Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

Hello,

Noticed today that steering in one direction stopped working unless I turn the servo the other way first and then back over. When I got home I cleaned up everything and notice that the servo gets very hot after a short period of testing.

Seems like turning in one specific direction causes it to fail. It's a Savox-SW0231. I notice the lights on the truck dim and the fan on the ESC drop to a stop when I try to turn the servo. Seems like it's on it's way to give up.

Can you recommend any other servo (waterproof) or just buy a new one of the same? Or is my diagnosis incorrect?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

It could be servo glitch. Good waterproof servo, I will recommended this Savox SW-1210SG. Mine ran almost 4 years and still running strong. However you would need to run good BEC.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

First check that the voltage that the servo is getting is the correct one (check that the BEC/Battery is giving the correct voltage for the servo)
If that is correct and the servo gets hot with almost no load, it can be 2 main causes, one is high friction on linkages or faulty servo. You can check the linkage by disassembling the arm and moving the linkages by hand.
If the servo is faulty the best is to replace it.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

I second checking the voltage. I had a esc that couldn"t cope with the draw from the servo, and I was having the same issues.

Installed an external bec, no problems since.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

Sounds like the symtoms associated with the crappy sliding rack steering jamming up. Bell crank steering may be what you need.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

It might be! I cleaned it out and put a healthy dose of lithium grease on it.
Seemed to work better but not good enough. I ordered a new servo (same one).

From what I could see, the receiver servo power output was around 4.9V but I've read that it needs 6V (Savox being a power hungry servo?)

Guess I need a BEC as well.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

I have had good results from running the savox 1210 servos at 6.4 volts from a 10a CCBEC on 2 Vaterra Ascender crawlers and now a Twin Hammers.
These servos are rated to 7.4 volts but strange things happen at this voltage and the servos glitch and hesitate and wig out.
If I didn't have to go to the hobby shop to get the BEC programmed each time I would experiment with the voltages and work out what is the maximum reliable level before they start going crazy, but for now I'm happy with the speed and torque at 6.4 volts.
This servo, even without a BEC in a Twin Hammers with Dbx's scorched parts bell crank steering is worlds better than stock!

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

I currently run a savox 1210 too. Works really well - probably overkill for general use.
I ran the Savox-SW0231 for a long time, including the early days before bell cranks, when it did struggle. With bell cranks and a bec (on 6v i think) the 0231 worked well.

Re: Savox servo issues - voltage drop
 

I looked at the Scorched Steering Bell Kit, the only annoying thing seems to be to gather all the necessary components. Wish they were included in the kit plus I have the GCM Shock Tower plate on the way :O

I guess I have to start with that first.