Modifying 3G for better performance

[Leon Luke]

Hi,

I have been testing a mod to the 3G, that will help some of those that are having issues with the system. I've been flying it for a while now to test and confirm my findings before making any comments. I have forwarded my findings to Assurance and Taiwan. Not everyone is having issues or concerns as evidenced by so many of the factory pilots, and local pilots I speak to are not having any issues. I was not having any issues, but wanted to go the extra step to make things even better, continual developement. I find that most of the issues are vibration induced as the sensors are very sensitive.

If you want to try this mod, do it at your own risk, as it may void any warranty, I don't know.

The mod involves taking the sensor appart by the 4 screws on the bottom. Lift the top off of the base and carefully remove the the sensors from the top of case. Use some silicone, I used high temp silicone, as it was the only kind I have, I have just been told to use electronics silicone as it is non corrosive, and apply a gob to secure all 3 sensor units to each other. Do not put too much on. You do not want the glue to touch too much of the sensor case, this way the case transmits less vibration to the sensors. I did not put any silicone between the bottom of the rudder sensor and the square plastic base of case.

You should find that the heli is much less "nervous", less tail artifacts, you will be able to turn all your gains up,

Your heli will be much more solid.

You must minimize vibrations, and use FBL blades.

You will note from my settings below, the gains are about 100% now, and rudder is at 85-90%

YouTube

YouTube

Leon Luke

[jondabear]

No faster said than done.

[mikejr718]

Can we see pictures of a modified sensor to understand better?

[Leon Luke]

I should know better, but I did not take pictures, sorry. I have it on 5 machines.

[mikejr718]

I have seen pics of the inside of the 3g sensor from another thread. I have tried to attach a copy of the pic. Thanks to tgilton for the original pic. I have outlined an area that I believe you are referring to. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/3G_PINS2.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/3G_PINS2.jpg[/IMG]

[Leon Luke]

Originally Posted by mikejr718

I have seen pics of the inside of the 3g sensor from another thread. I have tried to attach a copy of the pic. Thanks to tgilton for the original pic. I have outlined an area that I believe you are referring to. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/3G_PINS2.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/3G_PINS2.jpg[/IMG]

I put a glob of silicone, and shaped it like a cube to touch all 3 sensors, the dimensions of this cube of silicone was a little larger than the dimensions of the actual sensors on the 3 boards. The glue encapsulated the sensors and parts of the boards. I just made sure that I did not put so much that the glue would squeeze out when I put the top of the case on. I am sure the glue contacted the 2 locating tabs on the top of the case.

[mikejr718]

I am going to try this tomorrow. I have Hondabond hi temp silicone sealer and also some shoo goo. Would either of these be ok?

[Vinger]

Silicone sealants/glue normally produce an accidic reaction and are corrosive to the electronic tracks and copper components. Better to use some specialised silicon glue that are made for electronic use.

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/...ronic_app.html

TSE399-C Clear, one part, neutral cure, non-corrosive, flowable, RTV silicone sealant for electronics applications with primerless adhesion to most metals and plastics.

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/et.../etronicsseal/

[Leon Luke]

Originally Posted by Vinger

Silicone sealants/glue normally produce an accidic reaction and are corrosive to the electronic tracks and copper components. Better to use some specialised silicon glue that are made for electronic use.

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/...ronic_app.html


http://www.dowcorning.com/content/et.../etronicsseal/

Good to know.

[jondabear]

I completely forgot all about that. Wow....now there's a blast from the past. Noncorrosive rtv's for base level board work and adhesion. Haven't had to use that in a very long time.

I DO concur though. Noncorrosive would be preferable. Not a must. As the actual corrosive effects would probably show themselves AFTER this tech is obsolete but, I rather have pice of mind. To ELECTROTEX I go! Peace!

[Wizzard]

Not sure about the cover from your 3G unit Leon but mine had 2 little tabs inside that had to be removed in order to allow the silicone to connect all 3 sensors together. The tabs appeared that they are/were some kind of support for the 2 upright sensors?

[Leon Luke]

Yes, the tabs were in mine too.

[uragano47812]

Hello Leon great work! Can you post also some pics of the software parameters you have used in your 450 flybarless?

i'm asking this because a friend has the 3G on a 450PRO and we want to try your "silicone" mod but we don't know how to fine tune the parameters.

thanks

[jockstrap]

What about using hot melt glue? Too hot? Too runny? Too stiff when hard?

Just an idea..as it's non-corrosive..

[ForceFedDSM]

What about shoo goo?

[Felt]

I'm getting 90 gain on aileron and 85 gain on elevator on my 600n without this mod. I also set my tail up using 100% 100% on the gain channel and setting my rudder total adjustment to 34% in the software. My 3g is working great. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

[Felt]

I also forgot to mention. I am using Edge 603 Flybarless blades.

[mickeyjohnston]

I did this mod last night to my 450. I would say it made some improvement. The tail felt better as well. Zero wag. I also took Leon's advice and turn up my swash return speed to 70 and the heli felt a lot better. It felt more locked in. I was previously running it at 30.

BTW I used shoe goo. It's harder than silicone. Personally I don't see an issue with silicone, in 3 yrs from now, we'll all be running a different system.

[tgilton]

I think this is a dandy idea! It basically increases the mass of each of the three sensors and eliminates some of the vibrational modes by coupling them into a new shape. I don't like the way they cantilever the little boards out there to vibrate like saxophone reeds. I will be doing a version of this tomorrow using sticky clay instead of RTV.

[akamullen]

Originally Posted by tgilton

I think this is a dandy idea! It basically increases the mass of each of the three sensors and eliminates some of the vibrational modes by coupling them into a new shape. I don't like the way they cantilever the little boards out there to vibrate like saxophone reeds. I will be doing a version of this tomorrow using sticky clay instead of RTV.

Please take pics or video of your mod. I am curious to see how your version goes..