Sparks!

[Krea]

So I'm testing out a used 6HVU I got. I was running down a strange issue during setup where it keeps locking up. Just ran it again and noticed sparks jumping from boom to the main frame. I don't know if that is normal. I'm guessing you don't want sparks around the RX and FBL. So now I'm guessing I get to learn what it means to ground it all. Any tips would be helpful, this will be my first time to do this.

[Krea]

Just need to ground the boom, found a few posts now I just need to see if I have the wire.

[Krea]

My electronics should be okay right? Not enough to actually cause damage?

[sewerfly]

I wouldn't fly it without grounding the boom after you do that electronics should be fine but test everything by removing the blades.

[Ah Clem]

"I wouldn't fly it without grounding the boom after you do that electronics should be fine but test everything by removing the blades."

AMEN!

I would also shoot some silicone spray on the belt (inside and out). Helps with static and also lubricates the belt.

[Krea]

I had no idea it generated that much static. I wasn't even spooling up all that fast, just on 6S to like 20% for testing. Crazy stuff.

[Ah Clem]

It is worse in dry weather.

If you start searching the forums, you will see that various machines have had issues with this (including Compass, Align, and Mikado). Grounding the boom and coating the belt with silicon about once a year, eliminates the issue.

[quinn]

Yep, I've also seen the arcing. Pretty impressive.

[Eric T]

Yep. Like Ah Clem said, the lack of moisture in the air really increases static electricity.

Also, you should check continuity with an ohmmeter from the tail case to the motor mount to verify it is grounded properly.

[Krea]

Got it setup today, need to purchase the ohmmeter or whatever that is some time to verify before putting it in the air. I soldered a wire to a washer for the tail, and soldered the wire to the washer on the motor mount. I gave it a good tug and everything felt good. Starting to question solder to washer in a high vibration environment though. Thoughts? Thinking I should just do it right and get the little eyelit thing I saw in the compass video. Last thing I want is that wire coming out in flight, I saw how the components reacted and fail-safe didn't always activate.

[Ah Clem]

A soldered washer should be fine (I have done this in the past).

I usually use crimp type lugs (but solder them anyway).

Make sure that you spray the belt with silicon, inside and out.

Normally you don't need a ground wire on the tail gearbox, as the bolts that retain the gearbox to the boom pierce the tail boom.

The important one is from the boom to the motor mount.