View source for GWS S125-1T Servo Mod


<i>September 2015</i><br>
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== Introduction ==

So, I wanted a digital version of the GWS S125-1 turn servo to help with RF glitching, centering and to give me the ability to possibly program the end and center points.
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=== The GWS Servo ===

The <u>current version</u> of the GWS S125-1T Sail Winch servo has decent centering characteristics, will actually travel 385 degrees, it's quite smooth and makes monster torque (~7kg). It is important to note that there are two versions of this servo, one with 23 tooth spline which was discontinued 2 years ago and the one for this project which has a 25 tooth spline identical to Futaba.
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The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the servo sticker.
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'''Made in China Sticker'''<br>

:* This servo has a 23 tooth (JR) spline
:* Servo centering will error up to 10 degrees
:* This servo was discontinued by GWS in late 2014 
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'''Made in Taiwan Sticker'''<br>

:* This servo has a 25 tooth (Futaba) spline
:* Servo centering will error up to 5 degrees
:* This servo is the current model (as of Oct 2014)
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[[File:GWS_servos.jpg|800px]]

=== The Mod ===

After searching for a very long time for a replacement servo I finally came to the conclusion that the best I could do was to modify the existing servo. I started looking for digital servos that had a small enough board to fit inside the GWS case and it turns out there are many. After trying a few with decent results, I gave a Hitec HS-5245MG board a try and it worked beautifully. It easily fits in the case and it retains all the program functionality.
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I found one of these on ebay that was a "parts" servo for $10 so it wasn't too expensive. I already had a Hitec program box from my 3D days so that helped keep it cheap. With the program box, the parameters you can change are-<br>

: Servo Speed
: Deadband
: Endpoints
: Center

[[File:GWS_Boards.jpg|700px]]

Even without the program box the servo works better! No more RF glitches, centering is better than 5 degrees and it runs smoother.


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