Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > RC Jets
 What the heck is the white dot?? >

What the heck is the white dot??

Community
Search
Notices
RC Jets Discuss RC jets in this forum plus rc turbines and ducted fan power systems

What the heck is the white dot??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-23-2009 | 03:07 PM
  #1  
Pete737's Avatar
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Providence, RI
Default What the heck is the white dot??

I was just surfing FEJ's and there is a notice about the 6014FS having a white dot...It says if there is not white dot send it in for an upgrade??? What the hell?

I just bought 2 6014FS's in the last month from tower. Neither of them have a white dot, Nor does the one in my 16 that was included with my 12FG i bought in November. I have a dozen flights on them between my 16 and 310 and they feel just fine. What is going on?

Sorry if this has already been posted but I just saw it and it made me really nervous..

Pete
Old 07-23-2009 | 03:54 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: zonhoven, BELGIUM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

The RX with the dot are not/less sensible for heat. The first FASST RX's could not work properly when exposed to heat (> 50°C).

I think..
Old 07-23-2009 | 03:59 PM
  #3  
Pete737's Avatar
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Providence, RI
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Well I can live with that...

Thanks, Pete
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:00 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: zonhoven, BELGIUM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

don't leave your RX in the open sun, always put the canopy on. No probs than
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:08 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: York, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Koeniboy,

Have you actually heard that from Futaba?
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:36 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Enterprise, AL
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

there was some talk amungst the Futaba people in the know who said the dots only meant the QA check was completed on the receiver. i don't own any Futaba myself, but i do allot of building for others and some of the newer receivers have had white dots, some gold.
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:40 PM
  #7  
Shok's Avatar
My Feedback: (28)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Heath, TX
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

First rule of the white dots.......


Don't talk about the white dots
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:51 PM
  #8  
My Feedback: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: vernon, NJ
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Then what about the gold dots?
Old 07-23-2009 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
afterburner's Avatar
My Feedback: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: New City, NY
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Don't even THINK about the gold dots


Marty
Old 07-23-2009 | 05:14 PM
  #10  
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,249
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
From: Maricopa County AZ
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??


ORIGINAL: siclick33

Koeniboy,

Have you actually heard that from Futaba?

Hobbico who is the Futaba repair center here in the USA claims to
know nothing about the dots or the heat related issues, However
many people have done their own test and have found that the
non dot receivers will sometime shut down when they become a
little hot while the dotted receivers can take a lot more heat.
Old 07-23-2009 | 05:19 PM
  #11  
Gonzalo38's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Santiago, CHILE
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

You want the whole story ? Check this post if you have patience to read through it http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/f...ggestions.html

Fill the missing info of the link with flying - giants . com
Old 07-23-2009 | 05:19 PM
  #12  
Shok's Avatar
My Feedback: (28)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Heath, TX
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??


ORIGINAL: ira d





Hobbico who is the Futaba repair center here in the USA claims to
know nothing about the dots.


Exactly!
Old 07-23-2009 | 05:32 PM
  #13  
Gonzalo38's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Santiago, CHILE
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Non-Dotted



Gold-Dotted



My non-dotted versions are installed like this (just a precaution......)

Old 07-23-2009 | 05:38 PM
  #14  
RCISFUN's Avatar
My Feedback: (44)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,930
Received 34 Likes on 30 Posts
From: Erie, PA
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

The dotted version took care of more than just heat issues, they also adjusted the drive levels (signal levels) to the servos.

See post #2045 of the following thread for photos

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_61...82/key_/tm.htm

See post #24 of the following thread for the drive levels of the dotted version, the non dotted version will cause problems if you use Hi-Tec digital servos or certain other ancillary devices like sequencers, or valves, a simple line driver (amplifier) like the one sold by electrodynamics will cure any problems with drive levels of the non dotted receiver.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_87...tm.htm#8750838

Old 07-23-2009 | 08:27 PM
  #15  
Pete737's Avatar
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Providence, RI
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Im running all Digital Hitecs on my non-dotted version and everything has been uneventful..

Always something..[:@]

Pete
Old 07-23-2009 | 08:55 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Miramar, FL
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Pete,

The issue was with one or two old Hitec digital servos, and Hitec is fixing them for free.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_82..._1/key_/tm.htm

Doug.
Old 07-23-2009 | 09:06 PM
  #17  
RCISFUN's Avatar
My Feedback: (44)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,930
Received 34 Likes on 30 Posts
From: Erie, PA
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

There is a quick test to see if your receiver is the new version,or old version (I just got done checking two receivers for my buddy) connect two Hi-Tec digital's on a Y harness and try it....if it is the old version they will be very unstable.

