Robin Coombs Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I ordered a set of 90 degree LADO electric retract direct from the USA last year. It took 6 months for delivery and when I installed them one failed. Doug Pientak from LADO stated that he would replace it. That was in August. To date I have not heard a thing from him let alone receive a replacement despite sveral emails to him. These retracts are really great but the electronics are a bit suspect. In desperation I opened up the fautly unit to discover that the circuit board is attached directly to the motor and had a dry joint. It is virtually impossible to repair as once opened the connections come apart really easily but will not accept solder. The motor and mechanicals work just great but without the attached board is useless. Has anyone else had any experience with these? What can I do to make it work again? The electronics measure the current and when the retract is fully retracted, or extended, the current is cut off. There are no limit switches. They lock up and down really well. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James40 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Can you add a couple of lengths of wire between the motor and circuit board, it would make the soldering a much easier task ? Oh and give the cricuit board a good clean before trying to solder on it, they sometime spray the boards to seal them. Edited By James40 on 04/01/2010 12:32:08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 Thanks James. I will try that. I think that it may well be sealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Latest update is that LADO is downsizing and up for sale. No stock of anything. Just my luck. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 I have finally heard from LADO They have been bought out by E Retact from france. They have promised to repair my retact but what a situation. Made in France, sent to USA, then retailed by MAGNUM RC. I will keep holding thumbs. My Corsair hasnt flown in ages. By the way, James. I soldered 2 wires onto the motor and it works just fine. The problem was with the PC card. Impossible to solder at all. The lead to the receiver had also come loose. This is a real weak point. I do beleive that the controller should not be part of the retract but be mounted in the fuz so it can be isolated from vibration etc. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 Well, at last my Corsair retracts are fixed. LADO has been bought out by a French company, E-Retracts. Their CEO, Christophe, has been very helpful. He sent me a free replacement motor and PC card. Fitting it was simple but care must be taken as it is quite delicate. I must say that the quality of these retracts are very good. I still feel that the electronics should be a separate unit and not mounted in the actual retract. Now to get some air time & see how well they stand up. Robin in SA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted October 7, 2010 Author Share Posted October 7, 2010 If anyone is following this thread I have just been appointed as the South African Supplier and Service centre for LADO retracts. Baby steps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Wow quite an outcome!! From dissatisfied customer to country supplier! Well done Robin, hope it goes well for you. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Robin, From your new viewpoint, how do you view the point about the electronics being kept seperate from the mechanical unit? Will you be pressing for a re-design? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Hi Martin That will be one of my discussion topics with them. Also a system of operating wheel doors. I am just getting to know them at the moment. SA does not have a very large customer base for something this specialised but it won't be my primary income provider, yet. I have registered as Robin Model Aviation but am really struggling to get to grips with setting up a website. It's a .com site but I just can't seem to be able to load anything. Perhaps if I were 20 years younger it may not be so confusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Good stuff, Robin. Oddly enough one of my clubmates announced he was interested in getting some E-Retracts yesterday afternoon - is there a UK agent or should I point him to your site when it's up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Coombs Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 Hi Martin . It would be great to supply from here but the postage would kill it. He can get them direct from France at www.eretract.fr. They have a great range now even catering for large scale models up to 15 kG. OLEOS and brakes coming soon. Cheers Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Thats a duff link there Robin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.A. Barry Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 And here A.A, Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Stick a hyphen after the first e - then it works! Mind you, as my clubmate is always complaining about being a hard up pensioner I wouldn't hold my breath for an order - they aren't a budget buy... Edited By Martin Harris on 11/10/2010 17:53:55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Thornton Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi there Robin, Well I have just read all your news and problems etc with the Lado Retracts. I have just finished buying a pair of RS333 for my DB Sport and Scale Spitfire 82" span. Just to let everybody know, I have had fantastic service from Lado. I ordered on a Friday and recieved the units on the following Wednesday, here in Spain. Intact and working perfect. Cheers everyone, John Thornton, 71 years young, Southern Spain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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