digital or analog?

[CharliesTheMan]

Well for those who don't know I just bought a Futaba 3PK radio system. I have a Savage X SS that has hitec 645 MG servos, and a T-Maxx that has the stock servos. I was thinking that I could just replace the receivers and use the 3PK system, but I was reading the instructions and it says not to use this system with non-digital servos. So are the 645 MG servos digital? I'm pretty sure none of my servos are digital because they were so cheap, so is this the case?

Oh yea, the receiver I'm using is a Futaba FP-R113F

Well I've been doing some research and it seems that I can use the servos I have with the receivers I have, just not with the latest HRS receivers, this sound right? Josh, I'm talking to YOU out there! a lil help here sure would be nice.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Digital servos make a different noise than analog servos. Analog servos make ticking/twitching noises when they're trying to stay centered; digital servos sound like those old dot-matrix (and in some cases checkout counter receipt printers) printers (high pitched whining/grinding noise). At least I think this is the case, since the only digital servo I've ever seen made noises like that.

 

[olds97_lss]

645MG's are not digital. 5645MG's are. Eddy has the 5645MG's cheaper than tower.

I wonder why it says to only use digital? Maybe a speed/clock thing?

Me, I prefer to not use digital on t/b just due to the constant pressure on it while braking and holding the carb shut against a spring. I had a digital on my aftershock for t/b, but it sounded so annoyed (lot of buzzing) at idle, that I was afraid it would just die early on me. So, I took the 985MG off my buggies steering, put it on the AS for t/b and put the digital on my buggy for steering. I really paid close attention to the EPA adjustment so I wasn't over shooting and straining the digital. Although, I don't let any of my servos reach mechanical lock anyway.

I use a normal airtronics MX3 transmitter with the airtronics receivers and a Novak xxtra receiver.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

well I figured out, it's only a special digital receiver that Futaba has that requires digital servos, the HRS series. the regular FM receivers dont require them. I was a lil overwhelmed at first, but now I got this thing all dialed in and ready to go in the morning. Tomorrow we have a sunny forecast at 60 degrees, and I'm gonna get some nitro flowin through my blood if it kills me!

 

[Lessen]

yeah, you got it right Charlie. you MUST use digital servos if you are to use an HRS Rx. Sometimes MFR's like to give stupid recommendations on stuff too. For instance, every one of my Futaba digital servo's say to use NICD batteries ONLY. I can't for the life of me understand why, but I've been using NIMH's for years and the servos work just fine. :shrug: silly

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I can't wait to try this baby out in the morning. I don't have the track finished yet so I've got lawn chair up on the roof of the house, I'm gonna stand on it to really get the feel of racing around the house. hahaha. No but really I can't wait to see how this new radio does. I know it's not the newest technology, but for a guy like me it's a really nice system and a pretty good investment.

Thanks everyone for all the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[jetmechG550]

I know the 3PKS you can disable the HRS if you have analog servo's just in case you run into something down the road. I got into it with someone from Futaba about their rx and using unregulated Lipo's. They said it would greatly reduce the life of the rx or servo's and I asked them to show me where on the f'in box of theirs or anyone else'w electronics is a stamped gauranteed life.

 

[TWOCANE]

so if the servos whin they arre digital? My battery Rustler whins like crazy, thats why?

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I took the maxx out today and the transmitter and receiver worked GREAT! I love the way the 3PK feels in my hand. Now that I have two trucks, I'm teaching my step-dad to how to drive it handle it right (to the best of my ability, I'm no pro-am racer or anything) so we can race when I get the track finished.

 

[jetmechG550]

so if the servos whin they arre digital? My battery Rustler whins like crazy, thats why?

probably not, if your linkages are set right it could just be trying to center itself.

 

[olds97_lss]

so if the servos whin they arre digital? My battery Rustler whins like crazy, thats why?

Both servo types whine... if something is pressing them or causing drag.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Yep, but digitals are higher pitched. All the servos that I've ever used were analog and they make sorta twitching and buzzing noises rather than whining.