Differences between Servos
10-25-2014, 09:05 AM
#1
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Differences between Servos
Hello all;
Can anyone tell me the difference between a analog servo and the digital servo. I have an old Airtronics RD6000, never used. The receiver is a "92777". And can the analog servo's sold today be able to match this system. I am planning to buy another Transmitter, 2.4 later on next year. I am on a fixed income and my funds has to budgeted.
Thank you
Can anyone tell me the difference between a analog servo and the digital servo. I have an old Airtronics RD6000, never used. The receiver is a "92777". And can the analog servo's sold today be able to match this system. I am planning to buy another Transmitter, 2.4 later on next year. I am on a fixed income and my funds has to budgeted.
Thank you
10-25-2014, 10:51 AM
#2
It all depends on what color the plugs on your servos are? If they are black and have three splines on them the the answer is no you cannot use any modern servo in that receiver and switch harness.
If your existing servos have blue plastic plugs the the answer is Yes you can use any modern servo even Futaba if you shave off that little spline. Also you can use analog as well as digital but P.S. digital is a waste of money when you are learning and on most trainers.
Hint
since you are on limited funds, run don't walk to your nearest RC club now. You will find an invaluable resource for 'stuff' and usually a much better prices than the internet. This especially so for new follks any age many in your local club tend to help support new folks when they become menbers with donation of bits and pieces and whole airplane set ups at times.John
10-25-2014, 12:31 PM
#4
That is the blue plug (center pin positive) and is completely compatible with all modern plugs of all the majors and there is no reason not to use them or any other brand if you like.
The only caution is if you plug a futaba servo with the modern J plug into your receiver you may have to save of one little tab and of there are some micro receivers that use Yup micro plugs and of course ya cant't use those without a hugh hassle.
Enjoy
John
The only caution is if you plug a futaba servo with the modern J plug into your receiver you may have to save of one little tab and of there are some micro receivers that use Yup micro plugs and of course ya cant't use those without a hugh hassle.
Enjoy
John
10-25-2014, 02:39 PM
#5
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Thank you, I have been out of this for about 26 yrs, was going to try and get back into it in 2005. My Brother had bought a ARF Spectra Glider and the Airtronics RD600 Sport. But he he passed away suddenly from Cancer after buying these things. So, he never got to seen them fly and I fell out of it again. I used to flt a Gentle Lady and the Aquila sailplanes. I still have the Spectra and I have a 3/4 built Aquila Grande. Thank you again.
10-25-2014, 04:04 PM
#6
Any of the JR, Hitec and newer blue Airtronics plugged servo will work. I have one of the original RD6000's, it is not the sport or the super. I use digital, analog servos without issue. I was using the RD to fly my old Raptor 30 helicopter with digital servos.
Buzz.
Buzz.
10-26-2014, 02:08 PM
#7
Aquila 1954, finish that Grande.....what a beautiful plane! And yes, Airtronics are good radios - I have to admit all my Airtronics radios are on 72 and all my 2.4 are JR and Futaba.....watch the classified section, a LOT of older Airtronics servos are being sold - and you can purchase a 'crossover' extension that will permit a black plugged servo plug into a blue receiver. "Hobbypeople dot net" is a good source for Airtronics equipment.
10-27-2014, 07:01 AM
#9
Hi Aquila, Indeed I agree with tailskid there are tons of used servos out there of all brands that are perfectly good and can be purchased very cheaply. In your case with the modern airtronics Z plug (that's the blue ones) receiver and switch harness it makes much more sense seeking used servos when the time comes is to smply avoid the Old Syle (black plugs) servos altogether. There are adapters avalible but that is and extra expense for each servo that is unneeded if you look for other compatible servos. There really is not going to be any difference in price.
All hitec servo plugs are compatible, all JR servo plugs (not wall chargers are compatible) are compatible and All Futaba J plug servos are compatible if you shave off a single spline on the male plug with a hobby knife. Oh of course the blue plug Airtronics servos too.
The servos to avoid in the used market for you would be old style (black plug) Airtronics servos, Old Futaba (G) plug servos (these are easiy to spot since the plug pins are at a ninety degree angle and the maie pins are exposed) and finally any brand servo with four four wire conductors.
John
All hitec servo plugs are compatible, all JR servo plugs (not wall chargers are compatible) are compatible and All Futaba J plug servos are compatible if you shave off a single spline on the male plug with a hobby knife. Oh of course the blue plug Airtronics servos too.
The servos to avoid in the used market for you would be old style (black plug) Airtronics servos, Old Futaba (G) plug servos (these are easiy to spot since the plug pins are at a ninety degree angle and the maie pins are exposed) and finally any brand servo with four four wire conductors.
John
Last edited by JohnBuckner; 10-27-2014 at 07:04 AM.
10-27-2014, 07:19 AM
#10
Just a little note, if older Airtronics servos are found, they are still usable by changing the plugs. By looking at the older black plug you will notice one of the three has a red stripe. That would be the positive wire, the next adjacent wire is the negative and the last wire is the signal. I have bought several older sailplanes that came with older Airtronics servos and have changed plugs to match my Hitec Optima receivers without any issues. The older Airtronics 94141 metal gear servos were everywhere in the '90s, still a great servo in my opinion.
10-27-2014, 07:24 AM
#11
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Thank you, since I am getting back into this, I am planning to build 3 or 4 new sailplanes before Summer. The ones I like are, Gentle Lady, Sig Riser, Sig Riser 100, and the The Bird of Time. And of course to finish my Aquila Grande.
10-27-2014, 07:59 AM
#12
You are welcome, either the Riser or the Gentle Lady are an excellent first start. For those may I suggest if you look for used servos a better type of servo to look for are not the so called standard sized servo which will work but instead 'mini's' Hitec has an excellent little guy called the HS225 and Futaba has an equivalent also. These types of servos are out there to for not to much especially used. This class of servo will serve you well in all the gliders you mentioned and being a little smaller will greatly simplify the installation and make life easier.
John
John
10-27-2014, 09:45 AM
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Oh, I have used the Gentle lady before, 26 yrs ago. here is a picture of it, also had the standard class Aquila. Before it wanted to crash itself.
I have checked on the price of that servo, it is very reasonable. Thank you very much.
I also want to scratch build the Aquila, I found the plans here on Outerzone.
Last edited by Aquila1954; 10-27-2014 at 09:50 AM.
