Hacker A30-10XL Squeals

rcav8r2 · Oct 19, 2009, 11:38 PM

I have a Hacker A30-10XL that I just started flying. I had it for a few years, but just flew it last weekend. The thing squeals really bad at certain throttle settings. It sounds mechanical, but I can't say for sure. I checked and the shaft has no run out, prop is balanced. This is only at certain throttle settings. Low throttle and full are OK, as are some mid range throttle settings. I flew 3 12 minute flights at setting where it didn't squeal. On the first flight I would land ever minute or two to check the temp of the motor and ESC. Both were stone cold.
ESC is a Castle Ice 75AMP. Prop is 12x6 APC electric, and battery is a 4 cell 5000mah Lipo. ESC timing is set to default. Not sure what to set it to as I've always left it that way and had no problems.
The data logging on the ESC showed VERY little ripple if any, and max temp was 89F on the last flight were I flew 12 minutes straight.
I also held my finger against the back of the firewll and the back of the motor shaft as it was squealing. No vibrations at all.
So is this bad bearings, or an ESC timing issue, or something else?
Thanks in advance.

GWRIGHT · Oct 20, 2009, 08:30 AM

First off, Advance ESC timing. I'm not sure what the options are on that ESC, but I'd start with a 20 degree advance. Optimum should be within a few degrees either side of that. I have most of my A motors at 20~24 degrees depending on controller. If too low, you may also see a chatter at startup, and sometimes even at high throttle settings, might sound as if it's a gas engine mis-firing. Raise the timing and it goes away. the "squeel" is another sign of timing way too low.

rcav8r2 · Oct 20, 2009, 08:25 PM

Thanks... I'll be sure to check the timing when I have a chance to bring the plane in from my trailer. It is set to the default, and according to the manual, it says the default is standard advance. The other 2 options it lists is high advance and low advance (recommended for out runners) . This is when not using the castle link to program. Hopefully the Castle Link will show more options.
The manual recommends low advance for out runners though. If these are my only 3 options are you saying I should choose High Advance?
THANKS again

GWRIGHT · Oct 21, 2009, 03:50 PM

try all options,.. but personally I'd go high first.

rcav8r2 · Oct 22, 2009, 11:15 PM

Well I tried all options, and it still squeals. Seems to do this at about 3/4 throttle consistently. I put back to the default of 5.
1st screen shot shows the options, and a brief description.

There is the pulse width setting ( I'm guessing this is what PWM stands for)but I didn't touch.

Also the motor never chatters at start up.

Unfortunately I don't have another ESC that can handle 60+ amps to try. I'll send Castle a note to see what they have to say.

Thinking back, the squealing seemed to occur a lot more when I first started running it, and now has settled to only around 3/4 throttle. This leads me to my first theory; bearings. Maybe the lubricant in the bearings got thick while not in use, and now the outer ring is slipping in it's seat.

Thanks again.

jsmith285 · Oct 28, 2009, 12:36 PM

The ICE are having squealing issues with these type of motors. Lots
of us are waiting for Castle to fix their software in the ICE to sync better with these type of motors. The squeal is very nerve racking during a hover. LOL

rcav8r2 · Oct 28, 2009, 10:27 PM

Thanks jsmith... I do have emails into Hacker, and Castle, but have not heard back. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to call.

Fast Guy · Oct 30, 2009, 06:26 AM

Check out the Castle vendors forum in this section. Plenty of info on the squealing issues with Castle ESC's

smok · Today, 08:43 AM

Castle has released ver.3 firmware for their controllers. Should fix the squealing. Also for an A30, set the advance to low ( 0 ) - it is not degrees, the Phoenix controllers autodetect optimum advance and this parameter is to fine-tune it. For most outrunners Castle recommends to start with low advance. Be careful and check the current and power - as the new ICE firmware is capable of pulling lots of power. For example I have an A30-16M with ICE50 and Kokam SLPB 2100 3s and it pulls 620 W with full throttle with APC 12x6.5 E prop. It runs over 11kRPM, while the same motor and prop with Phoenix 45 and 2.something firmware was peaking around 8-9k RPM.

