Bluebird servo burned up!

[spymaxx]

I have a problem I am hoping can be solved. For the second time now, my Bluebird BMS-630MG servo has burn out. They last for about 3-4 months. I noticed that while running the emaxx it acted like it did not want to turn. I stopped it and pulled the body off in time to see the smoke from the servo. There was nothing binding in the steering system. I have a Proline steering kit in it. With the horn disconnected, the steering truns very easily. What is goning on? I took the servo apart and the circuit board is toasted!

[pederules]

could it be because of your dual steering setup?

[spymaxx]

Nope! I don't have dual steering. Just the proline kit on the front.

[Misbehavin']

Are you using the stock radio? If so, most aftermarkets provide more throw than the stock servos. Without a radio with adjustible endpoints, you risk burning up the servo by trying to overturn it when you fully turn in one direction or the other.

[pederules]

you might be putting to much strain on it. did you upgrade to the 23mm hexes on the wheels? if you did you might want to get a higher torque servo.

[spymaxx]

Are you using the stock radio?

Yes, using stock radio. Is there a way to limit the servo? At this time, money is tight so a new radio is out.


did you upgrade to the 23mm hexes on the wheels?

No, stock there too. This servo is pretty beefy, 195oz. @ 6v.

[William H]

I just got done putting in a couple potentiometers in the stock radio to limit the servo travel works great.

[rangerfredbob]

with the proline kit you can ditch the stock servo saver, when you do so, you need to work with the linkage to get the correct throw so you don't max out the steering movement which will burn up the servo(the bluebird moves a lot further than the stock servo), to do this, move the linkage twards the center of the horn until the servo doesn't maxx out anymore, if you do that and still have problems and can't adjust the linkage anymore for one reason or another, either the servo is the problem or you need to limit the steering, I came up with a simple and cheap way of modifying the stock radio that works fine, just involves taking off the steering wheel and rubber cementing some squares of foam to the limits on it... if you do a search, search for posts by me with bluebird in it somewhere and it probably hasn't been replied to since may or early june...

[spymaxx]

I just got done putting in a couple potentiometers in the stock radio to limit the servo travel works great.

Could you please provide more details of your mod?

[William H]

I used the two blue potentiometers in the assorted pack at radio shack.

http://monster.traxxas.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=280746&highlight=2711605

[spymaxx]

William H:

That's William, you can disregard the PM I just sent to you. This was the thread I was looking for and could not find.