Brownout fix, could be the anwser?

[rdlohr]

Bob, I'll take a "crack" at it......after examing the PCB in question......I am amazed at the lack of quality..... there will no problem as to the quality of the systems that I make.....and the next time I have to open up a RX, I hope I will see the technical enthusiasim that I feel is necessary to provide US with the quality that we expect...

Bob, you bet I'll take a "crack" at that.......I will show them how to make an RF PCB....:)
I'm not up on this. Can you take the picture provided and point out exactly makes it lack quality?

Rick

[HeliBurns]

Rick, I know he was....:)

But I would first spend some time and effort in designing a better PCB......i.e. better ground plane design, multi layer(especially at the connector block), and shielding......

Open one up and take a look......you'll see what I mean...:)

Before spending effort to hack code, that might or might not help, I believe that the PCB must be redesigned.....

Of course, a more complicated PCB will cost more, but I think it's definitely worth the increased cost.....

I would take a picture but my 2 MP cell phone cam takes lousy closeups.......If I can find a decent cam, I'll take a pic and also post one of a BEC PCB that I designed side-by-side, so that you can see what I'm talking about.....:)

[rdlohr]

Sounds great! Maybe Spectrum is watching and will take some notes!

Rrick

[foofighter]

So I'm confused about this brownout issue! Are these only happening when there is no external BEC? I have been running 3 older Sprectrum Rx's. One in a medium sized Extra 300, one in a foamy, and one in a Trex 450. All have worked perfectly so far and I have a lot of flights on each A/C. I do have external BEC's (Dimension park BEC) on the Trex and Extra. I'm about to put a Trex 500 in the air with an AR6200 in it, and a Dimension Sport BEC. Should I be concerned about a brown out issue? I've never heard mention of brown outs until this Trex 500 forum came about.
Thanks!

[fireup]

The jury is still out on the real cause of brownout. But with this firmware update (V1.6), if you do get a brownout and your Rx resets, it won't take 2-5 sec to reboot, because it does not have to re-scan for free frequencies (it just reconnect with the same frequecnies when you first cold boot).

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1756

QuickConnect Voltage Recovery System for DSM2 Air receivers

Performance modelers have known for some time that care must be taken to assure adequate power supplies for their airborne system. It’s true for all radio systems, but it’s doubly important when using high-performance servos, flying harder maneuvers, and trying to save weight with inadequate batteries and/or regulators.

Spektrum systems are designed with an operating threshold of 3.5 volts, and lower voltages cause the system to shut down. When adequate power is regained (usually the drop is momentary), earlier Spektrum systems re-boot and rescan for two previous channels before control is restored – a process usually requiring two to five seconds.

The new QuickConnect feature, however, eliminates the scanning delay and restores control almost instantly. We have been integrating this upgrade into receivers in a running change. Here’s how to identify if your receiver has QuickConnect:

With the system operating normally, simply switch the airborne power off, then on. If your system shows virtually no delay in regaining control, your receiver includes the QuickConnect feature.

Flashing LEDs indicate low voltage alert

QuickConnect allows most flyers to fly through common low-voltage situations caused by insufficient battery "headroom" – in many cases, without knowing a problem ever occurred. As a result, Spektrum engineers decided to program the system so that the receiver LEDs would flash, should the QuickConnect feature be triggered in flight. This can also be demonstrated on the bench, by toggling the airborne power.

If your receiver is missing one or both of these features, first off, it's important to recognize that the vast majority of flyers using "normal" servos with "normal" properly charged batteries will be unaffected by low-voltage issues.

However, if you're using numerous high-performance servos and wish to have your receiver system modified, simply return it to Horizon for free upgrading. Please return your receiver and all remotes, as all components must have the upgraded software for the new features to function. The best fix, however, remains assuring adequate power supply to the airborne system with sufficient voltage headroom.

Your flying success is of paramount importance to Spektrum as the leaders in spread spectrum technology, we're constantly moving the bar upward. Also, whenever you have questions regarding your Spektrum equipment, please feel free to contact our Product Support Team at 877 504-0233.

[foofighter]

Has anyone had a brownout with an external BEC and aftermarket ESC?

[skeppley]

I'm still on the fence about all the brownout speculation.
I had over 100 flights using the stock ESC/BEC and AR7000 receiver, then, after hearing about the original brownouts POSSIBLY being caused by a weak Align BEC, I put on an external BEC, and have over 150 more flights with that. Not even a hickup.

I think others may have a static issue of some sort. It has been pretty cold here in PA, and we get a lot of static shocks in the warm house when we touch metal things, but with the cold outside, is the static lower then say, CA or NV, where it's hot and dry? :dontknow

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I fly a LOT, and havent done any mods, or even sprayed the belt. I just fly the crap out of my helis.

Is anyone in the cold states having problems? Will summer be the end of my brownout free era......
I'll find out in a few months I guess.

