RE: Lost another one today
The second time I have experienced those 3-4 seconds, watching my plane go down, not responding to my RC inputs - was the end of my doubts. After 40 years of experience, I believe I know well the difference between disorientation, stall condition and loss of control link. I don't think our old receivers are bad. In fact, I don't blame Spektrum & Horizon - I think they did great to our hobby. What I say is, that the environment had changed. I also realize this could be different from site to site. The change could be coming from new technological applications, such as: wireless irrigation systems, UAV's, mobile communication devises, ect. They all use the 2.4 frequencies and we have a lot of them all around in increasing numbers. If your flying site is safe (No strange crashes), than all this is not relevant for you. But, once you'll notice these crashes start, I recommend you change to DSMX. This seems to work well (for now).
Posted on: 9/19/2011 11:30 AM by Author "yaronr" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10724245

RE: Lost another one today
Washfire, I understand and share your frustration. I have been flying RC planes for the last 40 years, mostly with Futaba. I swiched to DX7 as one of the early adopters. I have been very happy with the DX7 and bought a DX8 as soon as they came out. In my "hangar" there are more than 30 planes, mostly gas and electric. I rarely lost a plane in flight. All was great until about 6 monthes ago, when I started loosing planes, "dropping from the sky" in mid flight. Initially, I blamed myself. But when my good old Giant Super Sportster & DLE30 went down shortly after takeoff - not responding to my TX, I noticed the LED on the AR7000 was blinking in the crashed plane indicating a lost control link(needles to say the battery was still fresh). Since than, I lost 2 more foamies, on different TXs and different RXs. I also noticed, that some of my club members are suffering the same loss of control crashes. Realizing I have unstable control link, I replaced all my AR7000 RXs with the new dsmX series- they relink(bind) instantly. I must say they work flawlessly for me until now. But, the bottom line is something is going wrong in the 2.4Ghz frequency (not only for Spektrum, as I noticed). The old receivers, are not as bulet proof as they used to be, any more. I guess, it varies from one flying site to an other, depending on the frequency polution, but I just can not take the risk. My advise is: change your receivers to the new DSMX. Don't take the risk of your plane hitting someone. That is the minimum you can do. I only wonder,,, how come we do not find more reports of lost control on 2.4Ghz. I expect Spektrum and Horizon should know more about this - guessing: that is why they introduced the DSMX. I hope this letter will help save your planes.
Posted on: 9/18/2011 3:23 PM by Author "yaronr" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10722928

RE: Os 55 Ax dying
Thanks Bax, Appreciate your hard work and fast response. I guess it is only a question of expectations. I got used to a very robust design of OS engines. Never I had that sort of sensitivity/instability in any of my model engines. Definitely, the environment changes from the test stand and the flaying model. It's just that I can not simulate a model in the air to tune the AX 55. My conclusion is: "This is it" I should accept the AX 55 as it is -Far less than I expect from OS. Yaron.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 1:38 PM by Author "yaronr" in the forum "O.S. Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188308

RE: Os 55 Ax dieing
Jeff, The AX55 is the most disappointing engine I had [:(], out of my over 20 glow engines and 35 years of RC flying. I had the same experiences as you have. Tried it all: changing fuel, glow plugs, props, even different airplanes. Took off the deflector, than the muffler baffle. Nothing helped. Finally, I replaces the bearings, sealed the back plate and carb seating with a sealant, use a 11x6 prop and added 2% oil to my fuel. Now it runs. Not with the intended 3d airframe and the big 13" prop as I planed. I do not trust it , yet. This came after a fantastic one year of 3d flying with a 13x6 prop without any problem with the AX55. I run it carefully with a lot of experience as you may expect from 35 extensive RC flying. Once the dead sticks started, there was no relief until the major rebuild. There was no sign of ware or tare, nor any slack. The engine was practically new with only 50 flights, before the problem started. I suspect that there is some air leak issue in the engine. I must say, that I have other OS engines and they all run perfectly for many years. I know some other members in my club, that suffer the same problem, While, some others have no problem with the AX55, (same as me, in the first year). I think it is about time, OS take responsibility for the AX55 "mystery". These "mishaps can happen, I expect more support from a top Japan maker as OS. Bax, I am a big fan of OS engines. Currently I own 7 of them. I have years of RC modeling and glow engine running experience. This issue with the AX55 dieing is beyond simple tuning or fuel system problems. It is not generated by external factor, as I had tried changing all. And, Yes! it will run all day on the stand, but still quit after few minutes in the air. Please save us the grief and frustration and look seriously into the AX55 problem. We all prefere spend our time flying, rather than writing these letters. I will appreciate your frank and sincere advice. Thanks, Yaron.
Posted on: 10/18/2009 6:57 PM by Author "yaronr" in the forum "O.S. Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9183502