Fast Electric Manual
Introduction
Monohulls
Catamarans
Hydroplanes
Hull Defects
Propellers
Propeller Table
Propeller Effects
Propeller Preparation
Drive Systems
Rudders
Motors
Racing
Radio Control Systems
Waterproofing A Servo
Waterproofing A Receiver
Lithium Polymer Cells
Speed Controllers
Isolation Loops
Water Cooling
Connectors and Cable
Articles
Outrigger Build
A123 Stick Pack Assembly
Evo Nightmare Mono
Schulze 10.36-8 Upgrade
Schulze LipoProfiBal8 Upgrade
Building a Foam/Ply Hydroplane
Battery Chargers
Foam/Ply Composites
Making a Hot Wire Cutter
Reviews
ACM Enterprises' Professional Series 20 Lipos
ACM Enterprises' UBEC
Futaba 3GR 2.4GHz Radio
Maas SPS-400 Power Supply
Schulze 10.36-8 Charger
Schulze LipoProfiBal 8
Futaba 3GR Radio
Hitec HS5245 Servo
LP-Guard Lipo Sack

Waterproofing A Servo

By Paul Williams.
Article posted 7th February 2009.

It is inevitable that at some point you will completely flood your boat, either due to a collision when racing or from simply having a hatch blow off or a water-cooling pipe pop off inside the hull. Assuming you have followed the good advice of your fellow FE boaters and fitted sufficient bouyancy, and therefore get your boat back instead of watching it sink, everything inside the boat will be completely soaked.

One of the most delicate and mechanically intricate components in your boat is the steering servo. One of the best things you can do to ensure long life from your servos is to make sure you never get water inside them. This brief article will show you how to effectively seal a servo against water ingress, thus protecting the gear train and the electronics.

Carefully strip the servo
Carefully strip the servo.

Note the position of each of the gears.
Note the position of each of the gears. If unsure, take a photo for reference during reassembly. Remove the entire geartrain from the servo.

Use waterproof grease.
Wash off the original grease in a bath of white spirit and re-grease the geartrain with a waterproof variety. Work the grease into the races of the bearings. Reassemble the geartrain on the servo.

Adding silicone sealant.
Run a bead of silicone sealant around one of the mating surfaces on each of the top and bottom parts of the servo case, and around the servo lead grommet. Make sure you use electronics grade, acid-free silicone, not the stuff you use for kitches and bathrooms.

Reassembly.
Replace the top and bottom parts of the servo case. Wipe off any excess silicone that is squeezed out of the joints. Note the waterproof grease that is sealing the output shaft into the case.

Stainless screw.
I discard the original carbon steel servo arm retaining screw and replace it with a stainless steel socket screw.

 

© Copyright Paul Williams and www.fastelectrics.net, 2010.

This article may not be reproduced wholly or in part without the written permission of the author and www.fastelectrics.net. If you would like to use this article or the accompanying pictures/diagrams please email articles@fastelectrics.net.

Last modified: 08th July 2010 @ 09:06