Align 3G firmware upgrade to 3.0 fails

[Gyro Jerry]

Having been "persuaded" to purchase a previously owned 700N with 3G fbl system I was subsequently advised to upgrade the firmware to v3.0 and I was loaned a 3G link cable to accomplish this. The previous owner has assured me the heli was fine in his hands.

I have not yet flown the heli but have done an initial install of my own Rx and it all functions as it should.

I downloaded and installed the v3.0 upgrade software on my laptop and connected to the sensor but the upgrade will not run. The driver installs OK but after the initial dialogue box opens and I click "YES" I get various failure messages (multiple attempts) and when I close these, the upgrade program closes - disappears.

After I open the GUI program to inspect the current settings on the 3G system, LINKING fails.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the software, to no avail.

Any ideas/advice please?

Thanks, Jerry

[tourerjim]

PM Ian (coolice) he's got all the info for 3G, My laptop is knackered & cant get all me stuff of hard disc so cant help for a bit

[Gyro Jerry]

Cheers, done so already. Just waiting ......

Thanks anyway.

[tourerjim]

No probs.

[Red3]

hi if you want my advice don't bother with v3 its not that good

[coolice]

Hey Jerry.

Sorry for the delayed reply, Red3 above was gassing on the phone

As above, from my own experience I wouldn't upgrade to V3.0. While it improved the tail gyro performance, the cyclic gyro feel was compromised over V2.1 and the machine felt much less locked in. You may eventually want to try it out of curiosity, some do say they like it, but many more didn't unfortunately.

Anyway, back to your problem. There was a problem with the 3G PC software failing to run properly due to the windows media player on the PC you are using not being up to date. Basically there is a graphic of a revolving helicopter from memory which requires media player to work, without this the software crashes.
Try updating your windows media player, or seeing if there is an update first I think.

Just a thought, what operating system are you running on your laptop?
I keep re-reading your post and it's the seperate update program which is failing and not the main settings changing pages?
Have you tried re-downloading the 3G PC installation file to install? I'm wondering if the one you have has gotten corupted perhaps during the download.
.

[Gyro Jerry]

Thanks for your advice Ian.

I will try updating Media player. Im on W7 Ultimate with auto updates just done today.

The program for revising settings does not link to the 3G system either.

OK. If no joy with the update I will try flying as is, after setting it all up as I can (I have some help from G Wilkins).

Have you done/do you think necessary or beneficial, the silicone internal mod to secure the sensors?

Jerry
signing off for the night

[coolice]

Thanks for your advice Ian.

I will try updating Media player. Im on W7 Ultimate with auto updates just done today.

The program for revising settings does not link to the 3G system either.

OK. If no joy with the update I will try flying as is, after setting it all up as I can (I have some help from G Wilkins).

Have you done/do you think necessary or beneficial, the silicone internal mod to secure the sensors?

Jerry
signing off for the night

Hey Jerry.

You're welcome mate, glad to help.

Windows 7, it may be something to do with the UAC (user access control) of Windows. Did you install as an administrator?

Doesn't sound like you're to far from me if Gary is helping you, if you really wanted to update to V3 we could talk about meeting up.

I did do the silicone mod to mine, I can't say I felt a major improvement in performance, but I did remove the plastic fins from within the casing which could tap against the sensors. I actually have a near full tube of electronics grade silicon I brought for this very purpose.
Personally if you're not seeing any funny behaviour of the 3G then I wouldn't bother adding the silicon just yet, I flew the very first 3G into the UK for a long time before making the mod and never had a problem.
As this 3G is on a nitro machine I can recommend to you the mounting using a steel plate sandwiched between a thick and thinner double sided pad. This helps stop any engine based vibes reaching the sensor.
.

[Gyro Jerry]

Thanks Ian. I'm in Gretton, near Corby. Am meeting with Gary on Sunday at Dean's house.

I think this is not a UAC problem as I am on as Admin and the program starts. My Media player is version 12.0.7601.17514. which appears to be the latest version.

Problem for me is, this is my first go at fbl use and I have not been much into it recently, even only a little heli flying with my Sceadu's. Having spoken with a few people and searched a few forums it seems there's mixed advice on various aspects. Lots of reports of the 3G system resetting in the air and tails kicking round etc. So I was wanting to get the 700 into the best setup I can before flying it.

Previous owner tells me it always flew good (the heli looks practically brand new - almost perfect) but I am using my own Tx/Rx of course so it all needs setting up properly. So.... as I understand "you are the best person to ask" I will likely let sleeping dogs (of the 3G update type) lie in peace.

On running the update program, I cannot get the v3.0 GUI (for setting the parameters) to link with the 3G system as is. Perhaps the v3.0 GUI is not compatible with the v2.1 firmware on the 3G?? So I should download the 2.1 version.

On the sensor mounting, it is currently on a thin (original?) pad, with a strap over it. I have some Futaba and CSM (~4/5mm thick) pads. Will these do? Which goes top/bottom? Does it need the strap? questions...... questions.... smilies!!

Finally, I got some E6000 coming.

Thanks for your help, Jerry

[Gyro Jerry]

Having been unable to update the firmware on the 3G I followed the advice not to anyway. That is, I have not persisted in trying to solve that problem, undeerstanding the v2.1 should really be OK for me.

So, thanks to my friend Dean I was able to engage the help of Gary Wilkins. Well, what a fount of knowledge. I took the 700N to the patch Sunday afternnon having done my best to get it set up, both the heli and my Tx. However, there it became evident I have not done enough and Gary was not convinced it would fly good and wanted to look over the heli and my setup.

So I took it to Deans Sunday evening and Gary checked it and then proceeded to do a full setup. Well, what a revalation. I'm almost entirely self taught and the way Gary went through a step at a time and set everything up in a clear and logical fashion was a revalation to me. I learned masses thank you Gary.

Today we took it back to the patch. I remounted the sensor, as advised by Coolice on a double foam pack with a plate between. We started the YS 91 on basic neadle settings and off it went. A few tweeks of the rudder giro gain and later the aileron and elevator gains on the 3G had it flying like a sweet thing

Now I just have to learn to fly it proper. Thanks again to Coolice and Gary.

Jerry

[tourerjim]

Good to here your sorted was talking to Ian (coolice) on Saturday regarding the 3G & 3GX & although im pretty much up on them both Ian has a good memory of knowing all the various setups & tweaks.

[coolice]

Hey Jerry.

Good to hear you're all sorted now mate, so can enjoy flying the model.

My conversation with Jim up the field delved into the Align FBL units history and we both felt the 3G is still a very capable little unit, in some respects better than the 3GX for some applications perhaps having a seperate sensor to allow better mounting options. I don't think Align will further refine the 3G's firmware, which is a shame, but the 3GX goes one step further if extra performance is required.
.

[Gyro Jerry]

Thank you Ian. Somehow I doubt at my age (retired ) I will be needing more performance, though I hear that other fbl systems are possibly better/easier to set up.

I will probably persist sometime in trying to connect with the 3G in order to interogate/modify its internal parameters ....... maybe!!

Ta. Jerry

[coolice]

Thank you Ian. Somehow I doubt at my age (retired ) I will be needing more performance, though I hear that other fbl systems are possibly better/easier to set up.

I will probably persist sometime in trying to connect with the 3G in order to interogate/modify its internal parameters ....... maybe!!

Ta. Jerry

You're welcome buddy and you're as young as you feel mate

Keep going as you are for now to get soem flight time under your belt, but if you want to upgrade in the future and still struggle my setup & flight school is not far from you.
.