Does anybody out there know why my 6 month old digital servo (Futaba
HS-5945MG) chirps like a bird? It seems to work OK, but the noise is
annoying. --Jim Linville

Is it a buzzing noise? If so then I'd look for any binding in the movement. A digital servo has a very tight deadband. If there even the slightest force being applied it will try and move back to it's intended position. If you can reach it, try and gently move the arm both ways and see if the noise goes away or gets louder.

How are you using this servo? It's a pretty strong one.

-Ben

It doesn't buzz. My description of the sound it makes as being like a bird is not too accurate. It actually sounds more like it's sending Morse code, and the arm makes tiny glitching movements in time to the sound. I planned to use it for a backstay adjuster. --Jim Linville

If you press on the arm gently does the noise become steady? It sounds like it's hunting. Is you battery good? Got plenty of voltage? Are you running 4 or 5 cells?

-Ben

Pressing on the arm does nothing. It just keeps chirping. I'm running it with 5 freshly charged cells. There are two of these goodies in the boat; one for the rudder, one for the backstay. The rudder servo works fine. Only the backstay servo is acting up. --Jim

From Tower Hobbies website:

This is a Hitec Digital, High Torque, Metal Gear, Programmable Servo that will work with Hitec S, JR, and Airtronics Z radio systems.

REQUIRES: Hitec, JR and Airtronics Z radio system

Possible problem? Futaba radio?


Scott

I doubt that it has anything to do with the transmitter. There are thousands of these servos being used with all sorts of transmitters. I personally own about a dozen of them. One plane runs 8 of them.

Is the servo plugged directly into the receiver or is there an extension? Lets try moving it to another receiver port or eliminating the extension. I wonder if there's a little corrosion on the a connector somewhere.

If this doesn't yield any useful help, I'd pull the servo and send it Hitec. They have an excellent rep for fast, painless and no-cost repairs.

-Ben

Thanks, Guys, I tried switching channels but it didn't solve the problem. I've sent an e-mail to HiTec, and will let you know what they say. --Jim

All:

I sent an e-mail to the HiTec Customer Service Dept. Following is the answer I received. I guess my servo is OK...

--Jim

Hello Jim,

You can try to fine tune the end points with your radio. But you will
still have a buzzing or chirping sound coming from the servo. This is
normal.

Thank you,

Martin Salgado
Customer Service Department
Hitec RCD Inc.

Jim, if you plan on using that backstay adjuster on an EC12, please don't. It is not allowed.

Jim- I don't think Martin understands the problem fully. I would press him further, or just send the servo in with a note explaining the problem. Be sure and tell him:

1. This behavior is a recent change after 6 months of satisfactory service.

2. The arm can be seen moving in time with the sound when no stick input is made.

3. There is no binding. This was checked by applying and releasing pressure on the servo arm with no change in the sound.

4. The test is conducted with a freshly charged 5-cell battery.

-Ben

Thanks, Ben, I'll do it. --Jim