HELP W/ ROBBE NAVY 14 AND EXPANSION MOD.

[subshop]

Hey guys, I have been bench testing the tx/rx i plan on using in my gato. i have found the response of the servos is erratic and unreliable. i am using the multi-prop , multi-switch 16 and the switch-prop 12-2 modules and decoders. besides the servo response being off the switch circuits have constant power at all times.
any help is appreciated, neil

[Wheelerdealer]

Sometimes using a different frequency

Sometimes using a different frequency crystal sort out issues. Servo only work right in the proportional channel, not the switched ones.

[subshop]

HELP W/ ROBBE NAVY 14 AND EXPANSION MOD.

actually both the switch and proportional controls are erratic. if using a rotary control for a servo sometimes it works sometimes it does not. moving the tx makes the servo move a little. if using the proportional switch with a servo, if you move the switch one way it moves, move the switch to center it returns but throw the switch the other way and nothing. the decoder that has switched control have a constant voltage across the conections at all times regardless of switch position .
i have rechecked all my connections, connected one module at a time, used different channels, tried and checked everything i could think of and still poor or no results. i am hoping i am overlooking something simple ?
never heard of any problems with the robbe navy 14 and after spending all this money i am really disappointed with this system! any ideas anyone !
thank, neil

[Guest]

In my other life as

In my other life as a railway signalling engineer, I find the best way to get to the root of any problem is to break the failure down into sections, and apply rules of deduction.

Start by gradually isolating parts of the system, i.e. the decoders until the problem disappears. I have an FC16, which is essentially a F14 with a computer bolted on, so i'm aware that these sets are modular and easy to isolate various add-ons by simply unplugging things.

You could have a fault with the radio TX, RX decoders etc. Only by swapping things about will you be able to find the cause of the problem.

I take it you have checked the battery voltages? I would be surprised if this caused a problem, as Futaba equipment is highly tolerant of low voltages, most of their kit will still operate at 3 volts, albeit slower.

Andy

[subshop]

andy, this is what i

andy, this is what i e-mailed robbe:
I own two navy 14 radios and i have been experiencing a problem. I installed the following modu/decoders in one radio ; multi-prop module / multi-prop decoder , multi-switch prop 12+2 modul/ multi-switch prop 12+2 decoder and multi-switch 16 modul/ multi switch 16 decoder.
the following is occurring: servos connected to the multi-prop decoder or multi-switch prop 12+2 decoders do not function all the time and on all spaces of the decoders when using either the rotary knobs or the switches. when the switches are used, moving the switch in one direction causes the servo to move. returning the switch to center position causes the servo to return but when switch is moved to opposite position the servos do nothing.
the multi-switch 16 decoder is also not functioning properly. when connected there is a constant voltage on all eight places regardless of what position the switches are.
i am using a 12v battery as my power source w/ two (2) bec circuits to provide 5.5v to the rx, and multi-prop decoders. 12v is connected to both the multi-switch 12+2 decoder and the multi-switch 16 decoder. i have used a meter to check output voltage of bec and it is correct.
i have removed each modul/decoder and tried operating them individually, on different channels, i have uded different crystals and even tried it in my other radio but nothing seems to work. i even turned off the flouresent lighting in my work area thinking that it may be interfering with the radios operation but with no change.
any assistance would be much appreciated. than you, neil sabatino

[Guest]

I know nothing about the

I know nothing about the specific radio, but try removing one of the bec circuits, and see if that helps.

[subshop]

art, what makes you say

art, what makes you say that. i checked , the output voltage is at 5.5 volts on all three. do you think there may be some sort of interference coming from them? neil

[Guest]

Yes. When I use two

Yes. When I use two ESC's with BEC's, I remove the red lead from one of them to avoid interference.

[subshop]

art,right now i am just

art,right now i am just bench testing the units and do not have the esc hooked up. i am using the bec's from subtech. neil

[Guest]

Ahh, bit more information now.

Definitely

Ahh, bit more information now.

Definitely using more than one BEC will cause you major problems.

Make sure you use just ONE BEC for the radio. If it isn't beefy enough, then you need to get a bigger BEC, don't parallel them up.

Make sure all your servo, switch decoder etc. grounds are referenced to the same point i.e. , else the logic circuits will be confounded.

