will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

I have a twin hammers with the derwood designs bell crank installed. Although way better than the stock set up the bell cranks still have some play and a lot of moving parts. As a result of this I am burning up servos like crazy. I've toasted 2 hitec 7954 sh and 1 7955th. This is expensive.

I am thinking if I can get the programmer I can turn the fail safe on and widen the deadband so it stops always buzzing and if it gets to hot it will shut down for a bit. It seems to me that it would be a lot better to have a servo shut down temporarily then fry one and be out another $120-160.

Is my understanding on what a programmer will do for me correct?

JIC my servos are soldered directly to a bec with only the signal wire going into the rx. I am running them at 7.4v which is what they are rated at. Thanks!

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

What radio are you using , Does it have end point adjustments on it .

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

I have a spectrum DX3C. it has endpoints and they are adjusted.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

You need to have the signal AND ground from the servo to the Rx.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

First, digital servos will always buzz, even if you widen the deadband. That is just what they do. Second, you should probably run the ground from the servo and bec back to the receiver. Many times this isn't really necessary, but it is a good thing to practice in electronics. Third, you might want to check for binding in your bellcrank.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

I know it will buzz a little. Mine buzz a lot! The buzzing gets them warm.

All the grounds are grounded into the ESC battery ground wire at the deans. The rx is grounded through the ESC as well. It is wired exactly as the wiring diagrams in this forums definitive wiring thread.

The bell cranks are not as smooth as bearings, but they flop around pretty well when they are unhooked.

Thanks for the replies!

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

what voltage is being supplied to the servo ?

Do you utilize a voltage adjustable BEC ?
or are you relying on the ESC's battery circuit ?

What ESC ?

Higher output servos often demand more voltage
then what most ESC's can supply.

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If yer gonna keep on burning stuff up... :twisted:

You could purchase either the Solar D772 (best perf @ 7.4v+) or D771 (faster/less torque) servos.
good buy @ $ 17.99 ea at hobbypartz

quality digital, metal geared servo at a low buy in cost.
less tears shed if they might fail.

plus... you could own three good servos for the price you pay for one ;-)

my D772 sounds like sizzling bacon when it's operating
but that gets ignored after a bit.

not a sales pitch
I just like mine... but not so much when operating @ 6 volts(v) :cry:
I'm contemplating bumping mine up from 7.4v to 8v :shock:
someone else said they did and it lives 8)

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

The servo is getting 7.38 volts through the castle creations BEC. The ESC I have is a MMP. The only thing the MMP internal BEC is powering is the signal for the servo and the RX. Everything else runs through the 2 ( shift/ steering servos) external BECs. I have the internal ESC BEC set to 6.0v. My RX will operate in any range from 4.5-9.0 v. It is a Spectrum 300WP. I figured 6.0v is reasonable since it isn't powering anything.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

I'll look into those other servos. At that price as long as it has enough torque to turn the wheels that might be a great idea. The programmer I was looking at is the Hitec HPP 21. At only $20 I figured it might be worth it, mostly so I can turn the fail safe on in my servo.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

The funny thing is, is that a smaller Hitec 645mg servo at 6.0v will survive fine. It just doesn't have the torque or speed that I want.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

Wow, 418oz at 7.4v is great. I'm going to get a couple just because they are so cheap.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

I would look at everything else as a whole. There is no reason for you to have burned up that many servos. I would change the BEC on your steering servo. I would triple check the endpoints. On a small car with 1.9's those servos should have lasted forever.


As to your OP, the programmer is a good idea. It does everything your asking. And your servo should not be buzzing while centered. A slight tick yes, full blown noise, no. Especially not enough to get hot while just sitting there.


I run all my hitec servos in my comp cars at over 9 volts, overload protection turned on. Never burned up one. In my scaler bashers I run them at 8.2 with same overload turned on. Never burned up one of them either. But I am vigilant about making sure endpoints do not go to far.

When I set them I flip the car on its lid,and turn until it does not turn any farther, then back it off until it makes no sound ( usually just a couple clicks). Then I know I am not pushing it to far. Also make sure your not pushing your servos throw past center. That will cause it to stick, and it might not be able to bring it back.

Re: will a servo programmer help save my servos?
 

Thanks. That is what I was looking for.