Hi all,

Has anyone had a loss of control problem using a Spektrum DX 7 and a AR7000 Reciever?

I have had two loss of control incidents resulting in the total loss of control and two destroyed aircraft. Both aircraft used the same AR7000 receiver. The first aircraft was using all components that come with the DX 7 radio, 4 Spektrum digtal servos, 4.8 volt receiver battery pack and AR7000 receiver and ON/OFF switch. That plane crashed on it’s 4th flight, aircraft rolled right with out command and did not responed to opposite control input. Plane was completely destroyed.

Second aircraft used all new equipment, 4 JR 821 digital servos, 6 volt 1500mah receiver battery pack but used the same AR7000 receiver from the first plane after long check out process for any possible receiver problems. Second plane had a loss of control right after takeoff with the same roll to the right without command given and would not respond to new stick inputs.

I called Spektrum product support and was told about a low voltage reset that can happen if the receiver sees a momentary voltage of 3.2 volts. Product support told me that the receiver would go into a re-boot if this voltage is seen by the receiver, the receiver would not work until it completed the re-boot process, that takes seconds to complete. I asked him why this information was not in the manual, he did not give me a answer. Does anyone know about this issue? I am sending back this receiver to Spektrum for evaluation.

I would like to have someone from Spektrum contact me about this problem. I am hearing more and more of these stories on other websites and I am unwilling to fly my other aircraft with th AR7000 receiver until I know what is going on. I have lost two new 40 size electric aircraft to this problem at a large expense to my pocket book. I think some compensation is in order for "US" that have lost our equipment through no fault of our own.

Thanks


Update: Today April 17, 2007

I just got off the phone with Todd at Horizon Hobby, He referred me to page 102 in the DX 7 maual which states “Do not fly below 9.0v on the transmitter or below 4.7 on the receiver. To do so can crash your aircraft”

Now I ask you, Don’t you think this statement should be placed a little more in the front of the operators manual? Todd told me that a 6 volt Rx battery would be a better choice than a 4.8 volt pack. Well I have one question then, why does spektrum ship a 4.8 volt battery pack with every radio if 6.0 volts is a safer option to avoid an in-flight receiver re-boot? I told him I was a big supporter of spektrum products but I now don’t feel I have been given the information in a manner that allowed me to fly my aircraft in the safest possible way. All also asked if they would in any way compensate me for the loss of both planes and Todd said no, we do not cover collateral damage from the use of our products.

I am very disappointed by the way specktrum has handle the information and customer service issues here.


Six

****Update: April 18,2007****

This looks like a fix for low voltage re-boot issue

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=SPM1600

It's called a SpeKtrum Voltage Protector $6.00

I order 3 today

Why did not Spekturm support tell me about this????

Why not give these free to people that have lost aircraft to this problem as a good will jest rue???

*****Update April 19, 2007****

I recieved the Voltage Protectors today, will install them this weekend and fly with them next week. I have installed a new 6 volt 2700mAh Rx pack into my last 40 size plane and will cycle the pack a few times and load test before use. I will update you after flight test.

Six


*****Update April 24,2997****

I flew today with the voltage protector install. Four flights no problems. This plane has been rock solid from the first flight so adding the cap did not screw up anything. Still waiting to hear from Horizon about the reciever I sent back for eval. Will update when I hear from them.

Six

*****Update May 4, 2007*****


I want to thank the poster for this information:

" portablevcb
Neophyte hacker

portablevcb's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Posts: 5,853

You should feel a bit vindicated. The JR sponsored noon demo at SEFF included the crash of their demo plane due to the rcvr low voltage problem (new JR tansmiatter with Spektrum built in). They announced over the PA that they had duplicated the problem on the bench later with the same system and another one to verify that it was due to high current draw from the digital servos pulling the voltage too low for the receiver.

Now, the question is, what will JR do about it?

charlie"


Well I found the video of the plane crashing into the ground!!!! The crash happens 2/3 into the video just after the guy on the PA system gets done saying how great the JR/Spektrum link system is,

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...hmentid=1293966
(You will need to type this into your web browser, the link will not work from here)

Here is Horizon Hobby's response to this Incident:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Articles...ArticleID=1674



It just shows all of us that we need to pay attention to how much power these servos need and what can happen if we don't.

Six


******Update May 5, 2007*****

Hi All,

I finally received information on my AR7000 sent back for evaluation at Horizon Hobby. The technician at Horizon after performing a range check and burn in on the bench for ½ hour found “no trouble found, receiver works normally”. Now to be fair, Horizon did decide to replace the receiver at no cost, which I do appreciate. Now I wish they did find something wrong because now I don’t know if I am any better off with a new one.

I guess I will switch back to non-digital servos!

Six