Axe CP deader yet...

[JEB123]

Well, I replaced the burned 3 in1, installed the Bell-Hiller mod, symmetrical plastic blades, man I'm good to go, happy as a clam. Turned on the radio to set the blade pitch and...
nothing. Still dead. And to make matters worse, with the motors disconnected, the lousy Deans connectors that have one connection on either side to prevent plugging them in backwards touch + to - and POOF... smoked the damn 3 in1 again. That's the stupidest connector idea I've ever seen. It probably shorted THROUGH the tail motor to ground wiping that too.Can you believe it Ed? It looks like what gets wiped on the 3 in 1 is a diode. I'm gonna try to replace them, but first I need to find out why the hell the Rx isn't working. How can I check for signal short of hooking up a scope and looking for the crystal to be oscillating? Anyone have any suggestions for testing the Rx with a separate battery to find the problem? Before I let the smoke out of the 3 in 1 when I powered it up, the green LED would flash like normal, then stop, but no signal to any of the servos. AAauuuuuggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm about to sell this thing with a crapload of parts I have for it. Any offers?
:arggg::DOH:soapbox:Slap:thinking:bawl:confused::( Take your pick, I'm all of them.

[Edwinssiv]

That is a bummer Jorge!
Man I am sorry to hear that...really and truely...but..I think I may have a little something to reliave your problems....I will get it in the mail tomorrow for you...it is yours a gift from a fellow heli freak...

[Edwinssiv]

Oh...BTW...I have no idea how to test the RX with out setting it on the scope. But...I think I may have a cure for that as well....it will be in the box along with.......

[JEB123]

Man, you are too much. How much more $$ can I put into this though? Do you really think it's worth it? Maybe I should go separates. At least that way the repairs would be cheaper!I can't believe I didn't even get to try the BH mod. I'm gonna have to come out to Rio Rancho and buy you dinner!

[Edwinssiv]

Jorge,
I went to gather the parts I wanted to send to you and could not find them...It turns out my wife allowed her nephew to rumage through my spares box for parts for his heli...He took all the items that were worth anything!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted to send you my extra brushed motor ESC's so you could go seperates and an extra receiver and crystal set...all of them are gone...I am not happy with her...but it is a box of items I figured I would never use but had intended to sell some day, so I can't be too mad at her she knew this...
I am sorry Jorge...

[JEB123]

Nothing to be sorry about, you've been a great help! I was thinking about running separates, I'm just trying to figure out the cheapest way to go since I still have another TRex to buy electronics for!

[JEB123]

Anyone have a Axe CP Rx die on them? could it be a fractured xtal?

[Edwinssiv]

Jorge,
I would say put the money into the Trex...set the Axe aside and maybe work on it a little at a time...There is a part of me that wished I had put my money into another heli...I love my Axe but I spent quite a bit of $$ to get it to where it is now...Thank God I have an understanding wife!!!! My Axe is no where close to the $200 RTF heli it started as...LOL

[JEB123]

Yeah, I'm gonna try to fix what I can, but I hate to leave it on the bench after installing the Bell-Hiller mod! I'm dying to see how it flies with it! Plus, I swore I'd forward fly the Axe before I flew the TRex, but I think the risk is becoming more necessary. At least I have a backup TRex!

[MiniBichus]

Hey Jorge, I'd say ditch the original electronics. Its been mentioned that you should save for a 450 and while I agree with this, doesn't mean that you can start buying the stuff for a 450 and use it on the Axe in the mean time. Like I did, well sort of, as I ended up liking the Axe so much after all the work that I bought the stuff for the 450 over again just to keep the Axe operational.

