Water is very very bad... and sneaky!

[olds97_lss]

Well, my weekend was cut short due to 8 drops of water (or so).

I had it waterproofed as well, or so I thought. It came in through the servo horn area. I wish they used sealed bearings... Off to tower I go!

 

[jon2]

Was that a receiver? damn that sucks . Hope it wasn't synth.

 

[AC48]

I think it was a servo because he said the water came in through the servo horn area lol. That sucks, what servo was that?

 

[olds97_lss]

Futaba S3305 servo. Cheap, but I didn't have a backup. So I'm done until next weekend. It's my throttle/brake servo. I think I'll replace it with a 645MG. That's what I'm using for steering.

I've had issues with the 625MG, but I think it was because I use the brakes a lot and the lower torque rating wasn't enough.

 

[Lessen]

Was that a receiver? damn that sucks . Hope it wasn't synth.

it's a servo. you can tell by the three wired that aare soldered to the board.

Olds- did you do the plastidip thing or balloons?

 

[olds97_lss]

I sealed the seams with RTV, painted the whole servo with liquid electrical tape (3 coats) and put a blob of RTV around the base of the servo horn.

The water found it's way in through the servo horn area. Every other seam was dry as a bone, but the bearing for the output shaft was wet as well as everything below it. It ran down inside through the potentiometer down the side of the motor onto the circuit board.

I'm not sure if the "pot" being wet burnt the board or the water on the board burnt the board. Either way, there are two transistors that are toast and a couple caps and diods that are fried.

Either way, it just goes to show that your never fully water proof when your dealing with moving parts.

On my savage, I made a o-ring out of bicycle inner tube to be gently squeezed between the servo case and servo horn. Just enough pinch to make a seal. I also lubed it with losi green slime so it wouldn't bind, but I did that after I dry fit it. I also sealed the seams with RTV and put 3 coats of liquid electrical tape on the servo's.

I've pretty much drenched the savage be it in snow or a garden hose to clean it off, and haven't had a water related problem yet.

I use balloons and electrical tape on my battery packs and my receiver. I wrap the balloon in normal electrical tape after the parts are inside. I do it to make it more resiliant to wear by vibration. Haven't had a hole in a balloon yet.

I tried the balloons on the servo's, but they are to bulky. Also, no matter what you do, there's a 50% chance you make a hole in the balloon when installing the servo screws to hold the servo onto the chassis.

 

[Lessen]

I tried the balloons on the servo's, but they are to bulky. Also, no matter what you do, there's a 50% chance you make a hole in the balloon when installing the servo screws to hold the servo onto the chassis.

I agree. they are bulky and it's tricky but that's what I've done to my Maxx. you have to roll the ballon upon itself quite a bit so it's hefty enough to stretch around the servo w/o tearing. Of course this makes it harder to stretch but patiense is a virtue. havn't had a problem yet in the snow, mud, or rain. yet...

When using balloons I figure it's just about impossible to to install the horn screw w/o putting a hole in the balloon. I think the idea is that the balloon will stretch around the edge and down the sides (splines) of the servo head thingymabobber. LOL! I've had to redo some of my waterproofing when I did the FOC. by looking at the markings and indetations on the balloon this is the conclusion that I've come to. when I inspected the one I took off there was a hole and around that hole there was an indented ring the exact width of the top edge of the servo thing then outside of that the splined area is obvious.

 

[olds97_lss]

I get them over the servo and stuff without a problem. The problems come when you attach said servo to the chassis. The screws that hold the servo on tear the balloons... at least half the time for me.

 

[jon2]

Ahhh. I was wondering about the the wire set up. I am sure you can be up and running with a new one. pretty cheap. But I know how it feels when money is fown the drain when you try to protect it.

 

[olds97_lss]

Well, it lasted 6 months on 2 different vehicles.

I just bought 2 645MG's, one to replace and one for backup.

 

[jon2]

Well, it lasted 6 months on 2 different vehicles.

I just bought 2 645MG's, one to replace and one for backup.

Yeah I got 2 JR 650's one in my MBX5 and the other as a spare. Was a deal on EBAY for 50 bucks NIP

EDIT 2 only for 50...sorry. typing is lame tonite...
.

 

[bigmo]

u got 20 of them for $50










lol just messin

 

[jon2]

u got 20 of them for $50










lol just messin

oops my bad. it was edited.

 

[Lessen]

I get them over the servo and stuff without a problem. The problems come when you attach said servo to the chassis. The screws that hold the servo on tear the balloons... at least half the time for me.

ohhh, ok.I see what you're sayin. yeah, I'm sure mine isn't full proof either but I guess somethings bound to happen eventually.

 

[Plaidfish]

I just don't run mine in the water and I don't have these issues...LOL.....well I actually did run through the only 10" puddle on the track on saturday...in fact i managed to keep hitting it in the 2nd heat and even flipped upside down in it once.....maybe I should do the waterproofing thing.....are you guys against the plastidip stuff I keep hearing about?

 

[olds97_lss]

I'm not against it, but it didn't work well for me. After my first bash session, the dip cracked on both servo's I put it on. Now I use the liquid electrical tape stuff.

I didn't get it wet driving it... I got it wet washing it