Definitive Heatsink Solution for Jazz 80

[LJS]

Hi All,

With the 85 F heat here, my Jazz 80 is running 130 F. I'm concerned about it going into thermal cutout.

I've been searching for threads on a heatsink solution, but haven't been able to find a good one. I know they're out there, because I've seen them before. If you can point me toward a few I'd appreciate it.

I need to know what to order, and how to install it. I already have some artic silver thermal epoxy.

Thanks for the help!:YeaBaby:
LJS

[billyd]

Take an old computer apart and steal a heatsink off of a cpu or graphics board. You can use a dremel or other cutting tool to size the heat sink to the Jazz. Cut away the heatshrink on the non label side and glue the heatsink onto the cold plate using thermal epoxy. I mounted my esc on the side of the frame instead of under the canopy, although you could also make a hole in the canopy.

If you can't find a heat sink anywhere you can buy 3 of the following and they fit perfectly on the Jazz 80. You need 3 of them though.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJSU9

Here is a source for thermal epoxy:

http://coolpc.com/Arctic-Silver-Thermal-Epoxy/M/B00021LJ9I.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

[LJS]

Hi Billy,

Thanks for the tips.:thumbup: My Radio Shack has an aluminum heat sink that sounds like it's the perfect size. I'm going to stop and pick it up after work. Only $1.99.

Now what I could use is a picture of where to cut the heatshrink on the Jazz. That ESC is my pride and joy and I cringe at cutting a hole in it -- especially if I cut it in the wrong place!

Thanks again.:YeaBaby:
LJS

[billyd]

Well it's the rectangular flat area opposite the label side. I cut just a hair (1 mm) inside the perimeter of that flat rectangle with an x-acto knife and peeled off the heatshrink. Clean both the esc's exposed cold plate and the heatsink base with alcohol before using the epoxy.

Yeah the tower hobbies heatsink is less than ideal, considering it's 3 pieces and $12 total, but I offered it to those who simply can't find one locally. They're suprisingly tough to find online, unless you want to buy them in quantity. Like I said the best place to get them is off of an old computer part, free is always best.

[Panda]

Not sure if you heard about some problems with Heatsinks on ONE side of the Jazz only! I have heard from Kontroni if you only cool one side, you fool the thermal protection and the MOSFET's on the other side can get too hot! So sometimes a different Pinion gives you a cooler Jazz....

Regards,

Peter

[LJS]

Hi All,

Well, it only took a few minutes to install the heatsinks. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Here is my solution.

I used two of the following heatsinks. They were the perfect size and required no cutting. Best of all they were only $1.99 each.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...tId=2102857&cp= (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102857&cp=)

First, I sanded the bottoms of the heatsinks because they were anodized.

Next, I cut away the heatshrink from the top of the thermal plate. I also scuffed the thermal plate a bit.

Finally, I glued on the heatsinks with artic silver thermal adhesive.

http://www.grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/106297

The best part of the installation is that no cutting was required. Two heatsinks fit perfectly. And because they're aluminum, they're very light. I did have to move the ESC down about 1/4" for canopy clearance, but in the new position, it clears the canopy just fine.

Now I won't have to worry about going into thermal cutout on the very hot days. Today was 85 F and my Jazz was 130 F after my flights. I'll let you know how much that improves on the next hot day.

Keep 'em flying.http://www.runryder.com/img/smilies/biggrin.gif
LJS

[Mathias]

First, I sanded the bottoms of the heatsinks because they were anodized.Is that really necessary?

I'm going to do the mod as well, but I'm waiting for the Artic Silver to arrive in my mail.


Thanks,

[billyd]

Not sure if you heard about some problems with Heatsinks on ONE side of the Jazz only! I have heard from Kontroni if you only cool one side, you fool the thermal protection and the MOSFET's on the other side can get too hot! So sometimes a different Pinion gives you a cooler Jazz....

Regards,

Peter


Well I don't think it is possible to get to the other board, is it? I agree it is not an ideal solution, but I no longer get a thermal cutout. For me going to a 14t pinion and 85% along with the subsequent huge hit to flight time (about 2 minutes lost!) is not worth it.

Overall for me the best solution is 15t and 70-75% throttle, long flight times and no thermalling. As Brucew said, I believe the Jazz doesn't get along well with certain motors regardless. I am not using the BEC and running under 40 amps nominal draw, so the heat generation must have to do with the speed controller having a tough time at that frequency to the motor. I don't have a programmer for my Jazz and I don't know if changing that would have much effect anyway.I don't have a great understanding of how these esc's work, just a layman's view. It's interesting to see the CC85HV and its pronounced heat sinks embedded into the controller. I would love to see Kontronic do that with the Jazz 80.

[billyd]

Is that really necessary?

I'm going to do the mod as well, but I'm waiting for the Artic Silver to arrive in my mail.


Thanks,


I don't think removing the anodize is necessary. The silver epoxy bonds well to it and it is insignificant in terms of thermal resistance.

[itsparks]

I think you should have turned the fins the other way, that way with air traveling down the heli and into the body it would flow the air over the heat sinks :P

just a FYI!

[Big Fil]

Agreed, the heatsink fins would cool better facing verticle.

[LJS]

Hi Itsparks and BigFil,

The fins are the way that I want them. I'm all the way forward under the canopy. I don't think there is enough airflow up there to make a difference. And I don't plan on putting any holes in my canopy.

But if I have a problem with thermal cutouts, I'll bring the ESC outside the canopy to just above the right front skid. That's where I have my 600E ESC mounted and it works pretty well. That position puts it in the rotor wash and in that case the fins will be in the right direction.

Thanks for the observations though.

Keep 'em flying.:YeaBaby:
LJS

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

But if I have a problem with thermal cutouts, I'll bring the ESC outside the canopy to just above the right front skid. That's where I have my 600E ESC mounted and it works pretty well. That position puts it in the rotor wash and in that case the fins will be in the right direction.



That's some good forward thinking right their.:thumbup: