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[Gardener]

can you convert a hitec 4 controller with left stick that does not spring back to neutral position for boat operation ?

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I should imagine there is a little spring in there somewhere that can un-hooked

Cheers

ken

[unbuiltnautilus]

You can open the set up, find the ratchet part of the stick and give you a more positive mid position with a small triangle profile file. Tippex the side of the ratchet, set the stick in its mid position, mark where the metal part contacts the plastic ratchet and mark it with a pencil. Then file a bigger 'tooth' into the ratchet. This will not remove the ratchet effect, but it will give you a positive neutral feel when using the LH stick. It works, done it many times.

[Gardener]

Thanks for you help

[ChrisF]

I bought a Hitec to replace the Acoms 27Mz and wanted to do the same thing but having used it with my yacht I found it fine. I was of course using it to control the sails rather than the motor.         


My neighbour is happy using the stick without a spring for his aircraft and boats.

Is there a right and wrong for this? I assume it's better to have a spring return for boats as many have reverse and you want a distinctive throttle off position at the mid-point?

I'm getting another Hitec, the Flash 8 purely for powered boat use and am leaning towards having the spring return on the left stick.

Chris

[Netleyned]

For sail control ratchet is best
as you can take your thumb off
and the sails will be held by the winch.
With power it may be better to have a
centre neutral so taking thumb off when
you talk to your mate stops the boat.


Ned

[malcolmfrary]

Also, some ESCs seem to be quite picky about the signal they get when they power up, insisting on a "proper" neutral.  The sprung stick helps ensure this.
Removing a spring to go to non-centered is easy, to go the other way, less so.  It might need a kit, I don't know if one is offered for Hitec.

[bj]

If it is built the same as their Optic range then it is INBUILT and only needs the back of the Tx removing and a screw turned to engage the feature. Check your instruction manual

[ChrisF]

Thanks for the replies chaps, confirms my thoughts that the spring return is the way to go.

Chris