Spektrum DX7 Complete Lockout ?

[Greig_W]

Today when coming in to land I had a complete lockout on the my Spektrum DX7.

The heli was only about 1 metre from the ground when it felt like I lost control, it then landed quite hard (right way up luckly) but I had no control over anything.

I have read several post regarding similar 2.4 lockouts but most people seem to get it back after about 3 seconds or crash and would probalbly not know whether they got the signal back or not.

Because I had no control I had to wait till it used up over 1/2 tank of fuel for it to stop, I tried turning the tx on and off several times but it just would not re-connect. I could see the power was still on on the heli as the battery indicator was lit up (showing full) and the gyro light was flashing.

It seems as though the throttle was held on just below where the governor comes in (could tell it wasn't doing 1650) but way above the failsafe/idle position and certainly too high to try and stop, I did consider throwing a jacket of something over it but thought I might end up breaking the blades and bending some shafts so just left it to run itself out.

After it had finally stopped I turned the power on the rx off then back on and it connected straight away, like nothing had happened.

Just wonder if anyone else had experience this? I was lucky it happened when coming into land, god knows where it would of ended up if I was doing some fast forward flight or something else.

I have been using the DX7 for over 3 months now and have never experienced any sort of lockout till today, I did have a problem with my tx but this was replaced under warranty. I also quite sure my battery had plenty charge, so I am at a loss to what happened?

Any advise of comments would be very much appreciated.

[Ashley Davis]

first, you need to rebind it with throttle at low stick as I believe the DX7 takes the stick position at bind time as to where it will put the throttle in a lockout situation. Happy to be corrected but I believe that's how it works.

[Made2Fade]

Im now thinking will i be wise purchasing the dx7 set im wanting. Watching this thread keenly to see what you lot say about this as ive been hearing this alot lately.
Lee

[Guest]

Been testing mine
Really trying to lock it out but it just carries on

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/showth...?t=8041&page=4

[Greig_W]

Cheers for your quick reply Ashley, but I have bound at full low stick (idle) I have tested several times, turn the tx off when at full throttle and the rx will move the throttle back to low, only problem I have with this is if at full throttle and I remove the rx battery there is no failsafe, just stays open.

[Ashley Davis]

yep, it will. Also if your power fades out and the thing resets the throttle does not close.

Your description to me sounds like you had no power at all to the rx. So I'd be looking for a fault in the power system, something like a frayed wire or something like that, possibly a dodgy switch?

[Greig_W]

yep, it will. Also if your power fades out and the thing resets the throttle does not close.

Your description to me sounds like you had no power at all to the rx. So I'd be looking for a fault in the power system, something like a frayed wire or something like that, possibly a dodgy switch?

I thought that initially but found it strange that the battery indicator was showing full and the gyro was still flashing, it also worked straight away when I turned the rx off and back on. Ive been messing about with it back in the house for over 1/2 and hour and cant get it to fail again (same battery), weird and annoying!

[barney]

Greig, what are you using battery wise etc..If you are running regulated what regulator are you using.

It does sound very like power going to the Rx was at fault..switch possibly

LEE I highly recommend the Dx7 AR7000 combo..Iv'e well over 700 flights since I got mine and not even a single glitch.

[Greig_W]

I'm just running the standard NiMH battery, its a Vapextech 4300mAh. I have been thinking of going down the Lipo route but I have 3 x Futaba S9255 servos and I dont think they like more than the 4.8v volts, plus it seems a bit more complicated?

If the switch was faulty would I not just get no power atall rather than just a lockout.

I'm getting worried about this now as I've just got a trex nitro pro for xmas and wanted to swap everything over from my raptor (rx, engine sevos etc) the last thing I want is for it to fall out the sky due to this happening again.

Thanks for your input guys... I'm just not sure what I should do next.

[barney]

Switches can become vibration sensitive or battery connection can be prone to black wire corrosion especially if stored in a damp enviroment etc. (green discolaration or blackness if severe)

The good thing about most regulated systems is they use a failsafe switch which if it fails leaves the power on.

You could still go down the regulated route by using a Fromeco Arizona or similiar. The Arizona has two outputs one dedicated 5.1v for the tail servo the other is adjustable from 5-6v as required. There are others off course.

I'm using the standard Align 6amp reg..(not used the 2 in 1 myself) It runs everything at 5.8V and you can fit in-line dropdowns but it is lots if extra connections if you want to run all your servo's at 5v.

I'm running 9252's 5.8v regulated on one 600N but it's a personal choice really, just a single dropdown to the tail servo.

cheers Brian

[Greig_W]

Thanks Brain, I think I will have to look into these regulated systems in more detail, I've been looking at the Fromeco ones and it seems you can get them with a single output which can be adjusted from 4.9 to 6.2 volts, this my be ideal with me having the S9255 servos.

I take it all I need to get is a regulator, battery(s) and a balancer for charging, I have a pro peak prodigy 2 is the suitable for chaging these Lipos and do I still need the balancer?

Also do the lipos actually give a longer usage time or just better power for the time they are used?

Thanks again for your input.

[barney]

Greig sorry for not getting back sooner. You have a choice of battery type once you decide on a regulator...either the lipo route or the lion.

The lipo you will likely already be familiar with are basically a battery in a bag.

The lion is similiar except it comes in a metal can like a normal battery and is a safer technology overall.

The fromeco 2600 lion is a nice light battery system for say 50 size or the 5200 for a 60/90. Each cell is 3.7v and the 2600 is 2 cell 7.4v pack. the 5200 is a 4 cell 2s 2p 7.4v.

You charge these as a 7.4v lipo pack so you Prodigy would be fine.

cheers Brian

[Greig_W]

Thanks again Brain, Ive decided to go for the Align - B6T 2 In 1 Voltage Regulator as I like the idea of the built in glow and battery indicator, I'll also get a Fromeco - Relion 2600mAh Battery Pack and use the Align 5.1v step down for the whole system as I'm not that sure about running the S9255's at 6v.

[Nutz]

I run my 9255 straight (no step down needed) on my 2 in 1 in my Knight, been like that for ages with 0 problems. Only step down I have is in between my gyro and tail servo.

[jamiem]

ive run everything on my heli at 6v for just over 5 gallons, and so far so good its regulated, so shouldnt be a problem