RunRyder - PCM or FM for E-Heli

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e-Electric General Discussion > PCM or FM for E-Heli

TBoone
Senior Heliman
Location: Arkansas

Quick question here guys. I'm new to e-helis having just ordered a Logo 10 and was wondering if I need to go PCM (which I do with all my i.c. helis), or whether FM is okay. I just have a spare FM from my plane days, but no extra PCM handy. Thanks.

Tim

01-19-2003 Over year old.

rscamp
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

Oh boy.

I use both in electric helis and both work fine. Subjectively, I prefer PCM as glitches are better behaved. A glitch that would stop the motor is undesirable as many governor setups take a while to spool the motor back up to full speed. Simply put, the biggest advantage of PCM in electrics in my opinion is improved stability of the throttle channel.

Rob

01-19-2003 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

BIGRCR
Veteran
Location: Easley, South Carolina

Yep, In the Logo 10 it does not seem to matter much. The only effects I have seen so far is from ESD (electro static discharge), but the helicopter only jerked once because of it. I'm not sure you would be any better off with PCM if this happens! With PPM it's over very fast, with PCM and a lock-out I"m not so sure.
Just make sure your radio gear is well positioned away from the tail drive and motor. The layout of the Logo 10 seems to keep things clear using the normal suggested locations.

Later,

BIGRCR- John Garst

01-19-2003 Over year old.

bjpaul
Heliman
Location: Longwood, FL USA

Of course you could start out with a PPM setup and work out any glitches before putting in PCM. That way at least your not hiding any pre-existing problems.

I have used PPM on my Logo!0 with over 400 flights. Yes, there have been some glitches and I was glad that I knew that they were there and had the chance to eliminate them fast.

With PCM the first indication could be a "fail safe" crash.

Brad

01-20-2003 Over year old.

rscamp
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

Brad.

I've read that PCM glitches aren't undetectable by skilled pilots. Of course, that counts me out.

Rob

01-20-2003 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

E-gpeden
Senior Heliman
Location: Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

LIke the others. I've used an FM PPM Rx on my LOGO 10 for hundreds of trouble-free flights.

"With PCM the first indication could be a "fail safe" crash. "

You know, failsafe events can last for a very short time, right?

Cheers!
Glen

01-20-2003 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

TBoone
Senior Heliman
Location: Arkansas

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll give the PPM/FM receiver a go with some more comfort now.

Tim

01-20-2003 Over year old.

bjpaul
Heliman
Location: Longwood, FL USA

Hi Glenn,

Quote
You know, failsafe events can last for a very short time, right?

Yes, that's why I chose "could" rather than "would" and with my luck lately "Murpheys Law" would apply.

On a side note are you getting excited yet about some of the new LiPo cells? It looks like 5C continuous with 8C bursts is OK with some of the newer reformulated LiPo's.

15 to 20 minuite flight are very neer.

Brad

01-20-2003 Over year old.

E-gpeden
Senior Heliman
Location: Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Hi Brad,

I've been expecting your reply

"On a side note are you getting excited yet about some of the new LiPo cells? It looks like 5C continuous with 8C bursts is OK with some of the newer reformulated LiPo's."

Yes, the future is here

I'm going to be happy to watch others experiment for awhile though. It will be intersting to see how they survive crashes and if there's any problems when a cell nestled between others decides to "go Chernobyl". Currently I am happy with 6 minute flights and 24 minute charge times, which means a "layover" of 18 minutes between flights if I use only one charger and one heli. Interestingly enough, this pace does not usually matter to me. The longer charge time for the LiPo's seems to be an issue at first, but if one can take say, two 10 minute flights in an hour on one pack and the second pack can be charged in that time, it would be a slight improvent to flying 33% of the time versus 25% of the time for nicads. Having 3 packs would be real cool if they don't loose much "oomph" while sitting for a few hours. If you arrive at the field with 3 such batteries fully charged, that would be a good day of flying on most occasions. Imagine - no charging batteries or charging equipment to drag along! OK just talked myself into it

Cheers!

Glen

Cheers!
Glen

01-20-2003 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

edg
Senior Heliman
Location: San Francisco, CA

I'm a bit mixed about PPM vs PCM in an eheli. When I first built my Joker I put in a PPM. Had a lot of glitching. I rewired everything and moved the Rx well away from the ESC and Motor and swapped in a PCM. Ran smooth after that. Gerd at Minicopter says he recommends PCM and that most people he knows with Jokers use that.

My Eco8 has a PPM Rx. Occasionally I get what I think is a glitchg but not very often.

I've talked with Mike Moore at Moore Vario and he said PPM is the way to go in electrics and everyone he knows flies that.

So... shrug. There you have both sides.

Personally, I think it's best to start PPM as a previous poster mentioned. Work out glitches there since they'll be a lot more noticeable, then swap to PCM for smoother operation. PCM *can* be a disaster waiting to happen...

-edg-

01-22-2003 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

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e-Electric General Discussion > PCM or FM for E-Heli

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