Servo Saver Mod

[bytemuncher]

After stripping out a bunch of servos I decided to try benmlee's (from rcg) servo saver mod. Only had a few flights with it but so far I like it.

Anyone else done this mod? Wondering what you think of it?

If you're not familiar with this mod, there's a detailed write up on it here http://benmlee.com/Genius_Servo_Saver.htm

*Edit* I emailed Walkera about the servo issue urging them to take action and currently waiting for a reply.

[airbasher]

I have been using the mod as well on 2 of the 3 servos. I do it as the originals break, just to see how long each one lasts. So far so good. I have 47 flights on the elev servo, which catches the most abuse.

I still had an aileron servo go bad even with the mod after just 5 flights. It just started twitching and getting hot. The first one made it 115 without the mod. The other aileron servo is still original after 135 flights and 2x as many crashes so go figure.

It does get annoying though as each crash one or both of the servo saver horns pops off and I have to take the canopy off, fumble to put it back on each time and reset the position, whereas without the mod I just had to set it back upright. At 16 bucks a pop, it's still an easy choice. For 8 bucks a piece I'd probably just let it go.

[shastamike]

I've done the mod to my Genius and D02S. With the D02S I have cut all the way through the round part of the horn. Screw it back on but not tight, I leave just a little bit between the screw head and the horn so it can pop off better.
With the Genius servo horns being much smaller I can't cut all the way through. They aren't strong enough to hold then. I tried heat shrink around them, didn't work either. With the Genius I cut just through the side of the round part of horn, not all the way to the front. Same thing, I leave the screw loose.
Haven't lost a servo yet. I do have to go back to the shop and straighten the horn back up after most crashes, but it just takes a couple of minutes and is way better then spending the $$$ and waiting for servos.
Mike

[bytemuncher]

Hmm, I cut mine all the way through but I've only got a few flights with them so far. Adjusting them is a bit counter-intuitive as the tighter the screw the wider the gap becomes. I tighten the screws down to where there is about a .5mm gap.

I've crashed a few times and it feels strange pushing the servo arms back into position, but it's easy and better than buying new servos. I'm going to go back to my flipping practice and I hope they hold. I saw that manny doesn't use this mod as he's worried about the servos not holding in hard 3d...but he never crashes anyway

[bytemuncher]

Just a heads up on the mini cp. I think the servos on it may actually be even easier to strip. Someone on rcg crashed his mini and stripped all three in one crash.

I noticed when I crash my mini (using servo saver mod now) the elevator servo often gets knocked to the 10 o'clock position. It's no problem with the mod as I just have to reset it, but without the mod I'm guessing it would be taking a beating.

[bytemuncher]

*EDIT* Walkera has contacted me and informed they will be offering a replacement gear set for their genius and mini cp servos. It should be available soon from hobbyone.com.hk and available within a week for distribution to other vendors. Cost should be around $1.90 USD for a set of 6 gears. They will also make a manual for how to replace the gears.

[anjoi666]

Originally Posted by bytemuncher

My servo savers started slipping so I did this mod, http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...postcount=2066

*EDIT* Walkera has contacted me and informed they will be offering a replacement gear set for their genius and mini cp servos. It should be available soon from hobbyone.com.hk and available within a week for distribution to other vendors. Cost should be around $1.90 USD for a set of 6 gears. They will also make a manual for how to replace the gears.

About time! i mean, i did the servo mod on all 3 ever since i got my BL CP... cracked 2 tail booms till i switched to a stiff one, all from indoor crashing/testing strength... then i went and did some winter 3d on the ice and crashed several times inverted, simply slipping the servo arms back into place, my elev servo tends not to slip ever. even with the cut. but the 2 are always 12'oclock ^_^... anyways, once they are back, i am in the air inverted again! sometimes i get kinda mixxed up with how far it clicked wich way. so i gotta rebind and see. but in the end it saving my ass. not 1 servo fail yet over 50 flights easy.
only things i replaced were the 2 tail booms and modded my broken landing gear with carbon fiber stuff i had laying around my house. And ofc the dreaded 3pc canopy. oh how i dire for a custom... i have a plan in a way, but still am looking for tip-full inspiration on a better canopy replacement....
for now
-andy

[Heli-opolis]

I have the mini but so far, knock on wood, I've only caused one servo to seize.

