Steering Servo Feedback Please....
 

We are currently developing some direct-steer (hard linkage instead off pull-pull) mechanisms for our new Pro-Link Genesis series retracts and I could use a little feedback regarding steering servo choices. We wish to have the servo mount drop-in-ready for the most popular servos being used for steering application. Can you please provide us with your preferred steering servo choice by manufacturer and model? We certainly appreciate your feedback!
Thank you in advance!
Todd

Jr9411

9411

Mirage2000 p200
F-86 p180
Rafale p180
Eurofighter p100
SU-37 twin p100
T-33 p160
HotSpot p160
F104 p200
Hawk p160
Hawk p180
L39 p80
F16 p200
F16 p80

...and the rest i forget in my gallery.


Many years of flying already Hitec HS-5645MG set with 100% end points on each side .

Overkill for stearing IMHO and programable !

my2c

JR8711 for 21 kg plane

Never use a digital servo on the steering! Great way to fry the servo as it will keep powering while it centres.
In the UK I sell JR 579 for nose steering, every model I have built has these and I guess we sell another couple of hundred each year to our customers.

JR 579 is not available in the USA Dave, do you know if there is a US equivalent?

Don't think so, ES579 is possibly a car servo originally. Ask the guys to bring them in! Its a good price. JR in the UK did not keep many before I selected it as the perfect steering servo around nine years ago, now they keep good stock as we sell that in all our Xcalibur and Ultra Flash servo sets.

Dave

http://www.jrpropo.com/english/produ...db_flg=eng_db1

Hi Todd. Nearly every one I know use's Hitec 645 MG'S
Cheers
Mav

Out of curiosity doesn't pull-pull steering give less shock on the servo than direct linkage?

Dave,
I have heard this opinion before but never understood the logic. Don't all servos keep powering while centering? I've used digitals for years with no problems.

Craig

Hitec 645 Reasonably priced and have worked flawless so far.

The problem with older servos that are analog is it's harder to use them with a high voltage system where your newer, high torque high voltage servos are operating at 7.5-8.4 volts on a lipo or Life pack.

While a HS 645MG is an awesome analog servo for far less than an equivalent JR, it's a low voltage servo. I use those too for my 6v systems though and also for prop warbirds. Never had one fail.

As far as the advice to not use digitals on steering servos go, I think all the car guys now are using digital high voltage with appropriate torque values. You can't get more abusive with a servo than running it on a 1/10 scale offroad car. I would not want to use a marginally torqued digital servo but one that is appropriately rated for plenty of torque - I suspect - would be fine for aircraft nose wheel steering.

JR 8711
Futaba 9157

Glad to hear it! I'm sure there are many others out there that dislike cable steering as much as I do.

I came up with a direct drive modification to the Pro-Links on my Reaction 54. I borrowed the idea from my Skymaster F-4 and several other applications that I've seen.

The servo mount on the right is for the F-4; the one on the left is the one I made by brazing a brass spacer to a piece of steel.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122856http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122857

Here it is with the servo mounted
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122858

And mounted to the retract
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122859http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122860

Here it is in the Reaction
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122861http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122862

It's a little crude because it's handmade, but so far it's worked great. I assume that you're working on something similar. You could also offer the mount as an upgrade to existing Pro-Links. The above servo is a Hitec 225MG. I have also used Hitec 645MG on other applications.

Joe

I use digital and set the servo off on retraction.

Available from Hobbyking and RCJapan.net, both of which ship to US

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...tal_Gears.html

https://rcjapan.net/jr-propo-servo-c...5rcoug8dcrstc3

I use a JR digital mini (unsure exactly which) on steering of my Bobcat

I use a JR 9411 digital on the nose of my Super Bandit.

The BVM retract use a direct link steer system and the 9411 digital servo is factory recommended by BVM.

I have had no issue with either servo..

Jr 8711

It depends on the model, some have lots of weight on the nose wheel and some don't. It's the friction and load that is a problem. If you switch on, fire up and go then great, but people phaff around with the model on the ground and the servo is loaded way more than a control surface. Like everything you can get away with a Digital sure, but some operators are not mechanically sympathetic! Closed loop steering that is over tight, tight ball links on direct rod type and even dry nose leg steering bearings all affect the servo- yes you can burn out an analog servo too. For sure battery use with a digital servo will be more per flight

Thanks for the feedback guys....
We have used digital MG servos on NG steering for years without issue; although we always disable the steering servo when in the retracted position. Our Pro-Drive LGC12S and LGC13S E-Gear controllers automatically disable the steering servo when retracted. With such a wide array of servos being used for steering, I believe I need to put a bit more thought into making a "standard" servo mount with some sizing flexibility.

Here is a bit more info regarding our latest generation in the Pro-Link lineup, the Genesis series:

The new Pro-Link Genesis series offers an extremely robust two piece CNC frame, sealing the motor and gearbox from the mechanics while eliminating all possibility of friction or binding due to uneven mounting rails. Over-sized T-Bar, beefed up trunion, and a dual bearing supported drive screw assures these retracts remain slop free even after those not-so-perfect landings. Connector plug is integrated into the retract housing, allowing for simple gear installation and removal. One of the most important upgrades to the Genesis Series is position sensing end stops, while retaining current sensing in transit. Travel endpoints are sensor controlled, eliminating all the stresses on the mechanics and drive system typically seen with stall current actuator systems. As an additional safety, we retained the stall current mode while gear are in transit. Gearing specifically selected to provide substantially more torque than our competitors while retaining our quick transit speed.
The Genesis series will be offered as pin mount and clamp lock style trunions in common sizing as well as normal and reversed configurations.
In addition, we have a new sequencing E-Gear controller in development offering a long list of exceptional new features, here are a few highlights: Integrated full color display, independent gear and door programming, steering gyro, numerous braking modes including differential braking! That's all i'll mention for now, More news on this ground breaking controller soon...!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122949http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2122950

I have used a sail winch servo and for years and that way if you need more turn it will turn 360 degrees or more.

Todd
Size wise is this new gear comparable to your existing Hercules gear??
thx Vin...

Hey Vin! The Genesis series is comparable in sizing to our Taurus series gear. We focused our initial release of the new generation, position sensing retracts in this size based on the volume we sell in the Taurus series. We do have two more sizes currently in development; one similar to the Hercules series and an even larger set adequate for the 55# plus class. We expect these models to release before the end of the year....

Excellent work Todd !!
Vin...