"Maintenance-free" electronics?

[JimBear]

As it is, the electronics in our (the kids') buggy is driving me up the wall.

I have an older Tamiya TEU-104BK in there, as well as an Absima GF2S receiver. Since sticky tape doesn't help much, things rattle around and cables fall off every now and then, and I have to get it going again, pressing the miniscule set up button on the ESC, trying to get it going.

His other car, a whatever-brand Lamborghini bought at the local toy store, is maintenance-free. Batteries in, turn on and off we go ...

Is there something out there that is a bit more up-to-date than 1980's one-button computers and dangly wires? Or is it just "get used to it, son"?

If not, how should I set it up for less future trouble?

[Twinfan]

Cables shouldn't fall off unless the entire ECU or receiver is flying around and pulling them out of their sockets.  You shouldn't need to reset the ESC just for an unplugged wire, just plug it back in and away you go.

I would get some good quality double sided tape and attach the receiver and ESC firmly.  Then cable tie any loose wires so they don't get caught around anything.  That should be all you need to do.

[JimBear]

21 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

Cables shouldn't fall off unless the entire ECU or receiver is flying around and pulling them out of their sockets.  You shouldn't need to reset the ESC just for an unplugged wire, just plug it back in and away you go.

That's what I've been doing lately, just putting the cables back, but last night the ESC just kept on blinking its little red light, so I spent an hour fiddling around to no avail. I am going to have a go at it again now, just need more tea ...

[JimBear]

Tried another ESC (new, out of the bag), and all I get is blinking red lights ... so I assume the receiver may be toast. There is no way (that I know of) to test that part, so I am going to order another one to see if that is the issue. 

[Twinfan]

Are you plugging into the correct channels on the receiver?  Ch1 for steering servo, Ch2 for the ESC.  And are the connectors in the correct way round?

[JimBear]

Yes, checked and then checked again - everything is where it should be (including the red battery cable in Ch3). Thanks, @Twinfan for reminding me of that.

[sosidge]

All my electronics are maintenance free. If things are flapping around and coming apart you haven't installed them securely.

[JimBear]

25 minutes ago, sosidge said:

All my electronics are maintenance free. If things are flapping around and coming apart you haven't installed them securely.

Well, since putting it orderly in the tray and sticking it down with Tamiya doublesided tape did not work, next up: super glue! (just kidding, of course)

[sosidge]

The Tamiya tape is quite good in my experience. You need to make sure the surfaces are very clean, and you also need to make sure there is no exposed edges for moisture and oil to soak into the adhesive layer.

The Tamiya tape (like all foam tapes) is messy to remove. I now use a tape that peels off in one piece (similar to 3M VHB, lots of places sell small rolls of it as servo tape).

[Willy iine]

I use motor spray to clean the surfaces (both electronics side and chassis side) before using mounting tape.  I only use VHB type tape, the foam tapes Tamiya gives us can be a pain to clean up, but with motor spray it's not that bad to remove.  

Plus, easy removal of mounted tape with motor spray.  One can substitute CRC MAF cleaner (auto parts store) if motor spray is hard to fine in your area.   This is not the same as CRC's electronics cleaner.  I've basically tried them all back 10yrs or so ago when motor spray started disappearing from LHS shelves.

I buy the CRC stuff by the case.   It's my go to cleaner for pretty much everything in my 1:1 garage and pretendRCshop.

 

As for reliable and cheap electronics, I would get the Hobbywing 1060 and call it a day.  Thing is super reliable, self calibration at each start up.

[Gebbly]

To hold the ESC in place I have used sticky backed velcro. Holds pretty darn firmly but if I really want to, it is possible to detach the ESC with its velcro backing and leave the reverse of the velcro in place on the chassis, put a new velcro piece somewhere else on the chassis and move the ESC with its velcro to the new spot. https://www.screwfix.com/p/velcro-brand-white-stick-on-squares-24-pack/287hh

To hold cables in place there are probably many solutions. When building computers I sometimes use velcro straps that can be wrapped around a part of the computer case and wires that need to be held in place. For example https://www.screwfix.com/p/velcro-brand-black-self-gripping-ties-5m-x-30mm/74887

Maybe a more permanent solution to holding cables in place is a dab of hot glue part way along the cable gluing to the chassis?

[alvinlwh]

.

[JimBear]

2 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

One question, is your RX waterproof? If not, did you ever get it wet?

No, it's not waterproof, but we have had sunshine for weeks. But yes, of course, that is also a (remote) possibiilty.

[El Gecko]

On the topic of receivers, perhaps another remote possibility is that one of the pins inside the receiver has broken off?

Is the red flashing light on the ESC or the receiver?

[JimBear]

The red light is blinking on the ESC, so I assume there is no connection between ESC and receiver.

[El Gecko]

6 minutes ago, JimBear said:

The red light is blinking on the ESC, so I assume there is no connection between ESC and receiver.

Sounds about right. I would inspect every mm of the wire from ESC to receiver, as well as the plug in close detail, looking for breaks in the wire, pinch points, etc. Also check the little metal ends inside the plug, which are a friction fit with the pins in the receiver. The plug should fit tightly with good contact.

It is also a possibility, since everything was loose and flopping around, that the wires have broken free from the circuit board inside the ESC. So the ESC would still get power from the normal battery wires (unbroken) but the wires to the receiver may have a small break in one (or all).

[JimBear]

Thanks, @El Gecko - good stuff there. I am going to have a closer look at it again today.

[JimBear]

So, I got the new Absima GF3S receiver, and the conclusion is that the old one had gotten one knock too many. Secured things with sticky tape, and now I hope it'll be a while until I have to dig into that nest of cables again.

[alvinlwh]

..

[Twinfan]

Don't bother with velcro, the loops break down over time, and more permanent tape can be hard to remove or clean up.  The 3M Dual Lock mushroom head stuff is what I use:

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b40068909/

[ADRay1000]

I’d try zip ties too if tape and Velcro aren’t cutting it. Good for holding escs and receivers as well as wires. 

[JimBear]

Thanks, gentlemen - I'll have a look at your suggestions, since I have other building projects in the pipeline.

[JimBear]

Well, I am not going to continue this much further, except to note that today the Carson servo decided to pack up for the eternal holiday. Opening up the "old" (two weeks at the most) dead Absima GF2S receiver was a revelation; full of dirt and debris. The Mad Fighter tub chassis is generally a pretty good dirt magnet.

Perhaps the waterproof ones are better protected against dirt (and water)? And additionally a waterproof servo would be good?

[alvinlwh]

.