RunRyder - Swift 16 Puffed Smoke & Caught on Fire

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e-Century Hummingbird - Swift > Swift 16 Puffed Smoke & Caught on Fire

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

What would cause the ESC to catch on fire???

Today, while flying my Swift 16, I thought I saw a puff of smoke shoot out from the canopy. I immediately set the heli down to inspect and found nothing wrong. So, I decided to hover the heli to observe closely while the motor was turning and the ESC caught on fire. I damn near had to bury the heli in sand to put the fire out. I was able to save the receiver, servos, BEC and both batteries.

My setup consisted of:

600A plus, 1100 KV with 9T pinion gear
520 carbon blades
6S 1P 4900 mAh FP battery
BEC with 2S 1250 mah
Castle Creation ESC 80 amp

Head speed in normal 1960 @ 78%. I never engaged idle-up because it was flying pretty smooth and stable in normal.
I charged the battery before heading to the field. I flew for about 5 minutes or less prior to the ESC started smoking and caught on fire. The ESC was programmed via the Castle Link Software.

Aim High!

07-07-2008 01:37 AM

Ben-T-Spindle
Elite Veteran
Location: Central Illinois

The most common cause is capacitor failure that in turn caused power FET failure and burns the circuit bord. Usually caused when you run it at the voltage limit or have long or too small battery wires.

It would be best to upgrade to a HV85.

... BTS

07-07-2008 11:25 AM

wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

Head speed in normal 1960 @ 78%. I never engaged idle-up because it was flying pretty smooth in normal.

can you share with us your throttle curve percentage, on the normal mode you were flying

cheers, khan

07-07-2008 03:05 PM

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

The throttle curves at 20% and above consisted of a flat 78% across with the governor active and holding set RPM value. (DX-7 Tx)

Aim High!

07-07-2008 03:18 PM

wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

i am not clear, are you saying your throttle curve on normal mode is something like this:

Normal: 0-20-78-78-78

and for your Stunt: 78-78-78-78-78

07-07-2008 05:01 PM

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

Yes, that is correct and for idle-up 1: 85,85, 85, 85, 85.

Aim High!

07-07-2008 05:25 PM

laughingstill
Key Veteran
Location: Gainesville, Fl, USA

You should not fly in normal mode for Jazz ESCs, I wonder if the Castle is the same way and that was why is self destructed

I cannot remember why the Jazz ESCs do not like normal mode AND governor mode at the same time. I think it has something to do with the way the ESC senses the motor.....Ron

3DMP-E, Logo 6003D, Logo103D Carbon and Trex 450se Flyin Firefighter

07-07-2008 05:40 PM

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

If that is the case concerning flying in normal mode, the ESC worked as advertised without any glitches or warning prior to catching on fire, except for the puff of smoke, which I think came from the motor.

Aim High!

07-07-2008 06:04 PM

wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

this is the way i have set up both my jazz and castle:

normal mode - 0- 0 -100-100-100 (right after spooling up, i flip to stunt mode)
stunt mode - 100-100-100-100-100

note: for the Jazz, i use governor ... for castle, just straight line - no governor

from what i understand, if you use ESC to control headspeed, it will get hot and can start fire (I have read posts here regarding this subject). that is why, i do not stay too long on the normal mode (specially at low throttle stick)

cheers, khan

07-07-2008 08:21 PM

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

Quote
for castle, just straight line - no governor

wrathofkhan, are you flying on Heli Fixed End Points? I think the options for CC are Heli Fixed Points, Gov-Hi and Gov-Lo.

As for the operating time and stick position (Hi/LO), I fly at 3/4 stick position.

Aim High!

07-07-2008 08:33 PM

wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

i forgot to mention, for the cc - you will first need to calibrate the end points. that way, the controller knows what 100% mean

and to answer your question i run it at 'fixed' mode for the castle (i don't mess with the governor controls at all).

cheers, khan

07-07-2008 08:46 PM

Ben-T-Spindle
Elite Veteran
Location: Central Illinois

Quote
wrathofkhan, are you flying on Heli Fixed End Points? I think the options for CC are Heli Fixed Points, Gov-Hi and Gov-Lo. As for the operating time and stick position (Hi/LO), I fly at 3/4 stick position.

With the latest software you now have the choice of 5 helicopter modes and it is much easier to set up. With the new Set RPM Helicopter Mode you actually enter the exact headspeed for each of three flight modes and the ESC does it all automatically without tinkering with the throttle curves.

There is also a new motor start routine and several additional motor timing and switching frequency settings. This makes for much more efficient operation over a wider range of motors.

CC has a winner with the new software – I sure hope everyone is aware it’s available and will give it a try. http://www.castlecreations.com/down...a_software.html

... BTS

07-07-2008 09:29 PM

ShaCho
Senior Heliman
Location: LA (Lower Alabama)

Thanks for the info.. I talked with customer service/support and they are analyzing my situation now.

The features for the latest software ver. probably would have prevented me from destroying my ESC.

Aim High!

07-07-2008 09:57 PM

wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

thanks for the info Ben.

to be honest, i haven't tried the cc on my Swift for a while now (i am using jazz 55 on it now)

but i am using cc35 on my 450 - i have heard about the new software, but haven't played around with it yet

so, you would encourage testing it out, huh?

khan

07-07-2008 11:19 PM

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e-Century Hummingbird - Swift > Swift 16 Puffed Smoke & Caught on Fire

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