6014 Gold dot temp testing completed

[Peterb]

Just received a couple of brand new gold dot version 6014 receivers. Immediately did some temperature testing and was real dissapointed with the results. The led would start to flash between green and red as I heated the receiver at about 150F the led would turn solid red and the servos would stop working. I repeated this numerous times and tested 2 receivers with identical results.

This is not even close to the temperature limit of the 6004 I tested the other day, nor the 608 and 617's that were tested by Toumal.

Using the same testing method when I tested the 617's the non dot versions shut down at 125 - 130 F. I don't recall if anyone has ever temp tested the non dot 6014's, so I don't know whether the gold dot version is any better than the original. I did check the PCB and it does have a B after the number.

I also tested the current draw and it is drastically improved over the non dot version. With the transmitter off, the current draw is between 70 & 80 mA (my meter does not have resolution higher than that) so same as the non dot versions, but the current drain once bound and the trasmitter is on is 40 mA.

Hopefully Toumal will be able to do some more accurate temp testing than I on both the non dot and dot version 6014's.

[hughes500e]

That is disappointing. You say you were running servos, what servos how many and in what channels?

[Four Stroker]

Accurate temp. testing can only be done in a professional environmental test chamber where you soak the part for 30 minutes or so at each temp. This has been done in the past by several people. Toumal's test are pretty good since he uses a presumably accurate temp. probe in his oven. An infrared gauge only measures what it can see. Did you take the receiver out of the case to test it ? How did you heat it up and what did you measure it with ?

[Peterb]

I was running 4 Spektrum DS821 servos. These were on the aileron, rudder and elevator channels. Once the dreaded red led goes on, the receiver shuts down all output signals to any channel is my understanding.

I agree that the method Toumal uses is excellent. I just wanted to get some preliminary data out there as I was very curious and I'm sure others are too. I know my method is probably not super accurate, but it can give a very good point of reference, as I have personally experienced my 617's shutting down in the actual use and my testing showed that the non dot 617 failed at around 125F (which corresponds super close to my 617 shutting down in my plane after sitting on the runway for about an hour with a temp probe placed in the fuselage reading 128 F at failure), but the new gold dot version 6004 receiver I tested (using the same exact method as the 617 and 6014 I tested) went to over 240F and did not shut down. Lets assume that I am 50 degrees off (which I'm sure I'm not), it still clearly shows a good reference point that the 6004 can withstand a much higher temperature than a non dot 617. I'm gonna bet that when Toumal tests a gold dot 6014, it will shut down between 150 - 160 F. I truly hope that my nonscientific data proves me wrong and that when I used the same test method on the 6004 and 6014 I am off buy 90 degrees on the low side on the 6014.

Sorry for the long reply, but now to answer your questions.
Yes, when I tested all the receivers (617, 606ffm, 6004 and 6014) I removed them all from the receiver.
I used an infrared temp gauge and yes, I know that depending on the color of the surface they can produce inacurate results. But, the readings I obtained should be somewhat consistatnt. I would guess I'm off by maybe 10 degrees F.
I used a heat gun and I slowly warmed the receiver on the front side, the back side, then each edge, then I would let it sit for a few minutes and heat soak, then start the procedure over till I slowly raised the temp and then tested at shut down. Once the RX shut down, I would wait till the lead came back on green, then would have the heat gun far away to slowly raise the temp and get it to shut down again.

Can't wait to see Toumals testing soon and hope that I am way off base, because if I am wrong, then I will feel confident in using the new gold dot 6014's, if I am right, then I do not feel there is enough margin living in Phoenix, Arizona. I know alot of people think it must be crazy to fly when its over 100 degrees, but in Phoenix, the humidity is so low that it is probably a similar feeling to guys back east flying in 80 degree weather with high humidity. And even keeping my planes out of the sun has not resolved the heat issue as when I transport my planes to the field in the back of my truck that has a black tonneau cover, it gets extremely hot in that environment. I haven't and I don't think anyone has ever experienced thermal shut downs in any Futaba FM or PCM receiver in the Arizona environment. I don't think expecting the same results from the newest latest greatest generation of 2.4 receivers is too much to ask of Futaba.

