MCB-E ("blue box") Issues, Post up your experiences

[apmech1]

I posted the above in the F/A-18C thread.

I am amazed that Motion RC was able to pick 12 models at random, assemble and fly them with no incident except for an under-glued stab mount, but here I am with a 2nd F/A-18C that, like the first, exhibits aileron problems on the stand. And not only did I make sure the battery wires were clear of the wing ribbon cables, the failures happened without the ESC powered up.
Like the 737MAX, this bird is grounded until I take that useless plastic trinket out and rewire the wings. :Angry:

12:29AM update: Trouble ticket also created on MotionRC.com

1:48AM Update: Testing both ailerons individually and directly connected to the servo tester, found that the starboard (right) wing aileron servo is bad - connecting them with a Y causes both to not function properly. And wouldn't you know it, that particular servo (with 10" lead) is out of stock ...

I found the same issue with my rudders. I thought th BB had something to do with it. When I connected the rudders to different channels, it was only the right servo causing the problem. I have thoughx bypassed the BB for everything but lights (on the hornet). The problem didn't start immediately. I I just hope none of the other servos fail like that in flight, would most likely be a total loss.

[Quickstop]

Have 2 out of three planes on the list and Zero problems ever.

[crxmanpat]

Have 2 out of three planes on the list and Zero problems ever.

What specific receivers are you using?

[Gilatrout]

I was told by a motion tech. rep. not to use Spectrum 8000 or 9000 series receivers on my F22.
Does this also apply to the F18?
Why is it so?
Why doesn't the manual say anything about it?
Is it also true for Hobby King and Lemon DSMX receivers?
Alpha, please explain.

Can someone please elaborate.

I just ordered the camo L-39, and I was planning on using an AR9350 Spektrum receiver with 2 remotess. I use this same receiver in my A10, B24, and P38. I'm using the 7350 in my Tigercat, Yak 130, and LA7 among other planes without issue. Obviously none of these have the blue box

A guy in our club was told by a motion customer service rep that the 8000 and 9000 series receivers were not recommended, but apparently refused to provide additional details

I'd appreciate any details as I'd love to be flying my L39 next week.

[Slygregg]

Hi Everyone just purchased a F22 8 cell Arriving July 1st never flown f22 yet what kind of parts I should keep in the tool box first time ready the forums on Hobbysquawk.com I think I'm going to practice more before flying this bad boy when it arrives and what should I change anything on this F22 8 cell or just keep it stock thank you all for posting

[RCjetdude]

Hi Everyone just purchased a F22 8 cell Arriving July 1st never flown f22 yet what kind of parts I should keep in the tool box first time ready the forums on Hobbysquawk.com I think I'm going to practice more before flying this bad boy when it arrives and what should I change anything on this F22 8 cell or just keep it stock thank you all for posting

Welcome to HobbySquawk Slygregg. How much flying experience do you have under your belt? I have the 8S version as well and recommended just flying it stock.

[clearprop88]

Can someone please elaborate.

I just ordered the camo L-39, and I was planning on using an AR9350 Spektrum receiver with 2 remotess. I use this same receiver in my A10, B24, and P38. I'm using the 7350 in my Tigercat, Yak 130, and LA7 among other planes without issue. Obviously none of these have the blue box

A guy in our club was told by a motion customer service rep that the 8000 and 9000 series receivers were not recommended, but apparently refused to provide additional details

I'd appreciate any details as I'd love to be flying my L39 next week.

I have asked the Motion rep on this thread for an explanation of the problem, and why they don't recommend using those receivers, but so far have not received a reply.
There have been testimonials from some people saying they use the receivers with no problem.
Until I hear something from Motion saying it's OK to use an 8 or 9 channel Spectrum receiver I'm staying away from them.
I don't want to re wire the airplane just to avoid the Blue Box as many have done.

[Gilatrout]

I have asked the Motion rep on this thread for an explanation of the problem, and why they don't recommend using those receivers, but so far have not received a reply.
There have been testimonials from some people saying they use the receivers with no problem.
Until I hear something from Motion saying it's OK to use an 8 or 9 channel Spectrum receiver I'm staying away from them.
I don't want to re wire the airplane just to avoid the Blue Box as many have done.

