Align 2 in1 Reg and Futaba S9254 Help please

[Three6ty]

Hi,
I recently bought a Trex 600 NSP off here. I decided to buy an Align 2 in 1 reg for it and a couple of lipos.
I have just noticed that the tail servo I am running, a Futaba S9254 should not be run at 6v which is what the 2 in 1 steps down the lipo voltage to.
I done about 9 flights with this setup. Everything seems fine. But could I have screwed up my servo. Should I ditch the servo in case of future problems i may have incurred. Or get a inline step down as mentioned in the trex manual. Or am I panicking over nothing and all will be fine?
Thanks for any help.
Cheers, Rich

[Jamin_00]

It should be fine with those few flights.

Get a step down and all should be ok.

[David Drew]

Methinks you are ok if it's working now. It is designed for 5v and I guess prolonged 6v will burn it out.

Buy a step down & I'm sure it will be fine.

That's what I think

David

[SRH990]

The servo should still be fine. I've got a 5.1v step-down on mine although some people report using it happily on the Align 2 in 1's output of 5.8v. The 9254 can be a bit fragile so 5.1v is best imho.

[zoombolt]

The S9254 should be run with a 5v step down.
However, lots do - I do, & lots don't.

I don't think you will have fried your servo, so its now up to you.

One logic says that by the time the juice from the battery has fed the Rx & all other areas, your getting less than 6v to the tail servo anyway. Without a step down this is one thing less to go wrong. I've seen fried stepdowns....

The other logic says, preserve & protect your servo, get more life from it & stop it from getting zapped by all that juice. I've run a step down on my 9254 & not had a problem in over a year.

Maybe you could do a poll, but it's probably been done to death already!

[Three6ty]

Thanks all.
I'll order a step down now. Only a few quid.
Cheers, Rich

[Mark_T]

Nothing to worry about, the 4.8V rating refers to using a 4 cell nicad pack, not to only being able to handle 4.8V.

The 4 cell pack will put out over 6V when freshly charged and the Align 2-in-1 will always deliver less than that.

[kenny.c]

"Nothing to worry about, the 4.8V rating refers to using a 4 cell nicad pack"

Your 100% correct there Mark_T........ive read many times and seen 2 of those Align stepdowns burnt out......not good.......I recon they are a crash waiting to happen....I run all my tail servos without stepdowns as long as you are using a regulated supply you dont need a stepdown

Ken

[Three6ty]

Hi,
Have just ordered a 5.1 step down from Fast Lads.
But am now confused. Some are saying yes, some no. See above.
Perhaps I should add a poll to this thread if I can.
Cheers, Rich

[Kwickkwack]

I had a stepdown in my 600, but took it out as it was another joint and potential weak point. Run mine 6V now, so far no problem.

[Mark_T]

If you take a look at the Futaba instructions for the 401/9254 combo you'll find this :

'Voltage- use only with a 4.8V battery. (if you use it with a
higher voltage battery it needs to be regulated to 6V)'

[LipolyGone]

Dont do it Rich!
Buy the best step down you can & make sure you make up a loom to support
the wireing going into & out of it, do this with spiraly wrapped electrical tape.
I have learnt not to listen to the "use it" "it's fine as a 4 cell pack puts out blah blah"
luckily none of them have had a burnt out 9254 but I've had 2 & a mate has burnt his 9256 out on one

[Three6ty]

If you take a look at the Futaba instructions for the 401/9254 combo you'll find this :

'Voltage- use only with a 4.8V battery. (if you use it with a
higher voltage battery it needs to be regulated to 6V)'

Hi,
Don't know if it makes a difference but not using a 401. I have a Spartan 760
Cheers, Rich

[moonmanflyer]

This is always a sticky one this, i no longer use stepdowns after one failed on me, also a couple of mates have had them fail also, so all this year i have been running without them with no problems and know others that are also.
As long as the voltage is regulated there doesn't seem to be to much of an issue.
I know i have now opened the gates but i think others will pipe up and say the same

[LipolyGone]

What servos james?
Aligns are rated for 8v far as I know as I run
mine direct off the reg on the ar 7100.
futaba servos have never been rated above 4.8v
I look at it this way, if the step down fails you will
have to put into use the auto practice you should be doing
your heli gets down safe & sound no probs buy another £5 step down
If your 9254 goes because your not using a step down it's upwards of £45 to replace.
I put my faith in a £5 step down every time & havent burnt a servo out whilst using
one or had one fail but I do make a loom to support the wireing.