mglavin
Posts: 5203
Joined: 11/29/2001
From: Elverta,
CA, USA
Status: offline
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Nick,
quote:
I am trying to be pragmatic and to soberly appreciate the situation. I don't think anyone but you can give us a more complete picture. Some reports here are alarming, but it is not clear how the reported experience can be evaluated statistics-wise.
Herein lies our dilemma, While many reports are likely factual others are simply misguided or perhaps wishful thinking or blame IMO.
quote:
Do you have any rough idea what is the fail rate of the Spectra modules? Is it in the ball park of 1%, 10% or 50%? Of course, you may not have full statistics, or this information may be classified by Hitec... I just want to appreciate what kind of chance I take if I use Optic 6 with the Spectra.
The failure rate of the Spectra module in of itself is less than 1%. Remember the problem with intermittent RF output experienced with the Optic is not a module or TX failure. As mentioned previously its al about the mechanical interference or tolerances.
quote:
We have two Optics, both with the Spectra. The first one has 504 on the sticker. The second has 510. The first Optic has actually been brought to use less than a month ago, and has been used for no more than three hours so far, I guess; the module was put in and out maybe a dozen times altogether.
The second Optic 6 has not been used at all (I think only was switched on once to test a receiver for 3 minutes). The module so far has been taken in and out five times or so.
So, can we assume that the earlier Optic with its module is as reliable as, say Laser 4 by Hitec? My son began to use that Optic 6 it and he does not want even to hear about getting back to Laser 4. What can be done in practical terms to minimize the potential risk of intermittently loosing the control?
Again it’s not a question of the modules integrity but that of the ill fit within the TX module cavity. I’m not aware of the specific dates codes that are affected by the NEW Spectra module housing, your date codes suggest the units were manufactured April 2005 and October 2005. Please measure the outside dimensions of the cases for comparison. Due the modules move around excessively?
quote:
What about the second Optic with the newer Spectra module? I would simply put a fixed RF module if Hitec sent me the one for channel 15 we use. But this is unlikely to happen, and, for instance, Tower Hobbies do not have channel 15 in stock (they have only a few available channels).
Now, what can be done with the transmitter if I want to be really responsible and do not want to take a chance? I am away now and cannot take a closer look at this new module and how it fits. However, I would say that a little extra clearance by itself can hardly cause such a dramatic consequence unless this connector or the module itself is a weak point by itself.
Unfortunately I don’t have one of the new Spectra modules at my disposal at this time. I have two Optics and several Spectra modules but they are the earlier version from 2004.
I measured the original Spectra module cases, both are 1.475”. Optic module cavity > 1.495” Eclipse module cavity > 1.485
The modules are notably looser in the Optic compared to the Eclipse .010” makes
a difference…
quote:
What is, according to your understanding, the actual cause of the problem: the contacts at the pins, or cracks/contacts inside the module itself between the connector and PCB, developing due to mechanical stresses? While we can hardly do much in the former case, it is probably possible to secure the latter part when the module is open and the PCB exposed. I fixed a number of problems of the latter sort, for instance, by just soldering in parallel to the PCB lines usual flexible wires, and those were fixes forever.
I have been assured on numerous occasions the ONLY problem is entirely with the mechanical-physical interface of said pins/socket.
quote:
Now, the idea to fix the module with the tape does not sound too solid, and has been criticized here. If the whole problem is just to mechanically fix the module firmly, I can do it easily on a rather permanent basis. For instance, what can be easier than to CA to the
sides appropriately chosen thin fiberglass plates (like those used for PCBs)? Or just the balsa strips which can be sanded to the exact match. This way I can make the lateral clearance as little as 100, maybe even 50 microns. Of course it will become more difficult to
replace, in particular to take out the module, but with a clever approach this can be easily taken care of.
Alternatively, I can drill, with the module in, four small holes right along the slot in between the module and the body, to screw in four tiny metal screws, or even better machine screws. In this case no any shift of the module relative to the body will ever happen,
either lateral or any other, until the screws are removed.
What can you say regarding this sort of approach, based on your experience? Would this tight mechanical fit make Optic 6 with Spectra as safe and reliable as we normally expect from the Hitec transmitters?
I agree on the tape comment, but it simply works in nearly all cases I’m advised… I like the idea of the screws as the best approach, but this is inconvenient for those that enjoy the channel changing features regularly. Glued shims to the module housing makes the most sense to me and is a more pliable answer IMO. From what I can ascertain with what I have the shims need only be fitted on the sides of the module. Possibly some plastic stock available from the LHS would be the best answer, MAYBE .010” stock on each side of the module.
I am assured by Hitec Service fixing the module in place will eliminate the glitching phenomena. I have a new version smaller module on the way to me, I’ll compare it to the 1.475in\37.5mm width if the original module case.
< Message edited by mglavin -- 10/18/2006 6:09:35 AM >
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Michael Glavin
RCU Community Moderator
Hitec * Multiplex Field Representative
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RE: Optic/Spectra Glitching - 
