Using Butchered Servos
 

I am reading on various post about the use of BUTCHEREDServos as Motors for scale RC Conversions.

Afew Questions:

If I use a butchred servo will I still have <u>variable </u>speed like with a normal ESC and motor?
Will I have forward and reverse?

I will appreciate some help in this regard.
Thanx

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Yes and yes. Fwd/Rev and variable.
Here is an $8 option:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...sp?idProduct=2
Dave

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Yes there is forward and reverse. There is fully proportional speed control as well, BUT, the deadband will be very small, and full speed will happen very suddenly unless you get very brave and modify the timing components (I used to have a link to a robotics site where this was explained for Futaba servos, but I've since lost it) OR just use the trim tab alongside the speed stick an an "engine room telegraph".
Obviously, the original servo motor is ideally suited to the servo electronics, but has the disadvantage of a very short shaft. Some CD player motors are a good substitute, similar electrical requirements, but a longer shaft. I got mine when investigating dead CD players before letting the trashman have the rest.

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Some companies allow you to JUST pull off the small gears & turn the arm of the plastic potentiometer shaft to neutral. With the transmitter stick &trim at stop.
The motor speed is then VERY smooth and directly equal to your speed stick movement.
I have don this to many different sized servos.

Servos are THE ONLY ...F & R ESCs ....for 6" to 9 " boats like the Lindburg LCP.

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Thanks for the help thus far..

I magaged to do the modification to TWO Tower Pro Servos.
I removed the plastic fittin on the pot and replaced the servo main output shaft.
Works great!

My next question:
For a 1/350 Plastic Warship:

What RPM do I need on the props? Do I need to connect the prop shaft to the Servo Motor directly (to get higher rpm) or through the geared output shaft? (It looks like quite a bit lower rpm)

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

What type of ship Aircraft carrier ? Cruiser ?.......How long ? I have RCd everything in plastic.

But some are NOT...NOT .....possible to do with everything INSIDE the hull. :eek:

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Just drive direct from the motor. Dont worry about the rpm unless you are doing a scientific experiment. The motor takes power under control from the battery, turns the prop in water which offers resistance to movement, and somewhere along the line an equilibrium will be achieved. Unless you are making a high performance boat, nothing is particularly critical. At the power levels involved, things will tend to sort themselves out.

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

The model is a 1:350 MiniHobby USSMissouri.

I will connect the shaft to the motor via fuel tubing.

Next question:

I would like to connect one prop LEFT and the other RIGHT.
I am going to use a Y-Harness to the two hacked servos. And obsiously need to reverse the one hackedservo.
Can I swap the wires at the Y-Harness of the one Hacked Servo, or do I need to swop it at the motor AFTER the pc board?

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Between the motor and board.
You might need to fit suppressors to the motor, as disconnecting/reconnecting might lose the built-in suppression, depending on the arrangement of your servos. Some servo motors mount direct to the PCB, some are wired.
As an alternative, I have heard of servo reversers, but have never used one.

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

Why I have 2 servo reversers.
If you can find 1, buy it. Then a simple " Y " connector finishes everything nice & neat with no butchering & accidents.

RE: Using Butchered Servos
 

No reversers required.

Just swopped the wiring at the motor.

Works 100%.