Spektrum Voltage Protector

bikemike · 05-01-2008, 11:50 AM

I have a Spektrum AR6100e RX which I think has experienced at least 3 brown outs. The last of the three was horrific and nearly totaled my heli. The previous two, the heli just floated back down unharmed since I was only in a hover at the time. I am in the process of sending the RX back to get the firmware updated to 1.6. In addition, I noticed they are now making a Voltage Protector:

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM1600

Anyone running this and if so, what are the opinions, yes or no? I figure with the external BEC I run, the 1.6 firmware, and maybe the Voltage Protector, I should be good to go.

RChristopher · 05-01-2008, 12:05 PM

I use one on my T-Rex 600E and ordered one for my 450 SE V2 which just cratered due to a brownout(?) on an AR7000 Rx. As to their effectiveness,???. I am looking at upgrading the motor and ESC for more power capability.

Bob C.

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Hehehe that thing is useless. Its just a capacitor. Its wayyyyy too small to be able to store any serious amount of energy.

bikemike · 05-01-2008, 12:36 PM

Perhaps it is just enough for a few millisecond fluctuation in power. I am assuming that is all they are trying to prevent.

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 12:38 PM

Looks like its only 4700uF and based on about 1A average your only looking at usec kind of time. The constant of the electrical system is alot shorter then the mechanical (servo strain will draw current).

RChristopher · 05-01-2008, 01:20 PM

The comment I got when I entered a similar response was you are using it to keep the RX alive long enough to recover.

Bob C.

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 02:06 PM

My point was that its not going to hold the voltage anywhere near as long as is required.

bikemike · 05-01-2008, 02:12 PM

Not even when the voltage disruption lasts a few milliseconds. I am assuming that is all it takes to cause a Spektrum RX to reboot. Perhaps this is enough of a buffer to prevent the reboot as long as the voltage comes back up quickly.

gravydrive · 05-01-2008, 02:19 PM

The voltage protector is for RC car applications which are running 1, maybe 2 servos. Even then the effect is questionable.

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 02:26 PM

Dude you have any idea how LONG a few msec is when dealing with the world of electronics ??

bikemike · 05-01-2008, 02:32 PM

Did some more reading and I agree. Probably not going to do much if anything in the RC heli world. Thanks for your input guys.

Soarmax · 05-01-2008, 02:46 PM

This would probably do the job.....

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...CAP"#34;_.html

Just add your own connector....

bikemike · 05-01-2008, 02:55 PM

Very interesting.... Any other thoughts on that? May be worth a shot...

azdan · 05-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soarmax

This would probably do the job.....

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...CAP"#34;_.html

Just add your own connector....

i think you may have found the new spektrum users next big thing.....

gravydrive · 05-01-2008, 03:37 PM

Just get the v1.6 update and be done with it. I have been running an AR6100 on the original software, then v1.2 and now 1.6 and have never had a brown out/black out/crash due to anything other than dumb thumbs. Make sure your wiring is tidy and that your Rx is placed where the signal won't get masked.

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 03:46 PM

If iam not mistaken those super caps arn't designed for supplying ALOT of power, the other problem with a large capacitance is that it takes just as long to charge it back up which means that in the case of a minor strike the cap will make the situation WORSE.

Rick Rotorhead · 05-01-2008, 07:39 PM

All the theory about what it 'should do' or 'can't do' or 'would do if it could do' don't matter a jot against the acid test -- Does it work?

If it does then who cares how many microfarads its got or how many miliseconds it runs for!!!!!

Personally I'm NOT running one, only cos I haven't had a 'Brown Out' thing yet with either my AR7000 or AR6200. But we'll see.................

There is one 'Brown Out' I'd LOVE to see - when the the dour git comes up for election!!!!!

DominicD · 05-01-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Rotorhead

All the theory about what it 'should do' or 'can't do' or 'would do if it could do' don't matter a jot against the acid test -- Does it work?

If it does then who cares how many microfarads its got or how many miliseconds it runs for!!!!!

Personally I'm NOT running one, only cos I haven't had a 'Brown Out' thing yet with either my AR7000 or AR6200. But we'll see.................

There is one 'Brown Out' I'd LOVE to see - when the the dour git comes up for election!!!!!

Physics is physics dude.

Sonny · 05-02-2008, 10:37 AM

Well I got some brown outs back in the first half of last summer. I put the cap in and had no problems since. I'm sure it has some effect on the leading edge of a low volt spike. And yes I know that it was a brown out. The gyro had to reinitialize and everything. While in the air. Of course I lost the tail control when power came back on. Those voltage spikes are strongest at the front of the spike and last for maybe 10-20 milliseconds at somewhat of less of a spike. If it just ends up buffering the initial wham from the spike then I think it's a good idea. There's been some Eagletree graphs in past threads on this. I'm not sure where thou.

pwoodyp · 05-02-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

Well I got some brown outs back in the first half of last summer. I put the cap in and had no problems since.

What was the value of the cap you used?

I guess it's one of those things that IF works then it will make all the difference but if not then so what it can't hurt (yes OK useless weight to the aircraft is never good but). Regardless I want to make one and wouldn't mind again if you could give me the cap's specs.

Thanks in Advance

05-01-2008, 11:50 AM	#1
bikemike Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio	Spektrum Voltage Protector I have a Spektrum AR6100e RX which I think has experienced at least 3 brown outs. The last of the three was horrific and nearly totaled my heli. The previous two, the heli just floated back down unharmed since I was only in a hover at the time. I am in the process of sending the RX back to get the firmware updated to 1.6. In addition, I noticed they are now making a Voltage Protector: http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM1600 Anyone running this and if so, what are the opinions, yes or no? I figure with the external BEC I run, the 1.6 firmware, and maybe the Voltage Protector, I should be good to go.

