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  • #1

    250 DFC cut off

    the Heli spools then as the throthle approach half stick the heli suddenly cut off and all the lights on the 3GX flash rapidly.
    as if its going to some safe mode. It responds to cyclic but not collective.

    battery is fully charged

    whats going on?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hey.

    Sounds like a brownout to me, this is where the BEC power supply that powers the 3GX and servo's isn't powerful enough.
    What voltage have you set the BEC output to from the ESC?

    Also, were you using satellites connected to the 3GX directly and were they flashing to?
    .
    Ian Contessa
    Robbe SchluterUK / Midland Helicopters / Align



    Coolice Power Supplies
    Coolice Custom Built Charge Case's

    Comment

    • #3
      I m using all stock Align components that came with the kit.
      according to the manual its set to 5.5V as default. do I need to change this?

      yes, the sat is connected directly to the 3GX and its flashing.

      Comment

      • #4
        Had to replace mine in the end but as coolice says check ESC voltage
        Today's outlook is fine for flying.
        • Spektrum DX18 gen2, Phoenix Sims, Align MR25XP.
        • Blade Nano, mCP X, 130x, Blade 180, Mini T 450se
        • Trex 250dfc Gpro, Trex 500EFL Gpro.
        • Trex 600E Gpro DFC, Trex 600NSP now Gpro, DFC, Redline 56
        • Flickr Through My Pictures.
        • A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors because Wikipedia said so.

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by brownviper1966 View Post
          I m using all stock Align components that came with the kit.
          according to the manual its set to 5.5V as default. do I need to change this?

          yes, the sat is connected directly to the 3GX and its flashing.
          You still need to go through the esc setup 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2
          Today's outlook is fine for flying.
          • Spektrum DX18 gen2, Phoenix Sims, Align MR25XP.
          • Blade Nano, mCP X, 130x, Blade 180, Mini T 450se
          • Trex 250dfc Gpro, Trex 500EFL Gpro.
          • Trex 600E Gpro DFC, Trex 600NSP now Gpro, DFC, Redline 56
          • Flickr Through My Pictures.
          • A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors because Wikipedia said so.

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by brownviper1966 View Post
            I m using all stock Align components that came with the kit.
            according to the manual its set to 5.5V as default. do I need to change this?

            yes, the sat is connected directly to the 3GX and its flashing.
            Hey.

            Ah, yeah the blinking sat is signalling a loss of power from the BEC. On the next connection of the ESC to battery, did you have to disconnect and re-connect to get the 3GX to arm? This is a failsafe in that for the next flight the 3GX will not arm on first power up to warn the user.

            As Jim's said above it's best to check the ESC's settings and if you can I would set 6 volts. The tail servo I think from memory comes with a recommendation not to use 6 volts (or atleast the older 250 Super Combo did), it's rated to it 6 volts, but the slight increase to the 3GX will help alleviate any power problems.
            If after doing this you still get a problem check your connectors for any loose ones, specifically the connectors on your battery and ESC. It's not impossible you could be getting an intermittant break in the power connection from your connectors, hence the problems as more power is asked to be delivered.
            .
            Ian Contessa
            Robbe SchluterUK / Midland Helicopters / Align



            Coolice Power Supplies
            Coolice Custom Built Charge Case's

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by coolice View Post
              Hey.

              Ah, yeah the blinking sat is signalling a loss of power from the BEC. On the next connection of the ESC to battery, did you have to disconnect and re-connect to get the 3GX to arm? This is a failsafe in that for the next flight the 3GX will not arm on first power up to warn the user.

              As Jim's said above it's best to check the ESC's settings and if you can I would set 6 volts. The tail servo I think from memory comes with a recommendation not to use 6 volts (or atleast the older 250 Super Combo did), it's rated to it 6 volts, but the slight increase to the 3GX will help alleviate any power problems.
              If after doing this you still get a problem check your connectors for any loose ones, specifically the connectors on your battery and ESC. It's not impossible you could be getting an intermittant break in the power connection from your connectors, hence the problems as more power is asked to be delivered.
              .
              Just checked manual doesn't say what the voltage should be other than default setting 5.5, cyclic servo's are 415's & tail 425 do you think might be better on 6v's
              Today's outlook is fine for flying.
              • Spektrum DX18 gen2, Phoenix Sims, Align MR25XP.
              • Blade Nano, mCP X, 130x, Blade 180, Mini T 450se
              • Trex 250dfc Gpro, Trex 500EFL Gpro.
              • Trex 600E Gpro DFC, Trex 600NSP now Gpro, DFC, Redline 56
              • Flickr Through My Pictures.
              • A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors because Wikipedia said so.

