b15 flight 50 ah eprop dec 17 21.xls.zip (173.3 KB)
hi everyone,
I’ve recently started testing the new generation of controllers from MGM. I’ve installed the HBCi 30063, which is an upgrade from the previous HBC 25063.
Before I give you results, I need to talk about the process to actually get this controller from MGM.
I have bought 4 MGM controllers in the past 7 years, and been generally satisfied with the technology, and the company’s support, particularly in the beginning when the company was much smaller. I visited the factory in the Czech Republic and met with the Managing Director, Martin Dvorsky who showed me around and helped greatly to get the procduct I needed.
Most of the time, the response time was quick, and a number of problems were remedied quickly - problems that were mostly mine and due to the
one main criticism of the MGM system and company. Communications. Their English manual is very poorly written, and I even offered to help rewrite it (I’m a professional writer), without success. A better manual could have reduced my communications to the company by at least 50% if not more
I was also dissatisfied with the communications module that must be bought separately and is connected to the controller with a fragile plug and wires, which kept failing. This made programming the controller very challenging at times.
The controllers are sophisticated, with the telemetry and programming, which means they are expensive. You get what you pay for, but when you live half a world away, the costs can really add up, particulary if you need service.
MGM has since grown substantially. When I heard about the new genertion of controllers, I was intriqued and enquired about the new capabilities, specifically asking if the communications had a bluetooth or wifi capability. No, communications are the same, I was told, but the controller is much better at cooling and had a higher power rating.
I wanted to order a new motor as well, but the process became very complicated to get a motor matched to the controller. In the end, I ordered just the controller and a motor/controller from Geiger to do some comparisons.
When the controller arrived, there was no RS232 port, which is what my flight displays used in the last generation. When I asked, I was told that none of my flight instruments would work, and that I had not told them I specifically wanted to use these instruments when I ordered.
When I objected, I was further told that I could not expect a company to maintain backwards compatibility with technology that was 6 years old. I noted my working 2015 Macbook, but that went unheard. I proposed a solution but I’ve not heard from the company in more than two weeks.
So… if you are tempted to order an MGM controller, make sure you understand completely the capabilities, particularly if you are upgrading.
As for the controller itself, it is much better. It is slightly larger and does run cooler and I ordered it with Molex connectors to ensure everything stays connected. But even though the CONNECTOR stayed connected, I had a motor wire pull out of plug the other day. You need a special crimpiing tool and it’s a bit of an art to crimp the plugs well. I now pre solder the wire ends and then solder the connection after the crimp.
I’ve included the data file for the last test flight. Flying our coastal site in a Mentor 6 (26m2), with a wind of 7 knots, I was able to fly 35 minutes using 27 Ah of a 15S 50AH battery (42 Ah useable). That’s 0.77 Ah/min, or 54 min of flight time on that battery. Total weight of my homebuilt parameter: 28 kg (14 kg battery)
For those who are programming savvy, the new genertion offers new possibilities to connect a range of control devices. You still have, however, a dinky USB interface device to connect with fragile wires. Why didn’t they put that on the INSIDE with a nice USB 3 female socket?
Total cost of the controller with molex connectors and USB comms device was 1600 Euros, without shippling.
safe flying!
