Really Strange Power Jazz Problem

[t-rexn8]

Well as some here know I have been having issues with what appears to be static on my Logo 600, particularly effecting my CC HV 85 esc's. I recently installed a Power Jazz.

I have been experiencing even stranger problems with the power jazz. First day in use everything was ok in fixed endpoints mode. Next day esc would not arm so I checked programming and re entered high and low endpoints. Now it was arming again. Day after esc would not arm again, but while testing and trying things I noticed something very strange and dangerous. After plugging in the batteries to the power jazz the esc would not arm. For some reason I started to stir the cyclic stick and all of a sudden the esc arms.Weird. So I start to stir the sticks again and while in throttle hold the motor starts to turn and is going through the soft start. This is scary. I go through everything 5 times and try to run the esc rx wire all by itself among other things and still I could not get the esc to arm unless I stirred the cyclic stick around. Also no matter what changes I made with programming, auto endpoints, fixed endpoints, I could still make the motor start while stirring the cyclic stick in hold mode.

This was an older powerjazz that I baught brand new with my joker about 1 year ago. It was just sitting in a box so I decided to try it in my Logo after ruining 2 perfectly good CC HV 85's.

Maybe this is one of the original that needs new firmware?

I dont know but I do know that all this down time has got me ready to sell the Logo 600 :(

Should I try another powerjazz?

What other esc's should I consider that are not prone to static problems?

Kontronic please advise..

Nathan

[Dynamic]

I'm going to suggest that you inspect all your servo connectors. I had a similar problem when my BEC ground wire was about to break off from my connector.

[th3tick]

I don't see how your symptoms could come from anything but weird mixing in your Tx, or weird mixing coming from your Rx/wires/etc. There's just no way the ESC should see the other channels unless there's mixing or some sort of noise coming on the throttle line.

Do you have a ferrite ring on the throttle line? Maybe it's this "noise" that fried the CCs, but is just giving the Power Jazz heartburn?

John

[BruceW]

It might be a good test to put a servo on the throttle channel and see if it moves when you stir the cyclic then you'll know if its a radio programming problem.

[Flybar-less]

The PJ operates erratically above 8V. So if you are using Lipo, the PJ needs to be regulated to below 8V. A diode drop will work as well as a voltage regulator. The behavior you desribe matches this anomally.

[OICU812]

Exactly as John R states, the CC and PJ both need to be stepped down on the signal wire. In fact I think any esc does....

[t-rexn8]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to put some thought into my problem.

I did go through all the connectors at the field and all was good. Also mixes were one of the first things that came to mind and I verified that there were none in my radio. I am not using a ferrite ring because I am on 2.4ghz and I have not been using them since I went to 2.4ghz. Does anyone still think they are necessary with 2.4?

Good idea Bruce, I was thinking of trying another receiver as well.

Flybar-less I think you hit the nail on the head. I was thinking of doing the same thing because I noticed that the PJ will not program using my 2s li-po direct. So I thought maybe it was causing poblems with arming. Have you personally experienced this problem? I really hope that a voltage regulator will solve my problem. I suppose I could just run it through my VR5203 that I am using for the tail?

I will try and test today. My fingers are crossed :)

Thanks again everyone. Helifreak Rocks!!

[t-rexn8]

I am supprised nobody brought up ESC's needing a step-down with all the discussions and questions regarding running a 2s li-po direct??? I guess nobody asked?

Well my first CC was running on a duralite regulator so I still will not be using one on this heli, but the second CC was running on direct 2s li-po, maybe thats why it will not connect to the Castle link? oops.

I should note though that I was using graphite 33 on the belt the second time so maybe it would have been ok with a step-down on the esc?

[OICU812]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to put some thought into my problem.

I did go through all the connectors at the field and all was good. Also mixes were one of the first things that came to mind and I verified that there were none in my radio. I am not using a ferrite ring because I am on 2.4ghz and I have not been using them since I went to 2.4ghz. Does anyone still think they are necessary with 2.4?

Good idea Bruce, I was thinking of trying another receiver as well.

Flybar-less I think you hit the nail on the head. I was thinking of doing the same thing because I noticed that the PJ will not program using my 2s li-po direct. So I thought maybe it was causing poblems with arming. Have you personally experienced this problem? I really hope that a voltage regulator will solve my problem. I suppose I could just run it through my VR5203 that I am using for the tail?

I will try and test today. My fingers are crossed :)

Thanks again everyone. Helifreak Rocks!!

Yes there are (2) ports for stepdown on the spektrum regulator, I run my tail servo as well as my esc leads through them, all of my machines are 2S direct, I experienced what you are saying as well prior to stepping down the esc lead through the spektrum regulator.

[t-rexn8]

I am getting really excited now.

Has anyone ever had problems with a CC hv 85 after using it on 2s li-po power? That must have been what screwed up the castle-link interface on my last one.

Thanks guys!!

[OICU812]

Nathan, I use CC escs as well, and yes you definetely need to step down the signal on it as well to the esc as you will get what appears to be static glitches etc....

[t-rexn8]

Cool. That is what probably caused my last cc to not want to talk to the castle link. My first one was on the duralite reg. So I know high voltage did not kill that one. I am at the field flying my L 600 now and so far it has been arming fine. I am keeping my fingers crossed it will be fine in the days to come. :)

[th3tick]

:thumbup: