Can I shorten servo wires to make way for FS8 CO-PILOT?

[Fixer]

Can I shorten servo wires to make way for FS8 CO-PILOT?

Ive just spent my Saturday afternoon fitting a FS8 Co-Pilot to my Raptor 30, it was supplied by www.aurora.co.uk and I must say the back up Mike gives is first class, any problems you just pick up the phone and hes only too glad to help.

I havent had chance too try it out yet on the Raptor but Im hoping tomorrow I will be trying it out if I manage the calibration process OK.

Right Then

I would like to shorten the front servo wires because at the moment I have a mass of wire up front and no were to hide it.
Would it be OK to shorten some or should they all be left the same length, Im not that up on resistance and all that Tec stuff.

Picks of the FS8 Co-Pilot installed.

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fre.../ph//my_photos

[Thomas]

People do shorten them but I wouldn't in case I want to use them on another model.

I have seen a Eolo that had each servo wire neatly folded under 3cm piece of heat shrink and looked very tidy. You can remove the servo plugs carefully by using a pin to release each contact, could be a better solution.

[Fixer]

Its the space I need and Im not bothered about using them on another machine.

I just wanted to make sure it wouldnt cause any problems with the receiver or other servos by shortening them.

[Janek]

You could shorten the leads, but you should NOT solder them togeter, as the solder joints WILL fail eventually due to vibration on an IC powered heli.

You need to get some replacement plugs, and the crimping tool, etc. to do the job properly. . . . . and practise a few times to get the technique correct.

Here's a guy that can supply all the materials, and documentation, you need

www.ashtekelectronics.com

[Fixer]

Janek

Thanks for the advice and Link,

Theres a lot of connectors on his site and Im not sure what to order, can you tell me what size I need and the tool needed.

Cheers

[Janek]

Fixer, firstly you'll need a Servo Crimping Tool (model # AE-TMC-003), that's the easy one.

The connectors are all listed on his connector page, basically there's male and female, but you need to pick Futaba or JR (or what ever). They are all listed on his "connector" page. However, you need to tell mes what you currently use, i.e. what make of servo, Rx, Gyro, for me to find the correct part #. Or you could email Ashtek yourself for the answer direct from the horses mouth

Personally I myself hold a JR and Futaba male and female connectors and wire (they differ in colour codeing), that way I'm covered for just about every eventuality. Don't forget what I said about practising, because these things are NOT easy to put on, and you will need to practice.

See is "tutorial" section of instructions.

[Fixer]

Thanks M8 and yes I will practice first,

I'm using 4x Fubata S3001 servos and a 601Gyro with a S9251 servo

Cheers

[Janek]

In that case you need something like :

J Type Female Connector (Futaba/Traxxas) - AE-SCN-013

and

J Type Male Connector (Futaba/Traxxas) - AE-SCN-023

Both of these are in blue, as I cannot seem to see black femaleslisted, I can see black males though 8O

Finding them is a tad confusing, as they are all listed under Servo, on the sub menu Connectors, the first menu is for Ashlok connectors, whatever the feck they are !

[Fixer]

Thanks again, I'll mail him and ask if I can order the equivalent in black.

Servo Crimping Tool (model # AE-TMC-003)

J Type Female Connector (Futaba/Traxxas) - AE-SCN-013

J Type Male Connector (Futaba/Traxxas) - AE-SCN-023

[Fixer]

Hey what a great service, the tool and connectors came today the females came in a mixed bag with male connectors but I'm not sure if it was my mistake or there's.

Janek

Before I have a practice run do I leave the gold pins on the strip until its crimped or do I take them off first before crimoing as I need them.

[Sao]

I take mine off the strip for crimping, but thats just me

[Janek]

Like Sao I take mine off.

When you practice, use a female on one end of a length of wire, and a male on the other end, that way you'll have an extention lead, assuming of course you're successful.

Calm, stay calm. . . . . :lol:

[Fixer]

Good idea, one more question, looking at the tool one part of the jaw closes right up and the other stops about 2 mm short, is this side the wire side.

[Janek]

Can't answer that question, as my crimpers are pretty old, and you have the newer ones, don't the Instructions give you any clue ?

Unless Sao knows, I'd email Ashtec, he's sure to be able to help, in fact he's a member here although I haven't seen him post in a while (his handle is. . . wait for it Ashtec :lol: )

[Sao]

Crimpers? Pah, I just use a set of pin nosed pliers :lol:

I would imagine the closed part is for the bare wire (front part of crimp) and the part with a gap is for the insulated wire (the rear part of the crimp)