Im wondering how many of us have or would use recycled servos, receivers, switches, etc that have been in a serious crash. IE a plane totaled. Excluding powerplants.

I will re-use crashed components. Everything is sent in to the dealer for a check up and given an clean bill of health before they are reinstalled.

With the way UPS and USPS delivers my new stuff its already PRE -CRASHED !!! So whats the difference ....L.O.L....

Now that's funny!

As long as each component checks out I re-use them. I have sent back receivers for a check up before flying them after a crash, but will reuse them if they check out OK.

I always re-use crashed components after they have been either re-worked, repaired, or improved.
My plan is to convert all my DSC power switches to switches that use 18 awg wire and go through deans connectors.

Some Tid Bits


After a major crash every component is tested like this.

The receiver goes back to the manufacturer for testing.

The servos are put on a testing machine to verify the gear train and torque.

Batteries are cycled and mine are all wrapped in foam.

Engine is removed and put on my test stand and rechecked for performance.



If there is a typical problem it is in the servo gear train from what I have seen.

That is an exellent point. I should have incorporated this into the survey.

I never re-use crashed recievers or switches. (major crash) I will re-use
a servo that seems to be OK, but I won't put them on an elevator or ailerons.

FBD.

But how would I have anything to fly? I have not crashed since 1999 but at least 17 airplanes in the ready room would immediately be grounded. There are more but I’m afraid to count them since it is better to truthfully tell my wife “I don’t know how many airplanes I have.� I am not a builder and apparently became frightened about not having any thing to fly so I became a packrat.

I reuse everything, carefully. Some items from previous buyouts have been used successfully that the previous owner had in the scrap pile.

Same here and it costs less. Also you may get a clue on why the first bird crashed.

Pete

I know there's one person here on RCU that does (doesn't get it checked) then complains when it fails on the second airframe and uses that to give the manufacturer a bad name!!!!

In general, I see no problem with using crashed electrical components, BUT if its a new and nice (valuable) craft i'll go for new servos,crystals and reciver.

im actually building a tf P51 D 1:7, and am going to get a whole new setup for this craft.

I am doing the same on my turbine jet even though I have plenty of good components. Although I will still thoroughly test the new components, I hear of too many new digital servos failing on a maiden flight!

Nathan

I finally found servos and receiver from a mid-air in june (see post: "A Tale of Two Crashes" in this section). The servos are doubtful, only one of the three works, but the receiver was in a plastic baggie, stayed dry, and passed a range test when i installed it in my trainer to test it. I will fly it in my trainer and see how well it does; if it doesn't, well that's just one more of the many Superstars that have bit the dust. If I have any doubts, really, I will send it back to Futaba. I'm just glad I didn't sell the Tx that's on that freq.

khodges....

....hook the reciever up to some good servos, switch and battery. Tap on
the reciever with a pencil....see if it glitches the servos.

I have a whole bunch of "glitchers"....

FBD.

does it cost anything to get a rx checked?

Yes, if you send it in to a repair facility, they will change you a flat
fee, plus parts to fix them. I have never sent a reciever in, but my
friends do....I just replace them....I don't want to take the chance
of busting an engine, or totaling out a plane for the price of a new
reciever....usually about 60 bucks.....but that's just me.

Dave.