Some thoughts i had on static issues

[Cskinner]

Hi all.

I've been reading a few posts about these static build ups and discharges found in some heli's and the various solutions and a very simple solution popped into my mind. The problems come from the discharge jumping from the heli to one of the electronic parts right? Could you not just cut a chunk out of an anti static bag that computer components come in, stick it to the electronic component, and then to the position needed on the heli? or some other adaptation of one of these anti-static bags. Im sure some kind of method using these would work. Any idea's?

Chris

[Andy from Sandy]

Static can also get into the wiring and travel to the receiver. One way to help combat static is to ensure everything is at the same potential. You might have seen on some t-rex 500s or 600Es a wire going from the boom to the frame and from the tail output shaft bearing to the boom.

[Cskinner]

hmm, i would probably just buy some shielding for the wiring too. I've seen some cable management sleeves you can buy - Do they not shield the wiring from the static?

[xygax]

Stat bags are a good idea thin light ect... Just bear in mind a couple of things.... The glossy surface on CF frames is resin and is an insulator.... Annodising ally is also a great insulator (they used to us it as an insulator on transformer wire made from ally) this needs to be scraped away to expose the ally..... and one more..... Stat bags sometimes have a burried layer so the surface dosent conduct.

Always test with a meter to ensure that all parts you think are connected really are a value of less then a few hundred ohms is low enough to prevent static....

If all the componants are connected there is no two items that can have a charge build up therefore a discharge is implausable consequently shielding isnt really required.

In real terms connect the battery -ve to the motor mount (with a small piece of wire) and then check continuity to the bearings and tail... Job done....

[scallybert]

You're making it hard for yourself...

You're going to end up shielding everything (servos will be hard), or grounding all the conductive parts to each other (some of which are small and fast-moving).

It will be hard work (if not impossible), and if there's a flaw in the shielding or grounding then you're vulnerable. Perhaps suddenly and unexpectedly.

In practice, a small amount of graphite paste fixes belt static (about this time I usually thank Brin...), and saves all the hassle. I believe there may be other static, addressed by grounding the tail boom - not seen this myself, though.

I had an EP100 that was completely unusable - wouldn't even spin up reliably (other days it would fly, then drop out of the air). Graphite paste was a miracle cure, after literally months and many £100s of trying other stuff.