Sorry for the long post, but the transition from FM to 2.4 has not been an easy one and it has been a costly one as I have lost several planes, and were not talking about $30 foamies and this is just a frustrating topic, so I tend to elaborate on my experiences. In all my years of flying, never once was shot down on FM or PCM due to someone being on my frequency and never had a thermal shut down, actually, never had any problems or failures. Only reason I went to 2.4 was I was tired of waiting to fly as there was always someone on my frequency. But, who knows, I may just go back to FM or PCM as time goes on, there will be less and less people on FM at the flying field.

[SunDevilPilot1]

Peter B,

What field you fly at in Phoenix? I live in Gilbert and fly at Arizona Model Aviators at Meridian Road and Brown Road in East Mesa.

I just converted one of my planes, the one in my avitar, to Fasst with the 608FS receiver. I would like, however, to have the full capabilities of my radio which requires the 14 channel receiver.

Thanks for the testing.....

SunDevilPilot

[Peterb]

SunDevilPilot,

Since this whole heat issue problem, I have basically backed off on flying at the fields and I fly at the school next door to me and various other parks. But, I will again start flying at the Scottsdale field located on the north side of Scottsdale Community College and I'm also a member of Sun Valley Flyers on Jomax/Cave Creek. Once I figure out what I'm doing as far as 14 channel receivers, I will start flying my large gas planes.

I will be at your field from the 22nd to the 25th of this month at the Electric Flight Festival. Me and several of my friends will be camped at campground nearby. Total bummer that there is no more overnight camping at the field. Let me know if you will be attending the Efest and we could meet.

You're welcome. Like I said, I agree with others, not scientific and maybe not super accurate, but atleast some preliminary info, the real test will be Toumal's results.

[SunDevilPilot1]

I'll be at the E-Festival. One of the best events in terms of turnout. I flew at Scottsdale until they started having access issues when the community college put in the roadway on the northwestern side. It was then that I moved to Arizona Model Aviators. I really wanted to fly off a paved runway with my larger plane but I have good memories of Scottsdale. I had my first solo / powered flight at that field. GP Cap 232 that I still have to today.

FYI: Be careful while camping in that area, not the greatest parts of town. Lock up all your stuff. The modelers are fine but a lot of "tweekers" running around. I know because that is my patrol area.

Also, the no overnight camping is because the area is for flood control. Maricopa County Flood Control forbids the camping.

SunDevilPilot

[gmorales83]

I soaked my 6014 receiver in turpentine, heated it to 150 F, farted on it and then whacked it four, only four times with a mallet......darn thing stopped working...cheap piece of crap! I'm switching to FM !

I know sarcasm is ugly, but I think you are asking too much of these devices, just keep them out of the sun, dont wrap them in foam and give it a little ventilation. If another brand of receiver doesnt have AS BAD heat susceptibility then consider that Futaba has the quickest response out of all of them, hundreds of RC pilots have not had a single problem with 2.4 and I havent either. Lets not scare others who are entering the hobby with outrageous demands on the equipment. Treat your electronics and planes with a little care....and they will last.

[reyn3545]

My father told me to never whack it with a mallet!

[gmorales83]

....and he is a wise man for saying so !

[sweetpea]

True statements for most of the US but untrue for the SW region. Temps in the fuse of 100+ are very common, even with adequate airflow.

[gmorales83]

Yeah, I thought of that also....and I would like to know how all the desert-loving Team Futaba folks handle this issue.

[3dubya]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gmorales83
	heated it to 150 F, farted on it .

can you do 150F farts, thats awsome, do you light it to get up to them temps..

[tkilwein]

Must be the after burner he installed.

[Ira d]

Just a thought maybe the gold dot receivers are less heat tolerate than the white dot receivers but lets hope they
are more stable, If all the gold dot units could be counted on to work reliably up 150F that would be ok I think.