Trex 600E Motor or ESC Problem?

[johnsandywhite]

Trex 600E Motor or ESC Problem?

Here is my problem.
My s/h 600E 600L Motor flew great until it fell out of the sky with hardly any power.
This problem got gradually worse until my last crash.
I changed the ESC for another s/h one and the same problem. Didn't crash because I was ready for it.
Changed the Motor for a s/h 600XL. Loads of power for approx 3 minutes and then lost power.
Landed, then spooled up again and died as soon as in the air. Changed the Lipo, same and then again.
The Lipos are NEW Zippy 6s 5000mah and they fly with NO problems on my 550E FBL.
I have a similar problem on my 550E FB. I have just changed the ESC from the FBL to test that out today.

Any suggestions? Is it the ESC's or the Motors? Maybe I should buy a NEW ESC & Motor?

[paulsouthport]

Hi mate

Did you set the LVC levels on the ESCs before flying? I've found that zippys, although good value, tend to drop voltage a bit quicker than some packs.
Also, what size connectors are you using on the ESC to motor and are you happy with their soldering quality? Small or poor connectors to the motor can cause it stall when they heat up.

[johnsandywhite]

I set the ESC settings to the same as what was on the 550FBL. Then changed them to a lower cut out voltage setting. The ESC to Motor are the standard Align Bullets. My ESC to LIPO are EC5. It is the SAME happening when I use my Turnigy 4000 and 5000mah and my Rhino 4900mah.
I have been considering the T600 like you have. What ESC are you using?

[paulsouthport]

The T600 is a decent motor, it's supposed to be more powerful than the 600M - to br honest, not sure if it is but is still a great motor.
I'm running a HobbyWing Platinum 100A but may go bigger for the T600.

So, in your situation, you've tried different motors, ESCs and packs with the same result?
I'd really be looking at the ESC to motor bullets - I've had all kinds of problems in the past with poor quality bullets, with symptons that are pretty similar to yours. Luckily, in my case it was the 450 so the damage was lighter.

[johnsandywhite]

Thanks Paul. I will investigate further with my 600E ESC's and Motors. I think it may be as you suggest, the connections. In the meantime, I will test out my 550E FB this afternoon with the 550E FBL ESC that I KNOW works and go from there.

[johnsandywhite]

550E FBL ESC fitted to 550E FB TEST?

So. I went down to the field and flew my MCPX for while to build up courage to test out the rebuilt 550E FB with bright Orange Fusano frames etc for a maiden with 550E FBL ESC fitted.

Took off into a nice hover at Idle up of 80%.
Did a few throttle up and downs. Looking good.
Switch to Idle up 2 at 90% and start to climb.
At about 30 feet high it suddenly gave a full power negative.
Flicked throttle hold but it was too late.

A brand new 550E FB kit with some spares ordered from Align UK. If THAT goes in? Then I am finished.

NO MORE SECONDHAND Gear in future.

BTW. I must mention that after I picked up the heli and checked the linkages, they were all fitted and working with the radioand no damage to the servos or linkages.

[Streetluge Chris]

Could it be a radio or rx fault seems the only thing you haven't changed.

[johnsandywhite]

Could it be a radio or rx fault seems the only thing you haven't changed.

Thanks. I have been thinking that. It could be the DX8 syndrome? I might try building the new one with a Futaba PCM. Never, ever had any problems with them in a long, long time.

[paulsouthport]

Sorry to hear that, disaster.
Is this the same problem? Or a slightly different one? Did you get a full negative on the earlier crashes?

[johnsandywhite]

Sorry to hear that, disaster.
Is this the same problem? Or a slightly different one? Did you get a full negative on the earlier crashes?

No Paul. Just crazy antics like falling out of the sky with no other commands.This last one has GOT to be Tx/Rx related. The Motor or ESC cannot possibly give full negative when I am climbing.

[Leo77]

Was the Rx or sat LEDs flashing after it crashed. Also are you running a separate reg or the built in bec on the esc.

[johnsandywhite]

Was the Rx or sat LEDs flashing after it crashed. Also are you running a separate reg or the built in bec on the esc.

I didn't check if the Rx was flashing after the crash. I was little BIT otherwise distracted. But it wasn't flashing when I checked the links and servo operation later on. The 550FB normally uses the internal BEC. But this last time it had the BEC & Battery from the FBL. All my others have a separate BEC/Battery.

[dani_r]

What would it mean if it was flashing? Un-linked in flight?

[Leo77]

It would mean the Rx lost connection from the tx, could be from the Rx having to lower voltage or a static hit. I've had it on a castle esc were the bec couldn't keep the voltage and would lose connection under heavy loads. I've also known esc's shut down in flight due to worn out main shaft bearings

[johnsandywhite]

I should have said above that it had the 550FBL ESC with the BEC disabled and a separate BEC & battery. ALL my helis have had new bearings fitted. Because the FB that went straight negative down had worn bearing before I changed them after a rebuild.

So what did I fly today? I flew the 600E FB knowing that within 3 minutes it would lose power. So I just did T's and Autos. After landing the ESC was red hot, Motor pretty hot and Lipo warm. Left it stood for half an hour to cool down and flew for another 3 or 4 minutes doing autos and backwards into hover before another auto etc. I have new ESC's on order and will resolder everything before setting them up on my Futaba PCM DC 35MHz Rx's.