axefly

ok, finally got the video, please does anyone know why my heli is doing this, it's running a kbar mounted vertically, with 6s all stock align electronics
(yes i am desperate for an answer that's why i did what i did, flying outside yielded no results on the camera so i had to bring it inside so i can put the camera right next to the heli, so you can see what it actually does) i know it's dumb stupid crazy, pshycho to have done it this way, but i desperately need some help as i can't think of what it could be: (shortened i can post a longer vid if required)
https://youtu.be/h_oiia8LZCk

JetPlaneFlyer

That appears to be ESC low voltage cut-out. The Align ESC pulses to indicate low battery voltage which I'm pretty sure is what's happening in the video.

This might be the case if the battery isn't fully charged, or if it's old or damaged.. If LVC is set to 'high' rather than 'medium' it will exacerbate the problem.

birdDog

That battery looks pretty round.

axefly

the battery is fine, i don't think it's the battery, indeed the battery is a little round but it's a case of you know sometimes you get an inflated pack and it's all bad, and sometimes you get one, that is inflated but it's still good, mine's the case where it's still good, i will double check the lvc, i think this esc only give 2 choices it's set at 3.6v i think currently, will go check.

solentlife

I'm not so sure about the LVC low voltage making it do it ... when I've had that - its been far more pronounced with voltage actually cutting off for a second ... this is just pulsing.

3.6V is too high anyway for a FLIGHT LVC ... you ought to be down round the 3.3V to ensure that voltage drop alone doesn't hit LVC.

It would be worth putting that battery on a checker to see the iR of each cell ... bet she's high. If so, then she wont deliver the full voltage ooomph you need.

Nigel

birdDog

Or observe the voltage sag under load on a wattmeter or cell checker.

solentlife

Agreed.

Nigel

JetPlaneFlyer

Nigel,
The pulsing is a feature of the Align ESC and is different to the LVC indication that you find on the typical aeroplane ESC. It's actually a very good idea because you really don't want the power to cut for an extended time on a heli .. The pulsing is intended to give you a warning to 'land now'.

exefly, If the battery is swollen then it's damaged.. period. While it may still work for some applications it almost certainly isn't any use for a 500 heli. Also 3.6V LVC is WAY too high, on helis I usually set it to 3.1V. Helis pull very high peak currents so need quite a low LVC (and they need good batteries)

Anyway, I'm pretty much certain that what we are seeing in the video is LVC.

solentlife

Think we all agree .. LiPo is suspect ... 3.6V is too high anyway ...

Time to look for a replacement LiPo and reprogram that ESC ?

Nigel

solentlife

My Mig29 has a pulsing ESC when battery is down ...

My 450's .... when battery is low - I notice more and more throttle stick needed ...

Nigel

JetPlaneFlyer

You should try using a governor on your helis Nigel. That way RPM stays constant at all times so you dont need to compensate for the battery running down.

solentlife

I was using Governor for a while ... but missed the telltale throttle amount that told me time to land and swap battery.

My 450's are now gathering dust I have to admit ... I keep looking and thinking shall I fire one up ...

Nigel

JetPlaneFlyer

Yeah, get one in the air!
As for when to land, i'm surprised that you arent flying to a timer? Usually by the time you notice a drop in performance you have already run your battery too low, a timer is much better.