Chris King 3 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Hi, I have some (20 yr) old electric models which I've upgraded with brushless/LiPo and want to upgrade my old 35MHz radio with a telemetry set (probably Spektrum 6). I'm aware there are digital servos now. The question I have is will my old servos work with the new receiver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I would try existing servos to start with digital servos are hungry for amps. Not a spectrum user but check votage required for reliable response Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Sorry Keith, you have misread the question...The OP is asking if his original, non-digital servos will be ok to use. The answer is yes they will be OK. You do not have to use "digital" servos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris King 3 Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 Thats great news, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Hi Alan thick fingers and needed a comma after start with. Then the word Digital starts a new phrase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I think the answer is most servos will work, but proper Futaba and similar servos may need the little tab on the plug sliced off with a knife before they will fit Spektrum etc Rx. Once the tab is removed they can also be inserted the wrong way round and don't work but just turn them round- no harm is done. Very old Sanwa servos may not work. Edited By kc on 19/10/2020 17:50:19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Yes, I have even re-plugged old Multiplex and Fleet servos so I can fly some really old models on 2.4 GHz (Multiplex in my case). Note most 2.4 GHz sets have a setting to allow you to increase the servo refresh rate, don't use this on analogue servos (old or new) as it could cause them to fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Fisher Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I have some old Sanwa servos which I use with Futaba receivers having changed over the positive and negative connections in the servo plug. If tried without doing this the servo would be ruined by the wrong polarity being fed in as an old club member found out by trying to use a Futaba servo with an old Sanwa receiver. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris King 3 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 Thanks for all the responses. Just one last point. Seeing as motor, battery and receiver are being changed is it safe to assume 20 yr old servos are OK if they appear to work OK? They are Hitec HS81s. Dont want to risk all the other kit and airframe just for a few more quid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Hi Chris. Hitec HS81 servo lovely little unit Just be wary of accidentally catching elevator or aileron or rudder if fitted as the force will cause the gears to strip. Don't ask me how I know the only place I will use them is on IC throttle linkage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 There's probably a good argument that 20 year old servos may be better than some of the cheaper and/or counterfeit ones available today. If they have been stored reasonably, not been abused in the past and run smoothly on test then there's no problem as far as I can see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris King 3 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 They were stored in an uninsulated loft so dry but experiencing the full extremes of UK weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 For just a couple of pounds from Banggood etc you can buy a servo tester which will operate the servo for as long as you want. Try each servo- new or old - for half an hour before using in a plane to see if it's OK. Edited By kc on 24/10/2020 16:19:02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Should be OK if it's well ventilated. You can soon see mould appearing on balsa if the conditions are damp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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