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[smileyjon]

I am totally new to RC model boating and, on the advice of my brother in law, have just acquired a Spektrum DX5e transmitter with a AR600 receiver for my model Maggie M trawler.


My electronics are from Action Electronics, The Component Shop, and comprise a P80 ESC speed controller, rudder servo, fuse board, torpedo geared motor, in line fuse, power switch and 12v 7.2 amp battery.  Their supplied diagram show the P80 ESC connected to channel 1 on the receiver, the servo to channel 2 and a battery connected to BATT !


My Spektrum receiver does not have channels 1 and 2 and there is no battery socket.  It looks like it's specifically designed for aircraft with 5 assorted named plane function sockets, a BIND socket and an auxiliary one.


Please can anyone tell me where to begin as I really am out of my depth the instructions are of little help and the binding, training and rebinding does't help either


Jon

[malcolmfrary]

The drawing was almost certainly done with a basic 2 channel outfit in mind, that being the norm.
The RX (and any servos plugged into it) will normally be powered by it own, appropriate voltage, battery, normally 4 cells giving a nominal 4.8 volts, or via a BEC off the main battery giving a regulated 5 volts.  Some ESCs contain a BEC, and provide the power.  Some, including yours, do not, so you need either a separate BEC or battery.
On a 2 channel set (and some others) there is a dedicated power connection.  Where there is not, any otherwise unused connection can do the job, remembering the golden rule of black to the pin nearest the edge of the board.  An alternative is to use a Y lead on one of the servos and plug the 5 volt supply in there.
If the connection sets are not numbered, it becomes a case of plugging a servo in, waggling the controls and seeing which stick does what.
Some useful information here - [size=78%]http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6169.0.html[/size]

[smileyjon]

Many thank for that M


So although still a little worried that I'm going to blow things up....... I do have a plastic 4 battery box with a pair of wires (red and black) coming out of it which can take 4 x 1.2 volt rechargeables.  If I can work out how to wire my spare 3 pin pug to these wires I can then just plug into any of the 7 sockets on the receiver (probably the one labelled AUX) ?


My speed controller comes with a warning that I must not use either a 5 cell rechargeable pack or a 6v lead acid to power the receiver


Could you advise on wiring my 2 wires into the 3 pin plug and any advice on the BINDING stuff as well


I really am grateful for this help so many many thanks


Jon

[smileyjon]

I've also just discovered that the 3 pin lead from my speed controller has a tiny lip on one side (the side with the white cable) and therefore will not plug into the receiver as this appears designed to take plain 4 sided plugs only


So even more confused now !

[Steve Dean]

Hi Smileyjon,
To add further to the info provided by Malcolm here's some additional help. You will find that virtually all radio control gear is focused towards the aircraft market sector as that by a huge margin is the biggest part of the RC hobby. Connect your speed controller to the receiver channel marked THROTTLE. This will be the stick on the left hand side of your transmitter (up & down movement). Connect your rudder servo to the receiver channel marked AILERON (usually just marked as AILE), This will be the right hand stick on your transmitter (left & right movement). You can connect the rudder servo to the channel marked RUDD if you wish …… this will put it on the left hand transmitter stick (left & right movement).


As Malcolm stated you can connect the power lead to any unused channel. You will need to do this to BIND the receiver to the transmitter. And of course you will need to put the BIND PLUG in the channel marked BATT/BIND. Remember to remove the BIND plug after binding !!!


A tip …… make sure the throttle stick on the transmitter is in its central position otherwise the motor will run.


If you need any further help just ask ….. we'll all be pleased to help.
Cheers
Steve

[smileyjon]

Many thanks Steve and Malcolm.  Still a little worried that when I throw the big power switch you'll all know about it.


