Intermitent glitching?

[GO-RIDE.com]

The last two times I’ve driven my RX8 esc/motor combo I’ve had some weird glitching while driving, but not when bench testing.

The two things I’ve notice are:
1. Definitely the steering can be intermittent. Originally I assumed it was a bad servo, but on the bench it performs just fine. I checked that the steering system was performing correctly and undamaged. I also cleaned the connectors on my radio receiver.
2. At times it seems to have a motor glitch. It will just randomly surge, but only for a moment. It doesn’t happen often. I checked all the motor and battery connections and they all look and feel solid.

At first I thought it was a servo or radio issue, but now I’m wondering if I have a board with a “cold solder” issue. Our track has a lot of rough landings. I’m now thinking that the power to the radio/servo is glitching from the ESC.

Any ideas?

[whitrzac]

do both the steering and throttle cut out?

another place to look is your RX/TX

[GO-RIDE.com]

Originally Posted by whitrzac

do both the steering and throttle cut out?

another place to look is your RX/TX

It's tough to tell if they both happen at the same time. The steering is pretty obvious as I move the wheels left and right with the car sitting in one place. The throttle has shown up more as a random throttle spurt when the car is just sitting still. Unfortunately, it only seems to happen when I'm actually driving at the track.

[whitrzac]

Originally Posted by GO-RIDE.com

It's tough to tell if they both happen at the same time. The steering is pretty obvious as I move the wheels left and right with the car sitting in one place. The throttle has shown up more as a random throttle spurt when the car is just sitting still. Unfortunately, it only seems to happen when I'm actually driving at the track.

AM/FM or 2.4ghz? so it just glitches for a split second then goes back to normal?

[GO-RIDE.com]

I'm using 2.4. It's definitely comes and goes, but is often enough that I can't really drive the vehicle consistently. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with a RX8? My first RX8 just stopped working, but it seems this one is going out slowly.

[whitrzac]

does it happen after jumps, or just driving around??
does the steering cut out also?
is it overheating?

check

• wires for kinks/brakes
• loose solder joints
• bad solder jab on the posts/motor
• loose plugs on the RX/motor/batt
• make sure the switch is working properly and not flipping off when jarred
• cut wires(especially the RX plug, and switch)
• make sure the sensor plug is all the way in(if using a sensored motor)

[GO-RIDE.com]

It only happens at the track, which does have some big jumps. I did a bench test at home and then drove it around on the street for 15 min and it did not glitch, but hit a few jumps at the track and it's a problem.

I'll re-check all the wiring, but it looked good the other day. I think the PCB in the ESC is going bad and it's only a matter of time till it quits all together. Not a big deal. This one has not been in for warranty yet and it is a V1 of the RX8.

[whitrzac]

Originally Posted by GO-RIDE.com

It only happens at the track, which does have some big jumps. I did a bench test at home and then drove it around on the street for 15 min and it did not glitch, but hit a few jumps at the track and it's a problem.

I'll re-check all the wiring, but it looked good the other day. I think the PCB in the ESC is going bad and it's only a matter of time till it quits all together. Not a big deal. This one has not been in for warranty yet and it is a V1 of the RX8.

it might be the pot on the bottom of the lower board in the esc, there is a known problem with a solder joint coming loose.


5R6 chip on the bottom

[TekinTeamMgr]

It can also be a spektrum receiver. They can brown out from time to time.

[GO-RIDE.com]

I met Jim Campbell last weekend at our Utah State Championships and he seemed to think it was the lower board, and offered to have one sent out. I didn't get around to calling till today, so I'll probably have it the end of next week.

I did try a different Spektrum receiver, from a working car, and had the same problem.

[TekinTeamMgr]

Shoot me an email here and I'll help take care of that: Rpike@teamtekin.com

I'll need your shipping info/contact info.