Hi All,

I got tired of frequency clashes with 27Mhz and 40Mhz sets, so I thought I'd invest in a new 2.4Ghz R/C setup, so I looked around to see what was available - Some of the basic sets are just that, very basic, and the top end sets have features that would never be used and pricetags that look like phone numbers!

So I decided to go for the Spektrum DX6i as a good compromise as it has all the features I'm ever likely to need for a boat - okay it has ten tons of helicopter rubbish in it which is useless to me, but apart from that it has all the options my old 40Mhz computer radios have and more...

Reading through the manual that came with the set, it all seems fairly straightforward to setup and access all of the options, so away we go...... First job is to "bind" the receiver to the transmitter so they recognise each other - This is where things started to go downhill..... 

The transmitter comes with 4 AA sized batteries - Drycells are provided in the box, not rechargeable cells  So now I have to order some NiMhs so I'm not having to constantly buy drycells - Add another £8 to the cost

Okay, batteries installed, so off we go to "bind" the Rx to the Tx - This requires the "bind plug" to be inserted in the charging socket of the Rx switch harness..... No switch harness is supplied with the setup as it's an "extra", so okay, I dig out an old switch harness and away we go.... fit some Rx batteries, connect the harness to the Rx, fit the bind plug, and turn everything on - NOTHING! The Tx powers up, and the LED on the Rx flashes once and that's it.... it won't "bind" to the transmitter! After reading various web pages for an hour, it's only then that I find out the Spektrum uses a "special" switch harness for binding, and a standard one won't work! So why supply a radio set that you cannot even setup?? 

So back to the online ordering again.... Search high and low for a Spektrum switch harness, nothing, no-one seems to list them!! It took nearly three hours of searching to eventually find a stockist - Add another £10 to the bill for the harness

3 days later the switch harness arrived, so away we go..... Well no....    the harness only has ONE female plug that the "Bind" plug fits into, the other two are both male - One fits into the Rx, no problem, but all my Rx packs have male ends so I cannot connect a male lead to a male lead - I need a female to female lead to allow me to do it..... Back to online ordering and get a female to female lead - Add another £3 to the bill and wait another 2 days for it to arrive 

Okay, this time, everything connected - Turn on and voilla the bind procedure works at long last!! Now I have a Tx and Rx that will actually talk to each other!! 

Why on earth do these people supply R/C gear that cannot be used without purchasing lots more bits? Is it a new ploy in peeing off customers? If it is, it's working!!

So is everything okay now? well no......... It all works, but the basic setup doesn't come with a charger for the Tx - Remember I replaced the original drycells with Nimh's. You cannot use a standard Tx charger as the Spektrum only uses 4 cells, not 8 cells as all the old 27 and 40mhz gear does  Thankfully I can use one of my SuperNova chargers, but of course I need to make up a suitable lead, so more damned expense for something that should be part of the basic setup!!

12 days have now passed since I received the 2.4Ghz set, and it's only today that I've finally been able to actually get it to do anything!! I only hope that it lives up to expectations in use now, then maybe I'll forget about all the niggles getting the thing to work!

Eddy

Hi Eddy. I think I will stick to my old 27meg gear- nobody else uses it anymore so there are no frequency clashes. (Everyone has 40meg or 2.4 thingies now!)  Its very cheap and easily available with not a lot to go wrong. I got my last lot , complete with 2 servos for 10 euros at Dortmund last year and it works! Cheerio for now, Walter.

Hi Eddy
I use 2.4Ghz for r/c aircraft.You  dont need the switch harness to bind the receiver. Connect the bind plug to the battery input on the receiver and connect the output from the ESC to any available channel. This will provide the receiver voltage through the common rail in the receiver.The receiver light should flash whilst binding then turn solid light.After binding remove the binding plug and power the receiver through the throttle output. regarding charging NiMhs make sure you purchase the correct charger as normal radio sets use 8 cells and therefore the voltage is nominal 9.6 volts. You will need to use the receiver output of the charger 4.8volt, and change the charger plug. Make sure you use the JR system of centre pin negative,.
I hope this helps. 2.4 has transformed flying models, and the same can apply to marine craft offering limitless number of craft on the water.You can purchase 5 channel receivers for 2.4, for park flyers which should be cheaper than the ones supplied with the sets. See BRCHobbies web site.
I hope this is of use.
mike

Thanks Mike,

I wish I'd known about the switch harness not being required before I started on this seemingly non-ending saga!

