52% Weeks Solution Test Flight (Hempel)

[bodywerks]

	Quote: Originally Posted by plane
	So did the receivers fail and are no longer operable or are they still functional? I would think that if they're operable bypassing the emcotec unit would verify that it's the problem.

The receivers are fine. He thinks it's a powerboard/powerbox issue.

[notorious_benny]

Tanks Snap, I will look into one I think.

[lancegeist]

That's a very nice plane, hope to hear soon that you've fixed your problem! Vid anytime soon?

[thewrap]

Any updates on the plane Bill. I'm curious to see how it flyies.

[toc pilot]

Still waiting for the RSS system. I will try agian later next weekend if the unit arrives in time. Thanks for checking up on me!

Bill

[flyinryans]

To add to the debate of one versus two recievers. I had a one receivers system that quit in such a way that it could not go into fail safe either. So I was watching my 40% plane head towards a huge shopping area. Luckily it came back on just long enough for the plane to start rolling and head to the ground. Luckily no one was hurt. Since then one of the reasons I use two recievers now is that if I can't control the plane for a safe landing then maybe I can down the airplane before it seriously hurts someone.

[DarcyWingo]

Yeah after reading this thread, it brings back memories of Paul Papandreas 3.3m Yak, he had a similar setup as bills, PowerBox with 2 Futaba 149dp, split down the middle, he lost a rec. just before the Joe Nall, then replaced it with a new one, the next flight he lost the same rec. totaly odd...I suspected the PB but never did find out the actual issue...

Bill hope you figure it out...

This new system Jens mentioned sounds like a great new product that many have been waiting for..

[toc pilot]

Ok everyone, HELP!!!!

Did I say HELP already?

I got the RSS Powerbox board. Everything is hooked up. At first everything was a done deal, both receivers pluged in 100% on both. I started pulling out the wires to verify everything was hooked up corectly and that the unit would indeed switch to the other reciver. Everything worked perfectly!

Here is the crap I am facing now. I turned the power back on just to check everything. One receiver showed 88% signal strength, the second one 100%. Then both sides started to degrade. I was down to like 65%, then 38%. Holly crap! Here is a picture of both receivers at 6%. Everything still works fine though.

I changed 1 receiver and tried everything agian. No DIFFERENCE! low signal stregth.

I just tried to install 2 brand new G3-Futaba receivers and cant figure out how to do the whole frequence change on the 14MZ. I cant control these receivers. I feel like a 4 year old kid trying to figure out unseen technology! Where is Jason Shulman when you need him?

I feel like giving up! Not sure what to do now. I know these receivers are good. They are new both the old style and the new G3's.

Well..................... I guess I will go back into the work shop and try to figure things out. It does not look good for flying tomorrow.

Bill Hempel

[crhammond]

	Quote: Originally Posted by toc pilot
	Ok everyone, HELP!!!! Did I say HELP already? I got the RSS Powerbox board. Everything is hooked up. At first everything was a done deal, both receivers pluged in 100% on both. I started pulling out the wires to verify everything was hooked up corectly and that the unit would indeed switch to the other reciver. Everything worked perfectly! Here is the crap I am facing now. I turned the power back on just to check everything. One receiver showed 88% signal strength, the second one 100%. Then both sides started to degrade. I was down to like 65%, then 38%. Holly crap! Here is a picture of both receivers at 6%. Everything still works fine though. I changed 1 receiver and tried everything agian. No DIFFERENCE! low signal stregth. I just tried to install 2 brand new G3-Futaba receivers and cant figure out how to do the whole frequence change on the 14MZ. I cant control these receivers. I feel like a 4 year old kid trying to figure out unseen technology! Where is Jason Shulman when you need him? I feel like giving up! Not sure what to do now. I know these receivers are good. They are new both the old style and the new G3's. Well..................... I guess I will go back into the work shop and try to figure things out. It does not look good for flying tomorrow. Bill Hempel

Bill, I just went through WEEKS of helping a friend with similar RX problems. We tried 2 x JR Rx's, then Weatronic, different antennas etc. What a nightmare. It turned out to be the batteries were bad the whole time (both 5200 packs...) They were losing voltage very fast - by the time we did a range check they had almost dropped to nothing. Turn them off and they jumped right back up to voltage. Something to look at maybe? The signal drop you describe sounds just like he Weatronic graphs we had - signal started okay and then dropped right off all by itself.