Get 3 HS-65MG servos, althought I ended up getting 3 HS-65HB (karbonite) they work great and I haven't broken any yet. Get either a DX6i or a DX7 with an AR6100 RX, good radio perfect for almost anything. A 20 Amp E-Flite ESC will work perfect for the main and a 10 amp ESC for the tail. My motor recommendation is a HiMaxx 2025-4200 for main and a Medusa Afterburner 12x30 mm 4000 kV motor for tail. Gyro I would say get the Futaba 401 if you're going to keep the stock fixed pitch tail as it has the delay, but if you decide to go the belt route or the route I went with a motor driven variable pitch tail then any HH gyro will work well for you. As for tail servo I recommend any of the micro futaba ones. I am using a Logictech 2100 and 3100 gyro/servo combo and they work very well and they are very light.
I get about 8 minutes flying with over 2500 RPM head speed on my axe with a 1320 mAh Thunderpower pro-lite pack.
The better stuff you get for the Axe, its money you save for the 450 that will come next (if you decide to scrap the Axe, that is, in my case, I didn't save anything at all but now I have two helis to fly which is great b/c it forces you to learn different flying characteristics)

Whatever you decide, good luck with it. :)

Cheers.

MB.

[JEB123]

Hey Jorge, I'd say ditch the original electronics. Its been mentioned that you should save for a 450 and while I agree with this, doesn't mean that you can start buying the stuff for a 450 and use it on the Axe in the mean time. Like I did, well sort of, as I ended up liking the Axe so much after all the work that I bought the stuff for the 450 over again just to keep the Axe operational.

Get 3 HS-65MG servos, althought I ended up getting 3 HS-65HB (karbonite) they work great and I haven't broken any yet. Get either a DX6i or a DX7 with an AR6100 RX, good radio perfect for almost anything. A 20 Amp E-Flite ESC will work perfect for the main and a 10 amp ESC for the tail. My motor recommendation is a HiMaxx 2025-4200 for main and a Medusa Afterburner 12x30 mm 4000 kV motor for tail. Gyro I would say get the Futaba 401 if you're going to keep the stock fixed pitch tail as it has the delay, but if you decide to go the belt route or the route I went with a motor driven variable pitch tail then any HH gyro will work well for you. As for tail servo I recommend any of the micro futaba ones. I am using a Logictech 2100 and 3100 gyro/servo combo and they work very well and they are very light.
I get about 8 minutes flying with over 2500 RPM head speed on my axe with a 1320 mAh Thunderpower pro-lite pack.
The better stuff you get for the Axe, its money you save for the 450 that will come next (if you decide to scrap the Axe, that is, in my case, I didn't save anything at all but now I have two helis to fly which is great b/c it forces you to learn different flying characteristics)

Whatever you decide, good luck with it. :)

Cheers.

MB.

Hi! Thanks very much for your advice, I will print this and keep it handy as I want to keep the Axe flying. Actually, I just got another 3 in 1 and receiver from another HF user for $40 bucks. Problem is , as you'll see in my signature, I already have the second TRex and I'm almost finished building it! All I have for it is a 35A Scorpion ESC, need everything else. That's why I'm gonna wait on the separates for the ACP. I already have the DX6i with the 6200 for the first TRex. That one is going into my Heliartist Hughes 500 fuselage with strobe lights and all! I'll try and get some pictures posted when it's done.
Thanks again!:thumbup:
Jorge

[MiniBichus]

Sweet deal man... :) let me know if you need any help with the Axe. :)

Cheers.

MB.

Hi! Thanks very much for your advice, I will print this and keep it handy as I want to keep the Axe flying. Actually, I just got another 3 in 1 and receiver from another HF user for $40 bucks. Problem is , as you'll see in my signature, I already have the second TRex and I'm almost finished building it! All I have for it is a 35A Scorpion ESC, need everything else. That's why I'm gonna wait on the separates for the ACP. I already have the DX6i with the 6200 for the first TRex. That one is going into my Heliartist Hughes 500 fuselage with strobe lights and all! I'll try and get some pictures posted when it's done.
Thanks again!:thumbup:
Jorge

[JEB123]

Thanks, I appreciate it a lot, and I will!