There is no mention in the manual about powering the Rx via one of the normal channels, so until i was sure about how everything worked I didn't want to try it - Just in case!! Although it's something I've done for years on 27 and 40meg systems. Still better to be safe than sorry!

I've already made up a charging lead for the Tx with centre pin negative, and that's working fine.

You learn something new every day..... Thanks for the input.

regards
Eddy

Eddy,
My DX6i works fine for indoor flying and I intend to use it for Hjejlen.I will use the single receiver AR6100e 5channel. I am trying to finish the paddler for the Paddleducks day. Do I have to register if I attend, or just turn up.?
mike

Thanks again Mike,

Just turn up for the Paddler Day - No registration or anything as it's just a friendly days sailing with fellow paddler enthusiasts, no competitions or anything like that...

There is a nominal £2 fee per person for sailing, which simply goes to help the club pay for the event. Parking is free within the waterpark we sail at, food/drinks are available, as well as toilet facilities - We hire the local community centre for the day, so in the event of lousy weather there is shelter and indoor display areas. The community centre is less than 100mtrs from the lake.

I hope that answers everything, but feel free to ask if there's anything your unsure of...

Eddy

Edddy
Some thing else we had problems with when chaging to 2.4 was the pitch between the pins,between each channel on the receivers is smaller than normally used.You can obtain from Al's Hobbies thinner servo plugs that makes insertion easier. If you phone them they get very confused about male and female sockets so you need to explain that you want female outers to house female inners. You can prise out the terminal connecters from the servo leads and reinsert them into the new holders. Alternatively  sand down the plugs until they can be inserted without deforming the receiver pins.
mike

Eddy,

I am using the same radio and as it will take up to 10 models, I ordered a few spare receivers and every receiver arrived with a binding plug in the packet. It has a red tag attached which is about 2 inches long. Had a bit of trouble setting them up the first time, but once you get used to it it is very easy. I am very happy with the radio and will not have any interference problems.

Graham

Eddy
I got confused, the replacement servo plugs from Al's Hobbies are male outers with female connectors.
mike

Hi Eddy

I knew it was all much easier in the days of "wireless" 

Eddy,

I bought the Spektrum DX5e set and the Binding Instructions in that clearly state that you plug the Binding Plug into the Battery/Bind socket and the power supply into any other socket. Obviously missing from the DX6i instructions

There's been quite a bit of chat on Mayhem about the DX5e and setting up failsafe. It appears that you can set up with a neutral power in case of loss of connection. I haven't had time to try this, but if you want the info I can forward the latest from MMI.

Barrie

Thanks Barrie,

The DX6i instuction manual does leave a LOT to be desired!! But I got there in the end, it's just a shame that I spent an extra £10 on an Rx switch harness that I don't really need - Anyone wanna buy one cheap?

All of my models are electric, and they all have speed controllers which shutdown on loss of signal, so thanks for the offer, but I don't think I need to use that function.

Regards
Eddy

Ed
I've got a couple of glass accumulators and a cats whisker, are they compatible with your radio!
                                                                                                                               sandy

Quote from: sandystrone on February 02, 2009, 09:18:51 AM
Ed
I've got a couple of glass accumulators and a cats whisker, are they compatible with your radio!
                                                                                                                               sandy

Sandy, your just showing your age!  I really don't have a clue what your talking about...... And if you beleive that you'll beleive anything!!

Eddy

I got a Futaba 6ch 2.4 Ghz and am very happy with it.  No interferance problems and no more soldering capacitors to my motors.