So finally for now at least....How can I connect my battery box to the little 3 pin plug (with the lip on the side) and then this plug to the RX


My boat is due to arrive from Model Slipway today..... I may just add a couple of sails onto it


Hee Hee


Thanks Guys


Jon

[red181]

just to add to previous posts, the "bind" function is telling your transmitter its your receiver, they "bind" together, otherwise they will not recognise each other. The process is simple, I have a spectrum DX6i, this is how that tx does it, yours might be slightly different, so read the instructions.
First, plug in the receiver power source, with transmitter turned off. If your power source does not have the right connector, you need to sort this out first, a visit to local model shop or maplins will help. Just cut the lip off the esc so it fits.
The receiver will probably be flashing, saying hey Ive got power, but no signal from a transmitter!
On the DX6i, you pull the trainer switch (top left) and whilst holding the switch turn on the tx, it will go into bind mode, a minute later, the receiver will stop flashing and its bound. This normally only occurs once, once done its never done again!
A lot of esc's have a built in bec (battery eliminating circuit) which does exactly that, eliminates the need for extra battery power for the receiver. High voltage circuits, etc, usually require extra seperate power. When flying aircraft, or helciopters, weight is the enemy so the last thing you want is to be dragging 4 aa batteries around.
I use spektrum gear for aircraft, helicopters and boats, they are excellent, with superb customer service from horizon hobby.
The dx6i is very popualr as it has 10 model memory, is digital, and has various other tricks very useful and easy to use specifically for aircraft and helis, not sure without googling what the dx5 has.

[Big Ada]

So finally for now at least....How can I connect my battery box to the little 3 pin plug (with the lip on the side) and then this plug to the RX

Thanks Guys

Jon

Just take a sharp to it and slice it off.

Len.

[Leaky Bottom]

Hi Smileyjon,
To add further to the info provided by Malcolm here's some additional help. You will find that virtually all radio control gear is focused towards the aircraft market sector as that by a huge margin is the biggest part of the RC hobby. Connect your speed controller to the receiver channel marked THROTTLE. This will be the stick on the left hand side of your transmitter (up & down movement). Connect your rudder servo to the receiver channel marked AILERON (usually just marked as AILE), This will be the right hand stick on your transmitter (left & right movement). You can connect the rudder servo to the channel marked RUDD if you wish …… this will put it on the left hand transmitter stick (left & right movement).


As Malcolm stated you can connect the power lead to any unused channel. You will need to do this to BIND the receiver to the transmitter. And of course you will need to put the BIND PLUG in the channel marked BATT/BIND. Remember to remove the BIND plug after binding !!!


A tip …… make sure the throttle stick on the transmitter is in its central position otherwise the motor will run.


If you need any further help just ask ….. we'll all be pleased to help.
Cheers
Steve

It may not be the left hand stick, it depends on wheather he has got a mode 1 or mode 2 transmitter, it will be on the up and down stick that has got a rachet on, ie, it does not return to the centre, a small point I know but may save some confusion.

[malcolmfrary]

So finally for now at least....How can I connect my battery box to the little 3 pin plug (with the lip on the side) and then this plug to the RX

Just do what the rest of us do - find something that a manufacturer has done and copy it.  Look at the plug on a servo.  Note the wire colours and positions.  The ones you are interested in are the black (maybe brown) and red.  When it comes to plugging in, look at the RX, in particular the end where the pins poke out.  You will notice that a board runs across the inside of the case, hold it so that that side is down.  Because the pins connect to the board, they have a bend in them - the lowest one is black (brown) or negative.

[smileyjon]

Red, Malcolm and ...... Leakey


Thank you so much guys...makes me wonder how we'd all cope without a forum such as this.  Brilliant (Thank you too Model Mayhhem).  I will get my head around all this electrical stuff eventually I'm sure 'cos a set of red sails on a trawler really wouldn't do.   Incidentally I once had a red sail on my own trawler.  Twas just a steady sail though.


However.....good news, my kit has finally arrived after a 6 week wait.  My word there's a lot of parts.  Quite excited but anxious at the same time and as you can probably gather...it's my first !


There'll be lots more questions in the days (months) ahead


In the meantime thank you all.


Jon

[smileyjon]

Oh almost forgot


Thank you Big Ada too !

[Steve Dean]

A recommendation for you …… it's the International Model Boat Show this weekend (Fri, Sat & Sun) at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.


If you can get along you will see loads to inspire you and you can learn loads of important stuff in one day. Myself and many others would be delighted to help you out. If you make it to the show come and introduce yourself to me at the pool. I'm the Pool Master and act as lead commentator.


Steve Dean

[smileyjon]

Hi Steve....yes I did know but we have too many commitments for the next few weekends but many thanks for the kindness


Next time perhaps eh


Thanks again


Jon