With Gary's new servo cycler, why do it yourself?

[Quacker]

Are you looking for dead-center on your servo but left your transmitter in the car? Do you suspect an intermittant servo or perhaps jittery operation? Do you want to walk around your aircraft and observe the surfaces in moving in slow motion? Well, I just got an early copy of Gary Warner's new servo cycler and immediately pressed it into service doing all this and more. I think this is a great little product, so I thought I’d share my first impressions with you. Here’s what I found:

Very clever and well thought out product. Gary even went to some lengths to hack plastic to create shrouds for the pins. Very nice!

Easy and intuitive to learn and operate.

Operation was flawless and it ran down to a very low voltage. This is an important feature!

I liked being able to easily adjust the endpoints for sweep as well as static operation.

So far, my only operational issue is that the adjustable “sweep speed” seems not to be stored when powered off. This might cause an unexpected change in behavior when power is restored, but no biggie.

The unit is small. Several times while running it, I accidentally hit a pushbutton. Hmmm…On the other hand, the diminutive size means that it’s going to come along to the field, and that’s a good thing.

Taken together, I give a big thumb up (too small for two thumbs at the same time ;) ) At the price, how can you not want one?

Here's a link to the manual and picture:

http://web2.airmail.net/warner1/deaf/Cycler%203/York%20TV%20Servo%20Tester%20v3.htm

More information is at:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521755

Best,
Q

[Gary Warner]

Thanks for the kind words Q. I'm happy you like it.

You know, it's a simple matter of a few lines of code to store the sweep speed much like I do with the end-points. Do you think I should make this an overall feature or just provide it as an option as requested? I was worried about storing the slowest sweep speed and the user forgetting it, only to go into the sweep mode and nothing happens (I know it 'happens', but at 45 seconds per full sweep, it, looks' like nothing is happening).

If you'd like a version that stores the sweep speed I can get you one in exchange for the one you have. This might kill two birds with one stone ;) .

Gary
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[Acetronics]

Hi, Gary

Just a word ...

a very slow sweep allows you to verify the pot wear of your servos ... or if there is some dirt on the resistive track.

This ( dirt) happend to me with brand new Futaba 9201's ... one hours of "back and forth" solved the problem.

Also gives a good idea of the deadband ( read : servo quality ... and also links quality !!! )


To me, it's a very real "plus" ... often used.

Alain

[Gary Warner]

Hi, Gary

Just a word ...

a very slow sweep allows you to verify the pot wear of your servos ... or if there is some dirt on the resistive track.

This ( dirt) happend to me with brand new Futaba 9201's ... one hours of "back and forth" solved the problem.

Also gives a good idea of the deadband ( read : servo quality ... and also links quality !!! )


To me, it's a very real "plus" ... often used.

Alain

Yup, that's why I put in the super-slow speed. It's setup to increment 50us per second (one TMR1 digit per PWM pulse) at the slowest speed. Are you for or against memorizing the speed last used when power is removed? I already do this for the user adjusted end-points.

Gary
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[Quacker]

Thanks for the kind words Q. I'm happy you like it.

You know, it's a simple matter of a few lines of code to store the sweep speed much like I do with the end-points. Do you think I should make this an overall feature or just provide it as an option as requested? I was worried about storing the slowest sweep speed and the user forgetting it, only to go into the sweep mode and nothing happens (I know it 'happens', but at 45 seconds per full sweep, it, looks' like nothing is happening).

If you'd like a version that stores the sweep speed I can get you one in exchange for the one you have. This might kill two birds with one stone ;) .

Gary
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Deal!

[Acetronics]

Yup, ... Are you for or against memorizing the speed last used when power is removed? I already do this for the user adjusted end-points.

Gary
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A little brainstorming ( humour ...) tells me something cute would be to memorize last sweep speed ... and quickly recover nominal speed at will ( by simultaneously push 2 buttons i.e. ...)

Nothing more to add, then ... as there's no room for a Xtal !!!

Alain

[Gary Warner]

Q,

I know you are testing some servos with the cycler, so don't feel that we have to do this right now. Let me know when it would be convenient to be down for shipping and we'll get this addressed for you. If you'll pay the shipping here, I'll pay for the return trip.

Alain,

If the sweep speed was memorized and you wanted to return to "normal' (read: middle sweep speed) just tap or hold the "UP" button to increase the sweep speed.

So I take it that's two votes for memorized sweep speed?

[Acetronics]

Hi, gary

works great with tapping ... the goal is just to recover nominal value quickly !!!

Two votes confirmed !!!

Alain

[Gary Warner]

Hi, gary

works great with tapping ... the goal is just to recover nominal value quickly !!!

Two votes confirmed !!!

Alain

Unless I get an overwhelming response to the contrary, I'll be adding the memorizing of sweep speeds. BTW, I'll have the sweep speed resetting to 'factory' values with the same way I do the end-point resetting - press and hold center switch while applying power.

Gary
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[Gary Warner]

:D :D :D I knew it would happen :p

Last night I'm QC'ing some boards before packaging and I failed 4 boards. Turns out they were ok. They were used as demos to club members and I had selected the slowest sweep speed when last used. So when I qc'ed them, I thought they had died.

Remember guys, the last selected sweep speed is stored when power is removed. If it 'looks' like it's died, use the pressing of the center button on initial power-up to double check before sending it back to me ;) .

BTW, I have over 150 ready to go and from 7/10/06 until 8/31/06, the shipping is free in the US.

Gary
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[olmod]

Having just spotted this thread I must ask if a servo being tested/exercised with load applied has it any current limitations? soz if ive missed this info somewhere.cheers.lez.

[Gary Warner]

Having just spotted this thread I must ask if a servo being tested/exercised with load applied has it any current limitations? soz if ive missed this info somewhere.cheers.lez.

Hi olmod,

The only current limit is the capacity of your wires and battery. The 'power buss' on the Cycler is very robust (your wires will smoke long before the Cycler will fuse).

Gary
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[olmod]

Ok youv'e won me :) just got to check with a buddy wether he wants one also :D update, yep he sure does :) so i would imagine 2 in a post pack to australia would be OK?

[Gary Warner]

Ok youv'e won me :) just got to check with a buddy wether he wants one also :D update, yep he sure does :) so i would imagine 2 in a post pack to australia would be OK?
I resonded to your PM before reading this post. The two can be shipped together in one box to save shipping charges. See your PM for details.

Thank you very much for your buisness.

Gary
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[gzkpez]

Gary,

I used the servo tester and found it worked great. I was able to find a bad gear train on a servo.
Greg

[Gary Warner]

That's great Greg. Thanks for the business and positive feedback.

Gary
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[Clutch]

Gary,
How much is this unit and how do I order one?

Regards,
Clutch

[Gary Warner]

Gary,
How much is this unit and how do I order one?

Regards,
Clutch

Clutch,

Send me a check for $20 each. I'm only shipping in the USA right now. Free shipping on orders placed before 8/31/06.

York Electronics
1005 S. Josey Ln.
Suite 208
Carrollton TX 75006

Or you can order via Visa or Master Card by calling the office at

972-418-9000 M-F 9:30-6:00, Sat 9:00 - 12:00 CST

Gary
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[Gary Warner]

The links on the first post may not be working.

The new web site is at www.york-electronics.com (http://www.york-electronics.com)