Problems getting YGE 30 to recognise cell count

[Storrm]

Hi all. I've recently rebuilt my X2 and replaced the AR7200BX with a Brain unit I had laying around. Everything else is as it used to be which worked fine (from memory!). I have a YGE 30a ESC configured as per the manual set to No Gov, automatic cell count, LIPO, 3.1 min volt cut-off etc. I've setup my DX9 for the Brain to get 100% travels shown in sw (130/134 on tranny) and then set throttle to 100% and powered up the unit to set high/low points in the ESC (waited for the fast beeps to start and then brought the throttle down to zero). This seemed to work and the ESC would then give me armed sound (ascending tones) followed by 3 beeps to indicate cell count (3 cell on my X2). All appeared to be fine but after power cycling the heli I noticed that although the ESC would arm, I wasnt getting any cell count. I thought nothing of it and went to test the heli anyway. Just as it was taking off the motor started to power down and I could hear 2-beeps from the ESC (power under-volt detected). I reset the power, checked that all the ESC settings were correct (I used a Prog II card), reset high/low throttle but the same thing happened again.

I've heard that sometimes the YGE incorrectly selects the wrong cell count, but I've followed the advice of several posts (used a 100% charged battery, set the battery type from Lipo to NiMH and then back to LiPo) but I just cant get the YGE to post any type of cell count after arming. Has anyone any thoughts as to what it could be?

Thanks

[scuba steve]

so the ESC flew fine before on your current settings but NOT with the brain FBL unit fitted now ?......have you tried setting the end point on the ESC with 100/100 on the DX9 ? you could aslo take ESC off auto cell count and select 3S with your prog card ?

[Storrm]

Hi Steve. Correct. With the AR7200+YGE it worked perfectly. When I did the rebuild with the Brain unit, I started with a clean model memory in the DX9 and reset the ESC. I've not tried setting the ESC with 100/100 showing on the DX9 as I need to increase endpoints so as to see +/- 100% in the Brain SW. From what I understand, once the YGE has been taught the high/low end points during its initial programming (start the heli with full throttle and then reduce throttle to min as the rapid beeps are being played to set high/low), its calibrated to see 0-100% exactly as the Brain as long as you setup the Brain end-points first. The issue doesnt appear to be with the end points though, as the ESC will happily arm after a few seconds whenever I attach a battery. I can even spool it up on the bench (no blades) and get throttle (I tried this when experimenting with Gov Store mode which requires it to see full headspeed). I'm unable to set 3S on the prog card as it only allows you to set 4+. According to the manual, it will automatically set 2S or 3S and beep accordingly, except mine isnt! :-(

[Grumpy]

Are you sure that this isn't a genuine low voltage issue? Are the batteries maybe old or have been stored fully charged?

[Storrm]

Are you sure that this isn't a genuine low voltage issue? Are the batteries maybe old or have been stored fully charged?

its possible. the batteries were stored at 50% and then re-charged to 100%. They are relatively old and werent used much last year at all, but they all show 4.1-4.2v after charging. Even if they were going low when flying, the YGE should still report 3S connected when the battery is connected. Its not doing this which is why I think its somehow confused as to the number of cells its seeing and hence reporting an under-voltage problem following spool-up.

[Storrm]

I'm thinking you could be right Grumpy. Even though they appear to charge ok and hold their volts, I've just spotted that their IR values are pretty high (+40). I've ordered some new batts and will test them before trying anything else. Thanks for the advice so far guys. At least I'm happy that I'm not making any obvious mistakes

[Grumpy]

The fact that the batteries charge to full voltage doesn't really say anything as to how they will cope under load. Do you have a newer battery to try?

edit..... I just noticed your last reply, ir of 40 means they are toast.

[Storrm]

New batts arrived this morning. Charged and tested and everything is working perfectly. Thanks for the steer Grumpy. I didnt think that the batteries would be the issue as they were relatively un-used but at least a couple of years old and hardly used last year. I will make sure in future I check the IR values more consistently when charging.

[Grumpy]

Good to hear that it's working ok now. If I'm storing batteries long term I put them at storage voltage and stick them in a 'Tupperware' type box in an old fridge I have in the garage. There is some evidence that chilling them reduces degradation in storage and it's seemed to work ok for me so far.