Futaba Gyro Mounting

[Steve]

What's the best way to mount a Futaba gyro sensor?

I've seen them with just a single sticky pad, and others with 2 pads and a piece of metal between them.

What's the difference? When and why would you use either technique etc etc?

[Fixxxer]

I think the 2 pads & metal are solely for CSM gyro use, from what I've read this method is too soft for futaba gyro's but don't take this as gospel. I just use the futaba pads provided as I should think they are of a specific type of density, I only ever used one CSM and this was a very brief outing before swapping over to the trusty 401.

[Steve]

I've got 3 CSMs and a Futaba.

The large CSMs work fine so long as they are mounted on proper CSM pads. Just a pair of pads, nothing in between. They don't work with other makes of pad.

I am converted though - the Futaba (which is my newest gyro) is proving to be the best for trouble-free operation and set-up simplicity. I've got it in my Millenium.

[ChrisB]

My 611 came with a metal spacer that goes between 2 pads,it said it was an anti static aid or something,it may help but im not sure..

I totally agree with you on Futaba gyros,the 401 is an awesome gyro,the 611 defys belief

[Fixxxer]

Just don't get tempted to use double sided tape if you should get taken short at the field......I tried it once and it nearly caused a crash.

[Fixxxer]

Not familiar with the 611 so I didn't realise they bundle them with a plate.... you learn something every day

[Steve]

I've had my 401 in 2 helis now, and have mounted it with just a single pad both times with no adverse effects.

Can anyone clarify this issue of one pad or two with the metal spacer, and why?

[ChrisB]

As in post 4,when my 611 came it suggested you stick a pad on the sensor,then the metal plate then the other pad to the airframe,its supposed to suppress static and Rf

[Raptorite]

I believe the metal plate is supposed to go between two of the supplied gyro pads to better insulate the sensor from vibration, although I have only ever stuck the sensor directly to the airframe with one pad myself.

I have been running futaba gyros for years, I have the GY502's in all my models, simply because at the time when I needed a gyro the 401 wasnt available as Ripmax had them on back order. So in the interests of getting the model in the air in a sensible time frame, I bought my first GY502. Its a superb gyro, if properly setup and tweaked it can be just about as good as a GY601.

The other big boost in performance came about when the 9254 came out a couple of years ago, before that I was running 9450's which were good, but I could never get the gain up much beyond about 48 -52 %. now with the 9254 I have managed to get it up to the 60 - 70% range, where it is feels far more locked in.

The other big surprise for me was the improvement I noticed in the holding power of the gyro when I went from the 9ZHP WC2 to the T14MZ, even though I was still using the 149DP 9 channel PCM 1024 RX in the model, the gyro felt stronger and better locked in, certainly in funnels, fast backwards flight and long fast tail slides.

I might give a GY611 a try in the 90 to see how it compares to the GY502's at some point, but that may not be for a while yet though.

Cheers,
Pete.

[Ade_Law]

the metal plate is there for models where the gyro sits near a servo. it sheilds the gyro from EMF

I only use it on models where the gyro is near a servo such as the front mount on a sceadu.

Ade

[Leebert]

Silly question but how close is "near"..?

I have a 401 on the boom block on my T-Rex and a 9560 mounted below the boom. Is that too close?

[Ade_Law]

you have a nice metal boom clamp under it. does the same thing.

Ade

[Smoothound]

I'd get that 9650 round the otherside of the boom at the same time you get your 401 under the boom clamp or inside the frame Leebert