              Comment

              • #8
                setting the ESC to output 6V seems to do the trick.
                the ESC heats up quickly. is this a side effect.
                I m thinking about installing a dedicated BEC, would that be a safer option or should I just invest in a CC 25A and retire the stock Align ESC

                Comment

                • #9
                  Yes - the ESC gets hot very quickly. There is a lot on Heli Freak about this.
                  I have a Brain on my 250 Pro and had difficulty in setting it up with the original ESC. It got so hot that it was difficult to handle and kept on resetting the Brain. I ended up using a 450 ESC to set up the Brain.
                  Once everything was done - the normal ESC functioned fine.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by tourerjim View Post
                    Just checked manual doesn't say what the voltage should be other than default setting 5.5, cyclic servo's are 415's & tail 425 do you think might be better on 6v's
                    Evening Mate.

                    Yeah, these will definetly be better on 6 volts. Most Align/Savox servo's are rated to 6 volts and provide much better spec's this way, combined with FBL will afford the controllers better control and holding power.

                    Originally posted by brownviper1966 View Post
                    setting the ESC to output 6V seems to do the trick.
                    the ESC heats up quickly. is this a side effect.
                    I m thinking about installing a dedicated BEC, would that be a safer option or should I just invest in a CC 25A and retire the stock Align ESC
                    Hey buddy.

                    Brilliant, the added voltage gives the RC system a little more head room should the voltage dip in flight.

                    The added heat may be a by product of the higher voltage, as I am sure the BEC circuitry is working harder (or less harder even) to supply this voltage.

                    Another question, where do you have your throttle curves set to?
                    Ideally you need to stay above 80% power for extended periods of time, if you are below 80% then excess heat can build up in the ESC and lead to premature failure.
                    .
                    Ian Contessa
                    Robbe SchluterUK / Midland Helicopters / Align



                    Coolice Power Supplies
                    Coolice Custom Built Charge Case's

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by coolice View Post

                      Another question, where do you have your throttle curves set to?
                      Ideally you need to stay above 80% power for extended periods of time, if you are below 80% then excess heat can build up in the ESC and lead to premature failure.
                      .
                      I m not a hardcore 3Dear ;-)
                      mine is set linear 0 to 100

                      I sense that people dont like the stock Align ESC. should I replace it with CC 25?

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by brownviper1966 View Post
                        I m not a hardcore 3Dear ;-)
                        mine is set linear 0 to 100

                        I sense that people dont like the stock Align ESC. should I replace it with CC 25?
                        Hey.

                        Ah, this may also not help you. Ideally you need to ramp up the throttle curve very quickly from 0 to 80% power, I normally do so within the first 1/4 stick travel and then set a straight line at 80% power. The slow spool up allows a gradual increase in motor rpm and then once at 80% your height control is via collective pitch only, in similar fashion to running a govenor.
                        This way the ESC is not having to dissipate too much unneeded power and so runs cooler as a result.

                        On my old 250 I got on ok with the stock Align ESC, the Castle's are a little better mainly through their govenor function mainly, but unless you need the extra amp rating I wouldn't go changing your ESC just yet. If you do I'd look around the 35~40 amp rating as a good one to fit.
                        .
                        Ian Contessa
                        Robbe SchluterUK / Midland Helicopters / Align



                        Coolice Power Supplies
                        Coolice Custom Built Charge Case's

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          does that mean
                          0,80,80,80,80 ?

                          I hear about keeping rpm constant, so is this a common curve on all Electric Helis?

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by brownviper1966 View Post
                            does that mean
                            0,80,80,80,80 ?

                            I hear about keeping rpm constant, so is this a common curve on all Electric Helis?
                            Hey.

                            Yeah that's it, spot on. As long as you activate the slow spoolup the rotor rpm will rise steadily to the 80% setting nicely. Once there the rpm will stay pretty constant, baring any high pitch demands which may drag the rpm down.
                            You can then set your idle ups at straight lines of 85 or above.

                            I set these type of curves on non governor ESC's and many others do to I think, as it is the best way for this type of ESC.
                            .
                            Last edited by coolice; 21-11-2012, 10:09 PM.
                            Ian Contessa
                            Robbe SchluterUK / Midland Helicopters / Align



                            Coolice Power Supplies
                            Coolice Custom Built Charge Case's

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Darn, I ve set the ESC to output 6V, but it has done again.
                              either a BEC or another ESC is replacing it.

                              what would be the safer option?

                              Comment

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