[QUOTE=PitCrew]Are you powering the entire reciever and related devices off the 6volt regulated device, or just the servo? QUOTE]
No. I am just powering the servo from the device and left the receiver wired into the QC2. Didn't want to get too smart just yet and do some damge.
Double sided taped the device to the Spektrum receiver so all the leads are just long enough and keeps it protected in case of a rollover.
Just out of interest I am running a TowerPro MG995 208oz, 0.13sec ($33 Aus) which is really good value for money.

I'm having a problem I hope someone can assist me in troubleshooting, and I didn't find anything similar in the previous 35-odd pages of this thread.

The car is a new Losi XX4we running 3800 batteries, using Spektrum (Futaba) module in a 3PK, with a s9550 steering servo. The receiver is on the top deck of the chassis tunnel, and the antenna is exiting the top hole from the Rx case and is trimmed to 3.6". The ESC is a Tekin G10PRO+. The motor is a Checkpoint 10x2. Wire connections are Trinity R-Minus bullet connectors and hard-wiring. The system also has a PT installed, as well. All electronics (running different batteries and motor) have been fully functional in a 12th scale 4-cell 19T car indoors all winter with ZERO issues.

While setting up the car in the house, as I have done with my 2wd car with the same setup, I have experienced an issue that I'm not sure is Spektrum related or not.

From a dead stop, launching full throttle on carpet to test the diffs and slipper, the car spurts forward, dies and loses steering. Rolling on the throttle eliminates the issue. If you hold the throttle down, the car will do this once, then again in a 2-3 second pattern; i.e. lurch then die, pause, then lurch then die, pause, then lurch... etc. When the overload is happening, the steering is void. As long as throttle is not MASHED from a dead stop, the car works flawlessly. It feels like a voltage spike, to me, but it seems to be overloading the radio feedback and going into a saftey or failsafe mode. It may be the 3PK (it has a failsafe built in), but the radio setting right now is at a default.

I swapped receivers with full antennas as well as shortened ones, to check to see if maybe that was an issue, and it still does it. I installed a 4700µF cap in the "AUX" socket of the Rx and it still does the same things under a heavy load. I have checked the Tx module for the wire routing, and it was running across the board, so I re-routed it under as described by Spektrum and others, and the problem still exists.

Yes, it would be easy to say, "well, then just don't mash full throttle ever," but that's not a solution to a problem in my opinion, but a BandAid. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar, and knows of a work-around, or is this something I need to take to Spektrum CS directly? I'm out of ideas and/or brainpower.



doug

Do you have a Futaba module and RX to test to eliminate the Spektrum system? That would be my first thought.

The normal "Failure" mode is the spectrum goes into failsafe and STAYS there until the reciever power is cycled.(Had this a lot, see it at our track all the time)
Even though you symptoms dont quite match, a 5cell reciever pack used temporairily would answer the question (like a 180 mil 1/12 rx pack)
Ken

I will test the stock 3PK module and receiver with the system, I forgot about that. I put it away because I hate the HRS receiver it came with. I don't know if that would give me any more insight into the problem with the Spektrum system, though. The system all worked in the car it was just pulled out of, on lesser power/milder motor.

I don't have a receiver pack handy (or open outlets in the Rx), as I never ran them in my stock or 19T 12th scales. I might have to jimmy rig something to test that with though. Should a receiver pack work properly in the car, I don't plan to run one full time, what would the solution be for a voltage spike to the radio from the ESC?

Oh, yes, something else, too... this exact same motor and battery combo, with the same Tx module and a different Spektrum Rx performed flawlessly in the 2wd car only days ago. I'm wondering if the amp draw and load in the 4wd car is exceeding some power capacity somehwere?



doug

If it works properly with a rx pack installed, a large capacitor plugged directly into the receiver might also work. Your motor probably will not draw as many amps on dirt as it does not carpet, so hopefully you won't even have the problem on dirt. I have found that my Spektrum does squirelly things when the voltage gets too low.

For those wondering about the turn-around time at Horizon, here's my experience.....

