Futaba SBD-1 and HV servos

[DavidSargent]

Hi,

I'm planning on using an SBD-1 to control some Macgregor HV servos. Has anyone used the SBD-1 in a 2S lipo setup before? I can't find any mention of the actual voltage range of the SBD-1 in any of the manuals.

Thanks,
David

[Gary Barlow]

Hi Dave
Iv used the SBD-1 on a high voltage system and never had a problem

[DavidSargent]

That's good to hear. Can you tell me what servos you had attached to it? Were you using all 3 ports at the same time? This is going to be controlling the rudder and split elevators on my plane so obviously it's critical it's reliable.

[Gary Barlow]

I was using hitec 5585 servos 3 off them 2 on elevators and 1 on rudder on a pilot extra 50cc airframe
Never had a problem

[DavidSargent]

Thanks for that. Appreciate it.

[david walker]

David, found a manual for the SBD-1 on the Hobbico website and in the one page document there is a small note stating that the item is for use with either 4 or 5 cell NiCad or NiMh cells. there is not mention of LiFe or LiPo cells in the manual.
If in doubt you could use the Powerbox switch system which controls the voltage to 6 Volts but of course will reduce volyage to the Servo's.
Found the website showing this info just put in SBD-1 Voltage
sorry if this conflicts with the info above but hope it gives you a bit more info.

[DavidSargent]

Hi,

I've seen that manual as well. It's annoying that the manual for the SBD-2 gives a specific voltage range but the SBD-1 doesn't. I've actually raised a service ticket with Futaba in the states to try and get a definitive answer. It's good to hear from Gary that he's had no problems but I'd like to hear from the horses mouth that it's suitable to use Lipos with.

[DavidSargent]

I've just received the following reply from Futaba support USA. So it looks like it's official although 'should be fine' is a bit vague

futaba support.PNG (57.88 KiB) Viewed 9249 times