Tandem X20 HUGE problem

[stepheneadams]

My TX is misbehaving BADLY. I prep a plane and all surfaces are working as expected. Then I take off. Within seconds it throw the left aileron UP. To the point that is requires almost all of right Trim to level it out.

I know it is the TX because it happened on multiple airplanes. Just yday I launched my Uproar and it occurred. I got it trimmed and flew it. Landed and ailerons were level. Then I removed the right Trim and the left aileron was raised by nearly 3/4". So then I flew an older Kyoto Flip 3D. Same exact behavior only this time the plane did not survive the tree it found. I got behind the plane and never could square it away.

When I really started thinking about it. It has happened with other planes as well. I recall my Cessna 182 flying fine the first flight. Refueled and it occurred on the second takeoff. I recall it happening on my Timber. Now I am paranoid.

Seems I need serious repair work. I will admit to having knocked the TX off the bench a couple times.

@Wayne

Where do I start? I am not afraid of swapping parts myself.

Stephen

 

[Konrad]

I'd take off the back and look for a fractured wire or solder joint on or near the hall effect sensor for the aileron movement on the gimbal.

Being able to repair most TX issues with parts support was key to my purchasing of FrSky transmitters.

Aloft has said they are no longer performing TX repairs, so if the repair scope goes much beyond R&R of parts one might have to send it to a repair facility (HorusRC?).

 

[gnichola]

So, you are saying only one aileron moved? When the left aileron went up, the right remained centered? If so, that wouldn't seem like a stick wiring issue. If you just leave the radio and plane connected on the ground, does it ever happen?

 

[stepheneadams]

So, you are saying only one aileron moved? When the left aileron went up, the right remained centered? If so, that wouldn't seem like a stick wiring issue. If you just leave the radio and plane connected on the ground, does it ever happen?

Yes, only the left aileron move. I have not tried powering up and letting it sit but easy enough to do.

Additionally this occurs on BOTH gas and glow.

 

[stepheneadams]

I'd take off the back and look for a fractured wire or solder joint on or near the hall effect sensor for the aileron movement on the gimbal.

Being able to repair most TX issues with parts support was key to my purchasing of FrSky transmitters.

Aloft has said they are no longer performing TX repairs, so if the repair scope goes much beyond R&R of parts one might have to send it to a repair facility (HorusRC?).

Thanks, I will take a look for anything obvious.

 

[thenated0g]

I know radios will do weird stuff when they lose radio signal. But if its only one surface that is strange. Please share if you find a solution.

 

[Wayne]

Hmm, by any chance do you use a cloned program for your different models, or did you start from fresh for each of your models?

Why do I ask? I'm wondering if some sort of odd programming was accidentally introduced and has been "cloned" onto each of your models.

I know, fat chance, but I do not think this is a gimbal issue wither as both of your ailerons would have been triggered.

Can you share one of your model files here so we can poke around and see if we can spot anything?

Have you been able to bench test and find something that seems to trigger the action?

 

[gnichola]

I don't think looking at the wiring will be fruitful. If there was a problem with the aileron stick, both left and right would respond accordingly. I am with @Wayne on this one, share the model files of two of the planes that exhibit this odd behavior.

 

[Wayne]

And yes, you can always send us the transmitter to mess with. No guarantees, but worse comes to worse we can send it into FrSky's Brea Calif location for deeper service.

 

[stepheneadams]

@Wayne Yes, I do clone sometimes and I should know better. My Horus 10s gave me issues with clones. In any case, attached are the two models which experienced aileron issues.

I did some bench testing on the Uproar model. I powered it up in my basement shop (engine not running) and walked outside a fair distance away. There were no issues with unwanted movements.

I removed the back cover to inspect things (and adjust the stick ratchet/tensioners) but managed to disconnect the wire which runs to the antenna embedded in the handle. There is a yellow adhesive on that, and many, connections. What can I use to secure the antenna wire properly?

Stephen

 

[stepheneadams]

@Wayne Yes, I do clone sometimes and I should know better. My Horus 10s gave me issues with clones. In any case, attached are the two models which experienced aileron issues.

I did some bench testing on the Uproar model. I powered it up in my basement shop (engine not running) and walked outside a fair distance away. There were no issues with unwanted movements.

I removed the back cover to inspect things (and adjust the stick ratchet/tensioners) but managed to disconnect the wire which runs to the antenna embedded in the handle. There is a yellow adhesive on that, and many, connections. What can I use to secure the antenna wire properly?

Stephen

@Wayne or anyone else. Please look at the attached files and see what I may be missing. Thanks. Just need a 2nd set of eyes on this.

I don't plan to fly anything but a cheap foamie until I get this sorted. And, FYI, I have not flown since I started this thread (travel, weather, etc). But want to fly some more before end of year.

 

[gnichola]

I had looked at them earlier and saw nothing of note. Both aircraft have a pair of servos for the wing, which leads me to believe it cannot be the transmitter, unless BOTH ailerons are doing something weird. If the stick moves or fails, or the wiring is bad, the ailerons should be in lock step with one another.
On the Flip 3D there is really nothing of note. On the Uproar, I do see you are using a stabilized receiver, and I could see it being possible that there are issues with it, but since you are saying the same behavior happened to another non-stabilized receiver, it seems impossible for the stabilization setup to be the issue.
To be honest, and I am not calling you a liar, but it seems almost impossible for what you are saying to happen.
I did have a situation where a stick went bad and it would respond slowly. I have a video somewhere of it happening, showing me moving the aileron stick and the channel responding as if it had "slow" applied. However, that affected both ailerons, as like on yours, the pair of output channels are tied to a single input.