Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > RC Jets
 Servo Maintenance When? >

Servo Maintenance When?

Community
Search
Notices
RC Jets Discuss RC jets in this forum plus rc turbines and ducted fan power systems

Servo Maintenance When?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-22-2011 | 07:04 AM
  #1  
rcjets12's Avatar
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (21)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Palm Bay , FL
Default Servo Maintenance When?

I have been going back and forth about this. On my airplane especially my Jets I check my servos before flight to make sure they are holding but my question is when or if I should change out the gears on them or maybe even replace the servo for new ones.
Old 11-22-2011 | 07:06 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Enterprise, AL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

replace them when they fail. you can go thousands of flights or just one, there is no set schedule for servo failure.
Old 11-22-2011 | 07:07 AM
  #3  
FalconWings's Avatar
My Feedback: (57)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,998
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

Dude, seriously, if you have to ask you probably need new servos

Servos should grow old with your airframes.
Old 11-22-2011 | 10:04 AM
  #4  
rhklenke's Avatar
My Feedback: (24)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,005
Likes: 0
Received 34 Likes on 21 Posts
From: Richmond, VA
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

This question was asked here not long ago and I believe the consensus was that the servos in a jet have such a low level of activity that the gears, motors, and pots don't wear very much. Most guys echoed the sentiment above - don't replace them unless they show signs of wear. Now in a 40% 3D airplane or helicopter, I think the answer is different and there the top guys generally replace/rebuild their servos every couple of seasons - at least the ones I've talked to do...

Bob
Old 11-22-2011 | 10:37 AM
  #5  
rcjets12's Avatar
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (21)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Palm Bay , FL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?


ORIGINAL: KC36330

replace them when they fail. you can go thousands of flights or just one, there is no set schedule for servo failure.
Thats just the problem I would like to avoid the servo failure in flight where it could cost thousands
Old 11-22-2011 | 10:41 AM
  #6  
rcjets12's Avatar
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (21)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Palm Bay , FL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

ORIGINAL: FalconWings

Dude, seriously, if you have to ask you probably need new servos

Servos should grow old with your airframes.
You are right they should but if they die in the air then your Jet could die with it [&o] I have seen servos go bad plenty of times in other peoples jets in flight and always wonder if they check them on the ground before the flight.
Old 11-22-2011 | 11:44 AM
  #7  
My Feedback: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,672
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 16 Posts
From: private, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?


ORIGINAL: rcjets12

wonder if they check them on the ground before the fight.
Excellent Freudian slip!
Old 11-22-2011 | 12:12 PM
  #8  
Roberto Denadai's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: , BRAZIL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?


ORIGINAL: KC36330

replace them when they fail.
if they fail, say good bye to your jet, but life is risk
Old 11-22-2011 | 12:24 PM
  #9  
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Enterprise, AL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

i've had servos last 25+ yrs in high vibration helicopters without even a hint of a problem, i've had a few high end servos fail during setup, there is no expiration date stamped on them and there is no set time in use that if you replace them you're guaranteed they won't fail..........so regardless you're taking the same chance on EVERY flight that you fly regardless if you fly till they fail or you have some scheduled maintenance/replacement program.


i've had occasions where they failed in flight, i've never lost a jet because of it.............granted it's never been a full flying stab but i have lost half a elevator on one and an aileron on another and still got them back on deck without any issues.
Old 11-22-2011 | 12:40 PM
  #10  
gunradd's Avatar
My Feedback: (9)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,426
Received 50 Likes on 43 Posts
From: Springhill, FL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

I would trust a servo with 100 + flights before I trust a new one.
Old 11-22-2011 | 05:50 PM
  #11  
My Feedback: (106)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Martinsville, VA
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?


ORIGINAL: gunradd

I would trust a servo with 100 + flights before I trust a new one.
+ One
Old 11-23-2011 | 08:06 AM
  #12  
My Feedback: (14)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Bakersfield, CA
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

Rc Jets 12
Your avatar looks like you are about 12yrs old. And there are so many things to really worry about while flying a jet. Such as birds being sucked into the jet. Hitting other planes such as foamies that seem to go up to fly when we get a jet in the air. At least at our field. Sun spots, if you fly into the sun, and cant see the plane for a while. When you think of some of these and other things, then the servo issue just seems to be less important.
John
Old 11-23-2011 | 08:10 AM
  #13  
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Enterprise, AL
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?


ORIGINAL: indubitably

Rc Jets 12
Your avatar looks like you are about 12yrs old.
looks like about a 6yr old daughter to me.....
Old 11-23-2011 | 01:55 PM
  #14  
My Feedback: (66)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: fairfield, CA
Default RE: Servo Maintenance When?

get one of those fancy servo testers. run new servos through it record the performance. then over time recheck your servos and if see a change in performance then change it out. Do this servo check with a load on it. use a quick clamp in a mount to hold the servo. put on a large 2" horn and hook it up to a spring, R/C car shock light weight one, rubber bands or what ever to add a load to it.

like i said you can see the performance of the servo and over time if bad change it. this should help find a bad servo if new also.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.