Motors cutout

C

Chris Fowler

Member
Hello everybody, this is my first post here, I hope I put this in the right location. Recently, I got back to my Emax Nighthawk after about 4 years, and now, while just hovering, it will cut all four motors together for half a second, and catch itself before it falls to the ground. It does this about every 3-10 seconds. It has not caused a crash yet because it recovers so quickly. Any Ideas what is causing this?
Thank you so much
-Chris
 
ArmyVet

ArmyVet

Well-Known Member
Sorry no specific answer for you. But just wondering?

4 years in storage? Wet basement? Hot attic? dirty garage?
Battery is 4 years old?
Did you inspect and clean it?
Stuff corrodes and makes for bad connections.

Maybe and expert will chime in.

Good luck.
 
C

Chris Fowler

Member
It was in a toolbox in my closet. I cleaned it up pretty well with air. The battery is new. I got it yesterday. The motors move smooth. Like, there is not even any snag from magnetism. Is that normal?
 
ArmyVet

ArmyVet

Well-Known Member
Chris Fowler said:
It was in a toolbox in my closet. I cleaned it up pretty well with air. The battery is new. I got it yesterday. The motors move smooth. Like, there is not even any snag from magnetism. Is that normal?
Click to expand...

Okay. I guess it ran ok four years ago??

You might try a test on the bench without props. See if you can duplicate the problem. Look for the cause like loose connections. Touch connections and parts with a plastic or wood probe as its running.

Good Luck
 
RENOV8R

RENOV8R

Well-Known Member
First thing I'd do is download a new configurator, flash the most recent stable version of firmware for your flight controller and go through the configuration in Betaflight from scratch.
 
mozquito1

mozquito1

Well-Known Member
Voltage sag or not much flight time is what I'd think from an old battery.
Sounds like the rx, maybe dropout then it's catching it.
Reflow all the solder joints especially on the receiver & lipo pigtail then Try it again.
Definitely worth doing the latest betaflight config RENOV8R mentioned while you're at it. But that should not be the cause.
maybe somthing has corroded on the fcb.
Go ovet it with a magnifying glass.
 
Last edited:
C

Chris Fowler

Member
The connector from the CC3D to the receiver is garbage. I'd say most of the wire on each pin has pulled out. Also, the receiver cable that goes up to the reciprocated antenna has the same thing going on. Where do I buy such small wires with the appropriate connectors. Part of the problem is I don't know what to actually call them. The rx to CC3D is covered, I bought that one. But what about the rx to rx antenna? Like the one in the picture.
SPM6070-450.jpg
 
mozquito1

mozquito1

Well-Known Member
Can you solder or do yo own a soldering iron. I buy a reel of each colour.
Red black yellow & green silicone coated 30awg & heat shrink. You could carefully take the socket off & direct Solder to it.
Sounds like the plastic has weatherd & shrunk or something.
I think they are 3pin male micro jst to 3pin male micro jst.
 
C

Chris Fowler

Member
I can solder and I have wire. I need to de-pin the connector, replace the wire, and slide the pins back in. I am just making sure I have a plan B if I break the connector.20190102_180024.jpg
 
mozquito1

mozquito1

Well-Known Member
I used to practise on an old TV or hi-fi I had with small pins on it. They might even have what you need. It may just be a case of joining 3 wires. Or has anyone near you got any old electronics. TV, hifi, they normally use these parts.
 
C

Chris Fowler

Member
I think I am going to depin it, cut the wires back, re install it, and add the hot glue as a preventive method so they don't get pulled and break again.
 
C

Chris Fowler

Member
I went for it, but the plastic was too brittle. the connector practically just crumbled in my hands into about 5 pieces. I have another on the way though. So now I must wait on shipping. I found something odd though. But I think it is meant to be this way. In the CC3D connector, there is a pin bent over and smashed against another pin. It looks too perfect of a bend to be an accident. Does anybody know about that? I'll try to get a picture of it now.
 
mozquito1

mozquito1

Well-Known Member
Tham sockets these days I just heat them & pull em off, then just brush it with the iron & the pins come off. Then just direct solder the wires to the board.
It looksike a pin is missing on purpose but it may have snapped off the other may have just been slightly off but bent & still just barely making a connection. & that maybe the problem. So e en with a new cable you will have the same problem if you don't straighten it out properly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top