Yuneec Gimbal Potentiometers ST16/ST16-Pro/ST16s/ST24

Yuneec Skins · Mar 6, 2020

I decided to Di-sect a Gimbal Pot from an ST16, and I am amazed that these last very long at all, after seeing the inside of a Pot I'm really concerned about their longevity, so I'm going to try and find some better replacements, of all the Yuneec Parts I've seen these are the ones most prone to Failure, now I see why, they have to be the lowest Quality Pots on the Market.......

Mrgs1 · Mar 6, 2020

Don't depress us more, we don't need anymore info on how bad things are.

Yuneec Skins · Mar 6, 2020

I hear you, I'm sure were gonna hear more about this in the near future, I'm thinking Prevention Prevents Problems, the Photo is of a Pot that was getting no Throttle Down Signal.

PatR · Mar 7, 2020

Mrgs1 said:
Don't depress us more, we don't need anymore info on how bad things are.

That looks like an enlarged version of what’s used in the cheapest RC servos on the market.

Mrgs1 · Mar 7, 2020

Cheap and cheerful.

DoomMeister · Mar 7, 2020

Yuneec Skins said:
I decided to Di-sect a Gimbal Pot from an ST16, and I am amazed that these last very long at all, after seeing the inside of a Pot I'm really concerned about their longevity, so I'm going to try and find some better replacements, of all the Yuneec Parts I've seen these are the ones most prone to Failure, now I see why, they have to be the lowest Quality Pots on the Market.......

Do you have any specs on the pots?

Was the person using this ST-16 doing any regular maintenance on the control gimbals?

Steve Carr · Mar 7, 2020

DoomMeister said:
Was the person using this ST-16 doing any regular maintenance on the control gimbals?

He was replacing the stick because J1 would go up but not down. He took the pot apart to inspect it, hoping to determine the cause.

PatR · Mar 7, 2020

DoomMeister said:
Do you have any specs on the pots?

Specs for a Yuneec part? Such a quest is an exercise in futility if ever there was one[emoji6]

Mrgs1 · Mar 7, 2020

PatR said:
Specs for a Yuneec part? Such a quest is an exercise in futility if ever there was one[emoji6]

A picture speaks a thousand words. we have the spec, poor quality.

Mike Irish · Mar 8, 2020

If and when someone finds a good quality replacement could they post the model number and place of purchase please

.
Cheers.
Mike

Steve Carr · Mar 8, 2020

Mike Irish said:
when someone finds a good quality replacement

Have you had a problem with a stick? While there is often an indication the pots are erratic, it's actually connector on the pot. If you remove the white connector and solder the wires directly to the pot, the problem goes away.

Mike Irish · Mar 8, 2020

Steve Carr said:
Have you had a problem with a stick? While there is often an indication the pots are erratic, it's actually connector on the pot. If you remove the white connector and solder the wires directly to the pot, the problem goes away.

Hi Steve. No I haven't had any problems yet, but I am thinking ahead and want to be prepared

Regards.
Mike

Yuneec Skins · Mar 8, 2020

Think I may have found a Better Gimbal Pot....Visually Identical.......Next Testing.......To Be Continued.....

PatR · Mar 8, 2020

Steve Carr said:
Have you had a problem with a stick? While there is often an indication the pots are erratic, it's actually connector on the pot. If you remove the white connector and solder the wires directly to the pot, the problem goes away.

Many don’t realize the contact material used for common JST connectors is highly susceptible to filiform corrosion, reducing or interfering conductivity as it progresses. Once connected, all they have to do is sit there, power on or power off, for corrosion to form.

Common JST connectors are not “high end” and are intended to provide an economical means to complete mass produced electrical assemblies. They hold up best when used in relatively stable environments. An environment our flight controllers, and aircraft, don’t fit into as they are routinely transported in variable weather conditions. The best JST’s are gold tinned and more expensive.

As Steve said, clean or solder the connections and most problems go away. Some with camera control issues will see them resolved by cleaning the JST camera connector just under the gimbal mount.

Pöllö · Mar 8, 2020

I am planning to retrofit either Hitec Aurora 9, FRSky "analog" or FRSky hall effect sensor gimbals on my ST16 and ST24. I am on my second throttle/rudder gimbal on my ST16 and today I found out that the replacement lasted only for < 30 flights and I am going to need a third gimbal. I am done with Yuneec gimbals now. I'll keep you posted how this turns out!