[I DID!!! ] Did anyone try to fit a full-sized tail servo in the 500L?

[ARM_Coder]

I have a spare DS655 (that was from my 6HVU, before I replaced it for a BL servo) and looks like it can be installed in the 500L frame.

The 500L frame has a pair of plastic brackets to hold the tail servo, one at the left and one at the right side. Those geniuses at Align could have designed one bracket for a mini servo and the other for a standard servo. But nooooo, BOTH brackets are designed for a mini servo!

Looks like that by removing one of the brackets, the resulting hole will have space for a standard servo.

Did anyone try to do this?

Thanks!!!

[SumOFparts]

On my pre 500-Ls I put 655's on em - man what a difference....

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[ARM_Coder]

Just an update, I removed the right-side bracket and the hole in the frame is a little small for a standard servo.

Nothing that a dremel can't solve! Tomorrow I will rework the frame to install the 655.

[ARM_Coder]

Here's the result: A DS655 mounted in my 500L.

Easy work, indeed.

Now I need to fly the machine and assess the performance!

[VertCP]

Nice job!

I'm interested in your opinion after testing it.

[ARM_Coder]

Originally Posted by VertCP

Nice job!

I'm interested in your opinion after testing it.

Here are my impressions after replacing the DS525M by the DS655:

- From the very first moment the tail felt more locked-in
- Tail stops became notably crispier than before
- The internal BEC (from the stock ESC) held the additional current demand flawlessly

The only issue I couldn't solve is some lack of tail authority when running the HS at 2700. In hard pitch pumps the tail systematically blows out. With an HS at 3000 the tail works perfect. IIRC, I think this is a typical Trex 500 issue caused by the tail rotor gearing.

Conclusion: I had a nice improvement with not a minimal, but little effort, using a low-cost standard servo (that's likely cheaper than a hi-quality mini) and that's quite beefy to stand most crashes unscathed. A must go!

Cheers!

[VertCP]

Originally Posted by ARM_Coder

Here are my impressions after replacing the DS525M by the DS655:

- From the very first moment the tail felt more locked-in
- Tail stops became notably crispier than before
- The internal BEC (from the stock ESC) held the additional current demand flawlessly

The only issue I couldn't solve is some lack of tail authority when running the HS at 2700. In hard pitch pumps the tail systematically blows out. With an HS at 3000 the tail works perfect. IIRC, I think this is a typical Trex 500 issue caused by the tail rotor gearing.

Conclusion: I had a nice improvement with not a minimal, but little effort, using a low-cost standard servo (that's likely cheaper than a hi-quality mini) and that's quite beefy to stand most crashes unscathed. A must go!

Cheers!

Yes... T-Rex 500 loves head speed.

Some day I will install the DS655, for the moment I only fly mild 3D and the DS525 works well.

Thanks for your impressions.