Planet T5 R6M

[WKDOR]

Morning All

I have had Planet T5s for some years, all with R6M Rxs working satisfactorily. But I now have an intractable problem with a couple of R6Ms.

If I need to replace them I want to be sure that the replacement model/versions are going to work.

The ESC supplier tells me that the problem is caused by the R6M putting out garbage on the throttle signal. I understand that means a non-zero voltage at rest. Does this ring any bells?

If you have an accessible Planet T5 R6M and a moment I'd be grateful if you could do a Test measurement for me please. With the R6M powered up, and the transmitter off, measure the voltage on the throttle signal (+) and negative (-).

Alternatively if you have a loose R6M I could borrow for a day I would be able to test it myself. I'd happily pay your postage.

Many Thanks


mike

 

[MRail]

Mike:-
That was easy! Using a battery tender with a removable coal load:-
Planet R6M throttle voltages are:-
pos zero V = 0.18
pos mid V = 0.24
pos full V = 0.31

The aileron channel gives similar readings.
Copied in PM.

 

[WKDOR]

Many Thanks Rob

That's very similar to my readings, thank you. Are yours all in live steamers or do you have any ESCs?

mike

 

[MRail]

I have both.
These readings were from a battery tender with ESC. (an old Hitec SP610)
Easier to get at than a steamer!

 

[WKDOR]

I also tried a few UK Planet T5 dealers.

Sussex Model Centre replied and say they have not heard of this problem.

Any other ideas who I could ask?

Thanks again

mike

 

[Shawn]

Mike
I got your message. Ill see what I can do but Im going to be honest Im not to smart when it comes to volt readings ect..... I just tend to hook up a battery to whatever Im using and never really worried about volts etc...... My next day off ill play around with it a see if i can figure it out.

 

[MRail]

Hey Mike,
You didn't tell me I got the test wrong!!
Re-reading the thread, I see you wanted the reading with the TX OFF.
So, I just went out to the train shed, and found I'd left the tender switched ON and the batteries are now flat.
(been running steam today)
Another tender is OK, but has an R7M.
This reads 0.15V with the TX off.

Must pay attention.

 

[WKDOR]

Many Thanks Rob. Sorry if I caused a flat battery!

Yes the measurement I'm after is with the Tx OFF. In my case I have measured the following accessible Planet receivers:

R6M #1: 0.16V - used to work now causes fault
R6M #2: 0.16V - always caused fault
R6M #3: 0.02V - works fine

Can you tell me which ESC you used on the R7 you measured today please?

I am very much hoping that Tony Walsham will chime in as he probably has more experience than anyone else of using Planet kit on G Scale locos.

mike

 

[MRail]

Not your fault - I'm quite capable of leaving things switched on!

Today's voltage check ESC is Hitec HFX-R.

The one with the flat battery reads 0.02V with the Tx flashing, "low battery".
On this one, Hitec SP610, there is no TX supply from the ESC, so it has a separate connection.

 

[Tony Walsham]

Mike,
I can't help you with voltages, but what I can tell you is there was a batch of T5 kits with bad R6M's sold in Australia.
When first turned on and before the TX and RX had linked, the R6m would drive the throttle servo way past the stop (regulator off) position and destroy servo gears. As soon as the TX and RX linked the servo would spring back to where it should be. Assuming of course the servo gears were not destroyed.
The Australian Planet agent cheerfully substituted the R6M RX's for any of the others Planet offer as none of them exhibited the same problem.
I was recently supplied with two T5/R6M sets, both of which have R6M RX's that work correctly.

 

[WKDOR]

Hi Tony

Thats very helpful, many thanks. I'll ask whether that might be the explanation to the behaviour I'm seeing.

Do you know how I would identify the bad batch? The only identifier I've seen is a small sticker on the back that looks like it may be a manufacturing date.

How are you checking whether current R6M RXs work correctly?

Best wishes

mike

 

[WKDOR]

Problem Solved!

I contacted the Rx dealer who said I can send the Rxs back for inspection by the UK importer/wholesaler (Perkins). Ominously they say that the last customer who did that was refused replacement on the grounds that the binding button had been pushed too hard! Notwithstanding their advice I contacted Perkins directly. They said:

This problem occurred on a batch of rx units produced in the latter half of 2011 when the manufacturer changed the way the throttle fail safe worked. Previously you set the throttle fail safe position at each switch on as this info is stored in the rx when it is powered up and runs its system checks. The change to the late 2011 firmware did not allow this position to be altered and drove the servo to one end only. This also caused the servo in the throttle channel to move during the start up sequence.

Planet R6M rx units with a 2012/month date onwards have the original firmware again and the 2011 rx units we had in stock were also updated and had a green dot sticker applied to show this update had been done.

If you return your Planet rx to us we can update the firmware free of charge, this will then let you set the throttle fail safe in any position

I can report that both R6Ms are now reinstalled with their RailBoss ESCs and working beautifully.

So thank you all for your help and in particular:
[*]Rob who did the testing [*]Perkins who dealt with my request for replacements speedily and without quibble, and in particular, [*]Tony Walsham who first alerted me to the existence of the "faulty batch" in this thread, and in most particular to [*]Del Tapparo of GScaleGraphics who has provided magnificent support on all my Railboss ESC installations over several years. On this one I severely tested his patience, but his professionalism won through.
This was a really difficult problem to diagnose. Thank you all for restoring my faith in human nature.

mike

 

[MRail]

Thanks for the update.