Plug/Socket Compatability

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©olin - 30 Jan 2005 07:57 GMT

I am now Checking all my radio equipment after a break of 19 years. I have a
lot of Micron and Futaba Servos all fitted with standard Futaba plugs,
several Micron Receivers fitted with Futaba sockets, and a Fleet PCM
Transmitter and receiver with adaptor leads for Fleet RX to Futaba Servos. I
recently bought a new Rx battery that was fitted with a Universal/Futaba
socket. All OK so far.......
I am now planning to buy some additional lightweight equipment, but see that
the receivers are now fitted with plugs, and the servos with sockets.
Universal/Futaba????? This means they are not interchangeable with my
existing equipment without more adaptor leads :o(
Are these leads available commercially, if so where?
The one universal socket I have appears to be crimped, can these be made
with the Crimp Kit sold by Al's Hobbies?
I don't like the idea of many plug/socket combinations in an aircraft that
could potentially come apart. Any advice would be appreciated.

Colin

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Boo - 30 Jan 2005 12:35 GMT

> I am now Checking all my radio equipment after a break of 19 years. I have a
> lot of Micron and Futaba Servos all fitted with standard Futaba plugs,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Universal/Futaba????? This means they are not interchangeable with my
> existing equipment without more adaptor leads :o(

Or you could cut the ends off your old-style servos and crimp on
new-style connectors.

> Are these leads available commercially, if so where?

The new-style connectors are available but I really doubt you will come
across any of the old ones anywhere. This means that it's probably not
viable to use new servos with your old kit unless you have a duff
old-style servo you can rob the lead from.

> The one universal socket I have appears to be crimped, can these be made
> with the Crimp Kit sold by Al's Hobbies?

Yep. I don't believe that kit includes the wire btw, it didn't when I
bought one anyway.

There is a useful tutorial on how to use the crimping tool at
<http://home.concepts-ict.nl/%7Edelemarre/id35.htm>

> I don't like the idea of many plug/socket combinations in an aircraft that
> could potentially come apart. Any advice would be appreciated.

Well there are several issues, assuming your old kit is 27MHz then
there is the possible interference issue. Most people nowadays would
not choose to use 27MHz equipment for anything more dangerous than an
epp slope soarer or a park-flyer.

Also there is the possibility the the eqipment may have "drifted" in
frequency over the last 20 years. It would probably be safer to have it
serviced if still possible.

Finally, the centre positions of the old Futaba servos will need
adjusting to suit the new pulse width which differs from the old one.
When Model Avionics did all Futaba servicing they were able to alter
this for you but now I believe you will have to alter the pot position
and maybe tweek a trimmer inside the old servos.

All in all, when I faced the same issues a while back I just bought a
new set. The modern TXs are so much more flexible than the old ones,
modern servos so much more precise and powerful and modern RXs so much
lighter than the old ones that it's well worth the paltry £100 or so it
costs to do this IMHO.

Hth,

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Boo

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©olin - 30 Jan 2005 19:29 GMT

> > I am now Checking all my radio equipment after a break of 19 years. I have a
> > lot of Micron and Futaba Servos all fitted with standard Futaba plugs,
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>
> Hth,

My Fleet equipment is 35MHz PCM, and can be serviced by the new owners of
Fleet. My 3 Micron receivers are also 35MHz FM, and work OK with the Fleet
Transmitter.
I was not aware of the change in pulse width, which could cause some
problems when mixing the old system with the new. It may be wiser to keep
them separate, but I shall experiment. I will be moving abroad in a few
months time, and plan to visit either Hong Kong or Japan later in the year.
I will treat myself to, at least, a new transmitter then. I think I would
need to spend more than £100 for a new system.

Thanks for the help,

Colin

Reply to this Message

Boo - 31 Jan 2005 01:05 GMT

> My Fleet equipment is 35MHz PCM, and can be serviced by the new owners of
> Fleet. My 3 Micron receivers are also 35MHz FM, and work OK with the Fleet
> Transmitter.

I had not picked up on the fact that you had some Fleet kit. I didn't
know they were still in business until you posted that. If anyone's
interested they can be found via <http://www.digifleet.co.uk>

> I was not aware of the change in pulse width, which could cause some
> problems when mixing the old system with the new. It may be wiser to keep
> them separate, but I shall experiment. I will be moving abroad in a few
> months time, and plan to visit either Hong Kong or Japan later in the year.
> I will treat myself to, at least, a new transmitter then. I think I would
> need to spend more than £100 for a new system.

Deep-ends innit ? If you go to <http://www.inwoodmodels.co.uk/> you can
get a complete Futaba EXA system with TX, RX and 4 servos for the
princely sum of £112. Of course most people would prefer to go a step
higer and maybe end up with the much more capable FF7 at about a £100 extra.

Hope you have a good time on your travels,

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Boo

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / January 2005

Plug/Socket Compatability