Spektrum radio

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

I have to agree with Malcolm, generally I am quite happy with my Spektrum equipment but occasionally I have sworn at it, either because it has developed an intermittent hardware fault or because it has not done what I expected, usually because I did not read the instructions carefully. I do get the impression that current transmitters are not as robust as they used to be, although they are more sophisticated and do have some useful features, like being able to change modes on the sticks withouit having to take the back off the transmitter and fiddle about inside swapping springs and ratchets.

The failsafe situation is, as Dave, says confusing and some Spektum receivers set channels other than throttle to the last known good position, others can be programmed to put all servos in a preset position, chosen when setting up the system. However the throttle channel, which is the one I invariably use for a sail winch can usually be preset and I normally set the failsafe so that the sail winch puts the sails about 30 degrees out as a reasonable compromise to allow the yacht to be recovered.

Gareth

Edited By Gareth Jones on 22/06/2020 12:28:06

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Hi all

A rare posting from me…..

All the manuals can be found online via the website:

http://spektrumrc.com

under 'manuals' in the drop down menus.

I have a DX6i, Dx7s and Dx8, all quite old now (8+ years) and apart from replacing the battery packs they have given stirling trouble-free service.

The user can easily adjust settings on the work bench, the only minor problem being that the default fail-safe is usually neutral, except on the throttle stick where the electronics usually assume an i.c. engine, which only goes one way – forwards – so fail-safe will be with the relevant stick fully downwards and engine 'off'. However, the instructions tell the user how to circumvent this.

In fact if the user selects 'sailplane' – i.e. a glider, the parameters are changed anyway, but not the physical tension and/or ratchet on the throttle stick.

There is notably no model selection for 'boat', so you have to 'cheat' the system.

My Dx7s and Dx8 have the facility that the user can change stick mode, i.e. ratchet or self-centring, by twiddling screws in the outside back of the Tx. I think Gen' 3 Dx6i have that facility as well when checking online, but am not sure.

The safest thing? Fiddle around with it all on the workbench and get it right there, rather than at the pond side.

I have been able to use the RH vertical stick to control a bow door opening and closing from neutral, simply by adjusting the 'throw' of one extremity to zero, thus neutral (hands-off) was the closed position.

Model Match? Yes, that means if you switch on Model A at the TX and the model is actually 'B', nothing will work.

With a memory card you can also transfer all the settings from one Tx to another, if it has that facility.

I have long since abandoned the cheap generic 'orange' short range receivers. The more expensive long-range orange ones are ok though, particularly if used with a small satellite receiver.

I like the telemetry feature of the Tx's when used with appropriate Rx's so you can see motor rpm. battery usage, power demand etc. Alarm warnings can be built in when using Lipo's in the model as well.

Hope this helps

Paul.

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