Tail Twitch

[Helifan]

The tail on my Ion is twitching on startup and in flight.
Anybody have any ideas what could be causing it?
It happens every time on startup so I don't think is interference.

Video of it can be found here.
http://media.putfile.com/Ion-x-tail-twitch1

I took it with my digital camera and shorten it up to just the tail twitching.
Not very good vid but good enough to get an idea of what it is doing.
Video shows two startups and one twitch while hovering.

[Helifan]

Knowing my setup might help.

Hacker 77-O
Actro 32-3
GY601
S9252
7.4v Li Ion with 5.1 Duralite regulator

[WillJames]

What is your 601 gain set on and what radio are you using? How new is the 601, has it ever worked in another heli or has it worked before this twitch in this Ion?

[Helifan]

Gain set at 35%. Gyro is 2 years old but not much use and no crashes.
Tried a GY401 that I had and I get the same twitch.

I am thinking the problem is the ESC but I am not sure.

[gofastsam]

Hello Helifan check post by rickster as it cured his problem completely.
New ION-X owner with a Kicking tail

[kthane]

My flying buddy Ed had that problem. Turned out to be his speed controller. It did exactly that and in a hover too. He tried different gyros, rx's, tail servos, and rx battery, and finally changed speed controller. He has 3 Ions, so his job of narrowing it down wasn't too hard, but it could have been anything.

[WillJames]

That looks almost like the glitching you can get with a chafed servo wire.

Did you resolve this twitch yet Helifan?

[BobbySmith]

Helifan how is the sensor mounted?

Bobby

[Helifan]

Thanks to all that have replied.

Baja170, I have checked all servo wires and no problems there.

SmithB, The sensor is mounted up front with supplied sensor tape with metal plate sandwiched between the sensor tape.

kthane, I think it might be the ESC myself. The tail kicks every time on startup and always at the same time. If it was interference I would think it would be random. I am going to try the stainless braiding trick first then I will replace or have Hacker check out the 77-O.

[Wild Moose]

Helifan,

Ya know I have the same set-up (don't know what main batteries you are using though) and my heli does not have that rough of a start-up. At one point when your heli is initially spooling up, I swear the sound it makes reminds me of an automobile engine with a starting problem...for lack of a better description. I'm inclined to believe it may be an ESC related issue?

[Helifan]

Wild Moose,

I keep leaning towards the problem being the ESC.

The question is do I stick with the Hacker 77-O or switch to something else. What a dilemma!

[Wild Moose]

I don't know if I can give you the answer you need, only my own opinion based on my own experience with plenty of Hacker Master Controllers in my fixed wing aircraft prior to my getting back into helis. I've had very good experience (zero failures) with all of my HM controllers (48, 70, 77, Acro 90s...including the new X20 and X30 series) to date. Yet I've seen/read plenty of reports of others using Castle controllers with like results...

Of course the only way to know for sure if this is an ESC related issue is to swap out the suspect unit with another known ESC. Around here, we have enough pilots running HM controllers that a quick swap/check is simply done at the field. If you can be without your ESC for awhile I would highly recommend you send it in to Hacker Brushless USA (480-726-7519) and have them check it out. Ask for Kyna (pronounced "Key-na")

-Roger

[WillJames]

Thanks for the heads-up number and name Roger, I have one that needs to be sent in myself.

[Helifan]

Got the hacker out of the heli. Sending it to Hacker and see what they say. Will keep updated.