[Question] Syma x5c gradually losing power

B

bigslothonmyface

Member
Hi all. I'm pretty new to things -- all I've got is a Syma x5c that I'm still learning how to fly well. I have no idea how to troubleshoot it, really, and it's got a big problem.

Over the course of the last week or so, my x5c has slowly begun losing power in the air. When before it would easily zip around if the battery was fully charged, it can now barely lift itself off the ground before falling again. This happened gradually -- it went from fine, to dipping a bit low on drops, to staying in the air for a minute before falling, to finally, today, not really being able to take off at all. When I listen to it running, it is clear that the props are spinning more slowly. Their sound is lower, and when I hold it in my hand and push the throttle up it doesn't pull nearly as much as it used to.

I have no real idea what the problem is, but if I had to guess, I feel like my x5c isn't getting enough power from the battery. I don't know where the bad connection is, or if there even is one. I believe I've checked all the solder points, and they seem fine (I replaced one motor a few weeks ago, but that's all I've done to the quadcopter myself).

I have fully charged the batteries, and tried switching between multiple batteries to no avail. For about thirty seconds after I put the new battery in, my x5c can take off and maneuver a bit. After a short time, however (again, thirty secords max), it drifts slowly to the ground and won't take off again, even though I would think the battery is sill about as close to full as it gets. The quadcopter itself confirms this: it has lights that flash slowly when the battery is fully dead, and they are solid as normal through all of this.

Has anyone encountered a problem like this one before? Is it common? Is there a common fix? I'm happy to provide more info -- anything from descriptions of my usage or charging habits to photos of the device. Just say the word. I'd hate to lose it.
 
That's why everyone need to own a multimeter. It doesn't have to expensive as many for less that $10 are more than accurate enough for our uses. As I've always said when troubleshooting, assume nothing.
I have fully charged the batteries,
Click to expand...

Have you metered them to make sure they are in fact fully charged? That would be the first step.
 
Jackson said:
That's why everyone need to own a multimeter. It doesn't have to expensive as many for less that $10 are more than accurate enough for our uses. As I've always said when troubleshooting, assume nothing.


Have you metered them to make sure they are in fact fully charged? That would be the first step.
Click to expand...


Couple things, what type of batteries, has it set for a long time without being charged? Have you tried more than pone charger? I have noticed inconsistencies, and errors with the USB chargers, like Jackson said test voltage first.
 
Jackson said:
That's why everyone need to own a multimeter. It doesn't have to expensive as many for less that $10 are more than accurate enough for our uses. As I've always said when troubleshooting, assume nothing.


Have you metered them to make sure they are in fact fully charged? That would be the first step.
Click to expand...

As luck would have it, I own a meter, although I hadn't tested my batteries with it until now. I just did -- they all registered between 4.17 and 4.19V, which seems like the max for these batteries from what I have read. They are 3.7V 500 mAh Lithium batteries (the same ones that come with the drone initially -- I've bought several more like them since).
 
GJH105775 said:
Couple things, what type of batteries, has it set for a long time without being charged? Have you tried more than pone charger? I have noticed inconsistencies, and errors with the USB chargers, like Jackson said test voltage first.
Click to expand...

They are 3.7V 500 mAh Lithium batteries (the same ones that come with the drone initially -- I've bought several more like them since).

They have not sat for a long time without being charged. I had one that did, and I have since replaced it. The others have been in active use for around a month, charged and depleted every day or every few days.

I have three chargers, and I have been alternating between them. Not on purpose, just because I don't keep track of which battery I put into which charger. I use the one USB charger that came with the quadcopter and two other four-slot chargers I got online. I have tried charging the battery with each of them, and I get the same result -- no dice.

I just metered all of my batteries a moment ago. They all showed between 4.17 and 4.19V.
 
GJH105775 said:
Any added weight, or are any of the motors somewhat stiff to turn?
Click to expand...

No added weight -- I've stripped off all the weight I can just to get it to take off these days. I took off the included prop guards and considered taking off the landing legs as well, but haven't done that yet.

No stiffness in the motors either, as far as I can tell. I've dealt with a broken motor once before. From the sound of it and the feel of it pulling against my grip when I hold onto it, the props are spinning much more slowly than they were before this started happening, but none of the motors perform any worse than the others when I tilt it back and forth to put some strain on them individually.
 
Mine is a bit sluggish when I first take off, I think it is the batteries, I have several flights on them. I let it hover for 30 seconds or so and then it seems to pick up. BTW make sure you are on the high power setting, when the batteries were new I flew on the low setting and it seemed fine, now I really cannot fly of the low setting, button on the upper left. Should give you and H rather than L on the screen.
 
How many flights on the receiver board? How many flights on the motors?
Are you sure you're in HI Power mode?

Look carefully at the capacitors. If any are bulging at all replace the cap.

I suspect that one bad motor could cause the others to "lose" power.
The gyro varies power to each motor for stabilization.
What if one (or more) motors was bad?
Wouldn't that cause the other motors to run slower to compensate? Ok, theory.
You can easily check the motors resistance values against a known good motor. As a motor goes bad it's resistance will increase.
So check to see if you have motors with a higher resistance than others.

I suppose it "could" be all 4 motors wearing out. Cheap motors will definitely do that. Heat is what kills them.
Again, a resistance check will tell you.
 
Patton said:
How many flights on the receiver board? How many flights on the motors?
Are you sure you're in HI Power mode?