05-01-2008, 12:38 PM	#5
DominicD The Capi - HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto	Looks like its only 4700uF and based on about 1A average your only looking at usec kind of time. The constant of the electrical system is alot shorter then the mechanical (servo strain will draw current). __________________ SAB Heli Canada / RotorQuest/Compass Team KBDD Spreading capibara awareness since 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 02:06 PM	#7
DominicD The Capi - HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto	My point was that its not going to hold the voltage anywhere near as long as is required. __________________ SAB Heli Canada / RotorQuest/Compass Team KBDD Spreading capibara awareness since 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 02:26 PM	#10
DominicD The Capi - HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto	Dude you have any idea how LONG a few msec is when dealing with the world of electronics ?? __________________ SAB Heli Canada / RotorQuest/Compass Team KBDD Spreading capibara awareness since 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 02:46 PM	#12
Soarmax Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Salt Lake City	This would probably do the job..... http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...CAP"#34;_.html Just add your own connector.... __________________ Helicopters don't fly -- they beat the air into submission. If something hasn't broken on your helicopter -- it's about to. __________________ T-Rex SA - Full Metal - 430L/35G/12T - 65MG/401/3154 - DX7/6100 T-Rex V2 - 430XL/35X/12T - 65MG/401/3400G - DX7/6100 -- T-Rex 500CF - 5245/GY520/9257 - DX7/6200

05-01-2008, 12:05 PM	#2
RChristopher Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bellaire, Texas	I use one on my T-Rex 600E and ordered one for my 450 SE V2 which just cratered due to a brownout(?) on an AR7000 Rx. As to their effectiveness,???. I am looking at upgrading the motor and ESC for more power capability. Bob C.

05-01-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
DominicD The Capi - HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto	Hehehe that thing is useless. Its just a capacitor. Its wayyyyy too small to be able to store any serious amount of energy. __________________ SAB Heli Canada / RotorQuest/Compass Team KBDD Spreading capibara awareness since 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 12:36 PM	#4
bikemike Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio	Perhaps it is just enough for a few millisecond fluctuation in power. I am assuming that is all they are trying to prevent.

05-01-2008, 01:20 PM	#6
RChristopher Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bellaire, Texas	The comment I got when I entered a similar response was you are using it to keep the RX alive long enough to recover. Bob C.

05-01-2008, 02:12 PM	#8
bikemike Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio	Not even when the voltage disruption lasts a few milliseconds. I am assuming that is all it takes to cause a Spektrum RX to reboot. Perhaps this is enough of a buffer to prevent the reboot as long as the voltage comes back up quickly.

05-01-2008, 02:19 PM	#9
gravydrive Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL	The voltage protector is for RC car applications which are running 1, maybe 2 servos. Even then the effect is questionable.

05-01-2008, 02:32 PM	#11
bikemike Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio	Did some more reading and I agree. Probably not going to do much if anything in the RC heli world. Thanks for your input guys.

05-01-2008, 02:55 PM	#13
bikemike Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio	Very interesting.... Any other thoughts on that? May be worth a shot...

05-01-2008, 03:37 PM	#15
gravydrive Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL	Just get the v1.6 update and be done with it. I have been running an AR6100 on the original software, then v1.2 and now 1.6 and have never had a brown out/black out/crash due to anything other than dumb thumbs. Make sure your wiring is tidy and that your Rx is placed where the signal won't get masked.

05-01-2008, 03:46 PM	#16
DominicD The Capi - HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto	If iam not mistaken those super caps arn't designed for supplying ALOT of power, the other problem with a large capacitance is that it takes just as long to charge it back up which means that in the case of a minor strike the cap will make the situation WORSE. __________________ SAB Heli Canada / RotorQuest/Compass Team KBDD Spreading capibara awareness since 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 07:39 PM	#17
Rick Rotorhead Registered Users Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ludgershall, Wiltshire, England	All the theory about what it 'should do' or 'can't do' or 'would do if it could do' don't matter a jot against the acid test -- Does it work? If it does then who cares how many microfarads its got or how many miliseconds it runs for!!!!! Personally I'm NOT running one, only cos I haven't had a 'Brown Out' thing yet with either my AR7000 or AR6200. But we'll see................. There is one 'Brown Out' I'd LOVE to see - when the the dour git comes up for election!!!!! __________________ 450SE Silver - Power: Neu1107-2Y + 10t pinion ESC: Jazz 40-6-18 Governed. - Batts: 4s, FP 2100 Evolites. Pitch +/- 12* (TC63 PC 0,25,50,75,100), cyclic 6* HS2900 HS65Mg x3 + GY401 + S9650 tail.... Rx: AR6200 - Tx: FF9Super(T9CP) +Spektrum Module Crash count = 13 for 179. Trex time aloft = 22:42

05-02-2008, 10:37 AM	#19
Sonny Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Easton, Pa., USA	Well I got some brown outs back in the first half of last summer. I put the cap in and had no problems since. I'm sure it has some effect on the leading edge of a low volt spike. And yes I know that it was a brown out. The gyro had to reinitialize and everything. While in the air. Of course I lost the tail control when power came back on. Those voltage spikes are strongest at the front of the spike and last for maybe 10-20 milliseconds at somewhat of less of a spike. If it just ends up buffering the initial wham from the spike then I think it's a good idea. There's been some Eagletree graphs in past threads on this. I'm not sure where thou. __________________ Sonny To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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