I was able to dismantle the servo and clear the gears, none of them stripped fortunately, and put it back together and it worked again.

For some reason it didn't want to work in the position it had been, right cyclic, so I swapped it with the front elevator and so far it is working fine.

I haven't really stressed it yet but I'm not ready to go there yet anyway.

I don't know how long it will last but even if I have to replace it, it will be cheaper than replacing a servo in one of my Hirbo helis so it's all good!

That said, I don't know if I will do the servo saver mod to my Mini-CP but I have already done it to my V120D02S without problem.

The servo horns on the Mini-CP just seem to small to me to mess with.

On the other hand, if others are willing to be the sacriifical lambs and try it on their Mini-CP, who am I to say "No, don't do it!"? ;-P

[Heli-opolis]

Originally Posted by bytemuncher

*EDIT* Walkera has contacted me and informed they will be offering a replacement gear set for their genius and mini cp servos. It should be available soon from hobbyone.com.hk and available within a week for distribution to other vendors. Cost should be around $1.90 USD for a set of 6 gears. They will also make a manual for how to replace the gears.

Way cool! That's music to my ears!

I have had one seize on me, in a reparable way but it is great to see how reactive Walkera seems to be getting. Short of the heli taking a swim, about the only thing that I've ever had problems with servos has been gear mush being the result of an impressive crash so having parts available means I can crash way more often with much less guilt.

[Sorry for the double post, by the by]

[bytemuncher]

My servo savers became loose and started slipping in flight. I needed to tighten them up so did the following.

Took a worn out genius o-ring (also using new ones as well which are tighter) and wrapped it around the servo arm. Then I used some plastic from a plastic document folder as a makeshift washer to keep the o-ring from slipping off.

I've flown quite a few packs with this mod now and it's still holding firm during flight, but slipping nicely in a crash. I think if you crash hard enough you will still strip a gear, but at least now replacement gears are available.

p.s. The servo arm is for a mini cp servo so it's got a plastic ball link.

[oxide1]

Originally Posted by bytemuncher

*EDIT* Walkera has contacted me and informed they will be offering a replacement gear set for their genius and mini cp servos. It should be available soon from hobbyone.com.hk and available within a week for distribution to other vendors. Cost should be around $1.90 USD for a set of 6 gears. They will also make a manual for how to replace the gears.

hey bytemuncher! did these gear sets ever come out? can't find them on the hobbyone.com.hk site... found 1 set on a german site but they won't ship to australia... little help?

[HeliIntervention]

Originally Posted by oxide1

hey bytemuncher! did these gear sets ever come out? can't find them on the hobbyone.com.hk site... found 1 set on a german site but they won't ship to australia... little help?

Not sure I would try since I didn't have much luck with the spare broken wired servos I had laying around to fix my stripped gears. I might give it go with instructions but they may be hard to read the chinglish. Also would only get them from a US Distributor. Low shpping cost for me and no over seas issues. Could not begin to imagine how tough it is for you mate.

1 might consider how this could effect beer consumption LoL. May just want buy the servo and enjoy your beer.

I'm just saying LOL. :beer:

Sent from Mars. Using Mars Rover.

[oxide1]

Originally Posted by HeliIntervention

Not sure I would try since I didn't have much luck with the spare broken wired servos I had laying around to fix my stripped gears. I might give it go with instructions but they may be hard to read the chinglish. Also would only get them from a US Distributor. Low shpping cost for me and no over seas issues. Could not begin to imagine how tough it is for you mate.

1 might consider how this could effect beer consumption LoL. May just want buy the servo and enjoy your beer.

I'm just saying LOL. :beer:

Sent from Mars. Using Mars Rover.

that's EXACTLY what i was considering heliinvervention!!! how buying new servo's is going to knock a hole in my beer budget!!! thus looking for cheaper options...

[RogerRabit]

In the beginning i was anxiouse to make that servo saver mod because from flying bigger birds i did not think it could work.

Now i have 2 modded MiniCP´s, one running with a brushless and a voltage booster and both fairly often crashing.
I fly Tic-Tocs, pirofunnels and a lot more stuff at a crazy power and headspead.

No servo missaligns during flight, only on a crash mostly one or two are missaligned.

In the beginning i had a least a dozend servogears and servos replaced, after the mod not a single one, even crashing into hard items like metal roof gutter.

