APC-4 Problems

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  • Larry Kuntz
    SubCommittee Member
    • Feb 2003
    • 513

    #1

    APC-4 Problems

    Hey Guys,
    I've been talking over a compatibility issue with the APC-4 and Airtronics receivers with some other members and they remember the old board discussing this problem. Here is what I have discovered so far:

    I'm running into strange behavior on my electronics. I thought I had it figured out but now it looks unsolvable. Here's the problem, running the airtronics 7 ch receiver, mtronics ESC, subtech apc-4 and 2 airtronics micro servos. All works well until I try a lost signal (turn transmitter off) test, all 7 channels go totally crazy, absolute 100% interference, peg from one end to the other. I tried some tests, tore everything apart, separated and moved things away from each other on the table, no help. So then I started unplugging things and found the following.

    All test are no transmitter signal, lost signal test (with signal everything works fine)
    1. It turns out that if I plug in the apc-4 with no servo connected to it, all other channels go nuts (somehow creating noise on signal pin)
    2. Plug in micro servo to apc-4, same problem
    3. Try different micro servo, same problem
    4. Substitute BEC power with receiver battery power, same problem
    5. Plug in standard airtronics servo to apc-4, everything works fine.........
    6. Conclusion, can't use apc-4 with micro servo..... WHY?

    Before you ask, I tried a 10uF filter cap at the power pins of the apc-4 and then at the servo, no help. I tried loading the signal to the apc-4 with some small caps (.1 uF and .22 uF) I had and then with a 1K, 5K, 10K resistor, no change. The only way it will work is with a full size servo?????
    Looks like I'll have to run with no apc-4.

    Follow up test:
    As per Big Dave's suggestion I tried the APC-4 on the Xxtra receiver and it works fine. The problem is it is a 5 ch receiver and I would like to use ch 6 on the transmitter as the ballast control.
    The conclusion is the Airtronics receiver will not work with the APC-4 AND Airtronics micro servos.
    Anyone have a cure for this (outside of a buying a new receiver)?
    "What goes down does not always come back up"
  • tmsmalley
    SubCommittee Member
    • Feb 2003
    • 2376

    #2
    Hey Larry - I just

    Hey Larry - I just looked in my "treasure box" and I have a brand new - never installed - SubTech APC-3. have used APC3s with my Airtronics VG600 and they've worked just fine.

    Shoot me an email if you're interested in trying it out. If it works - maybe we can work out a trade.

    Tim

    Comment

    • hampboats
      Member
      • Nov 2005
      • 196

      #3
      APC-4

      Interesting - I posted a problem with the APC-4 last month. I thought that it was noisey due to vibrations and I was using a Airtroinic 6 channel radio. I finally went back and installed my old APC -3 and it works fine.

      Comment

      • Guest

        #4
        Surely this must be something

        Surely this must be something to do with the coding for the input pulse, as opposed to the use of a solid state accelerometer in place of the fluid sensor?

        Andy

        Comment

        • Larry Kuntz
          SubCommittee Member
          • Feb 2003
          • 513

          #5
          Tim,
          Thanks for the offer but

          Tim,
          Thanks for the offer but I don't have room for the older style APC-3. Out of curiosity, did you try it with either no servo plugged into the APC-3 or a micro servo (Airtronics) plugged in? These are the only situations that create the severe jitter problem. (Transmitter turned off of course)

          I also need to talk to Mike (Mike's Subworks) as Allisa messaged me to call them and discuss this with him.
          "What goes down does not always come back up"

          Comment

          • Guest

            #6
            APC -3

            Hi Tim, I'll take that apc-3 off your hands, What are you asking. Best, Al

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              If this can't be resolved,

              If this can't be resolved, how about the LR2 pitch controller from Norbert?

              Very small.

              Andy

              Comment

              • raalst
                Senior Member
                • Feb 2003
                • 1229

                #8
                just a check : were

                just a check : were the micro servos the digital type and the
                old ones analog ?

                Comment

                • Larry Kuntz
                  SubCommittee Member
                  • Feb 2003
                  • 513

                  #9
                  Not digital, just the cheap

                  Not digital, just the cheap $24 Airtronics micros. The # is 94091Z but I see they are $29 now.
                  "What goes down does not always come back up"

                  Comment

                  • hampboats
                    Member
                    • Nov 2005
                    • 196

                    #10
                    APC-4 issues again

                    I talked with Mike at Subworks and the problem surrounds Airtroinics changes to their radio systems and specifically the VG600 radio which is what I am using. There appears to be no answer to the problems other than not using airtronics (vg600) with the APC-4. Mike said they are no longer carrying the 600. Therefore, I have an APC-4 that I can't use with this boat. If someone has the older APC-3 they want to sell or trade for the APC-4 pls let me know Thanks. My email is dhampton@ameritech.net

                    Comment

                    • tmsmalley
                      SubCommittee Member
                      • Feb 2003
                      • 2376

                      #11
                      Dave - I found a

                      Dave - I found a used APC-3 in my goodie box. I think I swapped it out of my Alfa when I went to the APC-4. I'll send the 3 your way if you PM me your preferred mailing address.

                      If it works for you - great. If it's still no go, I'll pick it up at the SubRon6 June fun run.

                      Tim

                      Comment

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