Unreliable Spektrum AR6115e DX5e combo

[philipa_240sx]

The setup looks good. 2x S60 servo's shouldn't be stressing the BEC at all... unless you have a bad servo.

Have you tried to contact Horizon Hobby support yet?

[HobbyJumper]

No, not yet. I must, before disaster strikes.

Originally Posted by philipa_240sx

The setup looks good. 2x S60 servo's shouldn't be stressing the BEC at all... unless you have a bad servo.

Have you tried to contact Horizon Hobby support yet?

[HobbyJumper]

Arghhh! Last night, on the workbench, I plugged in four different batteries in succession and the tx and rx bound instantly each time. Taxied around the rec room floor and all looked good.

This morning at the field the first battery bound instantly and I got in a nice fifteen minute flight (timed).

The second battery, when connected, took about 5 to 10 seconds to bind, but did bind, but then after a few minutes of calm flying the plane became unbound! The motor turned off and the controls surfaces went to neutral. The plane settled into a slow shallow decent, unfortunately into a fence. Damage repairable, but man that's frustrating.

Notes:

TX batteries were fresh

TX antenna was straight.

Tx power did not go dead during lost contact (light stayed on).

When I disconnected and reconnected that same flight battery the plane bound and appeared to be ready to go again (plane was too damaged to fly, at least prudently)

I flew my t-28 um afterward (same tx) for a half hour with no binding problems at all.

[Turner]

Depending on where it is pointing, having the Tx antenna straight is probably the worst position. Try with it pointing straight up. You want the side of the antenna facing the model at all times.

[philipa_240sx]

IMHO, I would stop flying with this TX until you get this resolved. This time you hit a fence, next time it could be far more serious.

Give Horizon support a call. They are very helpful.

[HobbyJumper]

Agreed. (Safety-wise I should point out that the plane weighs 8oz w battery and there's no one around for miles, but that's not the point).

Also, antenna angle (range) is not the issue, as the plane became unbound this last time less than 200 feet away (I was almost able to catch it), and I routinely fly 200 yards out.

Originally Posted by philipa_240sx

IMHO, I would stop flying with this TX until you get this resolved. This time you hit a fence, next time it could be far more serious.

Give Horizon support a call. They are very helpful.

[Turner]

It's not a range issue. As you will find in any Spektrum Tx manual the signal is weak of the end of the antenna. If it is pointed at the plane it can contribute to loss of control. I have experienced this myself with an AR500 Rx and DX5e. 200 feet away and antenna pointing right at the plane. Lost all control. Looked down at my Tx and saw the antenna pointing right at the plane, which I don't normally do. Flipped it up and regained control. This is the only time I have lost control with this combination.

[HobbyJumper]

Holy crap! I left a message with HH tech support and they called back within ten minutes. The guy listened to the problem (very sorry to hear about my crash) and announced he's sending a new rx in the mail. I guess I've become so accustomed to lousy customer service I've come to expect it from everybody. What a nice change!

philipa, you may now say, "I told you so."

[HobbyJumper]

Again impressed. The replacement Rx arrived today. Super fast service, especially considering there is a border to cross.

[HobbyJumper]

Perhaps too soon to say 100%, but I flew the Jenny all morning with the new rx and my problems appear to be solved.

[SigMan]

what kind of range does this rx have is what im trying to find out. would like to put this in my Multiplex Dogfighter but cant find any info on rannge.