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Post by osidak on Jun 1, 2012 21:41:49 GMT -4
I am thinking this has to do an esc setting but I can not find my printed manual and online all I can find is for the 100A
So anyway seeing as I am total newbie to this I am learning how to hover - Hovering in my drive way I am getting a whopping 3.5 to just under 4 minutes before I get the reduced power setting kicking in.
Here is my setup Chaos 600 super combo (esc, servos, motor all by Phoenixtech) I have added the Castle PRO BEC Running Zippy 5a 6s batteries (EC5 connectors)
After I land the battery is warm, the ESC is hot but not to the point that you can not hold your finger to it.
When I put the batteries on charger and check their voltage I am seeing between 3.85 and 3.9 volts per cell
At the end of the charge cycle I am putting 3.1A back in
Oh using the 15t pinion with the 170t Align main gear
I guess the short question is - is 4 minutes or less normal?
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Post by Dr. Evil on Jun 1, 2012 23:02:32 GMT -4
I know for a 6s 5000mah 40c lipo flying 3D gets around 4 min., I can only assume under sport flying and lighter...you should be able to get more than that.
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Post by osidak on Jun 1, 2012 23:24:59 GMT -4
Come to think of it the 3100mah put in should probably be cut in half as I was charging in parallel -
Any idea where I can find the manual online for the 115A ESC - Maybe it is set to a "high" cut off by default
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Post by sgmason on Jun 1, 2012 23:39:53 GMT -4
I don't know much, but maybe this youtube video could help you out I am thinking this has to do an esc setting but I can not find my printed manual and online all I can find is for the 100A So anyway seeing as I am total newbie to this I am learning how to hover - Hovering in my drive way I am getting a whopping 3.5 to just under 4 minutes before I get the reduced power setting kicking in. Here is my setup Chaos 600 super combo (esc, servos, motor all by Phoenixtech) I have added the Castle PRO BEC Running Zippy 5a 6s batteries (EC5 connectors) After I land the battery is warm, the ESC is hot but not to the point that you can not hold your finger to it. When I put the batteries on charger and check their voltage I am seeing between 3.85 and 3.9 volts per cell At the end of the charge cycle I am putting 3.1A back in Oh using the 15t pinion with the 170t Align main gear I guess the short question is - is 4 minutes or less normal?
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Post by chitty024 on Jun 2, 2012 7:20:37 GMT -4
you can do cut off at 2.8, 3.0, and 3.5v. That video shows you how to program it.
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Post by sgmason on Jun 2, 2012 10:03:07 GMT -4
Yeah but the guy doesn't give much info in what the different beeps are. I think his video would be a nice supplement to the manual, but like my GT9 manuals are on the endangered list. Also if it is printed the same size as the GT9 manual it is almost impossible to read, I had to photocopy mine at 200% to make it easily readable. Yes at 47 my eyes are starting to go, but they are not that bad yet, according to the eye doctor I still don't need glasses
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Post by osidak on Jun 2, 2012 18:36:52 GMT -4
Well I went through the programming several times and either I suck or..............
I was running through some packs hovering - still got the 3.5 to 3 minutes - noticed that the ESC was really flipping hot - I pulled the canopy and battery and let the heli sit for a bit as I was waiting on a battery to charge anyway. after about 10 minutes I put the "depleted" pack back on the heli and reset the timer on the radio and took back off - she flew like she had a fresh pack on her. At that 3.5 minute mark it reduced power again.
Waited until I had two fresh packs took off and flew until I hit the cut off - landed and swapped packs as fast as I could and got back in the air - this time I only got 1.5 minutes before I got the cutout
The ESC was hot - to me it looks like a thermal condition causing the cut out
What do you guys think
The ESC is mounted to the battery tray on the underside of it
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Post by sgmason on Jun 2, 2012 21:25:04 GMT -4
It could be that you are having heat build up issues, is there any way you could move the ESC to the outside of the frame just outside the canopy? Even if it is temporary if you get some more air flow over it and if is a heat issue you should get more flying time.
