G-00 Hinge consuming power

[goncaloeaguiar]

Greetings,

I created a Lunar Module analogue with the deployable rover using G-00 hinges. Unfortunately I noticed that the hinges when in place (locked) keep draining the batteries dry. If I disengage the hinges the rover automatically deploys in space. Is there anyway to stop the batteries from draining from the G-00 hinges? Is there any mechanical lock that doesn't require electrical charge?

Thank you in advance!

[AHHans]

Are you sure that you actually locked the hinges (enabled the servo lock), and that the lock was actually set? The lock on robotic parts is notorious for not setting because "the part is still moving", so you may have to try a few times for the lock to actually set.

A robotic part that is successfully locked should not consume any electricity.

[...]

Actually they don't consume electricity when they are not moving and are at their target angle, locked or not. But if they don't have the torque to move to their target angle then they won't lock and will keep consuming electricity.

[goncaloeaguiar]

On 9/7/2019 at 10:11 AM, AHHans said:

Are you sure that you actually locked the hinges (enabled the servo lock), and that the lock was actually set? The lock on robotic parts is notorious for not setting because "the part is still moving", so you may have to try a few times for the lock to actually set.

A robotic part that is successfully locked should not consume any electricity.

[...]

Actually they don't consume electricity when they are not moving and are at their target angle, locked or not. But if they don't have the torque to move to their target angle then they won't lock and will keep consuming electricity.

The problem is that the rover is completely packed and some parts are cliping with each other. I understand that perhaps there are some forces pushing the parts away from each other. I tried to reduce the torque percentage and it decreased the overall power consumption, but it's still there a bit.

[AHHans]

23 minutes ago, goncaloeaguiar said:

I understand that perhaps there are some forces pushing the parts away from each other.

Well, apparently there is. Otherwise the hinges wouldn't consume power trying to get to their target position. But that also means that the hinges are not locked!

If you want your rover to be just packed in and not move until you are landed on the Mun, then I'd suggest to set the hinges to locked in the VAB and only unlock them once you are on the Mun. I'd also suggest to set up (an) action group(s) to unlock them when they are needed.