"Everett M. Greene" wrote:

I'm no expert on autopilot servos, but I do
know something about electric motors in
general and would question the statement
about the number of repositions before failure.
Unless a motor is overloaded, it should last
nigh onto forever.

My experience is with electric actuators (servomotors) for valves and
dampers. Specifications for these devices list the lifetime
repositions. Direct digital control parameters that are too "tight"
will cause early failure of these actuators. Perhaps it is other
components (feedback pots possibly) in the servos that fail.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM