calling all FUTABA 3PK users.....

[Horatio]

Originally Posted by (MRC)Scotty!

5 posts in 5 different threads that say the exact same thing.. REALLY??

That's right. I used 'cut' and 'paste' to ask the same question in 5 related threads. That's because I figured that I was 5 times more likely to get a response. Just as well really, because yours has been the only response so far. And the problem is far from being solved.

But I'll try to answer your question.. I have run in PPM mode and run 1 digital and 1 Analog servo with no problems. My guess is your radio is in HRS mode for the model you are choosing.. The 3pk is set for each car so that you don't have to switch from PPM to HRS each time you switch models. I am guessing you have switched from HRS to PPM while on another model. THen switched to the Baja 5b which was still set at HRS mode.. Hence causing the problem you are stating. MY understanding though is that HRS will burn up analog servos due tot he constant search for the optimal location. WHich I am guessing is exactly what your analog servo is trying to do..


Hope this helps..

Thanks for the response. With the the 3VCS, HRS was not selected and PPM is clearly selected on the model memory for the BAJA.

For the 3VC, HRS is not an option - only PPM or PCM. PCM is not a compatible mode with FASST so has to be PPM only. The problem occurs with both radios, so it's not a modulation issue. It seems to be some form of compatibility issue. What I'm hoping to find is a work around or word from some other users who have had the exact same problem with their BAJA steering servo or possibly with other analogue servos as well.

I had hoped that getting the best radio system would make running large scale cars more reliable, but so far what I'm finding is that the old school PCM would be better suited to the 1/4 scale servo included with the BAJA SS. It surprises me that glitches like these would occur with such a high end bit of kit. I reserve the right to be double pi$$ed off because I have 2 brand new modules and 2 receivers - both of which appear to be incompatible with certain analogue servos, regardless of modulation. Not good. Not cheap either!

[Duster_360]

Just reading about the servo, you'd think this shouldn't be a prob. Obviously it is though, but why?

See if you can get in touch with JonnySocko, he seems to work for DTX, Futaba, GP and knows a lot about radios. Maybe he's run across this and can help. Maybe best to shoot him a pm and link it back to this post so he has the full story.

Good luck

[Gearhead racer]

Any suggestions for someone that mite be getting a 3pk?

Tyler

[avbrando]

just wondering how to transfer data from one transmitter to another.

[ezveedub]

Originally Posted by avbrando

just wondering how to transfer data from one transmitter to another.

You need the CAMPac module for that.

[AreCee]

Originally Posted by Gearhead racer

Any suggestions for someone that mite be getting a 3pk?

Tyler

Best suggestion: READ the manual.

[avbrando]

thank's ez, iv'e got the module but nothing happens when using it in the second radio. it initialized on the first radio, but thats it. the 3pk manual doesnt say how to transfer the data.

[JonnySocko]

Originally Posted by Horatio

Well, it's been a fairly long time since I've posted, but here goes. This time, I'm asking the questions!

I use stick radios, and I generally use my 3VCS or 3VC transmitters. I have 2.4 FASST modules for both, and what I'm querying is this:

Why doesn't my 2.4 system seem to work with the SFL-10MG servo that came with my Baja 5B SS? I'm running in PPM mode, but only my Hitec 5925 (digital) seems to work. When my SFL - 10 servo is connected, it doesn't matter which channel I connect it to, the servo moves rhythmically from endpoint to endpoint, with the R603FS receiver flashing Red/Green.

When the SFL is connected to a 40FM receiver, it works fine.

I've tried both the 3VC and 3VCS with 2 separate PK-FSM2.4G modules. All besides the Tx's are brand spanking new and unused. The problem occurs each time.

This seems to be a specific problem to do with the FASST system and the SFL - 10MG servo. I was under the impression that the system should work fine with analogue servos provided that you run in PPM mode. But I've had no luck so far.

I'm hoping that I don't have to revert to 40FM, as I only have 1 PCM receiver left. And I don't want to buy another digital servo - this time a 1/4 scale size jobbie.

Any ideas guys?

Regards

Horatio

Originally Posted by (MRC)Scotty!

5 posts in 5 different threads that say the exact same thing.. REALLY??

But I'll try to answer your question.. I have run in PPM mode and run 1 digital and 1 Analog servo with no problems. My guess is your radio is in HRS mode for the model you are choosing.. The 3pk is set for each car so that you don't have to switch from PPM to HRS each time you switch models. I am guessing you have switched from HRS to PPM while on another model. THen switched to the Baja 5b which was still set at HRS mode.. Hence causing the problem you are stating. MY understanding though is that HRS will burn up analog servos due tot he constant search for the optimal location. WHich I am guessing is exactly what your analog servo is trying to do..


Hope this helps..

Originally Posted by Horatio

That's right. I used 'cut' and 'paste' to ask the same question in 5 related threads. That's because I figured that I was 5 times more likely to get a response. Just as well really, because yours has been the only response so far. And the problem is far from being solved.



