproof? No. While the casing is tightly fit, water can enter through the seams and output bearing. It is not meant for submerged or heavy-rain use.

14. What are the physical dimensions of the body? The main rectangular body is roughly 40mm long, 20mm wide, and 36.5mm tall.

15. What is the distance between the mounting holes? The hole centers are spaced 47.8mm apart lengthwise, and 10.2mm apart widthwise.

16. Why does the motor slowly creep when I command it to stop (90 degrees)? The internal "center" resting point can drift slightly. If 90 causes it to slowly crawl, try sending 89 or 91, or adjust the microsecond pulse specifically (e.g., 1495µs) until it sits dead still.

17. Can I use a 2S LiPo battery (7.4V - 8.4V) to power this? A fully charged 2S LiPo sits at 8.4V, which is too high and will burn out the servo's control board. You must use a UBEC (voltage regulator) to step the power down to a safe 6.0V.

18. Does this servo require an external L298N motor driver? No! That is the beauty of continuous rotation servos. The motor driver is built into the servo's internal circuit board. You just give it power and a signal.

19. How tall is the servo including the gear spline? The total height from the bottom casing to the tip of the gear spline is roughly 53.1mm (36.5mm body + 16.6mm upper assembly).

20. Can I use this for the steering rack on an RC car? No. RC car steering requires a positional 180-degree servo that snaps back to center. A 360-degree servo will just spin your steering linkage in circles until it breaks something. Use this strictly for drive wheels or winches.