future-series

The first shipment of future controllers has been delivered, and we have already received many positive reports about their compact design and excellent performance.

However, some users have had problems with motors failing to start.

We have tested a large number of different motors produced by various manufacturers, and our findings are as follows:
whenever a problem arises with a motor failing to start, the cause is always either a nearly flat drive battery, a battery with too few cells (cell count below the range stated by the motor manufacturer), or too large a propeller.
In short: if your motor fails to start, this always indicates an unsatisfactory or unreliable system combination.
To avoid a large number of complaints from users, we have now included a little more intelligence in version 3 of the future-bo's software:
The motor is now analysed during the initial start-up when a new battery pack is connected. This avoids all these problems, at least in the case of minor mis-matches, e.g. a 30-cell motor will now run on 6 cells.
This also makes it straightforward to use a large-diameter direct-drive propeller (e.g. 25/15 cm = 10/6") on a motor designed primarily for ducted fan use (e.g. 90 mm /3.54" impellers). However, this does not make such a combination a sensible proposition, as it will undoubtedly cause the motor to draw a current far in excess of its maximum permissible load (e.g. 50 A from a motor rated at 35 A), and this is very likely to cause damage to the motor.
For this reason we strongly recommend that you use a clamp ammeter to measure the load current at full throttle, to ensure that the motor is running within the permissible range specified by the manufacturer.

The poor start-up characteristics described above have brought to our notice a problem with a particular Plettenberg motor, which is either a labelling error or the incorrect use of an "S" rotor for increased rotational speed (i.e. lower torque) in a motor which is actually intended for direct drive. The motor concerned bears the label HP 220/30/A5-P4, but in reality it is an HP 220/30/A5-P4 S, whose data have not yet been printed in the Plettenberg catalogue. This applies to motors delivered up to this time (15.10.1999). Naturally the Bergemann company will replace the rotor in your motor if it proves to be unsuitable for your application.

slim-series

We regret that a micro-processor programming error has slipped into the slim series.
Controllers featuring a software version lower than V9 (slim-08) and lower than V40 (other slims) contain an error which shows up as follows:
If you operate the controller at half-throttle for a protracted period, the micro-processor erroneously detects a 'low voltage'condition, and switches the motor off.
As this error is only evident when the tolerances of the controllers'components are unfavourable and when certain transmitters and receiving systems are used, we did not discover the error in the laboratory.

We regret this error, and are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
If you are a customer who has encountered this problem with your slim controller, we will naturally exchange the micro-processor in the unit at no charge.
The software version in your controller is inscribed on the processor of the slim-08, and on the type placard next to the date on other models of the slim.

Relatively old Robbe and Futaba receivers are particularly prone to problems with receiver signal detection, as these receivers feature a very high-resistance signal stage, and the signals are only about 3.3 Volts in magnitude.
In rare cases this can cause the controller to fail to detect the receiver signal. This only occurs when the micro-processor's switching threshold is higher than the usual 2.5 V.
Naturally we are also prepared to help you in this instance, provided that the cause is beyond doubt. It is very helpful if you can send us your receiver for checking, so that we can measure the signals.