Align 3G V3 set up issues :(

[mista_b69]

Just had my 700 3G upgraded to the V3 software, centred the pots, trims and rebound the model, gone through the set up procedures and all seemed fine...... until..... about 4 minutes later while i was just reading through the manual, it lost conection on the bench??? all the lights flashed green on the unit then the status light flashes green and red constantly?? GULP!! so turned it off and started again, transmitter then model on, binded ok, so sat twiddling the controls for 5 mins then blam, lock out, no controls, blank response, green lights flash then flashing red and green status but model locked out, deffo would have been a massive crash... not even any control too save it if it was in the air holy $hit!!! wat a horrible day i have just saved..... its done it about 5 times now, can anybody shed any light on wat i have done or not done or why its doing this???? cant find nothing online ATM...... cheers...... britt...

[SRH990]

It might be worth trying to re-flash the sensor & control box with V3.0 firmware again and as a double precaution it might be worth re-downloading the file from Align's site again. The connections into the sensor & control unit can be a bit dodgy at times so taking the lead out, checking the pins and re-connecting might solve the issue.

I've not found the V3.0 firmware that much of an improvement to be honest, I had porpoising on elevator with both my E550 & 700N which needed the gain reduced but otherwise no big change in cyclic feel. I did have to massively increase the tail gain on both, up from around 35% to 70%! The tail does hold better and fewer problems with tail wag but the piro speed still isn't constant under load and is still whippy.

[coolice]

Hey.

I don't think you're problem is anything to do with the 3G as by the sounds of it you're using a seperate receiver on your model and I'll make an assumption its spektrum. When your model locks out what are the receiver lights doing?

One area on the 3G worth checking is the connection lead, specifically the connection pins as these can give problems but it will not totally lockout your model in the majority of cases, just cause 3G resets. But control usually comes back as the connecting lead is wiggled.
.

[bikerflier]

Been there, done that, got the tee shirt and also the 2 broken helis.
The connectors on the 3G units are naff. You have to be ultra careful getting them out and are still likely to damage them.
I took ultra care, checked the pins and the socket, bought new cables and upgraded the firmware on my 500 3G unit. 15 seconds into flight and wham, full back elevator and in tail first.
£180 repair bill.
Moved the 3G to my 450Pro, one complete flight fine. Took it out Sunday, spooled up, twitched a couple of times, before I could cut it tipped over, thankfully only a bent link.
My friend had full back elevator on his TRex 700, went in tail first, repaired and got full aileron on next flight, total write off of his 700.

Take ultra care when connecting and disconnecting the cables. It can be done because 'coolice' manages it but also has a repair routine and now flies with the PC cable in place so he doesn't have to keep taking the cables out.

Just had my 700 3G upgraded to the V3 software, centred the pots, trims and rebound the model, gone through the set up procedures and all seemed fine...... until..... about 4 minutes later while i was just reading through the manual, it lost conection on the bench??? all the lights flashed green on the unit then the status light flashes green and red constantly?? GULP!! so turned it off and started again, transmitter then model on, binded ok, so sat twiddling the controls for 5 mins then blam, lock out, no controls, blank response, green lights flash then flashing red and green status but model locked out, deffo would have been a massive crash... not even any control too save it if it was in the air holy $hit!!! wat a horrible day i have just saved..... its done it about 5 times now, can anybody shed any light on wat i have done or not done or why its doing this???? cant find nothing online ATM...... cheers...... britt...

[bikerflier]

Thanks Coolice, we were typing at the same time.
Yes, the problem does seem different from 3G cables and connectors but worth noting the severe problem of poor connectors.
Giving up on my 3G units, can't afford the repair bills and the nerve's.

Might give the 3GX a go as BeastX on my 450Pro is just not happy, though the 3G was good but only managed 1 flight after upgrading and fitting it before Sundays problem.
Cheers
Malcolm

Hey.

I don't think you're problem is anything to do with the 3G as by the sounds of it you're using a seperate receiver on your model and I'll make an assumption its spektrum. When your model locks out what are the receiver lights doing?

One area on the 3G worth checking is the connection lead, specifically the connection pins as these can give problems but it will not totally lockout your model in the majority of cases, just cause 3G resets. But control usually comes back as the connecting lead is wiggled.
.

[coolice]

Hey Malcolm.

Yeah the link cables not the best unfortunately, it works but has been subject to assembly problems at the factory and connection problems with the user to. I myself had a wrongly inserted negative pin which caused my 700N to throw a fit mid flight during a reset :-/ got it down ok with a broken skid and tail blades.

Unfortunately upgrades negate the Y lead fitted to model trick as you have to upgrade the gyro sensor then main 3G box, so you have to unplug then one by one. The trick is knowing how the plugs lock into place I feel, the moulded in locking tabs mean the plug has the pulled out and twisted downwards slightly to allow removal. I upgraded my models then two other peoples at the field over the weekend and it is a pain to remove them, as on one hand you know not to stress them but on the other you need to exert some pressure to get then out!

I'll be keen to hear back from the topic starter as I've got a sneeky feeling its not the 3G but a receiver or power supply issue even, as cable issues don't normally surface until vibration is present.
.

[tourerjim]

Just had my 700 3G upgraded to the V3 software, centred the pots, trims and rebound the model, gone through the set up procedures and all seemed fine...... until..... about 4 minutes later while i was just reading through the manual, it lost conection on the bench??? all the lights flashed green on the unit then the status light flashes green and red constantly?? GULP!! so turned it off and started again, transmitter then model on, binded ok, so sat twiddling the controls for 5 mins then blam, lock out, no controls, blank response, green lights flash then flashing red and green status but model locked out, deffo would have been a massive crash... not even any control too save it if it was in the air holy $hit!!! wat a horrible day i have just saved..... its done it about 5 times now, can anybody shed any light on wat i have done or not done or why its doing this???? cant find nothing online ATM...... cheers...... britt...

Same here took week to find it after going v3 turns out the two red thin battery connecters one was making & breaking, I fitted new connecters & now fly lovely.

[mista_b69]

thanx for the advice guys..... im just charging it now, gonna give the conectors a good look over in abit...... the receiver was still solid by the way and yes its spektrum, but it has never missed a beat untill this upgrade so????? ...... doh!!!! :/