Servo question – a long shot

[Andy FParticipant @andyf73386]

I've recently acquired a set of servos for a project I'm working on and I'm after some information.

They're old Futaba FP=S18 and 18L (see photo)

I need to know the angle of travel. I've trawled the internet for specs but this model would appear to be somewhat stone age and therefore no information is available. What I have gleaned from various places though is that it could be either 45 or 60 degrees but is this total or either direction? It makes a great difference to my plans.

Just wondering if anyone has any of these and happens to know the answer off hand.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited By Andrew Fallows on 14/02/2020 11:13:41

[Andy FParticipant @andyf73386]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Andrew

Servodatabase.com lists all current Futaba servos and the end-to-end speed of every single one of the 169 types listed is quoted over 60 degrees. I reckon this would indicate a total throw of 60°, which is in line with what I can remember of these servos. The logo on the label is the international Futaba symbol and not the Ripmax-Futaba labels we saw on UK imports. The case looks like the type which was called FP-16M in this country.

Sorry I can't be of any more help – the obvious answer would be to plug the beggars in and try them!

Dave M

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Andrew,

I learned to fly with those servos with a Futaba M series radio in the 70's, they have changed the plugs since those days 😮

Regards Ray

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I bought a servo tester gadget not long ago, and it was ridiculously cheap and made exactly to answer your sort of question. Recommended.

Ashley

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

You will only know what the travel with your radio is after you have tried it with your radio and measured it. There is no rule that says that all transmitters generate the same signal range for the same stick travel.

The plugs will need to either be changed to match current types to se with a modern radio receiver, or be modified or have an adapter made.

Fortunately, the colours have kept the same funtions. When I had an old one to try, I used short lengths of thin copper tube that I had handy so that took care of plugging a male plug into a male receiver board. OK for testing to see it they worked on the bench, not good for real use.

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