Old Futaba servo specs

[Cougar429]

I just bought a trainer with some oldies already mounted in it.

2 X S3003
1 X S48
1 X S133

Speed for this app is not as important as in my helis, but does anyone know if these are specced to work at 6V? Can't find any info online.

[andrew b]

The original spec for almost all old futaba servos was 6 volt. It was usual to supply what was known as a "combo" (Tx/Rx/servos) with a dry battery harness and then >>upgrade<< to Nicads later on.

Brings back fond memories of my first "M" series 4 channel on 27MHz AM, covered in beige rexine with chrome stick gimbals and a huge antenna. A bit like this item on *bay 150339827589

Do these servos have the modern plugs?

[dmccormick001]

The S3003's are not that old. I still have a few in some of my smaller models, they're basically just a "standard" bushed servo. Futaba makes a conversion for it to install a top bearing, but you can buy a new dual ball-bearing servo for just a tad more. The S48 I'm betting is actually an S148, another bushed standard-type servo. Here's a link (http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/servo-application.html) to a chart on Futaba's website that gives specs on a lot of current and discontinued servos. There's another one somewhre on Futaba's site that shows really old servos and their current replacements, but I don't have that link here at work. I'll try to remember to send it to you later today if you want it.

Most Futaba servo will work fine at 6 volts. About the only servos I've ever encountered that won't work on 6 volts were some retract servos. Never figured out why, I think it was actually a fluke, and error in design on the part of the manufacturer (JR).

[Cougar429]

Yup. There was one with a splice. I yanked that one.

I too have some memories. Bought my first Futaba in NYC in '76 and have some servo even earlier gen than that with the square output shaft! :D

[andrew b]

Yup. There was one with a splice. I yanked that one.

I too have some memories. Bought my first Futaba in NYC in '76 and have some servo even earlier gen than that with the square output shaft! :D

Red or Black label ? :D Do you remember the linear servos they made? I changed out the old fashoined sockets on my "M" series RX for 3 pin gold plated headers and then used modern plugged servos.

[jh2rc97]

It is probably a S48. I still have afew of them. Now if you said S28 that would be an old one with a different connector even.

The S3003's are not that old. I still have a few in some of my smaller models, they're basically just a "standard" bushed servo. Futaba makes a conversion for it to install a top bearing, but you can buy a new dual ball-bearing servo for just a tad more. The S48 I'm betting is actually an S148, another bushed standard-type servo. Here's a link (http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/servo-application.html) to a chart on Futaba's website that gives specs on a lot of current and discontinued servos. There's another one somewhre on Futaba's site that shows really old servos and their current replacements, but I don't have that link here at work. I'll try to remember to send it to you later today if you want it.

Most Futaba servo will work fine at 6 volts. About the only servos I've ever encountered that won't work on 6 volts were some retract servos. Never figured out why, I think it was actually a fluke, and error in design on the part of the manufacturer (JR).

[DubbleD]

Here's the link (http://www.futabarc.com/servos/discontinued-servos.html) I mentioned earlier. Don't see an S48 listed, so I don't know about that one. I'm not sure how I ever first found this page, it doesn't seem to be very easy to find from Futaba's website. Anyway, I have it bookmarked, and printed myself a copy for reference.

[jh2rc97]

I couldn't find on the Futaba site where the S48 are listed, but Tower still sells gears sets for them:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH414&P=7

It is odd that the S48 is not on the list of discontinued servos. I do remember having some of the S38s but I seem to remember always having trouble with them. I dug through some old boxes to see if I could find any S48s or S38s but all I found was an S28 that is in very rough shape. Plugged it into the servo tester and it still works.

[frank48]

Red or Black label ? :D Do you remember the linear servos they made? I changed out the old fashoined sockets on my "M" series RX for 3 pin gold plated headers and then used modern plugged servos.

Hi

Do you think the FD30M would work with modern RX's? Obviously I need to change the plugs ;)

I must have had them for 30+ years - seem to remember they cost about £30 each..!!

Cheers
Frank

[andrew b]

Hi

Do you think the FD30M would work with modern RX's? Obviously I need to change the plugs ;)

I must have had them for 30+ years - seem to remember they cost about £30 each..!!

Cheers
Frank

Yes, they work OK, just solder on a new "J" type lead and heatshrink the conections.

They WERE expensive, I remeber my first 4 channel dry combo cost me like £145 30 YEARS AGO!! (a little bit less than a months salary) in todays equivalent money that would be like £600-£700 :eek:

[frank48]

Thanks ! - I'll give them a try. I have two, they were only used once, hopefully the pots will be ok... :)

Cheers
Frank

[AndyOne]

If I remember correctly FD30 was the number Ripmax (UK importer) gave them, the Futaba number was S20. I think these servos had a centre position at 1.3ms but they should work with modern equipment with the correct connector.

A.