Servo compatibality
 

Is it okay to use airtronics servos with futaba equipment? What works each other and what doesn't?

RE: Servo compatibality
 

Yes, you can use any brand servo with any brand reciever. If they are older Airtronics servos you will have to pay attention to the attached servo diagram as the wiring is reversed for older Airtronics. See attached diagram.

Ken

RE: Servo compatibality
 

i used my old Futaba Servo's with my new spektrum, just had to trim the lil extension on the connector.

RE: Servo compatibality
 

Ken.. correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there a small problem of servo reversal with JR's and Spektrums when used with other receivers? If so, it's just a simple matter of reversing the servo action in the TX. It may be the same way for an Airtronics on the Spektrum if used as a replacement for a Spektrum, but I am not sure. I've never replaced one like that, but I do seem to recall that small... well, issue, it's not a problem just something to pay attention to if replacing one.

DS

RE: Servo compatibality
 

CG,
I use Airtronics servos on my JR X9303 (with Spektrum receiver) and had no issues at all. They were a mix of both older and new Airtronics servos and they all worked just fine. The new ones had Z-connectors that plugged straight into the receiver, but on the older servos I had to use the pigtail converter that Airtronics has to go from Airtronics old to Z.

Ken

RE: Servo compatibality
 

CG I wouldn't call it a "problem" but yes, different servos are wired internally differently so changing from a Futaba to a Hitec servo for example the Hitec would need reversing in the transmitter.

Any time you change servos verify control direction, and this is usually best done BEFORE you take off. Just trust me on this ;)

RE: Servo compatibality
 

Most all of my equipment is Airtronics and I have created some habits that help me keep things straight while using "old" and "Z" connectors and these are something you'll have to create yourself when you have the "old" Airtronics burden.

I have 12 black, 3 blue "Z" Airtronics receiver's and 1 Futaba. Any common servo will plug into an old Airtronics receiver (black and gold) but as RCKen stated the wires are crossed. You have to get a $3.00 adapter for each servo and battery pack, or simply switch the red and black wires making sure the black wire is in the middle with the red on the outside, which is what I do. If this isn't done, especially with the battery pack several things will start smoking, you can trust ME on that one. I even have planes with old Airtronics servos and new "Z" style servos mixed in the same receiver with no problems.

As for your original question,

I can't speak for Spektrum but with any Futaba, Hitec, JR, Airtronics "Z" (blue) receivers , I have used all of the big 4's servos with no problems, and even mixed brands in the same receiver. Using the old style Airtronics plug is too much of a pain though because the plug is too fat with the 3 tabs on it to fit in the outlet on the receiver. I have found cutting the tabs off to be too troublesome and sloppy. It's easier to cut and solder a new style plug onto it paying close attention to the wire positions, or better yet keep them for the old receiver and get new servos for the rest.

The charge leads for the different styles is another thing you have to keep on your toes about too. Just make sure you you have an old style plug from an old style receiver and you can't plug the new style female into it.

I hope this helped....

Jeff