I could be wrong about the location of your ESC, it is just the way I am understanding you description, but it sound like you have your ESC surrounded by the motor and battery, restricting air flow. Do you have a picture of how you have it laid out? Just so I can make sure I understand you right. I may be fairly new to RC helicopters, but I am pretty good with electronics.
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Post by osidak on Jun 3, 2012 1:12:43 GMT -4
I will snap a picture in the morning - just got back from date night with the spousal unit
Location of the esc is somewhat limited however due to the length of the wires on the esc and motor. I was told it was not a good idea to add length to the wires as it could cause issues.
I was thinking about getting the esc moved to the outside of the frame as a test but I can not get it outside the canopy. I could fly without the canopy and see what happens
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Post by sgmason on Jun 3, 2012 2:12:04 GMT -4
Wow those wires must be short. I didn't mean mounted to the outside of the canopy if that is what you thought I meant. I meant back on the frame so it isn't covered by the canopy. trying it without the canopy should give reasonable air flow to see if heat is your problem without changing anything else. I don't think there would be too much of an issue adding an inch or so to the wires, as long as they were the same size and of equal or higher quality. What about getting down on to the chassis plate and raising you battery a tad to take advantage of the large vent on the bottom of the canopy.
Only change one thing at a time when trouble shooting a mystery problem, that way you know what the problem was when you find it. If air flow isn't the problem check for binding in the drive train, A little too much friction will cause the motor and ESC to work harder and produce more heat.
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Post by osidak on Jun 3, 2012 10:02:56 GMT -4
I knew what you meant - My friend that helped me with final setup commented that the wires where really short.
In just a bit I am going to try and move the esc to be outside the frame
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Post by sgmason on Jun 3, 2012 16:02:10 GMT -4
Was the ESC new and came with such short wires? Or if it is used, is there the possibility that the original owner trimmed them back to fit his setup?
I have been going by the assumption that it was a new kit and the wires come from the factory at that length, but hey you know what they say about assuming.
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Post by osidak on Jun 3, 2012 17:00:29 GMT -4
it was new and came with the kit Phoenixtech 115A speed controller - the wire came short have not been shortened. I moved the esc to the bottom frame member. Have more tension on some wires than I care for but as a temporary fix it is ok. Flew a fresh pack and at 3 min 31 seconds I got a cut out and went to reduced power. Checked the esc and was very hot (need to find my ir gun) Checked battery voltage and got a reading of 3.92v per cell let it cool off. In the mean time I found my esc programming sheets and I have in theory removed all protection and should not have a cut out based on cell voltage. Reusing the same pack I hopped back up into the air - this time I was able to stay up 4 min 22 seconds which gave a total time of nearly 7 minutes on the pack. Thought maybe I had found joy. I checked cell voltage and it was reading 3.71 volts per cell and on a full charge I put a total of 3583 mah back in I put the second pack on (fresh) and flew - Got a cut out at the 3 min 20 range - checked the voltage and it was reading 3.97 volts per cell....... So back the drawing board Below are photos of where the esc is now - was flying with out a canopy so I would think it was getting a good amount of air flow
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Post by sgmason on Jun 3, 2012 17:47:46 GMT -4
Yes it should be getting good air flow there without the canopy on. The ESC is still coming in hot its it? something just doesn't seem right, I would almost suspect that there may be a problem with the ESC internally. The only other thing that comes to mind is possibly your BEC but I highly doubt that would be the problem.
I really hope that we can get this figured out soon because I will be running the same ESC and BEC in a few weeks. How are the batteries temperature wise?
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Post by osidak on Jun 3, 2012 18:06:20 GMT -4
Batteries themselves are barely what I would call warm - It is in the low 80's here today and when I put my hand on the pack you just barely feel any heat. The BEC is cool the touch
Just went out again and flew for 3 min 34 seconds - very consistant
Maybe I will call RCA tomorrow and mention to them the issue and see if they also feel it is ESC issue - if so maybe I can offer to ship it back and get a credit towards a CC ICE 100
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