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[oldflyer2]

As the title says, I have a Graupner MZ-12 radio. I used it this past summer in my sailboat and it was wonderful to have instant feedback on the state of the battery in the boat.

In the instructions for the radio (very sparse) it says that I can bind several receivers at once to get control of up to 32 channels.

OK, I know how to do the binding and I know how to pick a boat from the ones that are there.

How do you go about using multi receivers at the same time? Do you have to name each receiver and then choose one when certain functions are required ... i.e.  have general functions on receiver one and then switch to receiver 2 for crane or winch functions? The main receiver is an 8 channel and I have two other 6 channels. I don't need to go all the way up to 32, but 12 or 14 would be good.

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

[oldflyer2]

This goes with the above post ... not just this radio, but how do these multi channel/receivers work in general? If two receivers are being used, how do you pick a channel on the second receiver if there is a function on each of the receivers that are controlled by the same stick? For instance, the throttle is on rec #1 and regular throttle stick. A crane function is on rec #2, and also on throttle stick.  How do you designate which function/rec you want?

Tom

[g6swj]

Tom,

Do you have a SMART BOX?

2.1.1.Binding“ multiple receivers in one model
If required, it is also possible to bind multiple receivers to the transmitter for a particular model. The fi rst
step is to bind each receiver individually using the procedure already described.
When the system is in use, the receiver which is switched on fi rst is the Master receiver. Any telemetry
sensors installed in the model must be connected to this unit, as only the Master receiver transmits
sensor data using the downlink channel. The second and all further receivers operate in parallel with the
Master receiver but in Slave mode, with the downlink channel switched off.
The control functions can also be distributed amongst multiple receivers; this is carried out using the
Channel Mapping function of the SMART-BOX (Order No. 33700). In the same way it is possible to assign
one control function to multiple receiver outputs; a typical example would be the use of two servos
for each aileron instead of only one, etc.

Regards
Jonathan

[oldflyer2]

Jonathan, in a word ... no ... no smart box. I will see if I can find some info on it.

Thanks for the info ... it helps to understand things.

Tom

[oldflyer2]

Jonathan, I just ordered the Smart Box. I almost went for their 12 channel tray radio, and may yet, but I want to try the cheaper option first.

The gadget likely won't be here until after Christmas now, but the water is pretty hard around here at the moment, and the tug boat it is for isn't even water tight yet.

Tom

[g6swj]

Hello Tom,

The SMART BOX will not be wasted but my understanding having re-read your post and understanding what kit you have already is that this is not the end of the journey (or cost!)

The RC trannies that allow you to add additional channels normally use a "multiplexer" at the transmitter end and a "de-multiplexer" at the receiver end.

The TX end "Multiplexer"  takes one channel and sends signal data for say 8 or more additional RC channels - the signals are sent serially one after the other all on the same channel. The Multiplexer often comes in the form of an additional circuit board mounted with switches or pots and the chips to send the signal info serially down one channel. EG Graupner No.4108

Note - there is normally a slight delay at the receiver end on the multiplexed channels as each channel is only getting a small slice of each transmitted frame e.g. 1/8th or 1/16th of one channels transmission bandwidth.

The RX end "de-multiplexer" is plugged into the RX and decodes the serial signal data and outputs/maps each extra channel to it's own 3 pin socket allowing you to connect servo's etc e.g. Graupner No.4159

Graupner call these units NAUTIC-EXPERT and are usually used in the MC series of trannies

Not sure how this works with the MZ12 as normally the multiplexer switch unit is designed for "tray" transmitters. However if this works with MZ12 your 6 channel TX looses 2 channels to the Nautic unit(s) leaving it with 4 channels - the 2 channels expand to 2x16 which in theory gives you a total of 4+32=36 channels

If I have got this wrong I am sure someone will jump in a correct the information as maybe there is a different solution for the MZ12

Regards
Jonathan

[oldflyer2]

As far as I can see, the above modules are for FM radios, not the newer ones, but you are absolutely right Jonathan, the spending just keeps going!

It is all very confusing, and I think what I am going to do is just buy a 16 channel radio and be done with it. From what I can find, and the youtubes I have watched, the FRSky (sp) are the easiest to deal with and the most affordable.

Much more investigation is required at this point.

Tom

[g6swj]

Tom,

All part of the fun!

I think the Graupner modules require TX using PPM - not sure about the FM aspect

I don't have one but I know the FrSky Taranis,  e.g. the x9d model get good reviews http://www.frsky-rc.com/product/product.php?cate_id=20&cate_name=Radios

Or perhaps investigate JETI if you have pockets that touch your toes :)

Jonathan

[oldflyer2]

I just went and had a look at the Jedi radios. They seem to start at approx $1000.00cdn. I would consider that brand as being state of the art/top of the heap sort of radios, but in doing a bit of reading, even they do not come fully loaded out of the box. It seems they come in the basic 8 channel mode and if you want to go up to the full 14 or 16 channels, it requires quite a bit more money! Why can't a manufacturer just do a full load, no additions needed package that you pay once and that's it?  I, for one, get really annoyed over products that claim they do everything in bold print, but when you start to read the fine print, you need to double or triple the cost to get all the features.

Rant Over

Tom

[g6swj]

Tom,

I have an Graupner MC32 - 16 channels out of the box and a user manual that's not for the faint hearted at over 1 inch thick!

This can use the Graupner  No.4159 x 2 to make it a total of 48 channels

The Jeti DC 24 is a 24 channel / Jeti DC 16 is 16 channel  TX out of the box but mega expensive.

What type of things do you want to control with the extra channels?

Regards
Jonathan

[oldflyer2]

Hi Jonathan.

I am building a tug boat based on a Mr Darby hull. Fairly massive at 65lbs in the water. I have the Action mixer for it for propulsion and I want a working bow thruster, anchor winch, dual rear winch, working deck crane, radar, lights, and sound. This is a five to seven year project I think as I only got the hull and am making everything else.

In my reading about the Jedi, in the fine print, it seems the base is 8 channels and in the specifications, in brackets, it says 16 channel capable with modification. I took that to mean that you had to buy another gadget to double things up. I am likely very wrong about that.

It will be another few months before I need any of that as I can test what I need at the moment with my Graupner. I also have two other radios I can use for bench testing if needed. I have a bunch of time to get stuff sorted.

Tom

[g6swj]

Tom,

Sounds like a serious build.

I will PM (when get a chance) you some info/goodies which you may want to put in the melting pot regarding control, sound etc

Regards
Jonathan

[oldflyer2]

Thanks Jonathan.

This is the build so far ...  http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,51936.0.html

I have not done anything this complicated before so I need all the help I can get.

Tom

[oldflyer2]

Well, the Smart Box has arrived from Graupner. I have had a quick glance at it and it seems an interesting piece of kit. At the moment My head is full of cotton balls and my eyes aren't focusing well, so I will wait until I am feeling better before I have a play.

Tom