Spirit System

Hello Eric,
my configuration is an Spirit2 with an 4651T and an YGE-Controller 65LVT -
My transmitter is a spekturm NX10 - This configuration works without a problem, the esc arms perfectly -

I dont't think that there is a problem with the Spitit unit or the 4651T - For the YGE I had to made first an stick setup (linear throttle curve) - for that I have to set the throttle stick to max (100%) (transmitter on !) and then connect the Lipo to the controller, Master Cable has to be set into Aux1 Port - After that I have to choose the mode programming too -
After that the esc works perfect and I only has as an second step programmed the govenor mode -

May be your esc is faulty ?
I haven't had a Kontronik controller myself so far, so I can't give any advice here, but to rule out whether your ESC is defective I would double-check it with another controller, so you would at least have ruled out that it is a fault of your Kontronik controller or it is it turns out that your controller has a problem -

Perhaps one more note, did you use the correct SRXL2 cable? See the picture in the appendix -

greeting
Matthias

Thank you both for the replies. I've been up to more testing but alas, every time I think I'm making progress..... I'm not..

I did a large number of tests to see if the Throttle PWM range setting was the culprit. Here's what I did:

With my model bound to the 4651T through my Spektrum transmitter and using 100 100 throttle travel, 0 subtrims and a 0-100 throttle curve, I did the following for each throttle PWM setting from 700us to 1300us in 10us increments:

1) I plugged the programming adapter into the Spirit2 and ran the software.

2) I powered up the Kolibri, Spirit2, 4651T with a flight pack (using the BEC)

3) I set the Throttle Low PWM range on the Throttle Settings section of General tab to the next untried increment

4) I saved the new settings to the Spirit2 (got a success message)

5) I powered the Kolibri, Spirit2, 4651T down

6) I powered my Spektrum transmitter up with the throttle in low position

7) I powered up the Kolibri, Spirit2, 4651T with a flight pack and observed the results. Each and every attempt, the esc wouldnt arm and I had the same sinlge LED. This took a bit of time to complete.


At the conclusion of all of those tests, I plugged the Kolibri into the AR7700, Bound it to my Spektrum transmitter (same model) and it armed every time.

I hope you can all understand but, I began to get a little discouraged.

I decided to try a full factory reset of the Spirit2

1) I did an APM mode reset of the Kolibri using the AR7700. I also set Mode 4. All went normally

2) I re-bound the 4651T to my Spektrum transmitter and connected the Kolibri back to the Spirit2

3) I powered up the Kolibri, Spirit2, 4651T with a flight pack (BEC) and performed a factory reset on the Spirit2. I then reloaded the Spirit settings file I've posted here.

4) I then assigned the throttle channel on the Spirit2 and and it armed! But not reliably. (incidentally the Throttle PWM range was at the factory default 1100us Low 1900us High) Sometimes it would take 4 or 5 tries until finally, it wont arm anymore, Single LED, no tones... Adjusting the Throttle PWM Low either higher than 1100us or Lower made no difference.

Other tests performed

I tried another 4651T - made no difference

I guess I can order another ESC to try. (This is will be the 3rd esc I've tried but the 1st non-Kontronik)

I suppose it could be a timing thing. I dunno. I could really use a break

Thanks for all of your attempts to help me.

-Eric

I have confirmed that the ESC is good in fact I have two of them. One is unflown and has been back to Kontronik. The other has also been to Kontronik and has about 10 flights on it. If I plug either of them into my AR7700, they arm and work fine. In case you havent read this entire sad thread, This all flew and worked fine for a time. Then it stopped.

Incidentally, that is the very same cable I use with the 4651T.


-Eric

Hello Eric,
I think before you make any further attempts, test it either with a borrowed or purchased non-Kontronik controller - if it always works without problems then your Kontronik controller has a problem - either a defect or actually a timing problem -

Have you already described this problem to the Kontronik support (your structure and the parts used, specified)?

Can you make a video and put it online, because written text is by no means as meaningful as a video - maybe also various pictures about the wiring?
Otherwise I don't see much hope of being able to help -

greetings
Matthias

Matthias,

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I started this journey working with Kontronik. Since the ESC worked fine with the AR7700, I moved the conversation to the Spirit forum.

A video is a fantastic idea! Let me see what I can put together. I will also try another ESC and potentially a different manufacturer's receiver. There are others using this ESC successfully with the Spirit2 with Jeti and others. More to try.

Thank you!

-Eric

So tonight, I tore into another Heli and liberated at Talon 90 ESC for testing purposes. I simply plugged this into my Spirit2 AUX1 with the 4651T bound to the same model on my Spektrum transmitter. I made no other changes. Throttle PWM on the Spirit2 is at factory defaults.

Arms every time....


Can this mean that the Kolibri is bad? When I plug the Kolibri into the AR7700 it arms every time as well!


Not sure what to do next.

-Eric

Hello Eric,
at first that sounds good !

So you can rule out that the problem comes from the combination of spirit and spektrum and that both products are working right - I think the "problem", if you wanted to call it that, actually comes from the Kontronik corner - it would be best if You write / call the Kontronik support and describe them the problem with your configuration there - I would be very surprised if they couldn't help you in this matter.

Perhaps they could also tell you boundary conditions that can lead to a successful initialization?
Kontronik is actually known for good service -

I hope this helps you a little -

Here you get the link to the support https://www.kontronik.com/kontakt.html

Best Regards
Matthias

SOLVED!! At least I'm pretty sure... kinda....

I think I've solved this issue and while in retrospect, this may seem an obvious cause. It was NOT obvious. Most importantly, by posting this I hope to help others just as everyone did in trying to help me.

The punch line. Don't run all three ESC cables together in a single sleeve. The Kolibri may both generate and be susceptible to noise which can cause arming problems. Also, the Kontronik manual might be updated to mention NOT to do this. Also, that a single flashing LED with no tones doesnt always mean it has to go to Germany or that there is an internal motor connection issue. I can also mean that the Kolibri may have an issue with the receiver/fbl connection. Check that.

I like very neat installations. To that end, I had three "cables" coming from the ESC to the Spirit2. The Master ESC cable, The Slave ESC cable and the Telemetry cable. As the TDSF is an all carbon frame, I thought it best and neatest to run the three cables through a woven nylon anti-chaffing sleeve. I ran all three cables through the same large 1/2" sleeve. When I removed the ESC this last time, I removed the sleeve inspect each cable for any damage and to take electrical measurements of each. I noticed that the ESC would arm with all cables in the sleeve when out of the heli but not when installed. After removing the sleeve and inspecting and measuring each wire in each cable, I could find nothing wrong. So I reinstalled the ESC into the heli only this time, I ran each cable in a seperate 1/8 sleeve. I ran the Master and Slave cables in one path and the telemetry along another path. Voila! Arms just fine.


Thanks to all for cheering and helping. Loving my Spirit2 in this TDSF!

-Eric