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Author Topic: Steering/speed controller mixer  (Read 1060 times)

SimonCornes

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Steering/speed controller mixer
« on: October 30, 2021, 08:38:48 pm »

I have an old Action P40C mixer which worked fine with two motors and a rudder input but this week the rudder servo has stopped working. I’m currently setting up the boat so no speed controllers or motors connected but the rudder should respond to the tx so I’m thinking I may have unplugged and plugged in again once to often and killed the rudder function.


So I’m thinking of buying a replacement. An Mtronics W tail mixer looks ideal but I’m using a Futaba steering servo and Perkins 50A ESCs plugged into a Planet T5 receiver. I think that’s all basically Futaba connectivity but how do I deal with Mtronics ?


The second option is an Action P40e mixer but are these sold in component form or assembled? There should be no problem with my existing radio gear.


What do you suggest?!


Many thanks
Simon
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tizdaz

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2021, 02:04:04 am »

Im pretty sure all Action boards are available as both prebuilt or kit
options
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Umi_Ryuzuki

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2021, 02:56:22 am »

Receiver connections should all be compatible.
Power connections may need to be switched out and matched.
 :-)

Netleyned

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2021, 07:32:02 am »

Just a thought,
with all the plugging and unplugging,
have you slipped the rudder servo plug
between two sets of pins on the RX.
Been there, done it🤔🤔🤔
Ned.
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malcolmfrary

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2021, 09:06:29 am »

Just a thought,
with all the plugging and unplugging,
have you slipped the rudder servo plug
between two sets of pins on the RX.
Been there, done it🤔🤔🤔
Ned.
Earned that tee shirt as well.
Might be worth checking the reverse side of the mixer card to see if all the plugging and unplugging has created a crack in one of the solder joints under the pins.  The steering channel is just a straight through connection, so assuming that the servo still works, there isn't much else to go wrong.
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SimonCornes

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2021, 09:17:38 am »

Earned that tee shirt as well.
Might be worth checking the reverse side of the mixer card to see if all the plugging and unplugging has created a crack in one of the solder joints under the pins.  The steering channel is just a straight through connection, so assuming that the servo still works, there isn't much else to go wrong.


That’s interesting. I did pop the case last night - I built it 15- 20’years ago, it’s a P40C - and I couldn’t see any breaks on the back of the board but I’ll look again.
As a Plan B I wouldn’t mind one of these new fangled drop in things hence me wondering if a price of £28 buys me an Action P40E ready to go? The Mtronics one is certainly assembled but I don’t know if the connectors have the wires in the right order for Futaba hence my questions.
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barriew

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2021, 02:48:36 pm »

The Rx connector on an Mtroniks is in the 'standard format' and so should be compatible with your Futaba Tx. I think that it is a long time since anyone did their own thing with the connectors.


Barrie
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SimonCornes

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2021, 05:05:00 pm »

The Rx connector on an Mtroniks is in the 'standard format' and so should be compatible with your Futaba Tx. I think that it is a long time since anyone did their own thing with the connectors.


Barrie


Thanks Barrie, that’s what I needed to know. I know Hitec were made to be Futaba compatible but often without the little locator tab. There’s not much difference between the prices of the two mixers but the Action is probably more versatile and flexible. I still need to check the old one for a dry joint or even a faulty rudder  lead from mixer to Rx?
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SimonCornes

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2021, 08:27:59 pm »

Well the good news is that I could see a slight dulling of the solder for the signal pin so resoldered just that one and, bingo, the rudder now works again! Hurrah! The lesson learnt is to take a bit more care but I’m glad it was an easy fix in the end.
Many thanks for the help guys and I now know that an Mtronics might be useful for a 41 foot Watson I really should finish!!
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Peter57

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Re: Steering/speed controller mixer
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2021, 04:51:58 pm »


Hi,

I have a P40E mixer which I have just installed in a landing craft I am building (two motors and no rudder). It came pre-assembled. I am relying on it for "tank" steering, so I have it set in mode 4.
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