Big Lama ESC repair

St Bosse · Hopping Maniac Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 24 Location: RSA

Anybody ever tried to repair a Big Lama ESC Question

After a crash all the electrics seemed ok. I replace al broken mechanics and started my heli. Everything operates normal except when I take off the tail swings left and right. Adjusting the "Gain" has no effect. One can also feel that the gyro effect is extremely low. The speed controllers do work.It seems to be only the gyro that can't cope.

Anybody ever repaired such an ESC Question

The price of a new ESC here by us is +/- double that of units in the USA.

Rolling Eyes

pjdog · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:37 am Post subject:

From what you are saying I don't think it's the ESC (electronic speed control). You said that the motors are working so that elimnate the ESC. Beside, if memory serves me right the ESC & gyro are build into the 4-in-1 board. All tha being said. I have replaced the 4-in-1 board on a big lama. Very simple and straight forward. Just make notes of what you remove and that wil show you what to put back. Take a picture is also a good idea.

If the tail has gone wild that tells me that the two rotors are not happy. one is over powering the other which is causing the torque to chane causing the tail to swing.

Cheack the gears on both motors. Check the main gears and the pinion gears for any dirt, broken teeth, etc. Also look for a bent main shaft. That is what is the normal problem with Lamas. The shafts are bent?

get back to us with what you find.

jack

platinum · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Big Lama ESC repair

St Bosse · Hopping Maniac Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 24 Location: RSA

Hi Pjdog,
The Big Lama has a 3-in-1 ESC (same thing without the Rx) Gears are ok, all shafts are new, (must say I am disappointed in the new outer shaft having a slight wobble Sad

, not happy at all)

Platinum,
The tests definitely points to faulty gyro. We test it by holding the heli up on the skids, running motors, and turning the heli left and right with ones hand. If the gyro is working fine, one will clearly feel a counter resistance while turning the heli.(Gyroscopic effect). This case, very low resistance, and no difference in adjusting the gain high or low.

In my original posting I was actually trying to find out if anybody every tried to repair one electronically. I can't find any circuit diagrams of the ESC and don't think they will be available freely on the internet in any case.

nick_onelove · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject:

Yeah man, I would say unless you're some kind of soldering Jedi-master, you're just going to have to pop for a new 3-in-1. Those tiny boards are a pain in the ass to solder as it is, even with a diagram.

I really respect all you international guys for staying in the hobby through all your troubles, I think I really take for granted how good we have it (hobby-wise anyway) here in the US.

tombo242 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 2:47 am Post subject:

St Bosse · Hopping Maniac Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 24 Location: RSA

Got my big Lama up and flying last night. My supplier has a repair workshop and the Esky ESC was repaired at about $13 (new ESC price $62) Test flights were all normal. No funnies. Gyro very definitely back in full force.

nick_onelove · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:14 am Post subject:

Good to hear bro.

I'm impressed with your guys' resourcefulness. If that had happened to me it would have been tossed in the junk drawer and a new one ordered without even a thought on the possibility of repair. 'Gotta try to think about things more and be less wasteful.

tombo242 · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:28 am Post subject:

St Bosse · Hopping Maniac Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 24 Location: RSA

Unfortunately I was in an awkward situation and decided to go ahead with the repair. I did however order the ebay one as well. Still somewhere in the post.