Ikon issues

[troasb]

I got my first flybarless helikopter this spring, the E5 and it was fitted with the Ikon. Until now I have had help to set up the electronics in my helicopters as I had big trouble trying to set up my first helikopter, Align 600 Nitro flybar in 2010. So I guess I have been lazy to not learning about the Ikon yet, but now I am going to have a shot at it and see if I am still as dumb as in 2010.

Anyway I bought my E5 barely used, fitted with the Ikon ready set up with my Futaba 14SG. After an initial crash, I have now logged some 220+ flights on it without an issue and I am very impressed by both the heli and the flybarless controller. So when I went for the N7 the natural choice was to go for the Ikon again. So I did, but now I wanted to implement the rescue function. I got the Ikon set up by my helper and we went flying for the first time. One the second flight my helper was flying and accidentially activated the rescue function in low hover. The result was that the helicopter went inverted and into the ground and crashed. My helper claimed that he had set up the rescue function correctly as per instructions, but he was suspicious that the vibration from the still running in engine was causing the rescue function to malfunction. Can this be true?

After repairing the N7, we disconnected the rescue function and tried again. The N7 is flying beautifully and crisply now, but I have what I believe to be a governor problem. I use the Align governor sensor for the Ikon. Well, one thing that I certainly not like is that it seems to be impossible to not have governor in normal mode, making starting and engine management tricky. The other problem is that now the engine is is throttling down by itself and then gaining rpm again, especially when decending quickly in hover. I think this must be a governor issue as I have tried to tune the engine differently with no solving the problem. The engine is now run in and is not running overly rich as I now have some 40 flights on it. Anybody that have an idea to solve these problems?

[Chris Sexton]

Hello again

I can offer some insight here.  The Gyros that the iKON and Brain use are nearly immune to vibrations which makes it a great fit for a nitro.  The issue you are having is that the self level system uses separate accelerometers that are very vibration SENSITIVE.  I personally have not had much luck with the SL feature on nitros.  It can be done, but by the time you take the needed steps to isolate it from the engine vibs, the unit is mounted so softly that it behaves oddly in 3D.

If you would like some tips to help isolate vibrations, shoot me a PM and I will link you to some literature and posts on other forums.  The HeliFreak MSH Brain forum has a wealth of information on SL and several active MSH/iKON team members including Corrado man behind MSH.

[troasb]

Hello again

I can offer some insight here.  The Gyros that the iKON and Brain use are nearly immune to vibrations which makes it a great fit for a nitro.  The issue you are having is that the self level system uses separate accelerometers that are very vibration SENSITIVE.  I personally have not had much luck with the SL feature on nitros.  It can be done, but by the time you take the needed steps to isolate it from the engine vibs, the unit is mounted so softly that it behaves oddly in 3D.

If you would like some tips to help isolate vibrations, shoot me a PM and I will link you to some literature and posts on other forums.  The HeliFreak MSH Brain forum has a wealth of information on SL and several active MSH/iKON team members including Corrado man behind MSH.

Hi Chris!
Thank you for your reply.
So I can very much forget about rescue function on a nitro, regardless of gyro then?
Why do the gyro manufacturers boast about their rescue functions then when it cannot be used in a nitro?

[Danny Dugger]

There are other rescue systems that are not as sensitive to vibrations which would work fine for nitro if you're set on having rescue. I used to fly Bavarian Demon and I know that wouldnt have trouble. I'm flying Brain now because I like the way they fly and I make use of all three banks for different tuning. I actually haven't used self level on any of mine.

[Chris Sexton]

Hi Chris!
Thank you for your reply.
So I can very much forget about rescue function on a nitro, regardless of gyro then?
Why do the gyro manufacturers boast about their rescue functions then when it cannot be used in a nitro?

It can work just takes a bit of work.

And Danny is right, not all FBL bailouts are created equal. I know plenty of people having luck with the new NEO bailout on nitros and the Demon wrote the book as far I am concerned.

[troasb]

Ok, thank you. So I understand Bavarian Demon and the new Vbar Neo have rescue function that are not vibration sensitive and will work with a nitro. Well, then I have to consider a change from my Ikon.

[troasb]

What about the governor function. Are there gyros that have the possibility to work without governor in normal mode, and with governor in Idle-up 1 and 2?

[Grimmy]

Ok, thank you. So I understand Bavarian Demon and the new Vbar Neo have rescue function that are not vibration sensitive and will work with a nitro. Well, then I have to consider a change from my Ikon.

Hope someone can chime in, but if you have the Neo, do you have to have the Vcontrol to have the rescue function?  I know you have to buy the "upgrade" or update to get the rescue.

[Chris Sexton]

No the all radio version of the neo is out (or so I was told at IRCHA I didn't confirm personally). It will work rescue if you buy the pro with rescue update.

As for govs they aren't all created equal but most fbl unit govs work great. One note, the demon doesn't have a public release gov yet. They are testing one but not public. Again, to my knowledge.


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[Mark Burberry]

I can confirm that the NEO without the built in RX is out. Both versions will actually work with other radios.

You will need the PRO + Rescue... Which is actually running around $92 now due to the exchange rate.

Cheers,
Mark

[flyalan]

Thanks for the heads up on the update price Mark. That's a deal.

Cheers
Alan

[cml001]

I use iKon on my N5C...  Everything except my little 450 actually.. Granted I use the Self Level feature(I wouldn't call it a "bailout") on each unit I have and it works fine. It's the last thing I setup during the tuning process with the exception of clicking "set level" during initial setup. Now.. I DO NOT fly about in Self Level mode and use it in wider allowing of bank angle(don't recall the actual figure I set it to). But it works fine in a pinch and I have relied on it a handful of times and it's saved some cash costing  dumb thumbs. Hope you get it squared up bud.

[troasb]

I use iKon on my N5C...  Everything except my little 450 actually.. Granted I use the Self Level feature(I wouldn't call it a "bailout") on each unit I have and it works fine. It's the last thing I setup during the tuning process with the exception of clicking "set level" during initial setup. Now.. I DO NOT fly about in Self Level mode and use it in wider allowing of bank angle(don't recall the actual figure I set it to). But it works fine in a pinch and I have relied on it a handful of times and it's saved some cash costing  dumb thumbs. Hope you get it squared up bud.

Hi, thank you for your information. Interesting to hear that some has success with the Self Level Feature of Ikon in a nitro,

[cml001]

I just flick into SL... Once she rolls... I flick out of it.. It literal only stays I. SL for sec.