How to Set Your Servo End Points & Why it Matters

If you're considering upgrading your steering servo or if it's your first time, setting the servo's endpoint adjustments ensures smooth operation and avoids early failure. For this reason, we want to explain endpoint changes and their significance. Next, we'll show you how to configure those endpoints with an aftermarket programmable transmitter that may be used with any car. We'll also demonstrate how to configure it for Traxxas and Arrma cars.

Limiting the Amount of Travel on the Servo

What is RC end point adjustment?

First, your endpoint adjustments (EPA) resolve an RC issue we will all encounter. What's wrong? An RC vehicle's steering comprises two systems that must cooperate to function correctly. The electrical servo is the first system, followed by your car's mechanical steering components. The problem is that their levels of throwing vary.

Frequently, the servo has a greater travel distance than the steering components. As you can see in this case, the servo is attempting to move farther even though the steering has gone all the way to one side. This effect is also noticeable in the transmitter's steering wheel, which has more space to turn, yet the tires are no longer able to move. Additionally, you can see how the horn is yanking back the entire suspension arm and its related parts since it has no more space.

This is where the problem is. A servo motor immediately experiences stress when it keeps pushing against a steering system operating at maximum capacity. It heats up too much, which causes the servo to die too soon.

Note: Because an overextended servo is under too much stress, it frequently sounds loud, noisy, or buzzy.

How to Make Your Servo Last Longer

Q. How do I set my steering endpoint?

The answer is simple. We utilize our transmitter's endpoint adjustment feature to restrict the steering servo's motion. As the name suggests, endpoint adjustment refers to modifying the servo's maximum travel extension or endpoint.

Pro Tip: You should constantly adjust your EPA when installing a new servo.

Although those EPAs are often set from the factory, it's a good idea to double-check them if you've recently built a new kit with a new servo or if you have a brand-new ready-to-run. Before we demonstrate how to modify your endpoints, it is essential to note that you may not have set your endpoint adjustment far enough. Your servo won't suffer any damage, but your car won't have its full steering potential. Therefore, we want to place the servo's endpoints close to the upper limit. This allows us to get the most steering travel out of the car without putting too much strain on the servo. We'll demonstrate three methods for configuring your endpoint settings with various transmitters.

Pro Tip: Always adjust your steering trim so your car points and moves straight before adjusting your EPA. Setting your steering trim after completing your EPA will interfere with your endpoint adjustment.

How to Set Your Radio Control EPA

Q. Is it difficult to set R/C endpoints?

One of the simplest ways to set your endpoints is to use an aftermarket transmitter with a display. First, put your car on level ground, then switch on the transmitter and the vehicle. Depending on the transmitter, the second step is to locate the EPA setting in the menu. Next, lower the left and right sides' EPA percentages to 50%. As you gradually raise the left side of the EPA, turn your transmitter wheel to the left and maintain it there.

After your tires have stopped moving and the suspension arm has not been pulled back, pay careful attention to how your tires are moving and keep raising the EPA. This is the maximum that your car's mechanical steering system can do. The EPA may need to be slightly increased or decreased to locate the exact sweet spot at this stage. You are done when you have completed this process and have repeated it with the right side.

How to Set the Steering Endpoints for Arrma Vehicles.

Q. How do I set endpoints in Spektrum?

The steering rate knob allows you to change the servo travel on modern Arrma vehicles equipped with the Spektrum STX2, STX3, and DX3 transmitters. The entire steering travel can be changed using this knob. However, the left and right sides cannot be independently adjusted.

Once more, place your car on level terrain and turn on both the transmitter and the vehicle. Turn your transmitter wheel completely to the left and right to check if the servo horn is overextending. Then, adjust any steering travel as necessary using the steering rate knob. Keep a close eye on whether the suspension arm is yanked back and when the tires stop moving. You're done once you've located the ideal location.

How to Set Your EPA for Traxxas RTR Vehicles

Q. How do I adjust my Traxxas steering wheel?

Although the Traxxas TQ transmitter lacks an EPA capability, here's how you can set up your EPA if you have a Traxxas TQI transmitter. First, put your car on level ground, then switch on the transmitter and the car. This transmitter has many options and very strong programming, but let's keep things straightforward.

1. You enter program mode by holding the menu button for three seconds until the green light begins to flash once.
2. Once, press the menu button.
3. Once, press the set button.
4. Once more, press the set button.
5. Once, press the menu button.
6. Two more times, press the menu button.

Three red blinking LED lights on your TQI transmitter should indicate that the endpoint programming is complete.

Let's now modify the left side. The transmitter's steering wheel needs to be partially turned to the left. Instead, utilize the wheel to determine the ideal left-side finish point where your tires are fully turned without putting too much strain on the steering servo. Once you've discovered the sweet spot, save it by pressing the transmitter's set button. When finished. When you're finished, hold down the transmitter's menu button. The LED will return to a solid green light, signalling you're finished. Repeat this process on the right side.

Additional Radio Control Vehicles that Need EPA Adjustment

Q. Do all RCs need endpoint adjustments?

Yes, endpoint modifications are necessary for all servo-equipped vehicles to minimize damage and extend their lifespan. Nitro vehicles, for instance, feature a throttle servo. When opening the engine carburetor, you want to ensure the throttle servo is not overextending. The servo should retain just enough to allow the carburetor to open 100% of the way, but no more. Furthermore, pushing the mechanical brakes should not put undue strain on the throttle servo. You desire just enough to apply the proper amount of brake.

A dig "two-speed" servo may also be used in RC rock crawlers and trail trucks. Once more, determining the finish points is essential to the longevity of that servo and the operation of that dig.

Summary

It's wise to double-check those endpoint changes when using a servo in an RC application. Once you know how to do it, setting your EPA is simple and will help your steering servo survive much longer by reducing stress and strain.