azalner

My Feedback: (8)

Tom

I recently bought one of your Baby Edge complete packages wich included the Hitec 5485 servos. Overall I am extremely happy with my decision, especially switching to A123 batteries. However as flying season approaches a number of my modeling friends have expressed concerns using the Hitec 5485 servos in this application. More specifically they think that this servo does not have enough torque for the rudder. In addition they are concerned that the Karbonite gears will not hold up in a gas application. Care to share your experiences using this servo on 30cc gas powered applications.

Thanks

Al

rctom

Your friends are 1 for 2.

It is true that the 90 oz. servos are marginal on the rudder for heavy duty 3D and knife edge. THey work fine on elevators and ailerons and are fine on rudder for sport flying, but you will see a performance difference with a stronger servo on rudder.

I have sold several hundred of the 5485 servos on these 30cc planes and have never heard of one with broken gears. We test them pretty hard here and have never broken a gear on the small planes.

I DID use Karbonite geared 6985s on a 100cc plane (2 per wing panel) and after 8 flights the outer servo on each wing had broken gears. but that's an extreme case. Gear strength required is a function of the weight of the surfaces and the amount of vibration from the engine, plus having solid linkages that do not allow flutter.

As I said they have all worked so far without any problem ON THESE PLANES. Use on a larger plane with heavier surfaces may not go so well.

TF

azalner

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks Tom

I'm going to go with a HS645MG on rudder (cause that's what I have in my box).

Al

rctom

OK but be aware the 645 is slow and not very accurate.

TF

azalner

My Feedback: (8)

I'll give the 645's a go and see how they work out. What do you know about the Power HD DS-090 or HS-9110?

rctom

DS-090s are in the same group as the DS-120s, they are less expensive than the other digitals from HD and presumably more cheaply made. There have been a lot of problem, reports about the DS-120s, more than the 9xxx series, so I'd stay away from them.

The 9110s would be a good choice for a rudder servo or anything else. I still have a few 9110s in stock for $25 each.

TF

azalner

My Feedback: (8)

I'll give a couple a try. I'll call you later today.

azalner

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks for the tip on my MPI switch. It turns out I was feeding 3.3 volts back to the receiver ALL the time. Unfortunately I may have trashed one of the cells - An expensive lesson!

5150flyer

90 oz. at 6 volt is not enough for a 30 cc acro plane. Sure it will work, but sooner or later you will get flutter or blow back and you will lose the plane.

rctom

This flies in the face of actual experience which has shown them to be very reliable and, on our planes, completely up to the job.

The Karbonite gears are very tight and don't seem to wear so flutter problems coming from a servo being loose just don't happen. In fact that type of thing is more likely to happen on a metal gear servo when the gears get worn.

People are always free to spend more money on servos but I don't see it being necessary.


TF

matt_xb8r

My Feedback: (8)

I've used 5485's in several planes, including a 30cc gas (not a Wild Hare unfortunately) and they have worked great in every application.  Been flying that gas plane for 2 years without a problem.  5485's are the best bang for the buck servo out in my opinion.

5150flyer

The Karbonite gears when new are not the primary concern. I would worry about the lack of servo torque leading to flutter and then the plane taking a dirt nap. Spend more on servos.

rctom

Then you would be worrying needlessly because they work fine.

TF