Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Hi Folks,

After being out of the R/C hobby for about 10 years, I'm just getting back into it and learing what's been changing.

I bought a used Astro Hog (minus the TX or RX) at the Lebanon, PA swap meet and flea market last Saturday. The servos are installed (Hitec), and the gentleman said it they are universal servo plugs. I'm planning to used my older, but never used Futaba Skysport 6 TX and RX. This system I bought new about 7 or 8 years ago. The servos in the 'Hog can be pluged into the RX either way. In other words the servo plugs don't have a little plastic tab that allows only one way that they can be pluged in. You can plug these servos in and unplug them, flip it over and plug it in that way too.

Which way is right? I definitely don't want to ruin anything when I turn on the switch.

Thanks,
Dan

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Generaly the black wire goes toward the outside of the receiver.
For example on this receiver the black wire should be plugged toward the right side.

http://hobbyrc2u.com/html/images/R146iP.jpg

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

The right way is the way the servo works.

If you have it backwards the servo won't do anything, but nor will it hurt anything.

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Many servos have a "key" meaning they will only go in one way. The key is the shape of the plug that goes into the receiver. If looking at it from the front of the connector, you will see the shape is flat along one side and has an angle on the edges on the other side. Match this up with your receiver.

Many servos have the negative or black lead on the outside with the signal lead closest to the inside of the receiver. They all go in the same way. And, they all are common to the power source, meaning all the negative are common and all the + leads are common. This means that you can plug a battery into any of the slots as long as the leads are correctly positioned.

The one pictured is a Spektrum AR600 receiver. Note the red circle showing the power and signal lead.

CGr.

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Thanks guys. Yeah, the servos that are included in my Skysport system are "keyed" for the receiver, however, the Hitec servos in the Astro Hog are not keyed and can be plugged in either way. Just wanted to make sure to get them plugged in correctly and not have anything go up in smoke if incorrect.

Dan

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Dan,
This diagram may help too

Ken

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

FWIW the diagram above, in Ken's post shows the older Airtronics connectors...the new ones have the same polarity as the other manuf. now, so the latest versions of Airtronics servos can be used with Futaba, Hitec, and JR receivers.

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Ok thanks for the diagram! That helps explain things.

I'm gonna head down into the workshop to plug the servos in.

Thanks guys.

Dan

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

As had been also said they will only work when plugged in correctly. Will not do any harm if not plugged in right.

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

I do what CS and BARR said. I also have the chart Ken posted for you. Most of my servos with the the tabs as Dick mentioned I have cut off but I do know the side that used to have the tab is on the left. After you plug in one with the black wire pointed outward it will either work or not. If not then just flip it.

RE: Which way do servos plug into receiver?
 

Ok guys, I've finally sat myself down in Photoshop and finally updated this diagram that I've used for years. Here is the updated diagram

Ken