Look carefully at the capacitors. If any are bulging at all replace the cap.

I suspect that one bad motor could cause the others to "lose" power.
The gyro varies power to each motor for stabilization.
What if one (or more) motors was bad?
Wouldn't that cause the other motors to run slower to compensate? Ok, theory.
You can easily check the motors resistance values against a known good motor. As a motor goes bad it's resistance will increase.
So check to see if you have motors with a higher resistance than others.

I suppose it "could" be all 4 motors wearing out. Cheap motors will definitely do that. Heat is what kills them.
Again, a resistance check will tell you.
Click to expand...

Not sure how many flights on the board. A lot.

I tested and replaced all four of the motors today. I had some extras that I got as part of a big pack of spare parts a few weeks ago. They behave identically to the way the old ones did.

I am definitely in HI mode when testing this stuff. The little L has changed to an H on the screen. I trust that little H.

I'm pretty confident now that it's a problem with the board or the connections to the battery. I've ordered a new one and I'll update this thread (assuming I remember) if that fixes my problem. Thanks for the help, all.
 
When you switch from Low Power Mode to High Power mode can you detect any difference?
I wonder if the transmitter could be stuck in low power mode but SAYING it's in high power mode?

Yeah, the boards are only about $10 or so. I'd get one as a spare regardless.

Hey, at least you got to fly yours. Mine arrived DOA today. Only 3 motors work. GRRRRR
Tempted to open it up and do surgery but waiting to see what the seller will offer...free return...replacement....no response from them yet. Stuck in limbo land :-(
 
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Climbed myself up and outta limbo land.
Removed the battery and too a peek inside with magnifying glasses and right there in the front corner was a red wire....just dangling there.

Opened her up, re-soldered the wire and now she's flying smooooooooooooth
 
Try a NEW battery.
What are you charging the batteries with?
Do NOT use a fast charger. If you've flown your X5C a "lot" as you stated, your batterie(s) could simply be losing their capacity and still reach 4.19v.

My best guess at this point is you have batteries that have lost their capacity.
 
Patton said:
Try a NEW battery.
What are you charging the batteries with?
Do NOT use a fast charger. If you've flown your X5C a "lot" as you stated, your batterie(s) could simply be losing their capacity and still reach 4.19v.

My best guess at this point is you have batteries that have lost their capacity.
Click to expand...
This would be the most likely case.
 
I have performance/power issues similar to bigslothonmyface. One motor definitely went bad which subsequently replaced. Actually replaced the two front ones. Since the motor had originally went bad, I don't seem to get as much height/stability as I once did. Also since motor went bad and replaced when battery gets low it hovers close to the ground for what seems like 30 seconds or so before the X5C finally reports the battery is low. I doubt it's the battery as the same behavior occurs with 5 of them.
It's possible the problem is the motor mount/gear assembly(s) as one seems to have more play than the others.
I'm not noticing any difference between high and low settings either.
 
One tip for all of you...DRY LUBE!!!...you have to keep the gears clean lubed like most anything else with gears.

I have zero doubts the heat generated by those plastic gears deform the gears over time and create more friction which in turn makes the motors work harder and burn them up even faster.

You can buy spray on dry lube almost anyplace now days.
 
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When I first have a motor go bad I replace all 4 and keep the good ones for backup. My thought is they have all been running the same length of time so if one is bad the the rest probably aren't that for off from quiting too.

I also run dry lube on my gears can't remember the brand off hand but bought it from the local farm and home
 
Jackson said:
That's why everyone need to own a multimeter. It doesn't have to expensive as many for less that $10 are more than accurate enough for our uses. As I've always said when troubleshooting, assume nothing.


Have you metered them to make sure they are in fact fully charged? That would be the first step.
Click to expand...
I had exactly the same
bigslothonmyface said:
Hi all. I'm pretty new to things -- all I've got is a Syma x5c that I'm still learning how to fly well. I have no idea how to troubleshoot it, really, and it's got a big problem.

Over the course of the last week or so, my x5c has slowly begun losing power in the air. When before it would easily zip around if the battery was fully charged, it can now barely lift itself off the ground before falling again. This happened gradually -- it went from fine, to dipping a bit low on drops, to staying in the air for a minute before falling, to finally, today, not really being able to take off at all. When I listen to it running, it is clear that the props are spinning more slowly. Their sound is lower, and when I hold it in my hand and push the throttle up it doesn't pull nearly as much as it used to.

I have no real idea what the problem is, but if I had to guess, I feel like my x5c isn't getting enough power from the battery. I don't know where the bad connection is, or if there even is one. I believe I've checked all the solder points, and they seem fine (I replaced one motor a few weeks ago, but that's all I've done to the quadcopter myself).

I have fully charged the batteries, and tried switching between multiple batteries to no avail. For about thirty seconds after I put the new battery in, my x5c can take off and maneuver a bit. After a short time, however (again, thirty secords max), it drifts slowly to the ground and won't take off again, even though I would think the battery is sill about as close to full as it gets. The quadcopter itself confirms this: it has lights that flash slowly when the battery is fully dead, and they are solid as normal through all of this.

Has anyone encountered a problem like this one before? Is it common? Is there a common fix? I'm happy to provide more info -- anything from descriptions of my usage or charging habits to photos of the device. Just say the word. I'd hate to lose it.
Click to expand...
 
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