Engel U177 IX D2

Hi Martin

I have a problem with the ESC - I have posted this in the electronics section. Basically all the lights flash as they should but the motors will not reverse...

Both ESCs are the same. I have enabled & disabled reverse which is easy to do - no joy. I have tried a range of options - the fault is not with the transmitter as the issue persists on every channel.

Odd - could be the ESCs are both broken but as both are the same & forward works perfectly I think it is something basic I just cannot see- I have emailed Engel for advice.

I just wonder if anyone else has had this problem,

ATB
ROb

Hi Rob,
Well,if this is the only problem and (as you write) all the rest is working normal, I may congratulate you!
About the ESC; all I can think of (as you probably did already)is:
1)the ESC's have broken down (I had it with one of them once) and had it repaired.
2)the programming is wrong,so go over it again very carefully.
3)there is something wrong in the wiring and believe me, it is possible that although you are convinced everything is wired correct, there still is a wrong connection.
I'm not an expert on this but next monday I'm going to sail my "updated" U177 on our annual SubSail meeting in Holland where I meet all the Top Aces of Submarine builders.
One of them helped me a lot and even solved a problem Engel could not! (there was actually a fault in one of the electric wiring diagrams.)
So if you can get me as much information as possible, preferably foto's and a self-made drawing of all the wiring (to batteries/esc's/motors and electronic print)than I hope to get you a solution.
Finally in the Robbe ESC instructions is probably a little story about the BEC system, if so pay also attention to that.
Greetings,
Martin

Rob,
Perhaps superfluous but still:
I'm using the Robbe Rokraft 120 E ;cannot tell if they are the same as yours but the instructions says:
Leave the throttle stick untouched
Hold the push button pressed in until the LED flashes once evenly.
Move the stick to the full throttle forward position and press the button briefly. The LED should now flash twice.
Move the stick to the neutral position and press the push button again. The LED should now flash three times.
Move the stick back to the full throttle reverse position and press the push button again.
The speed controller is now completely set up and ready to work.
Same as yours?
Martin

I can't help much because I'm not familiar with this ESC.

It does sound very like the Mtronik though.

Some general suggestions:

- Watch out if you are using an external BEC (They fight each other.)

- Always nice if you have another (working) one to compare but the fact that both are doing this is very significant.

- Is the servo range set up correctly on the transmitter?(Plug a servo in and make sure that you get full travel.)


David

Thanks to you both

David - I have simply connected ESC to motor, receiver & battery so BEC would not seem to be an issue

Servo range is full - I had tested it but double checked again - it works.

Martin - Thank you for the offer as I have hinted at the ESC is now only connected to battery & motor & receiver, there is no other wiring involved now. So it is as the diagram in the ESC instructions

I have followed the instructions as you describe , they are the same.

I am more inclined to the fact both servos have the same fault as the LED when programmed is steady on forward, flashes on reverse & neutral- no light. This makes me think programming is correct particularly as if I disable reverse in programming the flashing light does not appear.

Where did you get your ESCs repaired?

Engel have suggested a careful re programme which I did with no joy so I have been in contact again.

Any more ideas would be welcome.

ATB
ROb

I do have a twin engined destroyer on a single ESC I was planning to upgrade this to two ESCs - I may buy another pair & try them on the sub just so I can get the thing sailing & resolve the Robbe 25 problem in slow time.

Any recommendations for another ESC to try?

ATB
Rob

Rob,
My first suggestion is to interchange the ESC one by one with the one in your destroyer and than find out if one is faulty.
When mine ESC broke down I returned it to the model-shop and they send it back to Robbe.They repaired it but it took months before I got it back!
I have contacted my "Uboot guru" and he had the following thoughts:
"BEC should not be an issue" but are you working WITH or WITHOUT BEC? If you are working without it donot forget to disconnect the red lead in the plug to the receiver!
Maybe you should try an other receiver because it seems to be known that certain combinations of receivers plus Rocraft ESC's donot match.Just because both ESC doing the same strange things on one receiver.
If I get more hints (on monday) i will let you know
Good luck
Martin

Thanks for your advice- the red lead was removed as I had a BEC.

I have ordered two mtronic ESCs & will try these- the write up says they are fully compatable with any receiver.

I will save the Robbe 25s for the destroyer which will be using a different receiver & transmitter.

Having said that it took me 30mins to sort my phone at work today - far more complicated!

ATB
Rob

PS not forgotten the pictures.

PPS I also spotted what appeared to be a one man sub on the stern of a yacht in Malta - I have a couple of picyures & will post when I have time

I have had good experiences with Mtroniks ESCs and they are very widely available.

David

Hi Rob,
Here's a picture of my U177 at the SubSail this day.
The sailing was ok however the diving was not I was hoping for.
Regards,
Martin

She looks very good on the water

rob

The ESC seems to be causing me endless problems- I spoke to Westbourne Models - & they recommended mtronic viper 25 marine- worked fine then I managed to short circuit them (my own fault) - smoke everywhere...... joy. Luckily only burnt out the ESCs

I am going to try Mtroniks Viper Sub 10HV.

Good news is the tanks work

Photos will follow.

ATB
ROb

Beware of using CA glue near any electronics. This can harm the PCB.
I recommend using the Engel brushless motors for submarines.

Do not give up Rob!
It should work!
Looking forward to the pictures.
Regards,
Martin

Hi Rob,
I sent you a PM 2 weeks ago but I think I did something wrong,saw it appear 3-fold on the screen and had the idea it never reached you.
So how are you getting along?
Regards,
Martin

OK - problem is sortednow. No burnt ESCs - motors forward & backwards independantly.

I have just fitted middle deck.

Gun made & fitted just need to finish the aerial on the upper deck.

Hopefully I can test for water tight integrity this weekend.

ATB
ROb

Have a good sail Rob.

(Without too many "heart stopping moments" when you dive her!)

David

Hi Rob,
What is the latest news? Everything going according plan??
Regards,
Martin

Good morning

Thanks for askin.

My chum came over inthe week for the test run in our pond. Could be worse.

1) It floats - needs some ballast adjustment but pretty good, slight list to port. Maybe a smidge bow heavy.

2) All electronics work

3) Tanks work but buoancy wrong so will not dive - see (1) I suppose

4)Prop shafts leak as tanks fill - as pressure goes up in WTC - I have got some new PVC piping to redo the seal

5) WTC lid - no leak

General view was the launch was a success. All the problems seem to be an issue of fine tuning.

I have not forgotten photos- I just need a spare hour to load them

ATB
ROb

Good afternoon,
Thnakd for your reply and I was wondering about point 3 since I had that problem also in the beginning.
Therefore my question: did you make the hose connection as on the foto?
Cheers,Martin

The plans show the tube going through the hull - to the outside not between the middle & upper deck - which is what I have done.

The tanks filled & emptied OK just the sub did not sink!

ATB
Rob

actually the hose is running from the static depth controller to a copper tube glued in the WTC lid.
Martin

you are not talking about the pressure switch in front of the boat,are you?

Doh!!

Yes I am - I put the tube from the static depth controller to the middle deck just astern of the lid.

Rob