HM-195 problems

[tic]

I recently had a HM-195 catch fire in flight.. 10 cell F5B was the application and current is below 200 amps.. First climb was 5 sec. and on the second climb after approx 2sec. I saw smoke come out of the glider.. I posted the experience on HP forum and Steve Neu posted this "There was a batch of Hacker 195s with bad FET drivers that would latch up sometimes, turning on both the high and low sides of the bridge--and in the case I had would unsolder the battery wires. Hacker USA never admited to knowing about the problem nor did anything about it. I had 3 which did it and replacing the FET drivers with ones from a different date code solved the problem. I found the problem on the ground before any inflight fires

Steve".... Indeed the positive battery wire was de-soldered when I inspected after the uneventful landing. I have contacted Hacker USA and was told they are not aware of any issues with the HM-195 but to send it in.. I'm curious if any other HM-195 uses have experienced this or if Hacker USA has seen it or had HM-195's come back with similar failure mode.

[tic]

Hello Hacker USA?... Are you still denying a problem with the HM-195?.. I respect Mr. Neu and use his motors.. If he says there was a bad batch of HM-195's.. I believe him. I had a battery wire come unsoldered just as he described happened to him THREE times!... I paid $350.00 for this ESC.. Can I get some support here? or at least a reply?

[tic]

I was told after contacting HackerUSA that they would "look into it" about the HM-195 issue.. Oddly, I have not received anything since....All I would like here is an honest answer about a controller that some of the biggest names in the industry has said has issues.(other heavy hitters have agreed with Mr. Neu about the problem via phone conversations and e-mail).... What do I need to do?

[kyna]

Dear Darrell,

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, I have been out of the office at the IRCHA Jamboree event.

This issue you are speaking of with the HM 195-O-Flight esc's is one that we are unaware of. I agree that Steve Neu is very knowledgable of electric motor system but am unsure how he would be able to determine a problem with our specific esc. I certainly don't know of any problems the esc has had with Hacker Brushless Motors.

We handle all of the North American repair and warranty issues on Hacker Brushless products directly out of our facility here in Tempe, AZ. To date, we are unaware of any issues with the HM 195. It is obvious your system is having problems, and we would love to help you solve them. Do you know the exact amp draw your system was pulling? What type of watt meter do you use?

The only way to truely determine where the problem may be coming from would be to have you send your motor system in. It would be most helpful for you to fill out a repair form, which can be found on our website www.hackerbrushless.com.

Best Regards,

Kyna Veatch
Office Manager
Aero-Model/Hacker Brushless USA

[tic]

The system is Neu 1509/1D 16x16 rfm thin blades and ten cells... I'm not sure what difference the brand of wattmeter makes?... Regardless of this, the setup is closer to 150 amps than 200.. I have never heard of sending in the motor to diagnose the ESC?.. The burned HM-195 was replaced with a CC-125 and this system now peforms better than with the HM-195.. I did finally receive e-mail from hackerbrushless USA denying any knowledge of any problems with the controller... Since I purchased the ESC 18mo. ago, my warranty has expired and I will not be gutting my RFM S-13 to send in the motor and esc in hopes of HackerUSA miraculously doing a 180 and admitting the issue exists and doing something about it. Also, I am surprised that you would infer that it's the motors fault, not the ESC..I certainly never would have purchased this ESC if I thought it would only work with Hacker motors. Thanks anyway, but I'll chaulk this one up to experience and be using other brands from this point forward.

[tic]

Steve Neu is very knowledgable of electric motor system but am unsure how he would be able to determine a problem with our specific esc.
Well, he had three of them fail the same way and replacing the FET drivers solved the problem.. I would say that's a pretty good way of determining the problem, wouldn't you?

[kyna]

Darrell,

I would still like to know what your amp draw was, and how you got those numbers?

Also, often times esc failures come from the motor, regardless of brand. It is always recommended that you send in the motor and esc to determine where the issue is.

Kyna

[tic]

Seeing as though the CC-125 operates the motor with no issues, I think it's fair to say the motor didn't cause the failure.. I have another airframe with the exact same motor and CC-125 that has no issues.. Any online calculator will clearly show amp draw at less than 200 amps for this system. The fact that the CC-125's are not burning up like the HM-195 did clearly shows the problem is with the ESC and not the motor..

[tic]

I WISH my system was over 200 amps but the 16x16 narrow RFM blades on said motor/esc combo is actually considered fairly mild for F5F... Once again, since another controller is operating this motor (and another just like it) without problems, it is NOT THE MOTOR....

[kyna]

Darrell,

As I mentioned before, we would love to be able to try and find a resolution for you. However, you would need to send in your motor system, copy of reciept and repair form. The standard Hacker Brushless warranty states that our products will be free of manufacturer defect from the time of purchase and is good for 24 months.

I sincerely apologize that you have experienced any problems and can assure you that Hacker Brushless Motors is unaware of any issue with the MAS 195-O-Flight, but will do our best to service you. We look forward to recieving your system.

Best Regards,

Kyna Veatch
Office Manager
Hacker Brushless USA

[tic]

The motor operates flawlessly with another controller so why exactly do you need my motor?.. The LAST thing I would do is send HackerBrushless USA my Neu FAI F5F 1509/1D motor!..

[kyna]

Darrell,

I understand you're currently using your motor and the last thing we want is for you to be without it. We are dedicated to servicing and supporting our products. Please send in your HM 195-O-Flight along with a copy of your reciept and the repair form.

It is the goal of Hacker Brushless USA to provide the BEST customer service and support for our products.

Best Regards,

Kyna Veatch
Office Manager
Hacker Brushless #1
2000, 2002, 2004 FAI F5D World Champions
2004, 2005, 2006 FAI F3A USA National Champions
2005, 2006 FAI F3A European Champions

[tic]

Thank-You!.. I would still like to know why I should bother since HackerUSA is still denying the problem exists.. With this attitude, I'm sure some other cause will be sited for the failure of the ESC. The fact remains there were bad FET drivers supplied by IRF from a batch IRF knew and admits were bad. It is an out right lie that HackerUSA has not seen the problem before.

[kyna]

Darrell,

We have not denied the fact that a problem may exist. We are unaware of any problems due to a bad batch of parts.

Our attitude is that we want you and all of our customers to be happy with our products and the service and support they recieve.

WE NEVER LIE TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND WE NEVER WILL LIE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

It is the goal of Hacker Brushless USA to provide the BEST customer service and support for our products.

Best Regards,

Kyna Veatch
Office Manager
Hacker Brushless #1
2000, 2002, 2004 FAI F5D World Champions
2004, 2005, 2006 FAI F3A USA National Champions
2005, 2006 FAI F3A European Champions

[tic]

Since Hackerbrushless USA is still "unaware" of the problem even though a pillar in the HP end of the hobby, brushless motor company owner and US F5B team member has had no fewer than THREE of these controllers fail due to a bad batch of FET driver chips in the same manner which mine failed,I see little point in sending my controller to you.. I will be working with Hacker Germany, however I do appreciate the offer to send my controller in to be evaluated.. It kind of reminds me of Ford motor company when their pintos gas tanks began exploding in rear end collisions. Ford denied the problem publicly for quite some time but after a few hundred people were burned alive they finally said "well, yeah, we've had some pintos explode, sorry"..