single aileron servo on 35%

[citrus]

Just wondering if any one runs a single servo per wing in their 35% airframe? I was thinking that most of these planes were designed for two servos long before today's powerful new servos. Are we getting to a point with the new servo strength that one would be plenty?

looking for thoughts and/or experiences.

Chris

[Vic3D]

No man. Go with two servos per aileron. Definitely no reason to just use one.

[aviti]

Might depend on the weight of the plane and the stiffness of your ailerons. I run single 5955's in my Troy Built 35% 260 but the plane only weighs 24 lbs. Also, this plane was built for single aileron servos so the location is right in the middle. If your plane is an ARF the it would be difficult to locate the servo in the middle.

[Mitsu1]

I have a friend who posts on here sometimes. He runs one aileron servo on his 42% 3D birds and has never had even one incident of flutter. I know it sounds crazy to some but its all about how you do it and what you use. I'll let him speak on that, ... if he chooses to .

[sjmorgan]

yes it does work, Ive been doing it for years now and have never had any issues. You just have to have good building practices and use good equipment and heavy duty linkages in all the connections. I just never bought into all the marketing hype of having to spend $1500.00 for servos for a 40% plane.

[JoeAirPort]

There are many variables here, some of them already discussed. One thing that could make it possible is if you were using low throws and you had a 3/4 inch control horn and a 1.5 inch servo arm. Add to that using a JR 8711 servo and you have about 660 oz-in of torque on the control surface hinge at 6 volts (2:1 mech advantage). So it all depends on the setup. There's a huge advantage with two servos, the biggest is added strength to reduce twisting of the surface.

If I had a 35% 3D ship no way would I use one servo, especially a 5955. I heard they heat up and drop their torque in half. The JR 8611/8711 is better for a one servo setup (yeah I know the gears suck, but they're still stronger).

[dmichael]

I've been using single servos on ailerons for years and many flights on my 35% birds - including 3Dthrows. I believe that the dual servos on 35% planes was necessary when servos were not as good/strong but no longer. I have a Radiocraft Extra - it was designed for two servos right next to each other- now, with the 8611 and 8711 and Hitec 5955 servos I see no reason to use more than one. These servos are as strong or stronger than two of the "older" servos were.

Dave

[jmiracle]

I've built 4 different 35% airframes now that have all used 1 servo per aileron and never had a problem.

Dave hit the reason in his post above.

There's no need for 2 on a 35% airframe anymore.

[Cracky]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jmiracle
	I've built 4 different 35% airframes now that have all used 1 servo per aileron and never had a problem. Dave hit the reason in his post above. There's no need for 2 on a 35% airframe anymore.

Its not a question of strength of the servo, its a question of stiffness of aileron. If I am correct, all of your planes were kit built (3 Cardens and a Aerotech?) with foam core wings. From everything that I have seen foam core'd ailerons are stronger and resist twisting better than built up.

[citrus]

interesting...thanks for the replies.

Chris

[citrus]

I'm considering a 35% carden edge. I want to make a light weight 3-d monster. light build, skip 2 servos and 2 matchboxes with associated hardware. I would set up the ideal servo location in the build.

Just getting the gears turning..

Chris

[RMaia]

	Quote: Originally Posted by citrus
	interesting...thanks for the replies. Chris

Yes, interesting for sure.

[jmiracle]

	Quote: Originally Posted by dgfick
	Its not a question of strength of the servo, its a question of stiffness of aileron. If I am correct, all of your planes were kit built (3 Cardens and a Aerotech?) with foam core wings. From everything that I have seen foam core'd ailerons are stronger and resist twisting better than built up.

Yes...that's a good point worth mentioning. An open structure that has a lot of flex in it probably isn't a good candidate.

Any solid-sheeted surface should be stiff enough to handle 1 servo.

I don't do anything special with a foam core to stiffen them up....just built stock.