HITEC 225MG Servo fault

[robindhart]

I have been a keen user of Hitec servos but I have now had three MG225 develop a worrying fault. From new, out of the box, connected up for the first time, on three different models, the servo cycles from end to end. It might settle after a few seconds and appear OK but! I have switched my Tx to the servo monitor and then switched on the model and there is no sign that it is being transmitted. Servos were bought from various suppliers and the QC stickers on them are different colours so don't think they could have all come from the same batch. Any one else had this problem??

[Bob Thompson1894]

I have heard of a number of Hitecs doing this lately. The most reliable servos ever now appear to be losing their title. Mate has had two 645mgs do the same thing. Also seen this same fault reported on Facebook.

[Dave Collis 2296]

I've also had some recently purchased 645's buzz and twitch when the radio is switched on.
Never had any issues with the older ones and I must have at least 60 of them.

[Rob Buckley]

Is it something the servo does once and once only, the first time it is ever powered up, or does the servo do it every time its turned on?

[Bob Thompson1894]

Two brand new out of the box 645s just went to one end and died. Being replaced, but this is worrying.

[Dave Hayfield]

I have only encountered a hitec servo failure once. This servo was drawing over 1 amp off load and getting warm. On comparing this servo with another which was perfectly ok I found several differences, the Hitec label on the top had no clear film covering it, there was no oval sticky label on one end to show it had been factory checked and the disposal logo on the base, a dustbin crossed out, was not there. This was bought from a reputable supplier who said it came from the well known British importer. It seems this servo was a chinese clone which had come in with an order unbeknown to the importer. The importer checked his complete stock for similar servos but could not find any more. Suggest you check your servo for similar anomalies against a known good one.

[Dave Collis 2296]

Is it something the servo does once and once only, the first time it is ever powered up, or does the servo do it every time its turned on?

The servos I have that twitch, do it every time. I sent them off the a Hitec repair facility..haven't heard back from them yet.

[robindhart]

Many thanks for all the replies chaps. Re Rob B's question. It may do it once and then be OK for for a few switch on/off's and then do it again. I noticed that they sometimes hover about the center before settling down. I have replaced them when I found them faulty, usually on the workbench, new out of the box, on set up, and have not had any problems with the new one. Glad it's not "just me" but wouldn't want one to kick off in the air!! Regards to all.

[Rob Buckley]

Hmm, a one off could plausibly be a calibration thing in firmware, but randomly sweeping on power-on, and bouncing around center sounds more like they're knackered!

[robindhart]

Hi Rob,
Probably right. I have to hope they are really as the option is the tx. The upside is lots of spare gears for MG225's though.
Robin