making twin motors work with 2esc on separate rx channels

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12 April 2012 at 19:58 #33958
james henderson
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@jameshenderson97387
Very first boat —–Having now got my twin 555 motors each connected up to individual mtroniks esc's and using channels on my Planet rig:- 1- Stbd. motor : 2-Port motor : 4 – Rudder servo; I am having difficulty getting them to work properly.

The boat is powered by 9.6volt and esc BEC. Following the recent Mooring Post article I have turned one of the esc switches off rather than remove the second wire.

I followed the mtroniks instructions but had difficulty setting the esc's when the LEDs flashed.

I eventually got them somewhere near working i.e. they both rotated either way and the rudder worked well although not centering in the fore/aft position. To try and get everything correct I started again and ended up with :- Port motor only runs in reverse.(fine) Stbd, motor only runs in reverse (fine) and runs VERY slow and erratic ahead; the rudder has gone all to hell.

I can't anywhere find any instructions on setting up as I am trying to do – I read the reports on 'Y' tails don't want to go that way I've got another boat the same!! to build the gear into.

I think? that I'm not getting the neutral positions set to start. Is it feasible to disconnect the esc's one at a time and set them up individually but what about the rudder, are the channels that I'm using o.k, is there another problem somewhere – – should I sell the boats and spend the money on cheap beer???

Can anyone out there help?
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12 April 2012 at 19:58 #5168
james henderson
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@jameshenderson97387
13 April 2012 at 09:08 #33959
shipwright
Participant
@shipwright
Hello James,

Not easy to remotely diagnose your problem with RC system. I suggest that you start by just disconnecting the ESCs from the receiver and try and get the rudder servo to behave correctly (ie smooth traverse from hard to port to hard to starboard). Once you have got that functioning correctly then connect just one of the ESCs to the receiver. Get that functioning correctly (ie full astern to full ahead via stop).

I have used Mtroniks ESCs without any problems. When power is connected you should get the small green and red leds flashing alternately for a short period – during that period press the small button on the ESC to enter setup mode. Then push the tx stick to full ahead and return to stop. Then push the stick to full astern and return to stop. ESC should now be setup. One word of caution – make sure that the polarity of the leads that connect the battery to the ESC is correct – get that incorrect and you are likely to damage the ESC.

In my system I do not use the BEC – I use a separate receiver battery. And I remove the positive connection from the futaba lead that connects the ESC to the receiver (this is easy providing you can identify correctly which of the 3 wires is the positive wire – different systems use different colours unfortunately but there is a table of wire colours in the leaflet that comes with the Mtroniks ESC). To remove the socket from the connector use a small pin to gently lift the very small plastic retaining clip and then gently pull the wire and the socket should slide out. I note that you are following the advice from Model Boat magazine that says leave the sockets as they are and switch off one of the ESC BEC switches – I have not tried that so cannot comment.

Lastly a few points :

a. Have you fitted interference suppressors to your motors (not necessary if your motors have built in suppressors) ?

b. Check that all lead terminations are good. If necessary check that all leads are ok by doing a continuity check with a meter on each lead (make sure power is disconnected before doing this test).

c. Is the battery OK (the battery in the boat and the transmitter battery) ?

If you still cannot get your RC system to work correctly and need assistance you will need to post more details about your system. Even better, if you belong to a model boat club request assistance from an experienced club member.

Good luck !

Ian
13 April 2012 at 16:54 #33961
Telstar
Participant
@telstar
Hi James Too many things to set up from start!! Firstly ensure the planet TX and RX have been matched or paired (whatever the current term is) I assume it is 2.5GHz, I would recommend this is done initially with nothing connected but a Rx battery. Once they are paired you should not need to redo it under normal use. If you don't have a Rx battery then connect one of the Esc only (not rudder servo and other Esc) This is now the Rx battery, So pair the Tx Rx . Switch the RX off after they are paired. Now switch on TX then Rx when the leds on the Esc flash (for only two secs. say Mtrionks) press the setup button on the Esc, and go through the Mtroniks set up process, as in their leaflet.

If this is successful switch off Rx, (you may feel the need to switch on and check it works so far).

Now connect the rudder servo to the correct channel, Switch on Tx then Rx then test that it works so far, There should be no need to reset anything at this stage, I have noticed when switching on the system the motor runs for a few seconds until the system is established.

If all seems OK then switch off RX connect the second Esc to the correct channel (make sure its BEC is off ) Switch on and repeat the Mtroniks set up for the second Esc..

This should set up the system. The main snag is the delay in 2.5G setteling on startup and the short time Mtronics allows to enter set up

Hope this helps Tom
13 April 2012 at 19:44 #33963
james henderson
Participant
@jameshenderson97387
Hi telstar & shipwright

2twins

Many thanks for the information supplied to sort out the beast.

I contacted mtroniks who informed me that the switches on the viper range are power and do not control the bec.They say that although it can work you can run into lots of strange problems and even "Kaput"!

on units. I took this route because of the info on model boats- – umm?

Mtroniks told me what to do – I did it _ and within 10mins (good for my speed of working!) the motors were running like a dream.

Basically I have disconnected the red wire( good on ye shipwright) off one of the esc's; dead easy even at my age with "knobbly" fingers. I had thought of cutting it but said "what the hell – do it properly!"

In actual fact Alan Senior writing in MMI (oops!) Feb 2011 advocated this on brushless motors.

I still have to center the rudders so any thoughts on that welcome.

Have decided to keep the boats so no money for beer – sorry guys.

Seriously many thanks it's most appreciated.

If I can ever help give a call

Jim H
13 April 2012 at 20:58 #33967
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Jim, exactly what do you mean by centre the rudders?? Simply getting them both straight fore and aft or..

on the last few boats I have used the nylon tillers..these can be done up tightish, using a 3mm nyloc nut and bolt so they dont slacken, and adjustments can be very easily effected by twisting rudder whilst holding tiller. In practice, some "set" one way or the other may be needed so I would eye up the rudders and wait until you have the boat in the water before finalising everything.

Ashley
17 April 2012 at 14:17 #34004
Paul Freshney
Participant
@paulfreshney24971
On this subject, Mtroniks Ltd. have been in contact and wish to make it clear that in twin electronic speed controller (esc) installations when using their manufactured units in receiver Battery Elimination Current (BEC) mode, it is essential that the red wire of the receiver lead connection be ALWAYS disconnected from ONE of the two controllers for safe operation in such an arrangement, as per the included printed instructions.

Purchasers of any product, of any sort, from any manufacturer should always follow the included instructions to ensure warranty cover.

Paul Freshney

Editor.
18 April 2012 at 08:34 #34013
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
I don't understand why this is such a big deal. Like fitting suppressors, it's very simple and quick to do – here's a diagram fro those with limited imagination…………….. http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Disabling%20BEC%20ESCs.pdf
Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 18/04/2012 08:35:58

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 18/04/2012 08:37:30
18 April 2012 at 10:59 #34015
Telstar
Participant
@telstar
Dave You should Know better

The last thing you do, only after everythig else has failed ( and the replacement under warrenty doesn't work ) is read the instructions.

Tom
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