SG90 servo is vibrating and heating when I try to control it using Raspberry pi 3

Question

I brought a new SG90 servo and I tried to control it using my Raspberry Pi's pin 17 writing the following code on the terminal's python

>>>import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
>>>import time

>>>GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
>>>GPIO.setwarnings(False)

>>>GPIO.setup(17, GPIO.OUT)
>>>servo=GPIO.PWM(17, 50)
>>>servo.start(5)
>>>servo.ChangeDutyCycle(2)

When the last command is executed, the servo performs its job but it vibrates a lot and it heats up. Please help me solve this.

Answer 1

It is inadvisable to use software timed PWM to drive servos. The pulse width determines the desired position of the servo. With software PWM the pulse width is erratic so the servo is continually trying to adjust its position. This results in heat and the servo quickly wearing out.

Use hardware timed pulses using one of the following methods.

1. You can use an external pulse width generator
2. or one of the modules which uses DMA to time the pulses (e.g. servoblaster, (my) pigpio, etc.).
3. Alternatively use software which supports the hardware PWM pins on the Pi (e.g. pigpio).