Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Radio Equipment => Topic started by: tony23 on October 20, 2009, 06:40:17 pm
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Is it possible to buy water proof servos I was told of a futaba servo but can only find a helecoptor 'dustproof' casing type servo?
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a bit of self amalgamating tape around the bottom works well unless the top of the servo is exposed i know of nothing that would stop water ingress and still allow the servo to move
what are you useing the servo in
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traxxas make waterproof servos in 3 different sizes, have a look on ebay, they are around £13. I have used a micro 1 as a steering servo in a eco 3 fast electric, but did find it a little slow for that. I'm not sure how waterproof they are, I suspect that water would seep through the output shaft if it was fully submerged for any length of time, but the fast electric has a fair amount of water slopping around in it at times & the servo never failed.
cheers Glenn
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Futaba have just brought out a new one - S3014 - claimed to be waterproof
http://www.clevelandmodels.co.uk/index.php?cPath=33&osCsid=0ca835b43298dcfd0ecff894f3395398 (http://www.clevelandmodels.co.uk/index.php?cPath=33&osCsid=0ca835b43298dcfd0ecff894f3395398)
Danny
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a bit of self amalgamating tape around the bottom works well unless the top of the servo is exposed i know of nothing that would stop water ingress and still allow the servo to move
what are you using the servo in
I have an IOM yacht which I sail in all conditions sometimes in a gale and it's not unusual for the boat to nose dive into the water on the down wind leg with water completely covering the boat so there will always be a little water in the hull after sailing but I have just had a brand new high torque servo (£38) die on me and it looks like water has crept through the casing joint or the screw heads/holes into the circut board. I have smeared the joints with some Vaseline but it looks like it got in somewhere I know a servo cannot be totally water proof but one that's been built to with stand some water will go a long way.
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Waterproof your servos with Plasti Dip http://www.plastidip.co.uk/index2.cfm?page=products&prodId=1 (http://www.plastidip.co.uk/index2.cfm?page=products&prodId=1) and an O-ring under the arm.
Method shown here http://www.societyofrobots.com/actuators_waterproof_servo.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/actuators_waterproof_servo.shtml) (scroll down a bit...).
Used this on an exposed servo in an open waterjet hull without any problems.
It comes off easily if you need to get into the servo at a later date.
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I found that site on YouTube a couple of nights ago and have tried it using a clear high modules silicon sealant on a new servo, I took the yacht out today for a sail and it's works perfectly although I yet to find out if any damp gets in.
I have also ordered a Futaba S3014 to try out.
(http://www.sloughrc.com/ProductImages/large/P-S3014.jpg)
With its 6.5Kg/cm torque, high speed and ball bearing supported output, this standard size, water-resistant servo is ideal for a variety of boat and yacht applications.
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The 3014 has been out ages. No servo is ever going to be completely waterproof, it's got holes in it.....
What I would do is to fill it with Dow Corning 7 silicon grease.