Electronize Motor Controller Support

 

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Tim Molloy (Spuddly)
Member
Username: Spuddly

Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 2:36 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm having some problems with my Electronize (15A + 5V) speed controller in a very basic RC car that I've put together. I've connected the controller to a 5V battery, a Tamiya 70167 Single Gearbox 4-Speed motor (set at low speed/high torque), and a 6-channel Futaba receiver (the battery is powering the receiver through one of its servo connectors via the speed controller, and I also have a servo connected to the receiver).

When I try to run the motor forwards, the controller repeatedly clicks, and the motor stutters, stops and starts and go backwards and forwards a few times per second. When I put it in reverse, it's alot better, but still stutters. Also, it is causing the servo connected to the receiver to behave just as irratically, even when I'm not sending signals to it (i.e. there some kind of feedback going to the servo).

Strangely, when I lift the vehicle off the ground, the motor appears to work correctly with no stuttering (although the servo is still affected). This suggests the resistance against the motor may be a problem, but the vehicle is only a few hundred grams...?

Does anyone have any ideas what may be causing this? Perhaps powering the motor/controller and receiver seperately would help?

(BTW I don't have a BEC switch in the setup. Could this be a problem?)

Any help would be very much appreciated!
Admin (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 357
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 6:56 am:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tim,

The controller version with the 5V output requires a minimum of 7V to operate. The extra voltage is need to power the on-board 5V regulator. Try a higher voltage and see how it works then. You may need to limit the voltage to the motors on the transmitter using the rates.

You can find more info in the a Data Sheets section.
Tim Molloy (Spuddly)
Member
Username: Spuddly

Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 6:10 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks very much for the suggesion. I now have it connected to an 8.4V (1900mA) battery, but am still getting the same problems - i.e. motor stuttering, controller repeatedly clicking on and off, and the servo getting some feedback. Altering the rates doesn't make a difference.

Can you suggest anything else?

Thanks again for your help.
Admin (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 363
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 2:07 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tim,

The relay is a reversing relay for the controller. If you replace the controller with a servo, does the servo work okay? Make sure all connections are secure and that the pair of wires that turns off the 5V BEC are linked, in fact ideally soldered. There is no reason why your set-up should not work perfectly, it is common practice to use an Electronize to power receivers. Another possiblity is interference can you upload a photo of your set-up?
Stewart Lomax
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 3:07 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi,
I have two of the RC 15A speed controllers which I have recently installed to run two motors independently using a 4ch transmitter & two ‘GWS RC in RC out’ Mixers to give me forward & reverse on both motors.
One of them works fine but the other will only give me forward (regardless of which way I point the joystick).
I have changed the receiver over from the one that works to the one that doesn’t & still get the same problem.

Is this a faulty controller or have I missed something?
Admin (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 673
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 8:02 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Stewart,

This very much sounds like a faulty relay. Relays will burn out if used on motors with too high an inductance but if has not ever worked it does sound like a faulty manufacture. Whilst you can return it to us, the quickest way to get this checked out is to return it direct to Electronize who offer a quick turnaround service. Any problems let us know and we will get it sorted for you. Make sure you tell Electronize that you purchased it from us and when and a brief summary of the problem.

It is quite rare to find a manufacturing fault with an Electronize so apologies for this and let us know what you carriage costs are and we will refund them to you.