Can we solve Snoopy's robot boat servo problem with Futaba S-Bus ?

[Robin Lovelock on robin@gpss.co.uk]

Hi Guys. For those interested and think they may help, today I had a breakthrough talking to Gary Carter.

Gary is on http://www.carmech.co.uk and was here to fix the camper, but he is an amazing guy,

into things like being a radio ham - but important here - radio control helicopters.

The outstanding problems on Snoopy's Robot Boat are explained at the top on http://www.gpss.co.uk/autop.htm

This email relates to the problem that the excellent reliable Futaba S3003, and earlier similar products,

are fine, but if the supplied 5v power drops too low - that can happen in prelonged dark conditions

- it tries to rotate continuously, hitting the mechanical end stop in the boat, drawing much more power.

This means it takes MUCH longer to recover when sunlight returns.

I wasted a LOT of time trying to make something that plugged in, to solve the problem.

Gary Carter gave me the first two model boats for those early years of prototype testing on Bray Lake ;-)

HERE'S THE IMPORTANT THING: today, when I mentioned this problem, Gary said that the Futaba parameters could be changed by a thing called "Futaba S-bus". In short, a rig might be used to change the data inside the servo,

to decide what to do when the power drops too low. e.g. not continually rotate, but move to the centre position ! :-)

I did a quick google and this was an AI summary >>>

You can use a dedicated S.Bus channel setting tool like the Futaba SBC-1 or S.Bus PC-Link software to change S.Bus servo settings, as the standard S3003 servo is not directly S.Bus compatible. The SBC-1 allows you to set the S.Bus channel for a compatible servo by selecting a channel number and holding a set switch while connecting a battery. The PC-Link software, on the other hand, offers a more advanced way to program parameters by loading, editing, and then writing them to the S.Bus servo. 

<<<

Sorry I don't have the time for more google research, but someone might find out:

1) can it be done on the S3003 despite words above ? If so, how. Great if you can do a test :-)

2) is there a similar servo that does not have this problem, or can be fixed this way ?

BTW as I've said: I'm happy to pay for work, rather than do it myself,

BUT that would involve something llike paypal to pay after goods tested ;-)

BUT in the past, I've found good advice on some forums.

To reduce risk of "grandma being told to suck eggs" my CV is on http://www.gpss.co.uk/robinscv.htm

But the important page is "Snoopy" on http://www.gpss.co.uk/autop.htm linked from my "Home" page below.

Take Care - and don't get caught ;-)

Robin Lovelock in Sunninghill

http://www.gpss.co.uk & http://www.nhscare.info & http://www.gpshobby.info