Retro Rocket EDF dying in flight

[Refrik99]

I recently built the Retro Rocket EDF version. I used the Aura 5 control board and the Lemon Rx DSMX Satellite receiver and a Spektrum DX8 transmitter. The Aura is mounted inside the wing and the Lemon satellite is taped to the top of the wing so it won't get sucked into the EDF. Starting with the maiden flight I've had a control issue. All the controls work as they should on the ground. I've range tested it and everything works fine. I can get airborne and start to fly and after 30 seconds or so the motor will suddenly stop completely and I'll lose control of plane. Then it starts up again. Most of the time I've been able to recover and land. After it starts up again it the EDF cuts out again randomly and I lose control.
I thought it was radio interference at our club field but it's done it almost every flight. I tested yesterday in my backyard and it cut out. I don't know if it's a problem with the Aura, the Lemon satellite or possibly a bad servo. The servos seem fine. No chattering and they center well.
I'm worried to fly this plane because I'm tired of repairing it.
Any ideas what could be wrong?

 

[quorneng]

My money would be that the speed controller (ESC) is over heating and then recovering, Depending on how the RX and servos are powered the controls should still work although the Retro Rocket may not be the best glider!
EDFs tend to draw a lot of amps. It is advisable to measure the full power amps with a Watt meter. You then know whether the amps are within the rating of the speed controller.
It can also help to ensure the speed controller has a positive airflow over it for cooling.

 

[Refrik99]

The speed controller and motor are from the Flite Test EDF Power Add-On. I believe it's an 80 Amp Skywalker. I mounted it in the airframe like Josh shows in the build video. I agree it may be the speed controller that's the problem but it shouldn't be because it's not big enough or not cooled enough. It started cutting out about 30 seconds into the first flight. I suppose it could be drawing to much and overheating but that seems odd.

 

[Piotrsko]

Just because it's over rated doesn't mean some part of it isn't heat sensitive. I have found that the heat sinks in the ones I bought do not cool the voltage regulators for the radio, which typically isn't a problem. Two ways to determine fault: replace with known good one, see if problem repeats. #2: ground test it to failure then figure out how to cool it. Repeat until problem solved. I like spray freeze

 

[L Edge]

Could possibly be one more condition, you have the three connections from the ESC to the motor. One of them or more might not have a good connection, so jiggle or pull lightly to see if it cuts out. Guessing the vibration of the EDF gets transmitted and causes the interruption . I always tape those with painter's tape.
If motor craps out and you pull throttle back, and then forwards and it starts and runs and dies, either the battery or the esc needs checking, the servos usually still run.

 

[Vman]

I built two of these and went through 3 motors/fans because of something I did wrong in construction the fan pressed against the wing with enough pressure to inhibit the spinning, causing friction, heat and burning up esc or throwing the prop. Once I cut a relief slot in the wing the fan spins great and I haven’t had a problem since.

 

[bisco]

love it!