[NSRCA-discussion] 14MZ encoders

[adriancwong at earthlink.net]

Yes, that was me. As a matter of fact, it happened to both of my team mates, and it could happen to any of the 4 major channels.

You'll first notice some minute unwanted inputs, and will eventually getting worse and worse, to the point that you can actually duplicate the problem on the ground. My first set of 14 has the older type, and was replaced free of charge by Futaba, and my spare set has the newer type. After repair, I used it for over a year without any issue. I recently sent it back to Futaba for annual check-up, with a note advising them about my concern on the normal wear and tear of the encoders, and they went ahead and change it again.

One of the major cause besides normal wear and tear is dust. A lot of times when we fly alone, we'll put the Tx on the ground for engine start up - especially us glow guys. The dust from the engine blow back can get inside the stick pots causing them to be worn out prematurely. Therefore, I always put the Tx on a stool, or, a chair high off the ground during engine start up.

Adrian



-----Original Message-----
>From: Stuart Chale <schale at optonline.net>
>Sent: Mar 17, 2009 8:52 PM
>To: General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] 14MZ encoders
>
>It is easy to tell if you have the new or old.  Just pull off the back 
>cover.  The new ones are white the old were blue.  If your radio is 
>really only 1 year old then it should have the new ones.  With an 
>encoder issue from what I have read you experience typical pot issues, 
>jumpiness around a certain point.  Should be repeatable.  Also possible 
>shifting neutral (trim).  The new white ones have a better cycle life.  
>Unfortunately it is difficult to be sure what some of the issues might 
>be as it seems Futaba just replaces them when a radio is sent in for 
>whatever reason or problem if they are the original ones.  Mine were 
>replaced when I sent it in for a screen issue.  Generally Futaba denies 
>any problems and just fixes the item when sent in.  As I understand it 
>the 12Z has the identical stick assembly/encoders as the 14.  I recently 
>called Futaba about a 12 with the blue encoders and was told by a 
>technician that only the 14 had issues.  Don't think I really believe that.
>
>Stuart C.
>
>James Oddino wrote:
>>
>> I seem to remember a thread about someone with bad pots in a 14MZ 
>> (Adrian?).  The last couple of sessions I'm aware of an intermittent 
>> delay before the airplane responds to an aileron command.  It is not 
>> on every flight and usually only once per flight.  Only on aileron at 
>> neutral.  It never holds any other position.
>>
>> Ny system is just a little over one year old.  I thought it had the 
>> latest "encoders".  Time to send it to the hospital?
>>
>> Jim O
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>>
>
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