Even with one servo the signal is very unstable with a hi-Tec digital connected

Photo #1 shows the output of the receiver connected to one H-Tec Servo on the top trace
The bottom trace is the signal through a line driver (amplifier), notice that the signal on the bottom is around 4.8 V where the signal on the top is around 2.8 v

Photo # 2 is with the output of the receiver connected to two Hi-Tec servos, notice that the bottom trace the pulse width is widened (out of compliance)

Photo #3 is the output of the receiver connected just to the line driver, the output of the line driver is connected to two hi-tec digital servos, note there is no more distortion of the signal, and the levels are around 4.8V

Bottom line is I would not trust running any hi-tec digital servos with out using a line driver on the older receiver.
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Tr51897.jpg
Views:	32
Size:	49.6 KB
ID:	1242550   Click image for larger version

Name:	Dz80942.jpg
Views:	51
Size:	50.7 KB
ID:	1242551   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ig13419.jpg
Views:	40
Size:	48.7 KB
ID:	1242552  
Old 07-23-2009 | 09:49 PM
  #18  
Pete737's Avatar
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Providence, RI
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Ok, Good to know. My 5955's are on a Y and operate normally.

Pete
Old 07-24-2009 | 12:55 AM
  #19  
BaldEagel's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,673
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

My Gold dot has gone, I think it got too hot, but it is working perfectly with 8 digital Hitec servos, two Jetteck valves and a couple of sequencers on it.

Mike
Old 07-24-2009 | 06:33 AM
  #20  
Jet Doctor's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Welcome to Futaba's All Secret Service Tell-no-one - FASST

Nothing seems to have been published officially by Futaba. Tests done by an individual on this forum has "confirmed" that the gold dot version would handle temps in excess of 100 degC and the older "non dot" versions would stop working in excess of 70 deg. If you visit the FASST site you will see that they recommend not wrapping the receiver in foam and ensuring sufficient airflow around the receiver to prevent heat build-up. That is why some guys chose to put small fans on the non dot versions.

As stated above as well the low signal voltage issue has also been addressed in the newer "gold dot" version. We have only got gold dot versions over here so I am not too sure if the "white dot" is the same as the "gold dot"? The latest version is the HS which has 6 high speed outputs for digital servos.

I made sure I found some "gold dot" versions for our African sun.

I have not seen anyone locally have issues with the non dot versions in both jets and large scale aircraft.
Old 07-24-2009 | 06:50 AM
  #21  
BaldEagel's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,673
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

As far as I know the only people who had problems with overheating where using the Rx in extreme conditions (Middle East) as far as the low voltage issue I have an FS version in an Elan with all digital servos and it works without problems, none of my airframes use Y leads they can be the source of problems, I also do not use 4 cell AA size 4.8volt batteries to supply my Rx and servo's.

Mike
Old 07-24-2009 | 07:45 AM
  #22  
airega1's Avatar
My Feedback: (204)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Va Beach, VA
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

Hey Gonzalo, is that a Smart-Fly setup with the fan?
Old 07-24-2009 | 08:00 AM
  #23  
marc s's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: farnborough, , UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

I was looking over the pictures of the two Rx's earlier in this thread, is it me or are the components different on the two - look in the area where the two antenna's pass over [&:]
If so is this usual?

marcs
Old 07-24-2009 | 08:20 AM
  #24  
Gonzalo38's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Santiago, CHILE
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??

ORIGINAL: airega1
Hey Gonzalo, is that a Smart-Fly setup with the fan?
That particular setup shows a smart-fly board with a receiver and fan attached to it.

I don't think that there are a lot of heat issues in jets since there is a good air flow inside the fuselage, but in IMAC type planes were everything is enclosed, there could be some problems if you leave your plane under the sun even for a short period of time.

According to some test that were done, the temperature at which some of the non-dotted receivers would stop working was very low so why take a risk ? I bought some small fans and installed them on the receivers. Do the fans help ? I don't know....... but at least I have peace of mind knowing that I did take precautions.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMYJ0&P=7
Old 07-24-2009 | 09:59 AM
  #25  
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,249
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
From: Maricopa County AZ
Default RE: What the heck is the white dot??


ORIGINAL: BaldEagel

As far as I know the only people who had problems with overheating where using the Rx in extreme conditions (Middle East) as far as the low voltage issue I have an FS version in an Elan with all digital servos and it works without problems, none of my airframes use Y leads they can be the source of problems, I also do not use 4 cell AA size 4.8volt batteries to supply my Rx and servo's.

Mike
Its not just the Middle East but here in the states also people had heat problems, However the bottom line is the non dotted receivers can not be used the
same way as the dotted one's and others that are currently on the market because more precautions have to be taken in high heat environments and I
would say this is more true for the 608 6014 non dotted receivers.


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.