I sent a TX module and two receivers in for the software update and antenna modification on the TX module. I sent them 1/20, Horizon received them 1/24, and I had them back on 2/9. So it was roughly 10 working days plus shipping time on both ends.

They work on the bench, but only time will tell if they're going to work for me on the carpet track this time. I sure hope so!

Hi everyone,



I saw that they're making the HRS version for the 3pk! What's with that!?! Does anyone know if they're going to be coming out with an HRS module/receiver for the EX-10?

This sounds to me like it may be a problem with you speedo. It sounds like when you "mash" the throttle, the ESC is unable to provide power to the reciever, thus shutting it down (as it goes into failsafe).

So, you have tried the capacitor in the receiver and it didn't work. A receiver pack should solve the problem, but who wants to add extra weight like that (or $$). You may try wiring a capacitor across the batt, so the ESC can have that little boost when you mash it from a dead stop.

Other than that, you could try the 6v regulated device I have discussed to power your entire reciever, servo, and PT.

NOTE****

I have experienced with the 6v regulated device that if you run your car too long, you will lose response from your steering (if being used to power only the servo).
This is because you need a bit more voltage than the regulated device puts out in order to make it work...ie... If you main battery is at 6.5 volts, the 6v device will not put out 6volts, it shuts off.

BUT it has always worked perfectly for any 5 minute demand placed on it, even with lower voltage 3300's. (I run all 1.2 brood 3800's right now.)

SO, it definetly would NOT work in 4 cell application. Your best bet with Spektrum is to use a small Li-Ion or LiPo pack for your reciver in 12th scale.

Apex Speed - Contact John and expain your situation. He will let you know if you need to send in your Spektrum stuff. If you haven't tried it yet, trying starting from scratch by rebinding your Module and Receiver. From the looks of it though... I agree with PitCrew. It seems its an ESC issue. Here is the Info on John Adams which I have posted on this thread in the past:


If anyone has any kind of problems with their SPEKTRUM Systems I STRONGLY suggest you contact:


JOHN ADAMS ([email protected])


As his e-mail address shows, he works for Horizon Hobby and specifically fixes and repairs all SPEKTRUM products as I believe he is one of the developers of the System! I got a number of 1st generation SPEKTRUM Transceivers and though I never experienced any serious problems, I sent them in for some extra peace of mind. All of them got the programming updates needed and I got them back in less than 10 days from Illinois to California - Talk about fantastic turnaround time!

Trust me, JOHN will take care of you! Don't bother doing it any other way if you are experiencing problems! You can now also e-mail him the Transceiver's I.D. Number to find out if you have a 1st generation Transceiver or a reprogrammed one. All you need to do is open the Transceiver and give him the Number on the inside (which is on the back of the circuit board). I have done this as well and got a quick reply back saying the two latest Transceivers I bought had the new programming. Best of luck to everyone and hope this helps!

:tire: :D :nod: :D :tire:

Apex,

I had the EXACT SAME problem. In my case it only occured with one battery pack. It seems that one of the cells would take a charge but when subjected to a big load would short itself out and battery voltage would drop signifigantly. Only when I rolled onto the throttle would the car behave correctly. Try another battery or someone else's battery to see if this is your problem also. Good Luck...

Ack! I need to try that! Thanks, that's the response I was hoping for. I hadn't found anywhere anyone reporting this type of problem with Spektrum or Tekin products, so it was kind of baffling to me. Now that I think of it, in all of my troubleshooting on this car, the battery is the only thing that I have not swapped out.



Thanks!



doug

This past week there were one hundred racers using specktrum signed up at Snowbirds. At the drivers meeting they told all the spektrum users that Matt was pitting in the Losi area and he would check and update/repair any thing with these units. I brought him 2 complete sets. He up-graded both and repaired a broken/loose antena on one.He even came out to our pit trailer and reset them as we were busy getting ready for the mains!!!!!!!!!Would like to say Thanks again for such great service!!!!!!!!! Wish more companies were like this!!!!!

Power Cap
 

What is the rating on the spektrum power cap? I was wondering if I can use the novak caps that they use on their GTX or GTB since I have an extra one.

that should be fine - if its not the exact spec's its close enough ;)