Thanks for the response. With the the 3VCS, HRS was not selected and PPM is clearly selected on the model memory for the BAJA.

For the 3VC, HRS is not an option - only PPM or PCM. PCM is not a compatible mode with FASST so has to be PPM only. The problem occurs with both radios, so it's not a modulation issue. It seems to be some form of compatibility issue. What I'm hoping to find is a work around or word from some other users who have had the exact same problem with their BAJA steering servo or possibly with other analogue servos as well.

I had hoped that getting the best radio system would make running large scale cars more reliable, but so far what I'm finding is that the old school PCM would be better suited to the 1/4 scale servo included with the BAJA SS. It surprises me that glitches like these would occur with such a high end bit of kit. I reserve the right to be double pi$$ed off because I have 2 brand new modules and 2 receivers - both of which appear to be incompatible with certain analogue servos, regardless of modulation. Not good. Not cheap either!

Horatio,

Without having your equipment in front of me I'm only able to give it a best guess. I've not seen this kind of issue before but I don't have a great deal of experience with large scale either. The flashing red/green light on the RX leads me to believe either the servo has a fault. That or it's drawing enough power to put the RX into voltage failsafe. Both of those would possibly explain why it works with your 40mhz gear but not the 2.4 since the 40mhz doesn't have a voltage failsafe and will work until the RX battery goes dead.

How old is the servo? Any big crashes with your Baja? How old is the RX battery? Both could have damage and are causing the low voltage situation I described.

[Horatio]

Originally Posted by Duster_360

Just reading about the servo, you'd think this shouldn't be a prob. Obviously it is though, but why?

See if you can get in touch with JonnySocko, he seems to work for DTX, Futaba, GP and knows a lot about radios. Maybe he's run across this and can help. Maybe best to shoot him a pm and link it back to this post so he has the full story.

Good luck

Thanks for that. I'll look him up ASAP.

[Horatio]

Originally Posted by JonnySocko

Horatio,

Without having your equipment in front of me I'm only able to give it a best guess. I've not seen this kind of issue before but I don't have a great deal of experience with large scale either. The flashing red/green light on the RX leads me to believe either the servo has a fault. That or it's drawing enough power to put the RX into voltage failsafe. Both of those would possibly explain why it works with your 40mhz gear but not the 2.4 since the 40mhz doesn't have a voltage failsafe and will work until the RX battery goes dead.

How old is the servo? Any big crashes with your Baja? How old is the RX battery? Both could have damage and are causing the low voltage situation I described.

Everything is brand new, except the the 2 Tx's. The 6v 1200mah battery that I'm using for testing/installation purposes is freshly charged but not new either. My intellect 5000 BAJA pack is being shipped as we speak. The Baja SS is still being put together, so hasn't been run yet.

However, perhaps that pack is past it's best. I'll try another and see if it is indeed the voltage dropping out. That said, shouldn't the failsafe kick in? Why would it show me the Red Green flash of doom I wonder and move the steering servo to either extreme of it's travel?

Many thanks for your input.

[Horatio]

Ok, just updating - the issue is now solved.

The reason for the apparent steering servo problem was due to input voltage. The 2.4ghz receiver is less tolerant to voltage drops than 40fm receivers, so basically it turns out that my old 1200mah pack that I was using for installation and testing purposes simply didn't cut the mustard.

With one 1 digital throttle servo, the voltage was above the minimum 4.5v, but as soon as the steering servo was plugged in, it dropped below the fail-safe threshold voltage.

With the intellect 5000mah, there were no problems and operation is glitch free.

Amen!

[i0kr1sol]

hey guys, i got a 3pks with fasst 2.4 modules and 2 digital servos, which correct modulation should i be running that has the fail-safe option ? HRS or PCM just want to make sure.

thanks !

[ezveedub]

Originally Posted by i0kr1sol

hey guys, i got a 3pks with fasst 2.4 modules and 2 digital servos, which correct modulation should i be running that has the fail-safe option ? HRS or PCM just want to make sure.

thanks !

HRS

[Horatio]

Originally Posted by i0kr1sol

hey guys, i got a 3pks with fasst 2.4 modules and 2 digital servos, which correct modulation should i be running that has the fail-safe option ? HRS or PCM just want to make sure.

thanks !

PCM doesn't work with FASST, regardless of which servos you use. If you select PCM and attempt to use it, the LED on the module in your Tx will light up red. Period.

PPM works with both analogue AND digital servos, but at the standard speed.

HRS works with digital servos only at a higher speed and resolution. Attempting to use HRS with analogue servos will cause glitches and also kill the servos.

In light of the issues I had with my Rx 6v battery - make sure your choice of power supply is good, otherwise you'll get glitches. Digital servos are power hungry and the FASST receivers are much less tolerant of voltage drops compared to older receivers.

[i0kr1sol]

thanks guys !