Protecting servos

rcjeff · #1 01-04-2002, 12:06 AM

How do you protect servos? Im getting a good one with metal gears and bb's and all and i dont want dirt/mud/water/snow any of that good stuff to ruin it.

Blue Nitro · #2 01-04-2002, 12:08 AM

I've seen people seal the case with electrical tape, but I'm not sure that keeps everything out.

elec2gas · #3 01-04-2002, 12:33 AM

use a baggy. right around(near) the neck of the servo use a very small zip-tie. alot of people use this method for there monster trucks plus you could also do this for your rec. box. also you could use balloons. same method as the baggy. if i ws going to do one of these it would be the balloons.

Einsteindks · #4 01-04-2002, 09:19 PM

Or, you could, of course, get servos that are sealed from the elements from the start. Futaba has some that are o-ring sealed at the screws, case halves, and at the outdrive. Not to say that they are 100% waterproof, but they will certainly srug off any good splashing they get.

rcjeff · #5 01-04-2002, 09:20 PM

Thanks, i was thinking about baloons but i didnt know how tight the fit would be, i dont have the servo yet. It should be here in a week or so though.

pudder · #6 01-04-2002, 09:24 PM

I'd just get the special wanterproof ones.

-mike

nitrodemon · #7 01-04-2002, 10:15 PM

I use Aeroplate on all my servos in my cars and boats. Even with the radio box full of water they still work. Good stufff!!!!!!!!!!!

rcjeff · #8 01-04-2002, 10:29 PM

Whats "aeroplate"
Where can i get it
How much is it
How do i use it

nitrodemon · #9 01-04-2002, 11:27 PM

Aeroplate is an oil soewhat like wd-40 but much thicker and is made for electronics and marine use. You just soak the part and then let it drain. Lasts for about 6 months depending on enviroment conditions. Towerhobbies and rocket city racing have it. Its made by Aerotrend
about $5

rcjeff · #10 01-04-2002, 11:32 PM

Um, that doesnt sound right.. you just drop your electronics in a bowl of oily stuff?

nitrodemon · #11 01-05-2002, 01:06 AM

correct. it puts a thin film that is impervious to water and most solvents and will not damage your electronics. Just dip it in for a few seconds and let it drip dry and after about an hour or so just spray a towel with alcohol and wipe off the outside and instant waterproof

mild MT · #12 01-05-2002, 06:50 PM

The best way is to use rubber balloons. There was an article I read recently, but can't remember where. Buy 9" balloons and stretch the h**l out of them. Then slowly work the servo inside. Once inside, pierce the balloon with a needle right where the horn screw goes in and stretch it over the post that the horn fits on. Then seal the necks with zip ties. The old Frogs used to use this method to make the car water tight.

rcjeff · #13 01-05-2002, 07:14 PM

Erm, i cant find it on www.towerhobbies.com

nitrodemon · #14 01-05-2002, 08:50 PM

You can get Aeroplate at
Rocket City RAcing

nitrodemon · #15 01-05-2002, 08:51 PM

You can get Aeroplate at
Rocket City RAcing

$12.99 for 4oz

elec2gas · #16 01-05-2002, 09:01 PM

or you can get a bag of balloons for a dollar. cant beat that price.

rcjeff · #17 01-05-2002, 09:10 PM

Ya, screw $12. Ill go get some balloons.

Spinner2 · #18 01-05-2002, 09:12 PM

shrink-wrap your servos...... that will also keep water/mud etc. out

nitrodemon · #19 01-05-2002, 09:20 PM

You get what you pay for, IMHO

rcjeff · #20 01-05-2002, 09:30 PM

Well, $12 every 6 months isnt that great of a price. Plus, $6 shipping.
$18 compared to $1.05 at wal-mart.
Wait a minute
$18 compared to about $3 at wal-mart. (gotta add some zipties)

pudder · #21 01-05-2002, 10:05 PM

Could go t oa friends house and take half his dad's zip-ties. What I did for my stash

. Baloons also work great. Last winter when I went driving, I would have about 3" of snow and ice on everything and my reviever and servos were fine.

-mike

nitrodemon · #22 01-05-2002, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rcjeff
Well, $12 every 6 months isnt that great of a price. Plus, $6 shipping.
$18 compared to $1.05 at wal-mart.
Wait a minute
$18 compared to about $3 at wal-mart. (gotta add some zipties)

One bottle will do several applications. The bottle I have has lasted a year and a half and is just over half full. I use it mainly on my boat electronics which when after a run are submerged in water and still operating. My theory; $200 of electronics protected by $12 waterproof agent good, $1 water resistent ballons bad. Thats just me

rcjeff · #23 01-05-2002, 11:27 PM

Well, the thing is, i dont have boats. Now, if i had boats, i would go for the $12 stuff. Since cars dont get near as wet as boats, i dont see the need to spend more money of that stuff than balloons since i dont drive in water much. Maybe a little puddle once in a while.

elec2gas · #24 01-06-2002, 03:02 AM

nitrodemon, what kind of boat do you have? i just talked to a buddy of mine and he said if your electronics are submerged in water, you should take a second look at that boat. are you running the boat with the top off? i had a boat back in like 1991. not sure what kind of boat but it was electric with 2 motors cased. i never had a problem with my electronics being submerged in all that water at anytime.....

nitrodemon · #25 01-06-2002, 03:23 AM

gasoline powered boats tend to wreak havoc on homemade radio boxes a problem that I've fixed and it only happend a few times. Nothing was damaged considering it was salt water