Yak maiden... I think something's wrong

[Hogger]

Finally maidened my Yak this afternoon. Trimmed out really nice, but...
Every once in a while it would suddenly roll and dive toward the ground. Fortunately I was high enough to recover.
Flying low rates, Futaba Tx, Hitec 055 Rx, Hitec HS-55 servos, Thunder Power 3 cell 11.1v 1320mah battery. The motor and ESC I got from eBay. Motor is an RC Smart 1280 with a Mystery 30A ESC. I know they aren't well known names, but they seem to work great.
The wind was very light, with small gusts. I'm guessing maybe 5mph.
Could it be that I'm just not used to the light foam airplanes, or do you think there is an issue causing a radio glitch?

[Ryguy]

Sounds like some sort of glitch. I've got several of those Hitec receivers though, and have never had an issue. How's your antenna routed?

[Mikey]

Finally maidened my Yak this afternoon. Trimmed out really nice, but...
Every once in a while it would suddenly roll and dive toward the ground. Fortunately I was high enough to recover.
Flying low rates, Futaba Tx, Hitec 055 Rx, Hitec HS-55 servos, Thunder Power 3 cell 11.1v 1320mah battery. The motor and ESC I got from eBay. Motor is an RC Smart 1280 with a Mystery 30A ESC. I know they aren't well known names, but they seem to work great.
The wind was very light, with small gusts. I'm guessing maybe 5mph.
Could it be that I'm just not used to the light foam airplanes, or do you think there is an issue causing a radio glitch?

Has to be glitches but I have flown the reciever also have several with tons of flights well more than a thousand and the hits that I have gotten I can count on one hand.

[Hogger]

Here is a picture of the set up with the antenna routed on the bottom of the fuse.
There is probably 10" hanging out the end of the plane.

[Mikey]

Do you have anouther esc to try it might be a power issue. Have you ran a range check with it if so what disatance did you get?

[Hogger]

Range checked at about 80 feet(took about 27 paces).
I don't have another ESC that size, but I do have a GWS Rx that I used in a different plane that I might try. It worked with my Tx before.

Do you think the antenna might be too close to the rudder and elevator servos?
Or should I bring it straight back from the Rx, instead of running it toward the gear first?

[Mikey]

Na the antenna is fine that is how I run mine. Just to verify 80 feet with the ant down.

[Hogger]

Ya, antenna down.

[Mikey]

Yes try anouther reciever you might just have gotten an bad one but 80 ft that is great so I really don't know. If it still does it see if you can borrow an esc from someone.

[Hogger]

Should my transmitter be in PPM or PCM with the Hitec Rx?

[Mikey]

Ppm

[Hogger]

Well, I got it up for another flight yesterday. I think the antenna was just too close to the ESC, and other wires. But now I figure I must have gone a little too cheap on the motor, because it's continuously cutting out. Only for a fraction of a second, but long enought that I can heard the change in the sound of the motor as it fly's by.
What do you think... New motor time?
Thanks for the help.

[Mikey]

Yup new motor and ESC time the problem is you can't tell if it the motor or the ESC. I think I would go with the scorpion motor and use there 25 amp ESC with the new BEC if they have them available. If it is not I would go with anouther brand on the ESC. The 35 amp from scorpion is a little on the heavy side for the Edge and Yak. Give Paul a call he will get you taken care of. All my motors that have went south on me when they start to cut out very very sortly after that they die. When they die they burn the motor esc and most of the time the batt also.

[Coonak]

Do you have anouther esc to try it might be a power issue. Have you ran a range check with it if so what disatance did you get?
Definately sounds like the issue to me...
The ESC provides power to the Tx.
You mentioned in your first post that the plane would suddenly roll and dive towards the ground? Sounds like the ESC is pooping its pants after a bit of stick from your throttle and is cutting out, thus cutting power to your Tx, Thus sudden loss of control.... ESC cuts back in, you regain control.
Had a GWS Beaver do the same thing, (engine cutouts and loss of control) and it was the ESC in the end.
I know you said its a cheapie, Could just be a Dudd.
My .02c
Good luck

[Hogger]

Thanks,
I was looking at the Scorpions, but read somewhere else that the 25 amp ESC wouldn't work for some reason, and had to use the 35. Has this been solved?
Also interested in the Ripper motors. Anyone using one? I always had great Thunder Tiger glow engines.

[bsc3d]

Hogger, I asked the guys at Innovative about the 25amp ESC and they said all 25amp ESC's that ship from now on are the new ones w/the updated BEC that are supposed to not have any problems, you can read more bout it here... http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=660918&page=3

[aflipz]

that actually sounds like an rx problem, for a fraction of a second it goes into fail-safe mode cutting power and modifying servo positions to whatever it's programmed to then regains signal and goes back to normal.

I have had the same issue with a hitec 05ms like that one... Totalled a plane because of it, sent it in for service an got it back; lost another plane. It would pass rigourous ground range tests at all throttle positions but would fail in the air unexplicably as soon as it gets 100 feet away from me. Switched to castle/berg rx's and never looked back.

Mind you it could be the esc giving off intereference too, or maybe it just has a really crappy bec, anyway to troubleshoot this;

step 1 replace rx, if still problem put back original rx and change esc. If there's still something wrong it's the motor (the least likely culprit...) And finally the tx, though i doubt it's at fault since it operates right on other models.

Good luck!

[Hogger]

That sounds like what it might be. I can run it on the ground all day long without any problems, but once it's in the air, a little ways out, it does that cutting out.
I'll try a new Rx, and go from there. Thanks for the help.

[Mikey]

that actually sounds like an rx problem, for a fraction of a second it goes into fail-safe mode cutting power and modifying servo positions to whatever it's programmed to then regains signal and goes back to normal.

I have had the same issue with a hitec 05ms like that one... Totalled a plane because of it, sent it in for service an got it back; lost another plane. It would pass rigourous ground range tests at all throttle positions but would fail in the air unexplicably as soon as it gets 100 feet away from me. Switched to castle/berg rx's and never looked back.

Mind you it could be the esc giving off intereference too, or maybe it just has a really crappy bec, anyway to troubleshoot this;

step 1 replace rx, if still problem put back original rx and change esc. If there's still something wrong it's the motor (the least likely culprit...) And finally the tx, though i doubt it's at fault since it operates right on other models.

Good luck!


Failsafe with PPM :) :) :)

[Hogger]

Hmmm... Well, where should I start?
I would assume the Rx is good because hitec is a reputable brand, and replace the motor and ESC. Now I'm not sure.

[Hogger]

Tried another flight with the new Scorpion motor and ESC... No luck other than I barely got it recovered for a belly down landing that took the gear off(any of my glow planes would have been destroyed, this thing is TUFF).
So, I put in my old Futaba Rx, patched the gear, and crossed my fingers for another flight. It flew great!
After a little more research, I think the problem may be the fact that my radio is on channel 12. I know JR doesn't make anything below 15 due to possible interference issues, so I guess the Futaba and Hitec relationship isn't so hot that low on the frequency scale.
Spektrum here I come!

[aflipz]

i knew it was that rx... mine happened on 58 btw... You just got a bad one.

If you send it to hitec, they will send it back to you "retuned" and it will do the same thing... Count your losses and move on, a nice berg 7P will not betray you.