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I've not died.

Cheers Doug, mum's shed is still waiting for me to deliver it. Wasn't able to drive with the visual problems. Tried a short trip today to the shop 3mls and back and seems okay. Workshop is the next thing, BTW, I have given up on my old Futaba 35mhz with the 2.4ghz modules. And I have bought 2 cheap flysky 2.4ghz sets, one 6 channel to try and get my Westerriff up and running. And a 4 channel for my dad's old Sea Commander. Both units cost me £38.00 including delivery. I will let you know how I get on. Bye for now, must read more of what's happening. Cheers Colin

5 years ago by Colin H

Response

Re: Gato Ballast Tank Test

Hi Pete, Thanks for your PM. I'll get back to you on that. Some thoughts! (Doh my 'ead 'urts🤕) The Solenoid Valve. Suspect number 1! 1 Tested a few of my solenoids and electro magnets from a batch picked up for a song at a local flea market. (Felt a bit of a twit doin' a song and dance routine in the middle of the market🤔, but it worked😁) Sooo, the solenoid doesn't care about the polarity of the supply volts, as was already beginning to dawn on me. As soon as the current flows in the coil (either way) the magnetic field is there and drags the core in on mine. 2 I note that your valve has input and output at right angles Pete.Which end is the tank connected to? If, as I suspect, it is connected to the side tube it may be that the back pressure from the tank is jamming the valve against the opposite side. That, combined with probable reduced voltage from the ESC in reverse (Suspect number 2!) AND the 1.4V drop of the bridge rectifier (2x0.7V of the diodes, Suspect number 3) means the solenoid coil is not getting enough current to create a strong enough field to overcome the friction of the side pressure. Solution? 1 Pt 1 tells us we can dispense with the rectifier. 2 Then connect the tank to the pipe which is in line with the solenoid, thus eliminating the side pressure on the valve plunger. If back pressure from the tank then causes the valve to open / weep then the valve return springs are not man enough for the job. 😭 As mentioned above, it could also be that you pumped in more water than you actually need, thus creating unnecessarily high pressure in the tank. That's what I meant about unrealistic test conditions. You might be chasing a Ghost Pete 😮 3 Check ESC programming possibilities to see if the reverse voltage can be increased, to 100% if possible. 4 Most these days have a 'servo travel' function, up to 150% independently at both ends. Maybe (if available on your TX Pete) that could be used to increase the reverse voltage when applied to the ESC channel? If nun o that woiks then, as Grandad (a master carpenter and cabinet maker) liked to say- "If all else fails .... use bloody great nails!" 😁 And Change valve! I'll PM or mail you on the two valve version Pete. G'night all, Doug 😎😴💤💤

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Problem with Skysport 4 transmitter TV4F

Hi there Doug sorry for the delay in replying, your knowledge and replies are much appreciated. What I have been doing the last day and a bit is, going through my and checking all their batteries and what I have found is that I have two which are 'duff' and they are the slow drain type. Its got me thinking. Due to the fact that we don't charge these often, is this one of the reasons that the cells are prone to deteriorating? Be interesting to see if anyone else has had this problem. I am going to go back to the standard battery pack for the because I had 2 old ones in the drawer and they have charged straight up and replaced the one in the 4 channel transmitter that was duff and everything seems hunky dory now, or , seems that way - so it will be a test on Sunday to see if I get a greater range :-) john

5 years ago by JOHN

Forum

Mixing throttle and rudder

I did this, well sort of, by using the settings in my transmitter, which at the time was a spektrum DX6i. You use dual rates, and exponential settings, I would imagine most modern 2.4 sets have this feature. In simple language, dual rates (D/R) will limit the throw, so by experimenting you flick the switch, and all of a sudden you have limited the throw of the rudder, flick it back for slower speeds and you have full movement. Exponential (expo) nulls the centre stick movement, and is generally on the same switch, so it makes the stick (rudder) in your case less sensitive, so easier to use at higher speed. Just remember though, most and receiver have aeroplane terminology, so, if your rudder is right stick, this is labelled as the aileron in the instructions, menu and so on

5 years ago by pmdevlin

Forum

futaba radio and receivers

I have been using Futaba 2.4 for years, be aware there are 2 systems, FHSS and FASST, they are not compatible, except with some of the high end which work with both systems. As to other type compatible receivers, i have Corona and Orange, a lot cheaper than Futaba, they do work, but, as Dodgy said, you might lose some range, look for the ones that are surface receivers, 'air' receivers depend on height for there range, also beware of park fly receivers, they are very limited range, park or indoor. It all depends how many channels you need to use. if you need more info give me a shout

5 years ago by jarvo

Forum

Motor reversing

Thanks for the link Fred👍 First thread I looked at 'Submarines and 2.4GHz' is a timely warning! Read it and you will understand why I have a stock of 40MHz RXs from Standard to Pico versions. And why I bought all the 40Meg crystals I could find locally a few years ago. I also have two MC-10 40Meg plus the 40Meg job that came with my Southampton tug. Southampton is being converted to 2.4Gig leaving that TX free for my subs😊 Cheers, Doug 😎 http://www.theassociationofmodelsubmariners.com/t83-openlrs-and-2-4-ghz-and-submarines BTW: I think this should be a good source of 40Meg sets, tailored to submarine use😊, for some time to come. This guy is a specialist who does ONLY sub stuff. https://engel-modellbau.eu/shop/en/home/

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Help and advice please

Hi JB, Comes from 30 odd years of designing COMMS systems for naval vessels, including submarines. Did several surveys of submarines for refit designs. At 6'2" I'm not built for working on subs, kept bangin' me 'ead! 💥😭🤕 Martin, whales have the advantage that they are transmitting directly into water, where sound travels about 4 times faster than in air at sea level. And they can do this mechanically, process still not fully understood, at very low frequencies from around 2Hz to 100Hz mostly. Hence the long ranges achieved. Up to maybe 24kHz for short range echolocation - nosh hunting!😜 Interestingly, spectrum analysis of Humpback whale sounds shows an FM type structure with pulsed modulation. Just like our FM RC ! 😮 We have to transmit first through the air, for several thousand kilometres in some cases, and then have enough energy left to penetrate down a hundred metres or so. We have to do this electrically, hence long antennas. Wavelength = Speed of light / frequency in Hertz! Do the math - it's a long chunka wire!😮 Halfwave at 8kHz ~18.75km. Happy whale listening folks,😎 PS; JB, you can always use the antenna for a spot of fly fishing - while waiting for your sub to come up again!😮

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Transmitter Mode 2

I think you can buy kits to spring load the second stick on certain

5 years ago by Hillro