Hi Dave, re independent batteries,- that was my thought too, don't want the boat heading out to South America with the tide 😁 A bit of wiring and testing to do now when I get a minute.

JB

Hi Steve, certainly less for the brain to do with 2 TXs, but a pain if you are trying to do a smooth video, as if you move something slightly, it shows in the editing. Much easier to edit a slight gap out. Probably only be used once in a blue moon, but a fun challenge. The 9X isn't the easiest to change models quickly with, as a bit of button pushing is required, (fumbled it a bit in this vid trying to do a few things at once, and you have to be firm with the buttons or you miss a selection) Should get better with practice.

I was using a camera on each TX, so the video jumped from one to another,- this might fix that problem,- having just one TX and camera doing the work.

Biggest pain is that I just swapped the truck RX to suit another TX (forgot the boat and truck were on the same TX before I found this solution) so I'll have to change it all back (plus wiring up the relays) to try it out. I love wiring☹️ The jeep would be easier to do though, and it has a 'handbrake' for backing which the truck doesn't.

JB

Hi JB
Good news on the remote front. All plain sailing from now on. On waters edge shots will be interesting to see.
I would use independent power supplies in such an installation as it will always be instantly available and avoid any problems any delay may cause.
dave976

Hi JB,
I like the way you have worked out a solution, but I think I would go with the second TX a lot simpler for my brain to manage.

Interesting to see how this setup goes compared to the 2 TX's.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Finally received the 2nd remote, and luckily it's on a different frequency which makes things easy. Now I can switch on the required model, run it, switch it off, select the next model in the TX, switch it on and run that. I could have kept using 2 different TXs, but this was more of a challenge, (not sure which is easier, pushing buttons or just picking up another TX. You can always edit it out, but a 'one stop shop' would be smoother if you don't have an assistant.

The 2 RXs in the models are bound to the 9X TX. I haven't hooked up the second relay for the brushed ESC in the test, as it's not necessary to test the idea (does the same as the switch) I'll be taking the power for the relays from smaller batteries (only requires 5v) I could take power from the main battery, but would want to run a VR or UBEC (more wire😐) Relay can supposedly use from 5 to 30V, but I prefer to go with the minimum voltage which works, for safety.

Using a brushless plane ESC in the boat, and a Quicrun brushed car/boat ESC in the truck, I have to make sure that the throttle is right down when I turn the boat off, so when I swap models and turn the truck on, nothing happens till I move the throttle to the center, as it's FNR),- then it arms. Could turn the boat off, change models and put the stick to center, and it would arm straight away when turned on, but it's an added safety feature, giving you time to engage brain.😁

There would be a small drain on the batteries when the relay is operated in OFF mode (N/O) so an independent source is desirable, depending on how long one model is OFF, (better than a drain on the main battery) I could set the boat relay to N/O (uses on/on on/off button on remote) as a security in case the battery runs down, then the relay, if in the N/O for off, would close and start the boat. Better that than a cold swim.😁

Hi Dave, would be nice to have more channels available, but I like to keep things simple. I have enough trouble running a model I haven't used for a few years, and remembering what sw I assigned to what function😐 My 9X is an early one, so I can bind as many RXs as I need (haven't tried it with the 9XR, as I mainly use that for planes, -has a long range JR module fitted). Handy if you want different simple functions working at the same time and you have run out of channels. Don't do it that often but have used it in the past to get round problems which with the new ones would not be possible.

JB

Hi Dave, I can change models without switching off either TX I use, just safer to turn one model off first to save it taking off in the wrong direction. Will definitely be testing everything out on the table first. I'm also using an aircraft ESC (0-100%) in the Hartley jet boat model and a QuicRun FNR car ESC in the truck, so that would be an issue as well.

Truck also runs 3 ESCs -- the 2 water drive ESCs (siamesed into the left centering elevator stick for throttle with centering rudder stick for water rudders) would not be armed for land use, but could also possibly be included in the set-up. Might not be an issue to leave them armed, as the jet only uses the rudder stick for starting/stopping the air/smoke/water system and it wouldn't matter if the rudders moved briefly, but they would both be turned off anyhow with the RX. All 3 should re-arm when the power comes back on (like a Quad).

JB

Hi Graham, sounds like a clever idea unfortunately no spare channels (actually 1 short for the gizmos in the truck which has 3 ESCs) and my arms are even shorter than yours 😂 (hence the budget option) Also, you've seen my wiring😁⚡⚡ Lovely TX though, think of the possibilities with one of those ! NZ $470 is not too bad compared to a Futaba,- $80 for a spare RX, but as with a lot of these flash radios, (especially from HK) hard to find spare RXs. Only problem would be, remembering where you put things for 2 models on 36 channels!!😮

JB

JB

Possibly Stotty, but I can isolate the signal wires with what I have now, it's just a matter of diverting one wire on each models ESC throttle/RX power lead. With the receivers being live, they would be consuming power, which in the case of my jet boat is at a premium, due to only having a 2400mah LiPo and a big motor (can't fit a bigger battery due to size constraints) Problem with my TX is, I have no spare channels (already sacrificing 1 for the sound unit on a pot where the fire monitor rotator was) and want everything working on both models.

The truck is amphibious as well, and the idea is to launch the boat, 'park' it, unhitch the trailer, drive the truck into the water, 'park' it and use it for a video camera 'stand', drive the boat round, and reverse the process.

With this relay I can just have the fobs clipped to the TX handle to turn off one or both models as required, just selecting the required model in the memory and switching it on. I'd set the NO/NC connection, so if the relay battery went flat, it would power up.

JB

Hi Graham,
That's an impressive bit of kit.

Cheers,
Stephen.