Scorpion 130A HV ESC - soft start wont work

[Si Goodchild]

Guys,

I bought a secondhand heli recently with a known problem with the ESC that I hoped to sort out: I haven't. It's a Scorpion 130A HV unit without the SBEC and basically identical to the unit that I have on my Raptor 90E. The problem is that the soft-start is non-existent so is useless to me. I've gone through all the usual programming steps (having become familiar with them on my pervious ESC) and the unit appears to be responding correctly, however whenever I start up the motor it immediately jumps up to match the throttle position with no hint of soft-start whatsoever.

Has anyone experienced this and found a cure? I'm thinking I should send it back to Scorpion for a software re-blow, but would prefer to keep it in-country if possible.

Any help is much appreciated!

Si G

[ROSSCO]

Hi Si,

Do you know which version of the firmware is on this particular ESC? It may be that it is running a different version firmware to your other ESC. The current version of the firmware does have a much better soft start compared to previous versions and you can update the firmware yourself using the Scorpion USB interface and downloading the latest interface software and ESC firmware from the Scorpion website.

The USB link can be found here: Scorpion Commander V Link Cable SC-COM-V-LINK

Hope this helps,

[Si Goodchild]

Many thanks. I don't know what software is onboard, and wasn't aware it could be updated DIY. The link you posted appears to suggest that the USB interface is intended for the Commander V which is the latest iteration of this ESC with onboard SBEC - mine is the generation before that, hence my comment that I may have to send the whole unit back to Scorpion. Or am I wrong and tha cable will work for my older ESC?

Si G

[ktargett]

Or alternatively use the Vbar governor, which is what I did on the previous version of software. Then you just need it in AIR2 mode (I think) on the ESC, the Vbar then sorts out soft-start and auto bail-out.

I plan to update the new firmware version soon to try it out though.

Kevin

[Si Goodchild]

Or alternatively use the Vbar governor, which is what I did on the previous version of software. Then you just need it in AIR2 mode (I think) on the ESC, the Vbar then sorts out soft-start and auto bail-out.

I plan to update the new firmware version soon to try it out though.

Kevin

An interesting idea, but I don't have v-bar. In terms of the ESC firmware update, are we talking about the same model or do you have a later one?

Si G

[ktargett]

I used to have a tabbed/wooden box version which did have a bad soft start from memory but it did sort of work.

I now have the 130A HV ESC with no BEC and without the mounting tabs on the side, it came in a metal tin rather than wooden box. I don't know if the version with mounting tabs is any different internally, except for an earlier firmware version. I know there are at least 2 firmware versions before the current one. The softstart was OK on this one, but the governor was rubbish hence the move to Vbar governor.

I should get the programmer this weekend so will try to upgrade it the current version, although I currently have a Jive120HV fitted to the model. I can then let you know which version I was running. The programmer is only about £12, so probably cheaper than shipping it to and from HongKong.

Kevin

[Si Goodchild]

I used to have a tabbed/wooden box version which did have a bad soft start from memory but it did sort of work...
...The programmer is only about £12, so probably cheaper than shipping it to and from HongKong.

Smashing, the tabs / wooden box one with bad soft start (now no soft start!) is the one I have. I've asked Scorpion customer care whether the V-link will work with that model, but no reply yet. I'll be interested to hear what you find out.

Si G