Lockout/Brownout Problems - Static is a #1 issue

[silverado777]

I've just crashed my Trex500 today, yesterday I flew and the tail was wagging left and right so I tought it had to do with static/belt, I siliconed the belt, flew today and with no warning at half speed where I normally hover, it just took off on me full speed?? I just dropped the throttle and crashed on my pave....Any ideal what could have caused this? Would appreciate any comments on this, thanks....

[ChasHeliCop]

Did you hit the idle up switch ? It would have caused that, depending on your settings, and would have given you negative pitch at low throttle.

[ianjh123]

For anyone wondering if static is an issue this simple detector costs almost nothing and works well. Run up the helicopter with no blades and use it to "Sniff" for electric fields. I used it to detect large fields build up and send the RX into failsafe.

http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/chargdet.html

Another issue I find on my carbon framed machines is that I get a very good induced voltage from the ESC, measured at about 18V p-p on the frame (with an oscilloscope referenced to battery negative). Grounding the frame to battery negative stops this.

[RCSavager]

I haven't seen this idea discussed yet but is it really possible that I've found a solution to the issue of lock-out/brown-outs? Food for thought at least.
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=124721

[kdumbril]

I completed the earth mod last night on my GF version...no issue yet, just a precaution. It is a pity we cannot harness this static to give extra flight time

[TJ Present]

Static is a major problem in process control and they have detectors specifically for static discharge. Some look expensive but they are used to determine what things need to be kept away from static discharge. Here's a link to the test equipment. Seems like it may require more than the pen type detectors. They are for the detection of AC voltage. Not sure it applies to static.

http://www.staticclean.com/static_measure.htm

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by TJ Present

Static is a major problem in process control and they have detectors specifically for static discharge. Some look expensive but they are used to determine what things need to be kept away from static discharge. Here's a link to the test equipment. Seems like it may require more than the pen type detectors. They are for the detection of AC voltage. Not sure it applies to static.

http://www.staticclean.com/static_measure.htm

That's true. Fireup bought one and verified what we were seeing with the inexpensive pens.

Rick

[reALIGNed]

Hi all, newbie here, can someone please run down the list of proven mods. I have read and read, and seen lots of input. Just getting confused and need clarity,............and also what brand of "food grade silicone spray" for the belt and gears. Thanks, Jim

[Redfire SVT]

Originally Posted by jimzpsd

Hi all, newbie here, can someone please run down the list of proven mods. I have read and read, and seen lots of input. Just getting confused and need clarity,............and also what brand of "food grade silicone spray" for the belt and gears. Thanks, Jim

Metal tail box- lightly sand inside for good contact
Sand both ends of stock boom until the aluminum shows
Ground boom to boom block bearings to carbon frame - use foil or small stranded wire
Verify continuity from tail box to carbon frame with multi-meter
Silicone shock oil 25wt. for RC cars/trucks- cheap and easy to use
Van de Graff generator taken care of

100 or so flights and have flown on a lot of low humidity/cold days- zero problems.

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by Redfire SVT

Metal tail box- lightly sand inside for good contact
Sand both ends of stock boom until the aluminum shows
Ground boom to boom block bearings to carbon frame - use foil or small stranded wire
Verify continuity from tail box to carbon frame with multi-meter
Silicone shock oil 25wt. for RC cars/trucks- cheap and easy to use
Van de Graff generator taken care of

100 or so flights and have flown on a lot of low humidity/cold days- zero problems.

Here is an example of doing the things Redfive SVT has described:

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=69894

Rick

[airpup86C]

Originally Posted by jimzpsd

......and also what brand of "food grade silicone spray" for the belt and gears. Thanks, Jim

CRC brand. It can be had at Walmart.

[reALIGNed]

Thanks guys, parts (metal tail) are on order. You've all been a big help. And btw, could my Rx. be a culprit? Its a brand new AR6100e.

[jones007]

Is there a reason people are opposed to the torque-tube tail mod? It took care of all my ESD problems. Has anybody had any radio issues on the 500 after converting? I suppose you can add ground leads everywhere, get the metal belt-drive tail mod, add some aftermarket static collectors and wicks and treat your belt everyday with anti-static sprays - or - you can just buy the TT tail drive and be worry free. Seems like a no-brainer, but maybe there's a negative side to the TT tail drive that I haven't run into.

--Kevin

[RCSavager]

Is it too far fetched to have Align address this issue with new ideas? Why is it that so many people are crashing their birds cuz of static building up on their stock setup? Odd don't you think that Align is the silent voice in this thread?

[airpup86C]

Originally Posted by jones007

Is there a reason people are opposed to the torque-tube tail mod? It took care of all my ESD problems. Has anybody had any radio issues on the 500 after converting? I suppose you can add ground leads everywhere, get the metal belt-drive tail mod, add some aftermarket static collectors and wicks and treat your belt everyday with anti-static sprays - or - you can just buy the TT tail drive and be worry free. Seems like a no-brainer, but maybe there's a negative side to the TT tail drive that I haven't run into.

--Kevin

I did the grounding when I first built my 500, before the torque tube even came out. A couple buck's worth of small wire, a little extra time in the build to figure it out, and then a whole year of glitch free flying. I even keep using the plastic tail housing. I'd rather spend my extra heli dollars on more blades and batteries.

Al

[reALIGNed]

Originally Posted by RCSavager

Is it too far fetched to have Align address this issue with new ideas? Why is it that so many people are crashing their birds cuz of static building up on their stock setup? Odd don't you think that Align is the silent voice in this thread?

IMHO,................ALIGN did address the problem, the TT kit, put it on as a factory package, label it the NEW ESP, and begin selling 500's all over again.

[rritchiev]

after reading myself blind, doing this and that to cure the problem before i had a problem, i finally just said screw it and bought a TT. I flew my 500 today and it never flew so good, not because the TT was some kind of performance up grade, but because the thought of "is this the one" never entered my mind, and i now have one less thread to keep track of.

[reALIGNed]

Originally Posted by rritchiev

after reading myself blind, doing this and that to cure the problem before i had a problem, i finally just said screw it and bought a TT. I flew my 500 today and it never flew so good, not because the TT was some kind of performance up grade, but because the thought of "is this the one" never entered my mind, and i now have one less thread to keep track of.

exactly, thats why I did it too

[jones007]

Originally Posted by rritchiev

after reading myself blind, doing this and that to cure the problem before i had a problem, i finally just said screw it and bought a TT. I flew my 500 today and it never flew so good, not because the TT was some kind of performance up grade, but because the thought of "is this the one" never entered my mind, and i now have one less thread to keep track of.

Couldn't agree more. If I have to choose between tinkering and flying, I will choose flying every time.

--Kevin

[reALIGNed]

I just want to clarify the fact, that if the TT was not available, then yes to all the mods., cause they sure do work well. But since the TT is available and is a good cure for esd's,....sold.