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Post by lohmeyer on Dec 8, 2014 11:25:39 GMT 1
Looks like there is a recall for the latest HZ Supercub S with SAFE technology - the HBZ8100 (RTF) and HBZ8180 (BNF) model. Problem is the charger has caused some battery fires by over charging the batteries. I'm not sure why this recall affects only the latest HBZ8100/HBZ8180 models. As far as I can tell, the charger with this version is the same LiPo Charger they've been shipping for years with previous models. My SuperCub is a HBZ7400 (last year's model - the one with ACT instead of SAFE), but it comes with the same charger as the SuperCub S (HBZ8100/HBZ8180). The recall specifically lists the HBZ1003 charger with HBZ1004 AC Adapter. Here are some links for more information: Horizon Hobby Recall page www.horizonhobby.com/content/support-render-recallsUS Consumer Product Safety Committee Recall notice www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Horizon-Hobby-Recalls-HobbyZone-Super-Cub-S-Radio-Controlled-Aircraft/I have contacted Horizon Hobby support for clarification why the charger is OK for the older models. I use a different charger to charge my batteries, but I'd like to know regardless. Regards, Mike |
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Post by flydiver on Dec 8, 2014 16:46:48 GMT 1
They may look the same and have the same part # but the companies are always on the lookout for cheaper technology. Internal parts may have been changed. That same looking charger used to be for NiMh and they put Lipo charging guts in it now.
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Post by lohmeyer on Dec 9, 2014 0:09:16 GMT 1
I think the plastic case for the charger part (the part that has a cigarette lighter male plug) has a similar case over the years, but as far as I've seen, the labels and part numbers are different. The old NiCD/MiMH is part HBZ1026, and has a dial setting for selecting the charge rate. The LiPo charger has no switches, a different connector for the battery, of course, and a different part number (HBZ1003). I hope if they changed the innards, they also changed the part number. Then again, that's exactly why I'm asking Horizon Hobby about this. My LiPo charger has the same part number as the recall. Here's a link to the older NiCD/NiMH charger. These were sold from about 2002 I believe??? secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/HZ/hobbyzone_supercub/hobbyzone_supercub_parts/HBZ1026.htmlA quick search shows there are multiple other versions of this plastic case with different charging circuits for different airplane kits, but all of the ones I've seen have different part numbers. BTW, is there a page somewhere that lists all the different HZ SuperCub models and features over the years. I keep wanting to refer to such a resource. Regards, Mike |
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Post by hghost on Dec 9, 2014 0:12:09 GMT 1
What Fly said ^^^^^ I agree.
Older chargers not in question because they were made from a different manufacturer .Why they are Not on the list
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Post by lohmeyer on Dec 11, 2014 11:33:31 GMT 1
Response from Horizon Hobby: "The reason why the recall only applies to the super cub s and not the original super cub dsm is due to the fact they are a different production run and the issue was not on the production run of the super cub dsm. "
Fair enough. As an EE, I would love to see what is different - if it was the old design, and they screwed something up (bought the wrong parts or maybe a supplier gave them a bad production run of parts) or if it was as suggested above that they might put entirely different innards in the new charger as a cost reduction and the new innards are crap. But regardless, the answer clears it up. Back to flying. :-)
Regards,
Mike
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Post by flydiver on Dec 11, 2014 17:37:58 GMT 1
As an EE, I would love to see what is different Mike I think maybe 90% of the hardware in RC now comes from Asia, mostly China. This includes all the HZ electronics as far as I can tell. There is very little to no quality assurance at all with a constant swapping of components. Some of the large companies may be able to spec components and try to enforce a bit of QA, but once it's shipped I doubt any checking at all gets done after that. The charger is one of the weak links in the Cub package, along with the ESC. For instance, as people become more experienced they often realize that a better/faster charger would be useful. They do a ....little....research and buy an IMAX B6 because everyone says to, often from eBay. There are 'real' B6's and for the last year 'fake/counterfeit' B6's. The fake ones have all kinds of problems, over charge, undercharge, poor balancing, fail at NiXX charging completely, burn up, etc. And, most of the people buying them have no ability to even check the thing themselves. It could be screwing up their lipos and they don't even know. Just because someone on the net says it's great, doesn't make it so. Another example, I've got a fried motherboard. Looking for a replacement in Newegg almost ALL the bargain MOBO's have a 20% 1-star rating with comments of DOA and 3-12 month complete failure being VERY VERY common. That's a pretty lousy track record. This is across all brands. Trust nothing from China. Check everything. |
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pug205
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 54
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Post by pug205 on Dec 22, 2014 14:02:19 GMT 1
Looks like there is a recall for the latest HZ Supercub S with SAFE technology - the HBZ8100 (RTF) and HBZ8180 (BNF) model. Problem is the charger has caused some battery fires by over charging the batteries. I'm not sure why this recall affects only the latest HBZ8100/HBZ8180 models. As far as I can tell, the charger with this version is the same LiPo Charger they've been shipping for years with previous models. My SuperCub is a HBZ7400 (last year's model - the one with ACT instead of SAFE), but it comes with the same charger as the SuperCub S (HBZ8100/HBZ8180). The recall specifically lists the HBZ1003 charger with HBZ1004 AC Adapter. Here are some links for more information: Horizon Hobby Recall page www.horizonhobby.com/content/support-render-recallsUS Consumer Product Safety Committee Recall notice www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Horizon-Hobby-Recalls-HobbyZone-Super-Cub-S-Radio-Controlled-Aircraft/I have contacted Horizon Hobby support for clarification why the charger is OK for the older models. I use a different charger to charge my batteries, but I'd like to know regardless. Regards, Mike |
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pug205
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 54
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Post by pug205 on Dec 22, 2014 14:05:01 GMT 1
Just read this earlier post and had a free chat with a Guy in California and he advised me to contact Horizon Uk. I've emailed and await further advice although America say's its not an issue over here? Keep you posted.
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Post by Knackered Sailor on Dec 22, 2014 15:59:57 GMT 1
Hello Pug, just noticed you're in Saltash so not too far from me in Pentewan (Nr St. Austell) maybe we could meet up in the Spring/summer :-)
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pug205
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 54
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Post by pug205 on Dec 22, 2014 19:03:09 GMT 1
Certainly! Just waiting for first flight opportunity here. And trying to sort out mods I want on the Cub.
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