With the 14MZ and 5014 the radio needs to be set to the correct channel, G3 modulation and scanning for the Rx, then turn on the Rx. If the Rx is on first it won't work. Once it is "bound" it doesn't indicaate its done - it just keep looking like it is trying to set the channel. You just turn off the radio and the Rx and then turn everything back on. At least that is how mine works.

[forgues research]

Bill , go by elimanation,
Start by plugging all servos in the receivers directly and do a range check, if everything is good then look no further, its the powerbox

no regulators either, but for this install on a temporary basis, nicads or NmHd

This is old school install

if everything is OK, then replace the batteries with your Li and regulators , try again, if still OK then the powerbox.

That is the only way to trouble shoot, but only one thing at a time. Then you will find the culprit.

Roger

[copycat]

I second what Roger said.

[toc pilot]

Ok, here is an update.

Got the G3's working, it was just the wrong procedure on my part. Anyway, signal is 100% for both. Seems ok now.


Problem #17. I dont undetsatnd how to hook up the fail safe lines into each receiver. Do I use different channels on the different receivers or the same channels? What does this fail safe line(s) do to the RSS?

The instructions read:
"Positioned away form the seven channel inputs you will see the "FAIL SAFE" sockets for both receivers. This socket is ocupied by the reciever channel which you have programed as the FAIL SAFE indicator at the transmitter. The FAIL SAFE channel must be programed in such a way that it switches from 0 to100% or 0 to-100% , if the FAIL SAFE system is tripped. It is essential to read the transmitter manufactures programming information relating to this".

BH

[airbusmech]

I would like to throw in my two cents.Is your airplane composite with a mixture of carbon fiber and fiberglass? Would that not affect signal strength?I witnessed the same scenario in a comp-arf.Signal strenth was re-captured with anntenas outside.

[DKjens]

Bill,
I just flew my Krill KatanaS for the first time today with a locked in feeling. I have installed the RRS and two G3s. For the failsafe, I chose a channel, I.e. 9, made it Aux3, on switch (I forgot), then set the ATV to 0 and 100%. (ATV will only go down to 30%, you have to use the Limit to set to 0). Set up failsafe so that it will go to the position where ATV is 100%.

[rc4flying]

	Quote: Originally Posted by toc pilot
	Ok, here is an update. Got the G3's working, it was just the wrong procedure on my part. Anyway, signal is 100% for both. Seems ok now. Problem #17. I dont undetsatnd how to hook up the fail safe lines into each receiver. Do I use different channels on the different receivers or the same channels? What does this fail safe line(s) do to the RSS? The instructions read: "Positioned away form the seven channel inputs you will see the "FAIL SAFE" sockets for both receivers. This socket is ocupied by the reciever channel which you have programed as the FAIL SAFE indicator at the transmitter. The FAIL SAFE channel must be programed in such a way that it switches from 0 to100% or 0 to-100% , if the FAIL SAFE system is tripped. It is essential to read the transmitter manufactures programming information relating to this". BH

Bill, Glad to hear that you are somewhat back on track.

After having talked with Kevin (AI) and Emerish (PowerBox) at Joe Nall, I have not fully understood what the idea of this Fail Safe is about. So far, I have about 10 flights on my RRS system and I have not hooked up the Fail Safe on the RRS. I have seen the readout out from a flight where the rcvrs switched during flight without even noticing anything. To me, if a rx has a loss of signal, it would or is suppose to switch. If it locks out, that would be like a loss of signal, and again it should switch. So I am having problems understanding how setting another channel to switch from 0 to 100% would work.

When I was first installing my unit, I did not see what it was going to do that the Fail Safe on my G3 rx wasn't going to tell me of a rx lockout or loss of signal. Having the throttles servo set to reduce to low throttle in fail safe. I felt seeing this it was going to tell me that there is a problem, but even after unhooking all the channels on one rcvr, the rrs switched over to the second rx with still having full use of everything.

So far.....No problems that I have seen. I am puzzled, But still intent to fly tomorrow with it as is, but I am still open to hear how this would work out for me hooking it up to another channel.