What's up with this "Step Down" thing?

[xomby]

Hey folks,

Up to this point, I've been using my Spektrum supplied Rx battery in my 550. My kit came with a 2S1P Li-Po from APLUS (ordered my setup from Flying-Hobby.com) and a GAUI External BEC (really a regulator if my studies serve me well) with Input DC 7.4V and Output DC 5.8V.

I'm also running the Futaba 401 Gyro with the 9254 tail servo.

I just finished soldering all my connectors for my charger and 2 cell Li-Po with appropriate JST connectors to begin using the Rx Li-Po instead of the regular "Spektrum Rx Battery".

Do I need to figure out this "Step Down" voltage thing for my configuration?:thinking

[Tomas Ahl]

Your tail-servo can't take more than, about, 5 V so you need a step-down from the 5.8 V that your BEC is delivering. These come ready-made and you can find one at the bottom of the following page for example: http://www.highvoltage-rc.com/index1.html. Align also makes these and I believe the part number for it is K10381TA.

Other input voltages will most probably need other step-down units. The two above suggested ones are for 6 V to 5 V conversion.

[Drew816]

Align makes and inline drop-down regulator at 5.1 volts that's a $5.99-6.99 part at most LHS's specifically for this purpose.

One of the reasons I don't like the 9254 and most Futaba servos; I use the 9650 on my T-Rex 450 since it's one of the few officially 'rated' for 6 volt use. Heck, most folks are workings towards 8 volt setups for super power and Futaba hasn't even gotten their stuff to 6 volts yet, come ON already!!!

And note, I'm a Futaba user and fan but I calls it likes I sees it...

Happy Flying!

[mjdee14]

http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=7099

see the above from helidirect.....they even have a picture of the circuit....

I agree having to step down is a pain....

I have servos that all run at 6v and it makes them faster....it's also why you Spektrum servos are suitable to use...because they work faster at 6v