Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

This may be a stupid question, but I just got my Falcon 3D and I've put on the landing gear and was messing around trying to control it on the ground. It worked fine. I took it outside because it was calm (but cold, about 35F). The helicopter will take off briefly, but after i land it, it will stop responding to radio signals. If I unplug it and plug it back in, the gyro light will blink red. If I take it inside, unplug it, plug it back in, it will start working again.

The throttle stick is all the way down when I plug it in. I can kill the battery indoors with no problems, but out in the cold I can get it to work for maybe 30 seconds. Are RC helis not supposed to function in the cold? Or is there something wrong with my falcon?

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

you may just need to let the gyro adjust to the drastic temperature change.....so put the lipo in your pocket to keep it warm (lipos hate being cold) and let the falcon sit outside for about a minute. then put the battery in and spool her up and fly away:D

,Tyler

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

Agreed. Don't let your battery get cold. Keep it warm until the very moment you are ready to fly.

During normal flight, the battery will generate some heat as it discharges, so this should keep it warm after you install it and take off.

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

I have gone from room temp to 30 degrees and have not had this problem with my falcon. Yes, the gyro will drift excessively if you just up and fly it, but after a few minutes you can land then reset it by unplugging the battery and it's OK after the gyro cools down to the outside temp. Or just have patience and let the heli sit for 5 minutes before you fly it, but it's fun to chase the tail around sometimes....... :)

Why it would stop responding to radio signals is something different, indication a possible problem with the reciever not the gyro. The heli will fly and operate without the gyro plugged in the loop (have fun with that.)

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

Also, I think that the blinking gyro light indicates it does not detect a signal coming from the reciever, so this also points to a problem with the reciever.

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

Biggest thing is to keep the batts. warm. I made a foam envelope from that 1/8 in foam that new electronics are wrapped in. Scotch taped together with a velcro closure. Was flying the other day at 18F with no problems. When I plug the batt in without the DX7 turned on the gyro will enitialize and come on solid red. then turn on the trans. and she's good to go. Put a few batts through it that day, didn't even break anything for a change.:D

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

Maybe its the low voltage on the ESC cut the power since it too cold for the LiPO to function.

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

As I said keep the batt. warm with a cozy and it will generate enough to keep itself warm and you'll get the full run out of it.

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

I've actually had problems in the cold too. The gyro won't init - seems like it is in conjunction with the tail rotor. I tried sitting it outside to adjust and just taking it immediately outside. Happens in both cases. Some times it is fine, some times it isn't.

I'm going to try a different gyro to see if that helps ... along with piecing the bird back together after the last "flight".......

RE: Falcon 3D doesn't work in the cold?
 

I wonder if it is a bum gyro. Mine crapped out about after a weeks use. Would be fine for one flight and the next would go halfway through a batt. then would go out of control. Was replaced and has given no throuble since. Same with a fellow fliers.