Failsafes

[Dorkhedeos]

What is the smallest failsafe on the market? Which one is the most reliable? Is there one that has the best of both worlds? i was looking at a few of them, but im not sure which one i should get.

http://www.dynamiterc.com/Products/Default...?ProdID=DYN2553

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXHLV3&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXJDF8&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXEYG2&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXHUH6&P=ML

 

[Dan Hydro]

Dynamite: I wouldn't be able to tell you anything on these one.

DuraTrax: is in use in all my boats, no problems (low voltage failsafe is 3.8volts).

Futaba micro: good failsafe.

Ofna failsafe: stay away, too many problems.

Venom: good failsafe (low voltage failsafe is 4.2 volts).

they are not compatible with any radios with built in failsafe (Spektrum, Futaba FASST).

Dan.

 

[bzubee]

I was under the impression that the FASST system using the 3pk transmitter had no fail safe except for an after market one if I'm wrong how do you set the fail safe using the FASST system with a 3pk transmitter?

 

[Don Ferrette]

What is the smallest failsafe on the market? Which one is the most reliable? Is there one that has the best of both worlds? i was looking at a few of them, but im not sure which one i should get.
http://www.dynamiterc.com/Products/Default...?ProdID=DYN2553

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXHLV3&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXJDF8&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXEYG2&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXHUH6&P=ML

I've been using the Venom with my FASST 2.4 & regular servos. B)

 

[Dan Hydro]

According to the Futaba web site, both the 3PK 2.4Ghz, the 3PKS and the 3PK have built in failsafe.

Dan.

 

[Don Ferrette]

According to the Futaba web site, both the 3PK 2.4Ghz, the 3PKS and the 3PK have built in failsafe.
Dan.

Only if you use digital servos, a total waste of money in boats in my opinion.

 

[Rigged]

the 3PM also has built in memory failsafe if using digital servos. You can still use the failsafe within the radio with analog servos, but you have to reset it everytime you turn the radio off/on.

Ive also been using the Venom failsafe with my 3PM FASST with no problems.

 

[bzubee]

Thanks that's what I thought.

 

[lohring]

Transmitter based fail safe systems are of limited use because most boat radio failures occur in the radio box. A good receiver based fail safe should drive the throttle servo to the closed position with any loss of signal or battery power. It should not need to be set every time you turn on the receiver. As far as I can see all of these failsafes require some battery power to drive the servo and at least one needs to be set every time the receiver is turned on, hard to do in a taped up radio box.

One of the best failsafe systems I have seen uses two separate receivers on the same frequency, two battery packs, and two switches driving the servos through Y harnesses. Since it is unlikely that you would loose both servos or both sections of the dual receiver system at the same time, you will have either steering or throttle at the worst. You need to test both sides of the system by turning off each receiver during your radio test. The system will be free from radio interference as well if you use 2.4 GHz radios.

Lohring Miller

 

[Russell Bear]

I have used the Futaba one now in two boats and each time they are subject to glitches which make it very interesting to keep them running while they keep trying to shut the boat down. Sure there are other factors that are causing the glitches, but once I take them out the glitches go away.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXJDF8&P=ML

I may at some point go with another transmitter with built in.

 

[Rigged]

Transmitter based fail safe systems are of limited use because most boat radio failures occur in the radio box. A good receiver based fail safe should drive the throttle servo to the closed position with any loss of signal or battery power. It should not need to be set every time you turn on the receiver. As far as I can see all of these failsafes require some battery power to drive the servo and at least one needs to be set every time the receiver is turned on, hard to do in a taped up radio box.

Yes the failsafes require power within the radio box... this is why i also run a Relay failsafe in my boats as well. If i lose power anywhere inside my box or drop below 5v, the relay grounds the coil out and kills the motor..which a standard failsafe cant do since without power they are useless.

One good thing about the Venom (thats all ive used) is you set it one time and dont have to change it again for that boat unless you change linkage setup.

 

[Terry Keeley]

I have used the Futaba one now in two boats and each time they are subject to glitches which make it very interesting to keep them running while they keep trying to shut the boat down. Sure there are other factors that are causing the glitches, but once I take them out the glitches go away.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXJDF8&P=ML

I may at some point go with another transmitter with built in.

I've used the previous model FS1 for many years with great success, saved my little 20 mono once when the battery pack failed...

 

[hydro]

To be most effective a Fail Safe should be power from a second battery pack and switch harness. Also the second battery needs to be diode isolated from the main pack. If you do it this way and you have a receiver failure your ok, if the main battery pack or switch harness fails your ok, the auxiliary pack will power the fail safe/servo & return the throttle to the shut down position and your boat will be in one piece to race another day.

John

 

[Dr Hydro]

What about using what the rc drag racers use? They connect a spring to the throttle to pull it back to the off position if the battery fails.