Scorpius...a few questions

[fotodoug]

I have a cramped track area, so I thought that getting a wireless controller would make sense. I had a bit of a problem dealing with Scorpius, but eventually got a controller, WAM, and dongle from another reader of this forum. I have to admit, I'm not exactly a computer whiz! Fortunately I have friends that are, so I got many of the initial questions figured out...and for the most part, am pleased with the controller. I find it a bit frustrating that the controller times out a bit quickly, requiring restarting more than I would like...and it seems that you have to unplug/replug the WAM to reset things to get the car going after sitting over night. The thing I don't understand is when I got the system going this morning, the controller was set up the same way it was last night, and I was running the same car, but it felt like the voltage was down 2-3 volts. Normally I run at 10 volts, but this felt like 7 or 8 volts. So I ran the car for a while, then took a break to see if I could find anything wrong with the car. Nothing wrong that I could find with the car, but when I restarted the controller, it was back to the way it was last night...10 volts and VERY reactive! I changed NOTHING...it just seemed to change on it's own. Anyone having these kind of problems?

[chappy]

Sorry Doug, never had an issue like yours.
If you go to the website and check out the downloads you may find ways to adjust the timeouts and the settings
Bob

[fotodoug]

Thanks Bob...I'm probably the only one! :angry-tappingfoot:

[chappy]

Not likely but Ade or Greg K are also great sources for info on the scorpius system.
Btw i usually run 10.5 volts. My batteries seem to last a long time , and as an often solo racer the scorpius is great for wandering around the track.
Is it possible that you had a bit of fine braid causing a temporary short over your lane and it burned out or moved off after several laps to cause the voltage fluctuation?
Bob

[fotodoug]

I played with it a little more this afternoon, and this afternoon it was doing something different! When the controller timed out, it would change my settings about 1/3 of the time when started back up. Sensitivity would go from 8 down to 4, and braking would go from 80% to somewhere around 49%.................but it wouldn't do it all the time. At least this afternoon it tended to respond at roughly the same voltage. I have individual power supplies for each lane, and the controller responds the same way on each of the three lanes. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............

[Dangermouse]

Hi Doug
Glad you sorted a controller out.
Not that it is a lot of help but I haven't had a problem with my controller timing out - if I leave it for a couple of minutes whilst working on a car it does shut down and I don't have to disconnect my WAM and given it is my #2 controller I only use it every once in a while. Are you running the latest firmware on the controller. You can use the dongle to upgrade if needed.
(By the way I worked out what was wrong with my controller - at some stage a screw had fallen into the opening for the trigger and was stuck to the magnet for the hall sensor. I was boxing it up to send back to Rick when I noticed it)

cheers
David

[fotodoug]

Thanks David...the thing is, I don't always have to disconnect the WAM ...only when the system hasn't been used for awhile. It's probably just user error...I hope.

[Modlerbob]

I have had my Scorpius analog system now for almost four years and the only problems I have had were caused by user error. The controller fell to the floor a couple of years ago and broke the front button on the top and most recently the WAM was broken when a fellow racer hooked it up to the driver's station improperly. I have never had any problem with it changing it's settings between uses and I leave it hooked up at home almost all the time. It does shut down after about 3 minutes idle and I don't know of any way to disable that feature. I have lost a few seconds of lap time on several occasions due to forgetting to pull the trigger during heat breaks when the break lasts more than 2 minutes. However, I just got a new WAM and have been experiencing what seems to be a power drop intermittently. I assumed it was a guide flag braid problem but after reading the above I am not so sure since Doug and I got our WAMs at the same time. I may go ahead and contact that fellow in Denmark and buy the spare WAM he has as I am sure it's not the controller's fault.

[fotodoug]

" However, I just got a new WAM and have been experiencing what seems to be a power drop intermittently."

Keep an eye on that Bob...I can't seem to figure out what prompts the power drop yet as I've only had the system for a few days. It has done it on all three lanes on my track, and seems to spontaneously clear up for no obvious reason. I've checked all my wiring, nothing obvious there. Maybe the new WAM's have a flaw...I hope not.

[chappy]

From a friend ..
In 4 years of Scorpius use and there has been a lot of it I have seen 3 throttles behave erratically for no reason, the simple fix is to just reflash them with the current firmware as this re calibrates the hall sensor, only found this gem out a few months ago, but to do that you need the dongle. ...

The dongle also allows you to access the Scorpius throttle test tool which shows exactly what is going on with the throttle, if it's not throttle related then it's obviously the wam but I don't own one so can't offer much help with that aspect of things..

All the best Bob

[fotodoug]

Thanks Bob....it crapped out on me again last night mid racing! Fortunately I have Slot It backups, so I didn't have to pull out of the competition! I'm going to reflash the controller again, and see if that helps. I think from the lack of responses that it isn't a common problem, so I've got my fingers crossed that I can sort it out...I really like the way it responds when it works!

[chappy]

Good luck Doug, keep me posted just in case i develop a case of the same thing.
Bob

[fotodoug]

I reflashed 5 days ago...discovered that the "Learn Max" defaults to 70%. I changed that to 100% and haven't had a problem since, although the WAM still needs to be unplugged to reset it every so often. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!