Swift - No Power to main motor

[Tarkers]

Hi all,

Feels like I've given myself some problems here and I'm desparate to get flying agian! Let me explain:

I was having issues with a glitch which it was suggested on here to change from PPM to PCM receiver, it seemed like good advice so I purchased a Futaba R-146i Rx. This didn't have as many connections as the original Futaba R-136F, but following furher advice on here I managed to get round this issue too.

I now have power to my servos and Rx, but after connecting the main LiPo and trying to spool up, I'm getting no power at all.

I tried reverting back to my original setup, but still no power! Everything works, I even have the red light on the ESC (castle creations pheonix 60)

Talk about creating problems for myself!!!
:arggg:

Does anyone have any idea where I could start, I figure it may be the ESC, but wouldn't know where to start checking it out.

Any help gratefully received, I just want to go flying again!!!

Thanks in advance
Tarkers

[Tim Tompkins]

When you say that you have power to the servos, everything works OK ? But when you plug the big pack in you get no sound ? Have you tried lowering the atv on the throttle channel? The esc won't energize the motor unless it sees bottom throttle. Do you get a sound signal? TimT

[Tarkers]

Hi Tim,
Yes correct, all servos work correctly.
When I plug the big pack in the ESC gives the tone to say it has power, then I usually turn the Rx pack on, the Gyro flashes quickly then goes to a steady red LED.
However I'm not getting the usual final "everything OK" tone that I previously got from the ESC.
Correct, the ESC then will not energise the motor.

Good point about the ESC not energising unless it sees bottom throttle, but it of a novice, what s the ATV? Why would this have changed if I just changed Rx's and then if I return to my original setup, I'm getting the same no power issue :?

[Finless]

YOur doing that backwards. You should power on RX etc. THEN plug in the big pack.

As other said check your ATVs on throttle and also reversing of throttle.

Bob

[Tim Tompkins]

Yes you have to turn on the rx First. That way the esc gets the signal from the rx that it is at bottom throttle. If you turn on the rx last the esc gets the nonsignal start which means " don't turn on the motor because no one is in control default" There is a few seconds that if it gets the signal it will arm, as if you were using a bec powered by the same big battery you use to power the motor. So I'll bet you are already enjoying the new non glitching flights! TimT

[frankos72]

Yes you have to turn on the rx First. That way the esc gets the signal from the rx that it is at bottom throttle.

I'm just about done building my swift and I notice that if I plug the emoli's in 2nd (after rx is on) then I get a nice spark at the connection point on my deans connectors. Where if I plug the emoli's in 1st then turn on the RX batt, I don't get that spark.

Any suggestions? or is the spark a non issue?

[Tim Tompkins]

Spark is normal part of connection. Cooler to see at dusk. TimT

[Tarkers]

HI all,
Ok, I went to the method of batt first then Rx for the same reason as franko72 - a big spark. However, I've just tried the other way round and still the same.

On switching on I'm getting the fanfare beep from the ESC followed by four beeps. I would normally get two further fanfare beeps suggesting alls well, but I'm not getting these.

I'm also gettign a steady flash from the gyro (401) which suggests no rudder input, though if I input rudder from the Tx the tail blades move correctly.

Tried reversing the throttle - no change.

:( I know this is part of the learning of the bird, but I just wanna go flying - its a gorgeous crisp autumn morning here, no cloud, not a breath of air - perfect for a novice! How gutted am I!

[Tim Tompkins]

The flashing gyro light makes me think that you don't have the transmitter on when you turn on the receiver. Trans. first then receiver then big battery. The blinking gyro means it is not in HH mode. This hobby will tax your patience but you are already hooked so just breathe slowly and keep at it. Don't you have anybody near ? The best help is from someone in the hobby. TimT

[Coolice]

Tx. set to PCM?

Also, you have removed the red wire going from the ESC to the receiver channel to stop the CC's inbuilt BEC powering the Rx?
.

[Finless]

I think you may have wired something wrong when you redid your wiring.
I assume you used the open holes in the Gyro gain plug to feed in the power wires from the RX battery? You did leave the red wire from the ESC folded back yes?

Then since you went to PCM on the RX you did change your transmitter to PCM?

Bob

[Finless]

Oh and one last point!!!!

Many folks have made ths error.
The 146iP RX is a single conversion. You MUST get the correct crystal and you cannot use a full sized dual conversion Xtal. I have seen cases where it kind of works with a dual conversion (how i dont know) but doesnt work properly.

Bob

[Tarkers]

Hi all,
I'm now sorted.
Turns out it WAS pilot error :oops:

Finless, you were correct, in my re-wire, I'd moved the yellow wire from the 401 from the end slot on the connector, to the middle slot. Think it was as I was moving the gyro gain control to piggy back off the same connector as the battery, I must of re-wired incorrectly causing the gyro to think it had no gain input/control, which in turn meant that the receiver was not allowing any power to the main motor and giving the all clear signals.

Thanks guys for all your help and input, its appreciated. I think I'd best just take myself off to a small room and give myself a talking to...!

Cheers all, I am, once again, a happy helifreak! I'll talk to you all again when I botch up my next upgrade.... :roll: :oops:
Tarkers

[Finless]

Glad you got it sorted out!

Bob