Flashing Light On Armotek Motor Control Unit

[Bob Butts]

Hi Guys

So first a health warning! I am a noob and completing, after a long time, the UC.

The RC system has been working fine but just as I get the tracks on and eager to give it a run
the light on the Armotek control module starts to flash and the RX Battery symbol on the Flysky controller is
flashing and beeping and indicating that the RX battery is flat.

However, the Lipo battery has hardly been used and is fully charged.
This is the second LiPo battery I have used and I haven't even had a trial run yet.

The servos work OK but the motor (which used to run fine the other day) doesn't even move.

The LiPos take at least 8 hours to charge (two green lights) and that's if I am lucky!

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

thanks

Bob

[Bob Butts]

Hi Guys

OK I have solved the problem and created another one.

The problem was the LiPo was showing a voltage of 4.04 volts and the motion control and audio unit
needs more whereas the other components are fine.

I have two LiPo batteries and they both show 4 volts despite being fully charge and less than a year old and hardly used.

I guess they over discharged during the long periods when I wasn't using them.

What with all the fire risks and over charging and discharging they seem sensitive little fellows.

I hope to God they don't use them on planes.

Thanks

Bob

[Gerhard Michel]

Hi Bob,

supposing you really mean LiPos and not LiFes I must say that I would never use these batteries for earthbound vehicles. LiPos are designed for planes and need a special attention in charging, storing and discharging. Only planes really need such batteries due to their unmatched low weight and space requirement. Each single cell has to be permanently monitored when charging or discharging the battery (also when driving the vehicle!).

But well treated LiPos may be stored more than a year without any attention if charged right to their storing voltage, just as LiFes. If your batteries break down in a short period of time they were not charged to their storage voltage before. Never store a fully loaded LiPo or LiFe battery!

[Stephen White]

Bob

You might wish to read the Knowledge Case Topic on batteries, in which I cover LiPo battery handling and safety. They’re not to be messed with.

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5790

Stephen

[Bob Butts]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies on LiPo batteries.

When I meant I hope they don't use them on planes I meant commercial panes

The LiPo battery came with the Universal Carrier motion kit but I will swop this out
as soon as I can because they require so much looking after.

All the best

Bob

[Bob Butts]

Excellent article on batteries Stephen.

Wish I had read it a year ago!