Tail servos
 

I just received a HK 450 GT PRO and now is the time for the elect's.

I was going to use analog for the head servos but when I looked at where the tail servo mounts the mounting is for a larger servo. After looking around I found out the servos to use are Futaba s9257 or equivalent size.

This servo is $60-$70.00, that's what I paid for the HK 450.

Is it really necessary to use digital?

Would a good analog servo work?

Larry

RE: Tail servos
 

Digital is preferred on the tail and on cyclic there's no need for digital. However, you don't have to have digital on the tail. Analog will work fine. Make a spacer out of wood or something if the servo tray is too big.

I can tell you from personal experience that there is a big difference between using a $4 servo and a S9257 on the tail. However people that use $20 or $30 servos on the tail say they work great. If you want a cheap option some people at my local clubs like using an esky digital servo on the tail, I'm not very fond of them (lots of times 1 out of every 2 or 3 don't work brand new) but it might be worth a shot. Keep in note that most servos including the esky digitals will require a homemade spacer. Maybe there are smaller servo mounts out there but I keep mentioning a homemade spacer because I just saw one last week for the exact purpose.

One last thing, if you use an analog servo, which will work fine, be sure to read over your gyros manual, sometimes there's a switch for digital or analog servo, and I can't quite remember but I think you don't use head hold when using an analog servo (don't quote me, I'm not too sure on this).

RE: Tail servos
 

Thanks, I was planing on using a HS81 servo for the tail rotor. The other servo bays are too small for HS81's so a cheaper servo will have to work...

The Gyro is a knock-off of the Futaba GY401. It has the switch for analog /digital.

Thank for your input.

Larry

RE: Tail servos
 

I like this. Not to be hard on you but you buy a clone to be cheap and now you complain about the servo costing as much as the kit. If you bought the $29 then you'd want a $5 servo?
You will get the best performance from the Futaba servo or another good fast one. They are not going to be cheap though. That soes not mean you can't use a cheap servo, just the performance will not be as good. But then you probably will not get quite as good of performance from the clone (but very close)....
You can get discounts at Tower Hobbies for this servo and a good gyro (the GY520). Have you picked out the other servos, motor, and ESC?

RE: Tail servos
 

The gyro is not a "knock off" of the 401. The insides are totally different. They spent more time making it look like (and named like) the GY401 than on getting it to work like one. There is a lot of info on all this at the heli specific sites.

RE: Tail servos
 

This is my first Heli (250 size) and I didnt want to invest $500.00 in a T REX 450 and then go smash it to heck.

I have learned by flying planes, start cheap untill you get it down and then go better. I dosent hurt as much to crack up a $150.00 plane then a $500.00 when you learning the skill.

I do have a supply of receivers, ESC, and motors that I can put into the 450, so my cost there is used equipment.

I dont use digitals in any of my planes so just to spend $70- on a digital servo for just 1 application dosent make sense to me.

I can see buy your Avitar that you like big stuff, I myself am a 1/12 scale junkie. I only own 1 engine over .46 displacement.

So maybe I can get by using the cheap stuff....

Thanks for your input.

Larry

RE: Tail servos
 

Larry, while I do have a big item or two I also have many small and electric planes and helos. If you plan on staying in the hobby, and it sounds like you do, you should buy quality items where these items will transfer with you as you get better. The Gyro and tail servo are exactly the type item you shuold buy good now and that way you have it for that high end helo you'll have come summer.

RE: Tail servos
 

I do agree with you up to a point. You have never seen me fly a heli.

I have for about 1 1/2 years now tried to master a Blade CP. Just cant do it.

After having our club heli trainer try to fly the Blade he was having difficulty with it. He admitted he would like to master it because it was a challenge for him to fly.

He pointed out that it was NOT the heli to learn on.

I buddy boxed with his T REX 450 and found it easier to hover than the Blade, but still not too sure about it.

If I like it I will upgrade but right now I'm going cheap (do you know how many replacement blades, rotor shafts and booms I busted up with the Blade CP[&o]).

I just made a bracket for a HS81 so we will see how it goes...:D

Again as always, thanks for your input.


Larry

RE: Tail servos
 

have you looked at hyperion tail servos?
ive had success with them and the 401 gyro on my 450

http://www.allerc.com/product_info.p...oducts_id=3488



this one for larger helis

http://www.allerc.com/product_info.p...oducts_id=3489

RE: Tail servos
 

WOW, I forgot all about AlleRC. I use to buy mini servos from him about 4 year ago. Thanks for the reminder. I will look into it.

Larry

RE: Tail servos
 

I'm just now finishing the Copter=X 450, another T-Rex clone. I just ordered some 4 dollar servos for cyclic, 24 dollar servo for tail, the 401 clone gyro, motor and esc from hobby city. When it gets here a month from now on that slow boat from Hong Kong, I'll give my little review. For what it will be worth then.

RE: Tail servos
 

Right there is your entire problem. Completely different to airplanes, I can crash a helicopter full throttle into the ground inverted, take it home and have it flying again by the following weekend. You cannot do that with airplanes. If crash an airplane full throttle nose first into the ground, it will be much easier to put it all in a trash bag (and most likely the only option avaiable).

The is NO smashing to HECK on helicopters. They can get really close, that it will make you consider buying an entire new kit, but you have to make it dirt dive full speed into something harder than dirt. Smashing to HECK only exists on airplanes.

Get that plank(ahem)..... Airplane mentality out of your head...... :D

Rafael

RE: Tail servos
 

"The is NO smashing to HECK on helicopters. They can get really close, that it will make you consider buying an entire new kit, but you have to make it dirt dive full speed into something harder than dirt. Smashing to HECK only exists on airplanes."


And I have crashed many a airplane in my time.

Some have taken to the air again and some end up in the burn pile.

Either way it's still $$

But, what the HECK, it's a sport, right?:)


Larry