Agreed, but guidance seems inadequate here. The AR7350 is almost identical to the AR9350 with the only difference being 2 additional channels. They even share the same case and everything else. So why then are not these receivers included in the restrictions? I don't care about any politics between the companies, I just want to know what receiver I should use to safely operate my models safely and why.

[RC30Flyer]

I currently use Spektrum DX-9 with AR8000 receivers in all three of my freewing jets. Only 2 of which have the "blue box"... The A-4 does not have one. I have experienced the rudder/nose steering issue on both the L-39 and F-22. I have also tried the resync method on both units to no avail. So I setup new receivers with my FrSky Horus, still got the same result with a completely different radio system, whereas rudders fail to work and nose steering is jittering when LG is deployed. When LG is retracted, rudders work with irregularity. The F-22 also exhibited the landing light remaining on when gear is retracted. I do love the "central location" for the wiring with this mixing box, but I also like to have full trim authority for nose steering without affecting the rudders. Soooo... I have taken the nose steering servo and plugged it into AUX2, directly connected rudders yo receiver, and then I have setup 2 P-Mixes. One mix is to shut down nose steering when retracted, and the other is mixing LT to rudder and setting ATVs to about 30% so I can have a separate nose steering trim without affecting rudder trim. I do whole heartedly feel there is an inherent problem with these blue boxes, but for me creating a ticket for this when there is a work-around seemed silly because I would likely get another problematic unit. I also can see the other side of this for guys who don't have the extra available channels to run these mixes and rely solely on the blue box for mixing. So I feel these units when sold with a PNP aircraft should work with any radio system readily available on the market, and not be told by CS to not use the AR7000 or AR8000 receivers. That to me makes ZERO sense. Just my 2 cents and opinion tho. Cheers!

[Ricky T]

I have a new F-18 Blue Angel, worked fine on initial fire up and then after I fired it up again ailerons started moving up and down by themselves and one of the elevators started fluttering. Thought it was the blue box so I ordered a new one, after further review found right aileron servo going bad after hooking it up to a Servo tester, normally when a servo goes bad it's only that servo that has a problem it doesn't manifest itself throughout the rest of the servos, I think that is called from the blue box so I rewire everything directly and everything works fine now also replaced the servo on the right aileron that was going bad.

[Ron1950]

my first L39 all stock using the spektrum ar620... gear refused to come down 3 out of 4 times...y ed all but the flaps and lights now after 30 or so flights no problems... have the camo in the box I have no idear what to do with that one but have 5 y harnesses ready lol

[fredmdbud]

I have a new F-18 Blue Angel, worked fine on initial fire up and then after I fired it up again ailerons started moving up and down by themselves and one of the elevators started fluttering. Thought it was the blue box so I ordered a new one, after further review found right aileron servo going bad after hooking it up to a Servo tester, normally when a servo goes bad it's only that servo that has a problem it doesn't manifest itself throughout the rest of the servos, I think that is called from the blue box so I rewire everything directly and everything works fine now also replaced the servo on the right aileron that was going bad.

I had pretty much the same exact experience. You really shouldn't have had to buy any replacements, since both the blue box and the servo were under warranty and never flown.

[Desertlakeflying]

Had a flap servo burn out and replaced the servo and the box was gone. Now the new box is just lights and gear.

[I-fly-rc-aircraft]

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a BB issue but when I first set up my L 39 the nose wouldn't steer. I unplugged the lead from the servo and plugged it back in and it's been fine. Also the retract switch should be in the same as the gear when powering up the plane.

[crxmanpat]

Could be that the plug just was not seated properly when it was originally installed.

[Reaper911]

Can the MCB-E handle 6v or must you limit it to 5v?

[xviper]

From the T-33 thread: https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc...849#post251849

[OV10]

From the T-33 thread: https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc...849#post251849

xviper The link takes me to post #1042 of that thread but don't see where it answers Reaper911's question in above post #36.

[xviper]

xviper The link takes me to post #1042 of that thread but don't see where it answers Reaper911's question in above post #36.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to answer his question (didn't quote it). I just wanted to add my experience to the thread about the blue box.

[OV10]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to answer his question (didn't quote it). I just wanted to add my experience to the thread about the blue box.

Gotcha