Mr_Grump

Using the Zenoah ignition and a new RCEXL to troubleshoot what I thought was a bad RCEXL only left me confused. Only thing I had left was the sensor. What bothers me most is why the Zenoah would run and the new RCEXL wouldn't. I even took a working RCEXL off a G20 (just in case the new RCEXL was bad) and it wouldn't work on the problem engine either?

I would think if the hall worked on one, it should work on the other. I ordered one just the same.

captinjohn

I have been wondering if maybe the problems that do show up is because of poor connectors. I am sure the quality does vary on them because of companies want to save money. After reading about the guy who solders the sensor wires & does away with a likely problem maker...a poor connection....I believeit more. I also think the plug- in pins should be gold plated like a deans type.

I would say we need to ask that the connectors be of high quality and maybe even insist on gold plated pins on our ignition systems...on stock made units. It is a matter of safety also. Just trying to help by sharing ideas. Capt,n

gkamysz

My Feedback: (19)

They use the same connectors that are used on servos. Are you going to start soldering servos to your RX?

BadAzzMaxx

I have seen just about anything you could see as to why one of them does not work.

My best is in the picture below, Said he removed the cap so he could drill a smaller hole for the plug wire to go through.

But wanted a new one because that one did not work. LOL

Milton

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

WTH??????

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

BCCHI

I'd have to say your CH units worked just fine. There have been hundreds of them that have accumulated thousands of operational hours on each unit. If the RC Exl is the same, 'nuff said.

Antique

My Feedback: (4)

Hey Miton, ask him how to drill a hole smaller, that would be good information....

captinjohn

Hey I would like to know that trick too!!!!!! once in a while I drill a hole to big....would like to know how to drill the same hole smaller!!

captinjohn

Do you really think all connectors on servos are the same quality?? I am sure a $7 servo is not going to have as good as a connector as a $70 servo....or even a $170 Dollar servo. Simplistic answers is like sticking your head in the sand.

Why even ask a question like that?????????????????????

karolh

Had some servos extensions from that 'H.....o' brand name manufacturer that corroded quite badly after about two seasons. Stopped using them after that happened.

Karol

aussiesteve

Well - Almost
I do away with the plugs when i install a servo wire extension - I solder the extension wire to the servo lead. The only plug in the line is the one where ti plugs into the power board or receiver. I also use the top quality plugs on the end of the extension - gold plated pins (as Captin mentioned). There is a big range of quality available in the plugs available - from downright awful to pretty good ones. of course - the good ones do cost about twice as much.

for drilling a hole smaller - that is easy. But you do need a little specialised equipment (a video camera and a video player). Make sure you take a video recording of every hole you drill - if you make a mistake, just play it backwards and the problem is gone

Mr Grump
Did you try the RXEcel again AFTER you plugged the sensor into the zenoah ignition? I have seen corrosion on these plugs do some weird things and the simple act of unplugging them then replugging it will sometimes wipe the corrosion off and allow a slightly better connection. It could also be a silicone boot in th eplug cap on its way out. I see a lot of people twist the caps to remove them. That is fraught with danger when done that way. (not suggesting you do it but I have seen it done).

karolh

What is the correct or easiest way to remove a RC exl ignition plug cap so as not to damage the silicone plug and spring inside the cap.

Karol

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Jody did a series of pics on the subject. I'd send him a request for copies. It's actually pretty easy. Requires bending out the lock tabs and spreading the cap.

Grump,

If you have much over a 1mm air gap between the magnet and the sensor you can run into problems. That's my experience anyway. So changing ignitions from one engine to another may not be as simple as it appears. How the sensor hub mounting was performed can make a lot of difference in ignition performance. Did a thread about that awhile back and some people told me this was not possible, but it most definately is.

captinjohn

If you use a good gear-type hose clamp in place of the ring that goes around the metal boot....all you need to do to remove is loosen the hose clamp...pull strait down. You should also remove the ridge where the 2 halves of the metal boot are crimped. Do this only where the hose clamp fits around shielding. Something like that! Capt,n

Not my Idea.....a smarter man told me! RC

karolh

I have seem people damage the cap by prying it off the plug. Mine fit so bloody tight that I seldom take them off to check and see just how the plug is burning.

Karol

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Which is precisely why I eliminated the ring clamp at the bottom of the caps and use small hose clamps instead. It required grinding away a small portion of the cap ridge on both sides of the cap but there is no threat of damaging the cap during removals. An added plus is you are assured of a good cap ground.

gkamysz

My Feedback: (19)

Because I've worked in the industry and I know the quality of connectors that exist. RCEXL's are not the best and not the worst. What evidence do you have that a 70 or 100USD servo has better connectors than the same company's 10USD servos? Servo connectors that aren't gold plated are a problem. I don't use them either.

I eliminate servo extension connections when possible. I use an extra long lead or extension cut to length and solder directly to the servo PCB. The servo plugs directly in the RX if at all possible.

Soldering wires together you have to be careful about proper strain relief to prevent wire breakage.

captinjohn

Strain relief...use shrink tubing....& a short piece of a tooh pick!!!

I will buy your reply....you seem like a nice guy! What about gold plated pins. Gold is more corrosion resistant and conducts electrons better. Regards Capt,n

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

I stopped using the low end pins and connectors a good many years ago. Since moving to gold plated pins I have not had a connector connectivity or corrosion issue that had been somewhat frequent before. I never, ever, purchase the lowest priced extensions and wires I can find. I also never obtain the smallest gauge wire that can be had for the application.

Perhaps those are a couple reasons why I have zero radio issues. Good components and sound installation practices go far in eliminating problems before they happen. If you're serious about you planes you should be equally serious about the quality of the equipment in them.

clivemc

man that cracked me up

karolh

Ditto to all of the above.

Karol

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

wrong thread

captinjohn

TOM, do you use "Red Line oil" to lube the Gold Plated Pins???? Just kidding!! Years ago I had a TX system called Expert. The pots in the servos needed cleaning very often or the servos got the jitters. The use of a Di-electric grease seamed to help a lot. Would that help using the same grease on standard quality connector pins? Just curious. Thanks for your expertize, Capt,n

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

There's a problem with di-electric grease. Although it works when used sparingly for lubrication, the stuff is designed to be an electrical insulator. There has been a lot of unwanted experience in this area. Without going into specifics the stuff was used on parts of ignitions systems to prevent water intrusion. A fair number of people used it in the wrong places and in large amounts, which guaranteed ignition failures. Those mistakes cost a millions of $$. You would be better off using Vaseline for the purpose you described.

The post above yours ended up in the wrong thread. Don't have a clue why I put it here. I must have been real tired.

spaceworm

[quote]ORIGINAL: Tired Old Man

... You would be better off using Vaseline for the purpose you described.

..."

Would KY Jelly work ok, I think the latest is pure silicone.

Sincerely,

Richard