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| Servo Power Systems |
by Mike Sotomayor
Servo Power Systems
by Mike Sotomayor
As our model airplanes have gotten larger in size we have been faced with the task of moving larger control surfaces moving to extreme throws. We have answered the challenge of control surface movement by adding multiple servos to the surfaces to be moved and by beefing up the mechanical actuators by using 4-40 rod or composite rods with threaded titanium ends. By making the move to digital servos we have increased the power at the control surface even more. The technique of ganging our servos has added the needed power to our control surfaces but at the cost of higher power consumption. This increase in battery load can cause problems with our airborne rx link. When we find ourselves facing multiple servo installations we can look at several methods and devices to insure the airborne radios power distribution integrity.
One of the methods we use to maximize voltage at the servos is to custom make our own servo and battery extensions. I recently used the connectors and #22 gauge twisted wire offered by Air Wild and have been very pleased with the results and the reasonable cost. Using their wire I was able to make all my extensions to a custom length with the added benefit of insuring the quality of ALL the extensions. This step was taken due to the voltage drops I have encountered on smaller airframes using off the shelf extensions.
We also added a new device from Smart Fly called the Power Expander. This device mechanically isolates the rx power from the servo and helps ensure a stable 5volts to the systems receiver. The power to the servos is not regulated. The Smart Fly company also offers switches that allow you to run the newer higher voltage/ampacity battery systems and integrate them into the airplanes flight control system. We have used their redundant switches with deans high current connectors with great results.
Another device we have used and can recommend is a servo/rx voltage isolating unit from i4C Products called the "Isolator". This unit has up to 10 channels available and is plugged into the servos and then the rx. The units have NO moving parts and, in our experience, enjoy excellent reliability at a very attractive price.
Another device from i4C Products is the digital ESV they offer for the larger capacity battery packs. The load is selectable in 500ma, 1000ma, or 1500ma ranges. The digital readout is easy to read and the unit is rugged,reliable,and reasonably priced.
I4C also offers a device called the C-Volt. This unit is meant to be mounted to the airframe and allows you a real time display of your airborne battery pack. Power consumption is negligible as the device only displays when the airborne sw. is in the on position.
I hope this information has been of some use to you.
Feel free to email me with questions at:
masotomayor@comcast.net
Created on 12/31/2007 12:40 PM by odettman
Updated on 12/31/2007 12:44 PM by odettman
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