viper speed controller issue

[ian grovesParticipant @iangroves44735]

hi guys
just made a boat using a 20amp viper speed controller and did my first voyge to day and worked fine ,once i brought theboat back to me just to check on it i turned it of and then when i turned it back on it was totally dead,so went home and opened the boat up and what i noticed is when i turn the power on the speed controller light only goes to red and before on start up it flashed red and green then worked .
can anyone help me please
ps just been looking at it again and if i press the little button on it it flashes on the green light and then goes to the red one but still nothing

[ian grovesParticipant @iangroves44735]

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Ian

On the assumption that the 20 amp works the same as the 15 amp, have you tried going through the initial  set up procedure again? Also if the drive battery has dropped below a certain voltage then it may not work. One of my club members discovered this with his Viper 15 and he was using  a 6v sealed lead acid that appeared ok but the voltage was marginal for the controller to work properly. I always use 7.2v or 8.4v NiMH packs with no problem. So, if you haven’t done it already, ensure the drive battery is fully charged and then try the set up process again. The esc is designed to fail safe if there is loss of signal or supplied voltage is too low.  It may be worth checking all the battery and motor connections as well.  The instructions should have a FAQ section with a description of what a flashing or non flashing light sequence can mean, 

Paul Freshney

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul, interesting regards using the 6v gel battery and marginal voltage, I have 2 “dead” vipers and oddly enough hav`nt tried them with a 12v or 7.2v battery!!   will beetle down to the shed soon Ashley

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Ashley, I can truly say that I have  never had a ‘dead’ Viper, but all are on 7.2v, or higher, NiMH batteries. There was one batch approx 3 years ago which had a ‘brake’ on reverse that you could not totally disengage – these controllers were intended for cars and boats. Mtroniks reprogrammed that particular version, no charge,  for me at that time. 

Equally I have to say that I have never had a problem with an ACTion controller either and two old Fleet escs still work ok. 

Paul Freshney

[60wattParticipant @60watt]

Is there going to be a sweepstakes on the outcome of further tests? 

Edited By 60watt on 05/06/2009 17:16:01

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

The BEC regulator in the Viper ESC also supplies the power for the logic circuitry. I’m not 100% certain, but if it has the usual 0.5v drop-out voltage then the whole thing will just fold its arms and stick out its bottom lip when a battery gets below 5.5v. This is less likely to happen with 7.2v or larger packs.

ACTion speed controllers don’t have built-in BEC so will operate motor batteries down to 2v if required. I’ve never handled a Fleet ESC but I’d not argue with Paul F on their reliability; Fleet radio was about as good as it gets.

Dave M

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Hmmmmm, both my dead Vipers are …dead, and dont work with my 7.2v packs. sniff.  Ashley

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Ashley

 

Maybe time to try something different? 

Dave M

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Ashley, do you think Dave is possibly suggesting you try an ACTion ESC????

 

I have a number of Viper ESCs with SLA batteries, and have had no problems with them – so far. I do make sure that the battery voltage does not drop to the point where the ESC does as Dave describes.

 

Peter.

[Dave Jones 3Participant @davejones3]

Having had many a viper go down on me I only use ACTion products now

 

 

Dave

[Rob-PParticipant @rob-p-2]

Make sure that your throttle trim is returned to the middle. If its not the ESC will not arm.

 

Rob

[JeremyParticipant @jeremy15845]

I am not sure whether this should be a reply or a new topic as it concerns a different issue with the Viper Marine 15 controller.  I have installed this unit in my Billings Nordkap controlling a 540 can motor.  This is fitted with two 1 mfd capacitors from each motor terminal to the can as recommended in the Viper instructions.  The Viper and the RC receiver are as far apart as I can make them.  The controller works OK but with a high pitched wine, particulatly noticeable before the motor starts to turn.  Mtronics technical service say that this is normal for electronic speed controllers – it happens with some motors and not with others.  Are they right?  Is there anything I can or should do?  Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Jeremy

 

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

“MTronics technical service say that this is normal for electronic speed controllers – it happens with some motors and not with others.  Are they right?”

It happens more with their ESCs than with others, too. High-frequency controllers like the MTroniks range will generate a brush “whine” at low speeds with some motors. This can be irritating but it’s harmless to the model, motor, ESC etc.

If it annoys you then I’d recommend changing to a lower-frequency ESC. Twist my arm and I might suggest one……………….

 

Dave M

 

 

[JeremyParticipant @jeremy15845]

Thanks Dave – I will wait to see/hear the boat in the water before making a change.  However, forewarned is forearmed – what alternative would you suggest if it really drives me mad?

Jeremy

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Jeremy

Well………………I ought to hesitate to make a definite recommendation (‘cos I run a business wot makes ’em!) but one of these might be a good place to start:

http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/P80.pdf

It’s a low-frequency unit so your motor may grumble a bit as opposed to whining.

As I’m wont to say elsewhere, suit yourself!

Dave M

 

 

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