GATE Merf 3.2 Lipo Issue
 

I just recently picked up a merf 3.2 FET from a local vendor to install in my new M4 DMR build. I decided to go with the full "enhanced" install which required soldering the FET trigger wires directly to the trigger switch and routing the motor wires from the FET directly to the motor.

Before I even plugged the merf into my gun, I decided to sort out all the settings using the supplied trigger switch (battery type and voltage, 3 RD burst setup/delay, etc.). I plugged in one of my 11.1v lipos (Maple Armouries 1450mAh stick type, deans wired) that I normally use in my guns into the FET, and nothing happend.

I thought maybe it was a bad connection or something so I tried wiggling the connectors, nothing. Checked the voltage of the battery, was fully charged at 12.6V. Plug the battery into my Kriss Vector, works no problem. At this point I try plugging in the other 2 lipos I have to see if they work with it (1 identical Maple Armouries and 1 Airsoft Logic 11.1V 1200mAh stick type). The other Maple Armouries one did not work, however the Airsoft Logic 1200mAh one did and the LEDs on the merf finally lit up.

Any ideas why one type of battery would work and the others wouldn't? Do I need to do some additional programming or something to get my other 2 batteries to work? I've already set the battery type to 11.1v lipo on the merf using the one battery that did work.

EDIT: Added picture of batteries below.

https://i.imgur.com/cWI8xss.jpg

Sounds like some sort of conflict with the voltage setting back to the battery. The merf doesn’t recognize the battery. At least it’s working. I don’t know the batteries you’re using though. I use Turnigy directly from hobby king.

Can you give more details on the batteries? Like, take a picture of each, or list out Capacity, Cell, Tested Voltage, Discharge Current, etc.

Sure, here's a pic of all my batteries together.

All are 3 cell, the 1200mAh Airsoft Logic one is 20C, the Maple Armouries ones are 30C.

Tested voltages are 12.64V for the Maple Armouries ones and 12.46V for the Airsoft Logic.

https://i.imgur.com/cWI8xss.jpg

Only difference that's obvious right now is that the discharge current is different. Perhaps the Maple Armouries ones being 30C are overloading hte Merf?

I suppose it's possible, but it wouldn't really make sense for it to be overloaded without even being plugged into a motor. Amps would come into play once power is actually being used from the battery to power the motor, no?

The programming of the merf not allowing that beforehand. But you did say one worked and the other didn’t. Seems like a compatibility issue. Time for better batteries

So I went to Airsoft Depot today and went through their entire 11.1v lipo stock of batteries, not a single one turned the merf on.

I'm starting to think the thing is defective...

Sounds like its toast if none of them work lol.

Got the receipt? Pretty sure Gate has a good warranty policy.

Sounds like the connector isn't making a connection. Try prying up the spring part of the deans connector a bit so it applies more pressure.
Check the simple things first.....physical connection.

Yup, went through the retailer for an exchange.

This was the problem, however the connector was off quite a bit on the merf itself and only made connection with the one battery I had that had a very tight deans on it.

Funny enough, the one I exchanged it for had this problem as well albeit to a much smaller extent. I just added a bit of solder to the back of the prongs on the deans plug (on the merf plug) and all my batteries work perfect now.

I can confirm Gate has a good warranty and a great to deal with. I had a Merf 3.2 that went bad and after I shot a little video proving the Mosfet was bad (swapped in a nanohard to prove the wiring wasn't bad) and they shipped me a replacement.

On a side note, the replacement took a long while (they used standard mail) I thought it was lost in the mail after a 2 month wait, emailed them and they shipped another next day... ironically the first one showed up 3 days after they sent the replacement.