Hope that helps,

Smok

Oct 19, 2009, 11:38 PM	#1
rcav8r2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hopewell PA Posts: 2,471	Hacker A30-10XL Squeals I have a Hacker A30-10XL that I just started flying. I had it for a few years, but just flew it last weekend. The thing squeals really bad at certain throttle settings. It sounds mechanical, but I can't say for sure. I checked and the shaft has no run out, prop is balanced. This is only at certain throttle settings. Low throttle and full are OK, as are some mid range throttle settings. I flew 3 12 minute flights at setting where it didn't squeal. On the first flight I would land ever minute or two to check the temp of the motor and ESC. Both were stone cold. ESC is a Castle Ice 75AMP. Prop is 12x6 APC electric, and battery is a 4 cell 5000mah Lipo. ESC timing is set to default. Not sure what to set it to as I've always left it that way and had no problems. The data logging on the ESC showed VERY little ripple if any, and max temp was 89F on the last flight were I flew 12 minutes straight. I also held my finger against the back of the firewll and the back of the motor shaft as it was squealing. No vibrations at all. So is this bad bearings, or an ESC timing issue, or something else? Thanks in advance.

Oct 22, 2009, 11:15 PM	#5
rcav8r2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hopewell PA Posts: 2,471	Well I tried all options, and it still squeals. Seems to do this at about 3/4 throttle consistently. I put back to the default of 5. 1st screen shot shows the options, and a brief description. There is the pulse width setting ( I'm guessing this is what PWM stands for)but I didn't touch. Also the motor never chatters at start up. Unfortunately I don't have another ESC that can handle 60+ amps to try. I'll send Castle a note to see what they have to say. Thinking back, the squealing seemed to occur a lot more when I first started running it, and now has settled to only around 3/4 throttle. This leads me to my first theory; bearings. Maybe the lubricant in the bearings got thick while not in use, and now the outer ring is slipping in it's seat. Thanks again. Attached Thumbnails Screen shot showing options for timing. 49.5 KB · Views: 17 I left this at out runner. Didn't know what to pick or if I should change. They indicate don't touch if not sure. 38.9 KB · Views: 9

Oct 28, 2009, 12:36 PM	#6
jsmith285 Joes Pit Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Wayne Posts: 31	Check the squealing threads under the Castle forum The ICE are having squealing issues with these type of motors. Lots of us are waiting for Castle to fix their software in the ICE to sync better with these type of motors. The squeal is very nerve racking during a hover. LOL

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Oct 20, 2009, 08:30 AM	#2
GWRIGHT Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: MELBOURNE, FLORIDA, USA Posts: 4,865	First off, Advance ESC timing. I'm not sure what the options are on that ESC, but I'd start with a 20 degree advance. Optimum should be within a few degrees either side of that. I have most of my A motors at 20~24 degrees depending on controller. If too low, you may also see a chatter at startup, and sometimes even at high throttle settings, might sound as if it's a gas engine mis-firing. Raise the timing and it goes away. the "squeel" is another sign of timing way too low.

Oct 20, 2009, 08:25 PM	#3
rcav8r2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hopewell PA Posts: 2,471	Thanks... I'll be sure to check the timing when I have a chance to bring the plane in from my trailer. It is set to the default, and according to the manual, it says the default is standard advance. The other 2 options it lists is high advance and low advance (recommended for out runners) . This is when not using the castle link to program. Hopefully the Castle Link will show more options. The manual recommends low advance for out runners though. If these are my only 3 options are you saying I should choose High Advance? THANKS again

Oct 21, 2009, 03:50 PM	#4
GWRIGHT Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: MELBOURNE, FLORIDA, USA Posts: 4,865	try all options,.. but personally I'd go high first.

Oct 28, 2009, 10:27 PM	#7
rcav8r2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hopewell PA Posts: 2,471	Thanks jsmith... I do have emails into Hacker, and Castle, but have not heard back. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to call.

Oct 30, 2009, 06:26 AM	#8
Fast Guy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 105	Check out the Castle vendors forum in this section. Plenty of info on the squealing issues with Castle ESC's

Today, 08:43 AM	#9
smok Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8	Castle has released ver.3 firmware for their controllers. Should fix the squealing. Also for an A30, set the advance to low ( 0 ) - it is not degrees, the Phoenix controllers autodetect optimum advance and this parameter is to fine-tune it. For most outrunners Castle recommends to start with low advance. Be careful and check the current and power - as the new ICE firmware is capable of pulling lots of power. For example I have an A30-16M with ICE50 and Kokam SLPB 2100 3s and it pulls 620 W with full throttle with APC 12x6.5 E prop. It runs over 11kRPM, while the same motor and prop with Phoenix 45 and 2.something firmware was peaking around 8-9k RPM. Hope that helps, Smok