Carbon Frame Interfering with Electronics?? HELP

[Lewis Gaskell]

Hi guys,

I need some help. I have built my 2nd quad, its a Diatone 200. The quad is fully built and care has been taken to ensure the soldering in clean and everything very well insulated. I have used spaces and electrical tape to insulate the board from the frame and heat shrink for the wires.

When I power the quad up with the top plate off, the esc's all register and 1 series of audible beeps can be heard. At this point the quad throttles up perfectly.

When I screw the top plate back on and power it up, the series of beeps happens 2-3 times and the throttle goes nuts!! I have checked the set up very carefully to ensure nothing in shorting and cannot see anything. My brother has the EXACT same set up right down to the last screw and never gets this issue.

Can any recommend anything to try?

Best,

Lew

 

[RENOV8R]

You could replace the standoffs and screws with nylon ones but it shouldn't be doing that. Sure your antennae is isolated?

 

[Lewis Gaskell]

Hey Renov8r, thank you for your advice.

The standoffs are already nylon and I even bought a new rx just in case it was a signal issue. So odd.

 

[Jackson]

Get out the magnifing glass

When I screw the top plate back on and power it up, the series of beeps happens 2-3 times and the throttle goes nuts!!

Try lowering the top plate in increments, testing each time. Use some tape to hold it in position.

 

[GJH105775]

Hey Renov8r, thank you for your advice.

The standoffs are already nylon and I even bought a new rx just in case it was a signal issue. So odd.

I'd move my RF equipment around and try to get better placement.

 

[Chuck]

I'd move my RF equipment around and try to get better placement.

Presuming that all electronic components are well insulated, and isolated from anything clearance wise, that would pinch wires or press against components that they shouldn't be touching. Does carbon fiber have properties that dampen radio transmissions? I've noticed that the commercial manufacturers like DJI, and Yuneec, minimize their use of it, just as much as the "toy grade" ones do.

 

[GJH105775]

Presuming that all electronic components are well insulated, and isolated from anything clearance wise, that would pinch wires or press against components that they shouldn't be touching. Does carbon fiber have properties that dampen radio transmissions? I've noticed that the commercial manufacturers like DJI, and Yuneec, minimize their use of it, just as much as the "toy grade" ones do.

Yeah, it is surprisingly conductive, you can short out ESCs if not properly insulated. Sometimes the coating on it will make it appear safe, but if you dig your test leads into it the thickness of a hair it will show you how much/little resistance the CF has. If you are wondering why I am referring to conductivity that is because the more conductive something is the more it 'absorbs' the RF signal.

 

[Chuck]

Yeah, it is surprisingly conductive, you can short out ESCs if not properly insulated. Sometimes the coating on it will make it appear safe, but if you dig your test leads into it the thickness of a hair it will show you how much/little resistance the CF has. If you are wondering why I am referring to conductivity that is because the more conductive something is the more it 'absorbs' the RF signal.

Then the solution appears to be the use of an external antenna for the receiver, if carbon fiber is used for more than the lower fuselage.

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate if using a carbon fibre the antenna must be clear the frame this is a common problem on fixed wing , I have seen mounting bars for antenna but a zip tie mounted so it hold the antenna up and away from the frame with heat shrink over it to hold the antenna to the zip tie

 

[andy bards]

Hi guys,

I need some help. I have built my 2nd quad, its a Diatone 200. The quad is fully built and care has been taken to ensure the soldering in clean and everything very well insulated. I have used spaces and electrical tape to insulate the board from the frame and heat shrink for the wires.

When I power the quad up with the top plate off, the esc's all register and 1 series of audible beeps can be heard. At this point the quad throttles up perfectly.

When I screw the top plate back on and power it up, the series of beeps happens 2-3 times and the throttle goes nuts!! I have checked the set up very carefully to ensure nothing in shorting and cannot see anything. My brother has the EXACT same set up right down to the last screw and never gets this issue.

Can any recommend anything to try?

Best,

Lew

are you using the same type of radio gear as your brother ? also ,, can you put some pics up ?