Servo Play
 

I've two new S3003 servos on my plane and I noted that thos has a play coming from the gears that results on a play on 2 to 3 mm play on the ailerons (big one though).
Is that normal? how can I solve that? I want to feel tha aileron tight with no play when you move it by hand. Linkages are more than good since are ball bearings clevises and metal uniballs, so I'm pretty sure that the play comes from the servo gear.
hope the the question es clear... :D

RE: Servo Play
 

S3003 servos are VERY basic servos. Try replacing them with a S9001

RE: Servo Play
 

Is this play when radio is on or off. If off that may not be so when on which should electronically be keeping them centered.

RE: Servo Play
 

I don't know if this helps but I have S3001's and don't have any play. Maybe bad servos? http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...used_smile.gif

RE: Servo Play
 

Servos using a top cover plastic bering will wear rapidly with use and they will demonstrate a sloppy output shaft in time.

Not much you can do short of replacing the case's top cover and that is really not worth it with bottom line servo's.

A better choice is to use a servo with ball bering output shaft if the slop cannot be tolerated.

John

RE: Servo Play
 

Well; servos are pretty new; I made 34 flights with them on th ailerons of a 90 accipiter (phoenix models). The play is 100% mechanical -no electrinic issue at all- and can be observed wherter the servo is on or off.
Thanks for you comments.
Guille

RE: Servo Play
 

Put you finger on the output shaft/servo arm of the servo with the system powered up. Now wiggle the surface with your other hand, if you feel movement of the output bushing at all then that is your problem. Its a worn output bushing.

Thirty four flights in such an airplane is easily enough to show noticible wear with a plastc top bearing.

John

RE: Servo Play
 

Do everything John is saying, there are only two places for slop in that servo, either the shaft or the gears themselves. When you buy new servos at least buy BB [ball bearing] servos, for a couple dollars more they are smoother and don't wear out as quickly. Those servos you have are designed for smaller 40 size planes, very good for trainers and smaller sport type of planes. As you move up in planes you should be moving up in servos too.

RE: Servo Play
 

Hi!
Are you sure it's the servo???
Check the linkage! If it's the ailerons check the servo arm, aileron linkage , and where the linkage is glued to the ailerons.
...And most important! check so that you have long aileron linkage and as short as possible servo arm...this is the basic servo set-up rule!

RE: Servo Play
 

Hi!
Are you sure it's the servo???
Check the aileron linkage! Check the servo arm to linkage play (if there is any fix it), aileron linkage , and where the aileron linkage is glued to the ailerons. There should be no play!
...And most important! check so that you have long aileron linkage and as short as possible servo arm...this is the basic servo set-up rule!
If you have short aileron linkage there will be more play! Long linkage is something to strive for if you want a tight , no-play set-up.

RE: Servo Play
 

If you find that the play is all in the servo bushing, you can replace the covers with s3004 covers. The only difference between the two servos is that the s3004 has a ball bearing. Tower sells a kit to convert 4 servos for not much more than one s3004.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXXD61&P=7

RE: Servo Play
 

Thanks for the answers... I started another thead regarding to this issue: "Solution to servo play?"
All invited to see!!!