Fried my Storm :-(

[helimadness]

Hi All

So looks like I fried my storm OSD. For some reason I thought they were fine on 4s setups. I always had it running on 3s in the Bixler but now its in a Versa Blunt nose and I had some 4s lipos so thought I would chuck them in. Couldn't work out why my video was so crap. Cristal clear on the ground but as soon as I tried to fly  the video was so broken up un usable. PA mode and RTH were working fine other than needing a few minor adjustments to cater for the faster wing.

So had a look around with the microscope and this is what I found. A little diode resister thingy right next to the AV out gone, and a chip that is looking a bit toasty. Still can get video if you wiggle it in the right way. I was doing all my bench setup on 3s which maybe confused things.

My Video TX and camera still work crystal clear on the bench so hopefully they are still ok as I guess they were getting 4s as well.

OH well was eyeing up the Cyclops Tornado anyway. Maybe a good excuse to upgrade. It still looks like it only takes 3s but will take SBUS from my new Taranis L9R RX :-)

Feel free bag me out for Muppet factor :-)

Cheers

[AdamG]

Oh dear  (?) always need a 12v UBEC when running 4S... if not for the flight controller you will normally need it for the video gear.

Im running 4S on my Tornado and here is my wiring:

[helimadness]

Hi,
Thanks helpful. The manual is actually not that clear. Had to read it a few times to understand it. Totally my fault but. I had just upgraded the ESC's on my hex to take 4s and for some reason thought the same lipos would be fine in the Versa with storm without actually double checking.

So you power the Tornado with the 12v UBEC into the current sensor port. So assume you dont have any current sensor features any more? So why the need for the 6v going to the throttle out on the Storm? Does that just supply power to the bus that feeds your RX ? Why not just put that 6V straight into the RX ?

Think I am just going to order a Tornado anyway. Pitty they cant take 4s. Guess for the money cant have everything.

Cheers

[iwan_canobi]

I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago, was transferring my storm into another airframe and just thought instead of using an external 12v supply I would just stick the jumper on and use the power from the current sensor, completely forgetting that it's rated at 12v! Came on briefly and as showing 70A consumption whilst sitting on the ground, and now won't power up at all! :(

So annoying as I've moved it from so many planes and can't believe I was so stupid to forget why I had to supply 12v separate!

[helimadness]

I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago, was transferring my storm into another airframe and just thought instead of using an external 12v supply I would just stick the jumper on and use the power from the current sensor, completely forgetting that it's rated at 12v! Came on briefly and as showing 70A consumption whilst sitting on the ground, and now won't power up at all! :(

So annoying as I've moved it from so many planes and can't believe I was so stupid to forget why I had to supply 12v separate!

Did you use 4s? My board still seems to be working fine. Its just the video went crazy. I was flying it on 4s in PA and RTH modes. Sitting still video was clear as but as soon as I moved the storm box went crazy. Was chasing loose wires for ages before I opened it up. I think there is just one small resistor or what ever that small component is that has blown up near the video plugs. Maybe check yours and see if its the same. Maybe can find a surface mount guru that can change it and might be good.
There is another chip that looks a bit over heated as well. Not sure about that one.

[AdamG]

So you power the Tornado with the 12v UBEC into the current sensor port. So assume you dont have any current sensor features any more? So why the need for the 6v going to the throttle out on the Storm? Does that just supply power to the bus that feeds your RX ? Why not just put that 6V straight into the RX ?

Cheers

Yeah i still have full function of the current sensor. You just need to make sure that you have a 12vUBEC somewhere between your battery and the video side of the Tornado. My OSD shows my flight pack voltage on the left (starting at 16.8v when full 4S) and my video voltage at bang on 12v on the right for the entire flight.

Powering the Tornado or RX with 5v will work either way, doesn't really matter :)

[_tj_]

It's easily done.

I converted my f550 to 4s and forgot to check camera.
Luckily my camera takes up to 24v allegedly lol.

But the manual does state.
If you are using greater than 12v battery to remove the jumper and use a separate 3s / 12v battery connected to the bottom 2 pins where the jumper was.

Unless you wire a 12v ubec to it.

Same with tornado.
I use both in various plane.

If your after a Tornado.

I have a used one I could part with.
Make me an offer.

I brought an mfd to play with and have 2 tornados.

[iwan_canobi]

I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago, was transferring my storm into another airframe and just thought instead of using an external 12v supply I would just stick the jumper on and use the power from the current sensor, completely forgetting that it's rated at 12v! Came on briefly and as showing 70A consumption whilst sitting on the ground, and now won't power up at all! :(

So annoying as I've moved it from so many planes and can't believe I was so stupid to forget why I had to supply 12v separate!

Did you use 4s? My board still seems to be working fine. Its just the video went crazy. I was flying it on 4s in PA and RTH modes. Sitting still video was clear as but as soon as I moved the storm box went crazy. Was chasing loose wires for ages before I opened it up. I think there is just one small resistor or what ever that small component is that has blown up near the video plugs. Maybe check yours and see if its the same. Maybe can find a surface mount guru that can change it and might be good.
There is another chip that looks a bit over heated as well. Not sure about that one.

Yeah it was 4S! You may have gotten lucky and yours managed to cope with it for a while, mine only lasted about 20 seconds before I realised but that was enough to kill it! Wouldn't trust it now anyway so its in the bin! :(

[helimadness]

Yeah thats the problem have no trust in it knowing its been cooked.

I did about 4-5 shortish flights on mine LOS getting it trimmed and the RTH working fine. Every time I went to try FPV the video was only getting about 50% through at 100m so couldnt fly FPV. Thought my VTX must be toast so ordered a new one. Luckily I realized my mistake before putting the new VTX in.

Powering up the Sony board camera and TS832 5.8g 600mw VTX on a 3s lipo separate to the Storm the video is still crystal clear on the bench. Hopefully they survived. Guess wont know till I try and fly again.

Have a new Tornado now to replace it. Think im going to use a small 3s lipo to power the Tornado and video input. I like the idea of having a separate power supply for the video. Give it the best chance of being clear.

Cheers

[AdamG]

Have a new Tornado now to replace it. Think im going to use a small 3s lipo to power the Tornado and video input. I like the idea of having a separate power supply for the video. Give it the best chance of being clear.
Cheers

Picture is super clear on most peoples setup using a single battery and adding a homemade LC filter (made mine using Coyote's thread).

I went for single battery as its one less lipo to fit inside, remember to charge, and adds another point of failure.

Everyone does something different, just go with whatever your preference is  ;)

[_tj_]

Have a new Tornado now to replace it. Think im going to use a small 3s lipo to power the Tornado and video input. I like the idea of having a separate power supply for the video. Give it the best chance of being clear.
Cheers

Picture is super clear on most peoples setup using a single battery and adding a homemade LC filter (made mine using Coyote's thread).

I went for single battery as its one less lipo to fit inside, remember to charge, and adds another point of failure.

Everyone does something different, just go with whatever your preference is  ;)

Personally,

I prefer the 2 battery setup.
Plently of room in a Skywalker 4S to fit a 2200mah 3s in.

At least if motor battery dies,
I have long enough on the second battery (depending how it lands, and whats left intact should the worst happen) to have video still.

But like AdamG says it's all personal preference.