4PL Confusion

[fiveo]

Let me preface this with "I am a near RC tech idiot" so please talk slow and use small words Get me on a computer, audio/video or other equipment and I am very proficient but I really don't understand RC's that well.

THE FACTS:
I bought a used 4PL from another member here (in near perfect condition), but I don't know what kind of programming was done already or how.

I bought dual FXR's with capacitors from a member here (in excellent condition)

I had a friend from my LHS rebuild my XR for me, but he stopped short on a couple things and I was impatient so now I get to finish the job.

I followed Harley's 4PL video to program the controller for dual ESC's.

THE PROBLEMS:
Front wheels won't turn at all, even though controller shows they are operating. They seemed to operate when I first picked it up but now they won't. Not sure if I hit a switch or something else happened to make them stop.

Rear wheels turn, but only for a couple seconds and they fade out. Like there is a set point on the controller and they stop when it gets to that point.


THE QUESTIONS:
So, is there a "return to default" setting on the 4PL and should I just do that and start from scratch? Or can someone help walk me through the fix? If you need more intel to help on this problem, please just ask away and I will try and answer the questions.

Many thanks in advance!!!

[T3rry]

it's like 2 minutes to follow harley's vid, just start from scratch

[articzap]

Sounds like a setup issue with the FXR's on battery voltage cutoff or an uncharged battery.

This is just a guess based on what you're describing.

[fiveo]

Originally Posted by T3rry

it's like 2 minutes to follow harley's vid, just start from scratch

Did that already....still got issues. His video was awesome and easy for the record.

[T3rry]

Originally Posted by articzap

Sounds like a setup issue with the FXR's on battery voltage cutoff or an uncharged battery.

This is just a guess based on what you're describing.

good call, potentially the fxrs could even have been programmed to 3s and you're using 2s so they lvc right away?

[articzap]

Originally Posted by T3rry

good call, potentially the fxrs could even have been programmed to 3s and you're using 2s so they lipo right away?

Yes.

[fiveo]

Actually, embarrassingly I am still using NiMH.

[T3rry]

Originally Posted by fiveo

Actually, embarrassingly I am still using NiMH.

well that'd be the problem, the lipo cutoff is triggering, you need a 3s lipo.

[articzap]

Originally Posted by fiveo

Actually, embarrassingly I am still using NiMH.

You need to get a programmer on the FXR's and see what the voltage cutoff is set at.

[Wicked Monkey]

Originally Posted by fiveo

Actually, embarrassingly I am still using NiMH.

*Edit. Not fast enough with my typing sausages...

[T3rry]

realistically the easiest solution is to get a 3s lipo, i don't know how you'd ever fit a nihm stick pack on that truck, and even if you did the performance would be lousy, you're this far in, a 3s lipo is cheap... (a compatible charger may not be though)

[fiveo]

Well I don't see myself changing to LiPo tonight but it is a change I have wanted to make.

Don't have a Hotwire for the programming, can I not do that manually through the FXR's buttons?

[fiveo]

I suppose I could hit the hobby store tomorrow and invest in it. I am so far in now, what's another couple hundred bucks right. Geez this thing is a money pit.

As for fitting the Nihm....I have a little Traxxas Power cell that fits. I started with Nihm and wound up with 4 cars running them and a charger that wouldn't charge Lipo. So, I just hated to make the investment to switch but I suppose the writing is on the wall at this point.

[AddictedtoRC1]

I am not positive with the 4PL, but I know on the Airtronics MT4 when a switch is moved it will display on screen what it has just been adjusted. So say you hit your dig switch, the screen will pop up with F:100 R:0 or vise versa. If a switch is setup for D/R that will show. If it does show this with just the radio on toggle through the switches and see what is where. You can get a baseline maybe of how it's setup. Another thing is to be sure your FXR's have the same settings on them via Hotwire.

[AddictedtoRC1]

Originally Posted by T3rry

well that'd be the problem, the lipo cutoff is triggering, you need a 3s lipo.

The FXR will still run on Nimh if the cutoff is on 2S.

[scorpion_ax]

the programming can be done easily enough on board no need for the hotwire it is much easier with but can be done for sure. here is a link to the instructions read them carefully and you should have no issues. hope this helps out.

lipo would be a good investment in the future.

http://www.teamtekin.com/manuals/FXManual.pdf

[Wicked Monkey]

You can get nice lipo's for $5-10 and a decent charger for ~$50. That's not bad at all.

[mindless]

As said before sounds like low voltage cut off usually one cuts before the other and exactly as you are saying spin fade stop on the other. hobbypartz or hobbyking can get you a decent set of batteries and a charger for cheap to get you started.

[ManxCrawler]

Front wheels don't turn but tranny shows there's a signal being sent, either:

1. front motor brushes are stuck or hung in the brush hood - or comm burned bad
2. motor not actually connected to front ESC

...try connecting another loose motor in your hand and see if that works off the front ESC

[fiveo]

All resolved...it was the lipo cutoff and I was just using a half dead nihm. Went and bought a new charger and a 3s lipo today and it runs great. I have a few more issues I think need fixing but I owe my wife a date night so I will sign off before she cuts me off




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