NOV 2025: I’m reaching out for assistance, but some background first. I’m a retired software engineer and a former PPC owner/pilot (Rotax 582 2-seat LSA). In an attempt to return to the air, I purchased a complete, pre-owned SP140 V2 outfit in AUG 2025. The outfit included virtually no documentation or manuals and I’m having trouble finding detailed operational and maintenance documents online.
I assembled my outfit as per the https://community.openppg.com/t/sp140-v2-frame-system/5354 video, sans prop. After fully charging the V1.0 24s10p battery pack and connecting the electronic speed controller (ESC) to the motor (MAD M50c35 34KV) and the OpenPPG throttle to the ESC, I started the motor. Initially, it stuttered and made loud clicking noises, but after cycling the power a few times (batter switch off/on) and working the throttle, the motor started running smoothly. It ran at full throttle for about 5 minutes then the motor died. I thought that the motor either froze or may have overheated due to insufficient air flow. I confirmed that the motor hub turned freely and I turned the battery switch off. After an hour, I turned the battery switch on and tried another run-up. I heard one high beep and one low beep but the motor wouldn’t start. After several more power cycles, I heard no beeps and the throttle screen never came back on.
I noticed that both the throttle and ESC have USB ports. I searched online for info regarding these ports and for any relevant applications that would use these ports. I also arbitrarily connected both the ESC and the throttle to my PC. Upon doing so, I notification popped up stating that an OpenPPG Controller RP2940 was found and to tap the notification to open my CHROME browser. I did and found myself at https://config.openppg.com/configurators/sp140-v3/.
While the firmware updater has successfully connected to the throttle numerous times, it has never completed an installation. The Installing - Preparing installation pop-up appears, the “circle of doom” never disappears; the app never progresses. I’ve tried the update process on a WIN 11 desktop, a WIN 10 desktop, and a WIN 10 laptop using both CHROME and EDGE browsers and have failed in all cases. Please help/advise.