Servo centering needed?

[Jetman71]

Crashed the 180CFX a while back and not flown it since. I’m certain one of the servos is not centred as when I spool up it banks to one side and needs a lot of opposite input when flying. Looking on YT if I want to centre the servos I need to update the firmware - anyone done this? I understand I need a Spektrum programming cable too - not too cheap though from what I can see? Anyone know of a cheaper option?

thanks in advance 👍🚁

[feathering]

Take a look at this video by JJInvertedProduction on setting up the 180 cfx (centering servo arms as well as swash leveling). I don't think you will need any programming cable if all you want to do is to set it up such that there is no drift. In fact, you can go through that whole video without a spektrum transmitter. Any TX would do. Keep in mind that the servo centering as in the video is for fine-tuning. Depending what happened in that crash you may need to sort out the servos mechanically.

[Jetman71]

Many thanks - I did look at the video by JJ Inverted. My servo arms are definitely some way off 90 degrees so I’m guessing this is the issue. Am I right in saying that I need to have the heli on for it to set itself, then put it in throttlehold and unscrew the servo arms and reset them to 90 degrees? Obviously taking the blades off first for the sake of my fingers!

[feathering]

For the servos to be locked in place you may need to enter servo centering mode. If you have the servo savers installed then you can possibly center them by simply twisting the arms while in servo centering mode. But in general I presume that manipulating the servos with power is not recommended. Perhaps you can enter servo centering mode, see what needs to be done, disconnect battery and then change spline.

[Jetman71]

That’s where I wondered if I needed the software cable? Can I enter servo centring without updating the firmware on the 180?

[feathering]

Follow the directions on the second page under 'Servo Adjustment Mode'.

[Jetman71]

Thanks will give this a go.��

[Mike Sanders]

I don't have a 180 but I have never had a problem centering servos with the heli connected (with blades off of course, or if you want to be absolutely safe, with the motor disconnected).

Just undo the arms, centre the sticks on the tx and put the arms back on at 90 degrees and you are OK. It might be a good idea to check that the swash is level in case any of the push rods are bent. Also check the main shaft and feathering shaft.

[Jetman71]

OK, I think we are sorted. Went down the manual adjustment route of the servo arms. Couldn't access the advanced menu on the DX8 i.e. moving sticks down to the left and right and holding the bind button to do the servo centering from there - still think I need to update the firmware and get the Speki cable - that said some people have had some fun in the past it would appear trying to update the firmware so may avoid this unless it is absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the help fellas.

[Bhujang]

My dx8 updated no issues and the servo,centring mode worked a treat when I needed it. So don’t give up it’s useful on the field to have especially if you have the servo saver mod. It’s a quick way to tell if the servo arm has slipped notmnot.