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Inexpensive
Gyro MODS:
Dating
back to the late 1990's, Piezo gyros have often needed to be tweeked or
modified to perform at their best. The modifications often involve
pulling it apart (voiding the warranty) but the payoffs of a properly
modded inexpensive gyro can be tremendous. (Some more expensive gyros
have needed to be modded as well!). More often than not,
Designers and Manufacturers of the lesser expensive Piezo sensored
gyros make some tolerance mistakes in Design and Manufacturing. Plastic
to board spacing is critical in a gyro. There must be NO movement
between board and case. Any sensors on the boards must NOT
move
and be very stiff in relation to the case. The more expensive
gyros ($100+) are often designed and manufactured well, but our price
friendly $20 Piezo gyros are often NOT. Tolerances in board
cutting often varry from gyro to gyro making some work well, while
others not. A loose board is NOT tolerant to vibrations and
will
drift or shake or jitter on you. Sometimes, the strain relief of the
wires give hold to shorts and breaks in connections. The mods that I've
done have not really been my idea, others can take the credit for that.
I'm just trying to document them so to spread the knowledge and
hopefully, reduce the frustration :)
Note:
Some people have opinions on what types of materials to use. Some
prefer a quick use of foam tape, others prefer an adhesive glue or
hotglue. Be careful with any silicone glues. Some are
corrosive
with metal and say so on the label or MSDS sheet. Myself I
prefer
to use Goop E6000.
Its use has been widespread in the electronics industry but do not use
on or around certain plastics (plastics that are not often used in gyro
construction). See the Goop Website on E6000.
Goop E6000 is available in a large tubes, small tubes or variety sample
pack at many places including auto parts, hardware and craft stores
like Joanne Fabrics.
Below are links to MOD pages for various Gyros (Note: Links are opened
in a seperate Window)
Align 3G system (I'm told new ones are being
modded at the factory)
Detrum GY192