Are ball bearing servos really that much better than just regular standard servos? will they last longer? What is an expected lifespan of a standard non bb servo?

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Well I have some Airtronics 94102 servo's that are well over 20 years old and still going strong. The top of the case has worn out a bit and there is some slop in the way the servo arm moves. It is not a real problem in a slow flying trainer type.

I have them last as long as the first crash A BB servo will be a little smoother and will not have as much slop in them. SO if you need a super precise movement then a BB servo is needed. If you are flying a 40 sized trainer, any old standard $10.00 servo will work.

I have a bunch of the Cirrus CS-601 standard servo's. $10.00 each. I have pulled the top on 4 of them and they have had a BB in the top. Even though the description says it is nylon. They have good torque and center well too.


Dru.

There are a great number of factors that figure into how long will a servo last. I have some that are years old and still going strong and I have had some that have died in months. The load that is applied during flight is one of the biggest factors and can lead to stripped gears or a total failure. Improper mounting in the plane can shorten the life span. If the push rods bind and cause the servo to keep a strain on itself when fully deflected, it can cause failure. As for ball bearings, I think they are smoother than non bearing servo's. Good Luck, Dave

I will second the Airtronics 94102 servos. IMHO they are one of the best standard servos on the market. I have more of them than I can count and they are in a bunch of the planes I fly. I have a set in my GP Slowpoke that has well over 600 flights on it, and they are still going strong!!!

Ken

They aren't any stronger but they are smoother, the shaft is riding on bearings instead of just a plastic bushing. I have standard servos that are about 15 years old that are still working well without any signs of wear. It also depends on what surfaces you are driving with the servo. If you are using one servo on throttle and the same type of servo on elevator what one do you think is applying the most force and under the most stress?? They both work very well depending on how you fly and what type of plane they are in. Even if I was buying standard servos I would spend the extra two bucks and get the one with the bearings. If some years down the road I just use them on my throttle I like things to be smooth.

I have a bunch of old servos [from various crashes], what is the best way to test to insure they are in good shape?

Wow 600 flights is good enough for me, I need to build another SlowPoke this winter.
I have some 94102 Airtronics servo,s that I would happily give to some one still flying these style servos.with the funny black plug They were in a Corsair .60 I bought used. . I use JR or Spektrum so I,ll never use them.Also has matching switch and extensions if you want them. Have 5 of them and would work good for a trainer .