Andy

[subshop]

andy, do you think that

andy, do you think that a subtech bec is sufficient to power a rx and two decoders ? neil

[subshop]

andy, i removed the power

andy, i removed the power to two of the three bec's and used a spare rx battery so as to try one decoder at a time. no change ! as far as the grounding the decoders, servos etc to a common point, i am not totally sure on how i would do that. if you mean to use a common connecting point that powers all the above, i think i have done that.
because i did not want all the electronics mounted haphazardly throughout the wtc i chose to buy a pc board that is clad on one side. i mounted the decoders and rx to the unclad side and the bec's and various terminal strips to the clad side. is is an experimenters board so there a multiple holes in the board w/ a circle of copper around each hole for soldering. could this copper also be a cause of interference ? neil

[Guest]

Computer radios

I have owned a bran new F-14 radio and several modules and only had bad experiances with this system,maybe with surface craft it works but with the very different envioroment that subs operate in one needs a a very well desighned dedicated computer platform that are available on 75 mghz like the futaba 9CAP ,no modules bulitproof PCM or ppm modulation that when in PCM the multiple failsafe conditions can be programned to keep your sub safe.Even low reciever batery audible warning and transmiter low power warning as well as up down timers!
I dont know why Futaba made the F-14 with its confusing and expensive modular system that has somany glitches,and not even computerized or even able to reverse a servo!not for me I got rid of that sucker and it was bran new!
I recomend a Futaba 9CAP on 75 mghrz with or without the 15 chanel or 30 chanel expandable module from Vantek.Great service and good pricing these radios are profetional grade used in the robotic and movie industries.
I have the 9CAP with 30 aditional chanels,the module is big but they make a smaller 15 chanel vertion,if you want alot of functions that can be esaly programned and can even use multiple diferent voltage powersources than the Vantek radios are par none.
I also use air craft 10 chanel JR 10X computer radio that can operate or store up to 20 models set ups with a range of programing that makes seting up your sub very easy,throw adjustment,reverse,speed of movement,7 mix programing suits like V wing for X tail subs ,flaperons for diferential diveplanes as on my Octura sub and all done on an easy to read screen and even the programing can be tranfered to your pc and to your buddies! Both Futabe and JR uperclass radios do all these things at half the cost of a full blown F-14 and a hell of alot more reliable with PCM modulation.Both makes make 75 mghrz radios if you like.I use microswitches directly activated by the servo to oprate solinoids,reverse motors lights ect,that way cost is way down and reliability is way up as well as ease of repair.
I have added dual throtles to a JR 10 Z radio years ago and its easy to do.
You will be so surprized at what you can do and expand the capabilities of your sub that you will gladly use a compuer radio every time.
Get it on Ebay there all there except for the rare Vantek modul radios.I just got my JR 10 X on 72 mgz a air craft radio not a heli one due to the slaving of chanel 6 for 400 bucks with 2 recievers! New 1400.00$
And love it!
Sail with peace of mind and unequaled reliabilty as it is the future of submarine radios.

[feet wet]

Neil,
I too run a

Neil,
I too run a pair of F-14's and have found that my troubles are always traced to operator error. Hopeful this isn't the case here.
Start at the beginning, how are your modules wired to the transmitter? Are the expansion modules set to the right radio type, PPM/PCM ?
Use a BCM that has the capacity to handle the load. I am using one made by Dawnmist www.dawnmist.demon.co.uk/ and they work fine. They have a 5amp capacity. also remember that some of these modules require a 12v source. Is your receiver 7 or 8 channel?
I like these radios, just wish I could run a f-16 or 18.
Jonathan

[subshop]

Jonathan, I think i have

Jonathan, I think i have covered all possible items when i tried to trouble shoot this. First the radios are a couple of years old but were never used till now. they are 8 channel capable but the receivers that were sent with the radios were 7 channel . Al at Ships n things sent me the directions to modify the rx. to 8 channel but i bought a hitec 8 channel rx from him instead.
Nothing has been put in the boat yet. I first wanted to bench test everything before actually mounting it in the boat. I originally used multiple bec from subtech then only used one, then just the rx battery, no change.
i have used one decoder at a time. disconnected the modules in the tx, changed there channel assignment in the tx and rx. changed radio channels crystals ... no change.
what i have observed that is going on : the servos do not all respond and the ones that do are not going through their full range of travel. on the switch decoders channels there is constant voltage no matter what position the switch is in. sometimes s servo may move a little when i move the tx antenna in and around the rx antenna. i have also changed the distance between the tx and rx , no change. i even turned off all the fluorescent lights in my workshop no change.
my next step is to call robbe in Germany and speak to their customer support dept. i tried email and all attempts bounced back.
well thats where i'm at. let see what this week brings.