No headspeed increase on idle up

[gazmk2]

Hi guys,

I took out my new (to me) Trex 700e this afternoon and noticed something a bit odd, as I spool it up in normal mode the rpm rises they should until around midsticks where it falls slightly.

Then after taking off I switch to idle up 1 and there is no increase in headspeed, the same applies to idle up 2. The modes do take effect in as much as you can flip and roll so the throttle is constant even on negative pitch (we all know what happens if you do this in normal mode! Lol)

The heli is a stock Trex 700e (3g head) with the 700 motor and castle ice 120 esc. I know ideally I should set the esc up in governer mode on the laptop but a lack of dongle and a desire to fly sees me using throttle curves instead.

The esc is straight as it comes as the previous owner used throttle curves too.

Just for reference my throttle curves are as follows;

Normal: 0-80
Idle up 1: 80 flat
Idle up 2: 90 flat (did try 95 but no difference)

Am I missing something?

Cheers

Gary

[shades]

Sounds like the esc needs programming.
Probably currently set to fixed rpm mode

[GIXERMAN]

If set in gov mode, esc on sees 0 30 30 30 in norm mode flat 70 in idle 1 flat 100 in idle 2

[trillian]

You probably need to set the endpoints to calibrate your TX to what the Ice 'sees' as max and min throttle. What it sounds like is that the ESC thinks you're already at full throttle. I would also recommend running the governor and if you want to be able to try different headspeeds to see what works best then run either 'simple mode' or 'governor high'. In Gov high or set rpm mode it will give you throttle settings for the headspeeds you want (after you tell it what the motor KV and gearing is) so you can start your throttle settings with a headspeed in mind if you want.

(You can calibrate the TX throttle without needing a dongle and PC BTW)

I must admit, the Castles can be a bit fiddly. You could sell it and get a YEP or Hobbywing with a programming card and it will just work after a very basic setup with no further tweaking.

[gazmk2]

Ah now, I remember seeing something about powering up on full throttle, then low throttle (then the esc arms) to tell the esc what is max/min throttle.

Does that sound familiar?

[trillian]

Ah now, I remember seeing something about powering up on full throttle, then low throttle (then the esc arms) to tell the esc what is max/min throttle.

Does that sound familiar?

Yeah there's a video somewhere that I watched when setting up mine. You have to set your normal mode in the TX to have zero at the bottom and 100% at top stick and then go in and take the travel adjusts way down. Then you start with the high stick and keep upping the endpoint till you get a special tone and then lower the stick and do the bottom endpoint and then it gives a tone and arms. Prob if you search on youtube under something like Castle Ice throttle or something along those lines.

Once the TX is calibrated then the values like "70%" or 80% etc. in your throttle curves will relate to what the ESC expects to see.

---OK, I think this is the one I'm thinking of; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF7VTrs_hsI

[gazmk2]

I just followed that video and I got the confirmation beeps as I should so hopefully it's worked!

I got the high point beeps at 100% but the low point didn't beep until 125%! Going flying this afternoon so I'll let you know if it's worked!

[gazmk2]

Ok so having set up the throttle end points yesterday I took it out today and I really do think it's stuck in a governer mode!

Absolutely zero change in headspeed between modes and no matter how silly you are with the collective the headspeed remains dead constant!

On the upshot the headspeed it does run at is fast enough to fly it and do my usual loops etc and as a billy bonus when checking my battery status after a 5 min flight I had 63% left in the packs!

So it looks like I'll have to buy the castle link adapter and also a new laptop charger so I have something to set it up on!

[trillian]

It sounds like it is set to the fixed rpm governor mode so it splits the the throttle range into 3 sections one for each rpm that is programmed in. If it was on 'governor high' mode you'd still be able to change it from the TX.

[ghost2212]

Definitely sounds like the governor is already enabled, This normally means that for the lowest headspeed you put in 30% on the transmitter, for the next one you then put 70% and for top headspeed put 100%. Definitely best to try and get a castle link if possible to be sure though.