Spektrum module voltage issue?

[cje0114]

I have a spektrum module in my Futaba 9C and I have noticed that the voltage seems to have the jitters now. What I mean is that the voltage never seems to hold steady. The voltage display is always bouncing around very fast. My module is v1.9. When the bind button is held in on the module, the voltage holds fine but as soon as I let go, it gets the jitters again.

Has anyone else notices this with their modules, and wht is the explaination for this?


Thanks

Chris

[wecoyote]

I have the Spektrum module in my 9CHP (non super) and do not have that problem.

[cje0114]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wecoyote
	I have the Spektrum module in my 9CHP (non super) and do not have that problem.

So yours always holds a steady voltage just as it did with the old 72mhz module in it? Mine is jumping up and down +/- .1 - .2 volts constantly. The only time that it holds steady is when I hold the bind/power down button in on the module. As soon as I let the button go, it's back to it's jumping issue.

Do you know what version firmware yours has? Mine has v1.9. Maybe it needs to be sent in for an update or something.

Chris

[wecoyote]

I stand corrected,
My module is v1.9 also. I stood there watching the voltage and it did indeed flicker a couple times like it was between 10.3 and 10.4 volts. when I held the bind button it didn't do it.

[cje0114]

Ok so I'm not alone then.

I called Horizon today and they told me that they didn't hear about anyone having this problem. They said that I can send it in if I want to to be looked at, but they also said that there shouldn't be any problems with it like this.

I don't know what I'm gonna do at this point. I just got home from flying four more flights with it in my spektrum test plane(Showtime 90), and didn't have any problems with it.

Chris

[Costas]

The flickering voltage is not an issue. You will find that it occurs on almost all the the radios that have a Spektrum Tx module fitted. I get the same on my 10X. You will really notice it when the actual battery voltage is near the threshold for the voltmeter's digit to change to the next value.

Because the Tx module actually transmits in bursts, the current consumption is not constant but contiually changing at the burst/data rate of the module and this can show up as a flickering digit as the battery voltage approaches the point where the digital voltmeter display is just about to change.

The effect will seem to disappear if you hold in the bind button as this puts the module into low power mode and the current consumption also drops which in turn steadies the voltage on your battery.

[GooseF22]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Costas
	The flickering voltage is not an issue. You will find that it occurs on almost all the the radios that have a Spektrum Tx module fitted. I get the same on my 10X. You will really notice it when the actual battery voltage is near the threshold for the voltmeter's digit to change to the next value. Because the Tx module actually transmits in bursts, the current consumption is not constant but contiually changing at the burst/data rate of the module and this can show up as a flickering digit as the battery voltage approaches the point where the digital voltmeter display is just about to change. The effect will seem to disappear if you hold in the bind button as this puts the module into low power mode and the current consumption also drops which in turn steadies the voltage on your battery.

ONE caveat. take your battery out and cycle it to make sure its ok. sometimes flikering voltage is a sign of aging battery. borrow a large tx battery and try it to see.

I have seen this before and had a cell going bad.....

[cje0114]

	Quote: Originally Posted by GooseF22
	ONE caveat. take your battery out and cycle it to make sure its ok. sometimes flikering voltage is a sign of aging battery. borrow a large tx battery and try it to see. I have seen this before and had a cell going bad.....

Thanks for the tip.

I have already cycled the pack three times and there doesn't seem to be an issue with the pack. It's a 2700mah nimh and it's about 1 1/2 years old.

Chris

[cje0114]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Costas
	The flickering voltage is not an issue. You will find that it occurs on almost all the the radios that have a Spektrum Tx module fitted. I get the same on my 10X. You will really notice it when the actual battery voltage is near the threshold for the voltmeter's digit to change to the next value. Because the Tx module actually transmits in bursts, the current consumption is not constant but contiually changing at the burst/data rate of the module and this can show up as a flickering digit as the battery voltage approaches the point where the digital voltmeter display is just about to change. The effect will seem to disappear if you hold in the bind button as this puts the module into low power mode and the current consumption also drops which in turn steadies the voltage on your battery.

Thanks!!

I feel alot better now.

I was just worried that I had a problem with the module and that's been holding me back from using it with my big airplanes.

As of right now, I've been using it in a Showtime .90 and a foamy and there hasn't been any issues.

Chris