The way i did it and improved it a little is that i used a rubber from a canopy holder which has a "grove" in it and 1.5mm inner diameter.
On the outside in the grove i wound a wire around, twirling together the end.
With this twirled wire you can adjust the tension that way, that you have a noticable "click" between positions.

That´s all and the servos are crashproof.

Never had any problems again.

The second week point is the coil on the receiver pcb.
be sure to make the canopy saver mod or glue the coil.

That way you should have enough savings to buy beer.

[oxide1]

Originally Posted by RogerRabit

In the beginning i was anxiouse to make that servo saver mod because from flying bigger birds i did not think it could work.

Now i have 2 modded MiniCP´s, one running with a brushless and a voltage booster and both fairly often crashing.
I fly Tic-Tocs, pirofunnels and a lot more stuff at a crazy power and headspead.

No servo missaligns during flight, only on a crash mostly one or two are missaligned.

In the beginning i had a least a dozend servogears and servos replaced, after the mod not a single one, even crashing into hard items like metal roof gutter.

The way i did it and improved it a little is that i used a rubber from a canopy holder which has a "grove" in it and 1.5mm inner diameter.
On the outside in the grove i wound a wire around, twirling together the end.
With this twirled wire you can adjust the tension that way, that you have a noticable "click" between positions.

That´s all and the servos are crashproof.

Never had any problems again.

The second week point is the coil on the receiver pcb.
be sure to make the canopy saver mod or glue the coil.

That way you should have enough savings to buy beer.

hmmm... had considered using the canopy grommits... didn't think i'd be able to stretch them that far though.... just purchased a set of these after doing a few measurements on the servo... https://www.etsy.com/transaction/96066646 hoping they'll be firm enough without being too firm... was going to also use the plastic washer that bytemuncher suggested... new servo will be here in the morning, CAN"T WAIT TO BE BACK IN THE AIR!!!!!! maybe i'll have a crack at using the canopy grommits.... the idea of waiting another week at least waiting for those orings is just hideous!!

thanks for all the advise you freaks!!!!

[HeliIntervention]

Any news on your servos yet? There are lots of good suggestions in this thread. Unfortunately for me my servo mods managed to strip my servo arms. Not sure why



Sent from Mars. Using Mars Rover.

[oxide1]

new servo arrived early friday morning, installed it, swash leveled, flew a pack, beautiful!!! then the red wire snapped off my main motor... had that "looped over the elevator servo" problem weeks ago... thought everything was ok.. it wasn't... but managed to get it fixed! posted a few pics on here of how i did it. 1 or 2 packs later i managed to pull the red wire off the receiver board while disconnecting the lipo.... cracked the S**ts at that point... sat it aside and went back too it yesterday... managed to resolder my connects.. eventually... need bionic eyes or something for that work!!! flown about 30 packs since then around the house, weather has been to bad here for outdoors.. 25km-40km winds... haven't tried the servo saver mod yet.. waiting for my orings to arrive, should be here next week.. i have 2 spare servo horns, so my just try it on the aileron servo using bytemunchers method... that seems to work pretty well... and if it doesn't... i'll just change the servo horn back over.... can't thank you enough for your advise!!

[HeliIntervention]

Ehhh

[HeliIntervention]

The O rings are a must just in case. Cutting your horns half way thru is probably your best bet as mentioned earlier in the thread. What I found with mine was that over time my horns had became stripped. I didn't notice it at first until the bird went nuts for no apparent reason and the horns lost thier snap. By the way for your first mod it should be your elevator servo. This one seems to be the one that gets stripped the most. Some of the time occasionally it's the aileron servo that would strip but this was before I started doing the mods. Maybe like you said maybe I should have done 1 at time till it seemed to work the way it should.

It worked for a little while. The good thing is I didn't strip any servos. Wish I could find horns other then the aluminum ones. You might want to hot glue your Lipo wires to the board after a good solder joint. Do this for the little black wire in the front of the board as well. This may have been mentioned in the thread. I just want to reinterate this again.

Spell check learned a misspelled word

Sent from Mars. Using Mars Rover.

[oxide1]

already glued the power wires! and i agreed.... i think the half cut on the horn is the go... but still going to use the orings and plastic washer, just to make sure it doesn't slip to much... will let you know how i go with it as soon as my orings arrive!