Spektrum 2.4

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5 August 2014 at 21:00 #51008
P. H. Stones
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@p-h-stones25207
Relevant items installed in boat.

AR600 Receiver – Digisound module – Action Quadswitch – Mtroniks ESC

Spektrum DX6i 2.4 transmitter.

When last sailed two weeks ago everything functioned perfectly but when bench tested yesterday the items operating via the quadswitch would not work although throttle, rudder and bilge pump do. On the quadswitch are four independent 3amp relays, connected as follows:- No 1 Diesel motor from Digisound No 2 Horn from Digisound No 3 Mast lights No 4 Deck lights. I've checked everything I can think of and am at a loss but it does seem to be a signal problem as they all work when shorted across the Common and N/O.

Perhaps someone can help find the solution and advise if these receivers are reliable as others have proved problematical insofar as they don't power up even with a direct 4.8v input. Finally, the instructions state that the commons on three and four should be linked but aren't. How important is this?
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5 August 2014 at 21:00 #5318
P. H. Stones
Participant
@p-h-stones25207
6 August 2014 at 07:56 #51014
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
If everything worked last week then the problem is probably not with either the connections or the units. Try charging up the batteries. If you can hear the relays click in and out when you move the Tx stick then the P62 is working OK.

If by "the commons on three and four" you mean the relay contacts on the P62 then this depends on the voltages of the various units you have connected to it. For example, if they all run from one battery than you can connect up all four COM terminals, while if you are running four different batteries then don't connect any together etc.

Dave M
6 August 2014 at 12:42 #51020
P. H. Stones
Participant
@p-h-stones25207
I use a single 12v 9ah lead acid battery feeding a distribution unit to supply various voltages. As already stated all worked perfectly until now. With the battery fully charged still nothing happens and I cannot detect any relay switching either by ear or touch when moving the TX stick. That's why it seems like a signal problem to me and the reason for asking about the AR600 receivers. Incidentally, I have two P62's and get the same result from both. There could I imagine be a fault in this one or even in the transmitter.
6 August 2014 at 12:44 #51021
P. H. Stones
Participant
@p-h-stones25207
I meant a fault in the AR600 not the P62.
6 August 2014 at 13:53 #51022
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
Have you tried operating them using a different channel on the receiver? Does a servo work OK when plugged into the same channel as you were using for the P62? BTW P62 doesn't respond to signals beyond the range 1.1ms-1.9ms, so if you have the ability on the system to restrict the "servo" movement on that channel to about 75% of normal then that's worth a try. If you have a multimeter then take the case off the P62 and test the voltage across the red and black wire terminations. It should be the same as that at the power distribution board's output for the receiver.

It does seem very strange that a functioning system should just stop functioning solely with the passage of a few days. My money is still on a power failure, a wire broken inside the insulation or a dirty/bad power connection somewhere. If you want the P62s tested then PM me – I'm the guy who fixes them. I can either confirm they are OK or repair them as appropriate.

Dave M
6 August 2014 at 15:09 #51026
P. H. Stones
Participant
@p-h-stones25207
I think you've cracked it Dave. I did try plugging into the throttle channel and found it worked OK. I'm also fortunate enough to have a spare DX6i which I've never used from new and thought this the perfect opportunity to try it out. I set it up and bound it, leaving the receiver connected as before and everything worked as it should which seems to indicate a fault in the transmitter. Do you agree it should be sent back to Horizon for repair?
6 August 2014 at 15:52 #51028
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
Just to confirm: You've tried the old receiver with the new transmitter and the P62 plugged into the original Rx channel socket – and everything works. The implication is that the old transmitter is not sending a valid signal on that channel. Testing it with a servo might confirm this but servos are unfussy things and often work when other devices won't.
Just to be sure, clean all the old Rx pins with something like meths or Isopropyl Alcohol on a cotton-bud (vodka works, too…) and try the original set-up once again. It's possible there was some muck on one of the contacts which your testing has shifted. Don't forget to wiggle the wires a bit while you're pushing the sticks; that should detect any poor connections or a broken conductor inside the insulator.
It's all a bit CSI is this, isn't it?!
8 August 2014 at 12:10 #51086
P. H. Stones
Participant
@p-h-stones25207
I can confirm your points and have since cleaned the RX pins as best I can with Isopropyl alcohol but to no avail. I'll have one more try before returning the transmitter to Horizon as it really looks like an internal fault. I'll post the company's findings in due course, provided it lets me know what they are. Thanks.
8 August 2014 at 13:33 #51088
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
Best to send them both Tx and Rx.

Dave M
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