ESC Error Fixed!
Determined root cause of my lasting No.2 ESC error problem. REPLACED ribbon cable.
Removing, inspecting, re-installing the cable showed no issues, did not resolve the ESC Error.
Thanks greatly for the advice from moscowice7095, Feb 20, 2017.
Brief chronology:
Flew through about 3 batteries, flawlessly. Includes Sport mode.
Next flight, Phantom took off to about 2 feet elevation, flipped upside down and flew top-down into the grass. Pulled left stick back to stop motors. No errors on Go 4. Nothing unusual. No crashes or hard landings on this day. This craft was in a bad crash months earlier, required shell change.
After flip, Cycle power on RC, Go 4, AC
Next takeoff, repeat of 2 foot elevation, flipped, and into the grass. Registered No.2 ESC Error on screen of Go 4, after crash.
Cycled power several times, could not clear No.2 ESC Error. "Can not take off".
Replaced Motor number 2.
Upon power up, motor beeps, with No. 2 ESC Error. No LED illumination under motor 2. (no beeping with 'crashed' motor, only ESC error)
Replaced Part 44, ESC Center board. Solder 12 connections, no splices.
Tested without lower shell, landing gear, compass, camera. Motor 2 still beeps, LED 2 off, ESC error. Nothing changed.
Removed ribbon cable, get ESC 2 & 3 errors. Ribbon cable appears just fine. removed/replaced several times. No change.
REPLACED Ribbon cable with new ribbon from part 34 cable set connecting Part 43(Main) to Part 44(Left).
Power ON. ESC Error NOT reported, but now have "Topology Error". Testing was done with upper shell/electronics only. Compass, antennas, camera not connected.
Re-connected all electronics, partially assemble lower shell. Status normal! Ready to fly!!.
Fully assembled complete aircraft, calibrate compass. Flew several test flights, all perfect.
Key notes: New motor and 'crashed motor' appear different. Only new one beeped. Not clear if ESC Board part 44 is dead, although likely due to prop in grass.
Only observable 'damage' on ribbon cable are small indents where ribbon is clamped by connectors. So that must be the root failure. Motor and Part 44 likely also.
Things to know:
To release ribbon cable from connectors: remove tape, lift black lever AWAY from board plane. The lever is hinged. DO NOT PULL on lever, it will break and destroy the entire board. After replacing ribbon cable, tape across connectors is critical. Vibration can easily open connectors, causing ESC failure, stopping motors in flight. IT WILL CRASH.
Motor numbering: With camera facing away from you, 1 is Top Right (2:00); 2 Top Left (10:00); 3 Back Left (5:00); 4 Back Right (5:00) Boards have M numbers printed at solder connections. Tiny print. Look carefully.
Motors 2 & 3 on Part 44(Left); Motors 1 & 4 on Part 45(Right)
Next time:
If I have an ESC Error, specifically on motor 2 or 3, I will first replace the ribbon cable. Make sure connector clamps are tight and taped.
Jim at WA5TEF: From what's happened to me, I'd guess you lost one of your ribbon cable connections to board Main ESC controller, part 43, during flight. Make sure connectors are taped!
Disconnecting and reconnecting the ribbon did NOTHING. And the ribbon looks fine. Only replacement fixed the errors. There is no ESC calibration on P4.
Again, Thanks greatly for the advice from moscowice7095, Feb 20, 2017. Not sure if I'd have replaced ribbon without this post, since mine looks just fine.
Parts description in this post:
Part 34 - Cable Set $27
Part 43 - Main Controller $80 (Not needed to be replaced.)
Clockwise rotation motor part Part 24 2312S $21
Part 44 ESC Center Board(Left) $65