[whaleboy]

The jury is still out on the real cause of brownout. But with this firmware update (V1.6), if you do get a brownout and your Rx resets, it won't take 2-5 sec to reboot, because it does not have to re-scan for free frequencies (it just reconnect with the same frequecnies when you first cold boot).

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1756


Hmmm... I decided to test mine by cutting power briefly, and it seems to reconnect instantly. The lights don't flash as the description says, but If I unplug/replug the power (TX in hold) and move the right stick, I get 0 reconnect time when the power is plugged back in. The swash will instantly start moving again with no delay whatsoever. I tested by having my wife move the cyclic while I disconnected the bat then plugged it back in. I did this several times, and the instant the deans sparked, the swash was happily moving around.The Rx (7000) was ordered on Jan 8. If this was an older unit, should I be getting the 2-5 second 'reconnect'?

-David

[HeliBurns]

chichiuno....bluetooth...lmao...you're killing me....:):):)

[HeliBurns]

Kevin, what would you expect them to say....what would you say?......:

[HeliBurns]

Hey, let's get the problem solved......somehow....:)

[Pinecone]

I sure wish Spektrum would come out with a USB tool or something and allow users to upgrade their RXs rather than ship the dang things in! I mean come'on this is the freakin 21st century!

Bob

AGREED. And would make their life easier also.

At least for some of us it is not flying weather so not a huge impact. I just sent off 12 Rxes. :)

[Pinecone]

The flashing LEDs after a low voltage event is brand new, like the last couple of weeks. So very few Rxes have it.

The Quick Connect was actually phased in as long ago as July 2007 (according to the DX6i manual). All my Rxes tested out as being quick connect, but it is hard to say for sure unelss you can saturate the lower channels. If the Tx picks channel 1 and 2, and the Rx starts scanning from 1, it won't take long anyway. But if the Tx is on 77 and 78, it will take a while. So a test at home may not be fully indicative.

But considering, it seems like there may have been other incremental firmware changes also. So, for ME, it was worth shipping them in. I shipped off 12 of mine. When they get back, I can swap out and send in 7 more. One will have to wait because of how it is mounted, until I crash that plank and eitehr destroy the plank or the Rx pops out. :)

Over an RCG they are saying that Todd's Models is selling v1.6 Rxes. Realize that ONLY AR6100 series will get v1.6 stickers. I plan on marking mine. :)

[fireup]

Over an RCG they are saying that Todd's Models is selling v1.6 Rxes. Realize that ONLY AR6100 series will get v1.6 stickers. I plan on marking mine. :)

So if we print out our own sticker that reads v1.6, we just upgrade our radio?:)

[RCMustang]

I just completed 7 flights today with mine and had no issues. Yesterday I maidened and did a short flight. No issues there either. I'm flying a stock model, except I'm flying Xtremelink stuff, not Spektrum. I'm using the Xtremelink 8 channel receiver. The drive belt has not been lubed in any way yet. I'm in Maryland. It was about 45 degrees and clear today. The humidity was low, probably in the 35% to 50% range.

[chichiuno]

chichiuno....bluetooth...lmao...you're killing me....:):):)

I am killing you? More like Horizon is doing the killing.:hammer
Take apart your 6100 and remote anttenas and you will see the main chip is this:

http://download.cypress.com.edgesuite.net/design_resources/datasheets/contents/cyrf6936_8.pdf

This is the "Confidential" stuff Horizon filed with the FCC.:cheers

[Pinecone]

So if we print out our own sticker that reads v1.6, we just upgrade our radio?:)

Of course. :)

I mean making sure I mark those that have been upgraded, especially the 6200s and 7000s.

[HeliBurns]

chichiuno...

But that's not the ASIC that is in an AR7000......:)

Not sure about the AR6XXX...haven't taken one apart...have you?

[fireup]

I am killing you? More like Horizon is doing the killing.:hammer
Take apart your 6100 and remote anttenas and you will see the main chip is this:

http://download.cypress.com.edgesuite.net/design_resources/datasheets/contents/cyrf6936_8.pdf

This is the "Confidential" stuff Horizon filed with the FCC.:cheers
So the chip is a DSSS, definitely not a bluethooth chip. Horizon/Spektrum use this chip with circuitry/firmware that they add and design arournd which is "Confidentilal" and because there's RF transmitter involved, they had to file it with FCC. I still don't see your point? So what if a customer open a unit and discover that their XPS system is a MaxStream Xbee-Pro module and a Mac guy open up his computer and see an Intel processor?

[Finless]

I am beginning to wonder if chichiuno is Aberdeen with infinite wisdom ;)
Blue tooth... Yea OK....

Bob

[HeliBurns]

Bob, none the less, Cypress Semiconductor didn't make that up for his benefit....CS advertised that in their data sheet..:)

A lot of devices work in that RF spectrum that was allocated for whatever commercial use(2.4 thru 2.486 Ghz)...

We just can't fly by a "Starbucks"...or any other place that is a "WiFi" zone...:)