5 FLIGHT TESTS NORTHEAST SAILPLANE PRODUCTS ...

To satisfy the power requirements of digital servos, you can use various
types of power supplies that range from Airtronics' more powerful,
standard-size Ni-Cd ll00mAh to the larger Extra 3000mAh Ni-Cd from
JR. For longer flight times, trying using lithium-ion batteries from
Duralite or Li-poly batteries from manufacturers such as Multiplex.
Pump it up!
DIGITAL SERVOS' POWER CONSUMPTION IS A DRAWBACK;
to supply their remarkable precision and holding power, digital
servos use more power than standard servos. Although it isn't a
significant disadvantage, it's something to be aware of.
Once you've made a decision to use digital servos in your air­
craft, keep in mind that you'll need more battery power. You could
use one larger battery or separate power supplies for each group
of servos (easily done if you use JR Matchbox or Futaba MSA-10
servo-matching systems). Using a 6V power supply (5-cell NiMH or
Ni-Cd) would be preferable to using 4.5V (4-cell) batteries. Li-polys
and Li-ions are also excellent choices for power, but their output
voltage will have to be brought down to 6 volts with a regulator.
It's a good idea to add an onboard battery monitor to check
the battery's condition. At the very least, you should have easy
access to the batteries so that you can check their power levels
with a hand-held meter. Buy a 12V battery charger for the type of
cells installed. In that way, the batteries can be topped off just
before the flight and guarantee the maximum power reserve.
As you can see, the one downside to using digital servos
(other than cost) is easily overcome. With the proper power supply
and monitoring, digital servos provide precision, solid control and
safety to models of any size.
Futaba is no stranger to high-quality radio gear and servos. Its
S-series of digital servos continues the tradition. The massive S5
delivers 264 oz.-in. of torque, while the S9152 provides an impres
278 oz.-in. of torque; both come with metal gears.
This same programming advantage can be used when yo
"gang" digital servos together for a single control surface.
can custom-tune digital servos so that they all have iden
movements, and that allows the servos to be slaved toge
for a common task without their fighting over the ne
position. This will prevent unnecessary draining of the
borne battery pack.
MAY 2005