Hi Guys


I have two transmitters, both Futaba, one which my instructor uses and one which I use.
I bought them both from e-bay. They work perfectly well but the ratchet on the throttle stick feels very soft.
Yesterday I was helping a guy who is even newer than me set his slow running and I noticed that the throttle stick on his brand new transmitter was much more positive than mine.
Is this something that is adjustable or does it mean sending the transmitter to Futaba for new parts
Your help would be much appreciated.

I have two transmitters, both Futaba, one which my instructor uses and one which I use.
I bought them both from e-bay. They work perfectly well but the ratchet on the throttle stick feels very soft.
Yesterday I was helping a guy who is even newer than me set his slow running and I noticed that the throttle stick on his brand new transmitter was much more positive than mine.
Is this something that is adjustable or does it mean sending the transmitter to Futaba for new parts
Your help would be much appreciated.

The detent should be adjustable. First remove the battery (to prevent short circuits) and then the rear cover. Search about and find the detent mechanism and make the need adjustment. Replace the cover and then the battery.
Hard to give specifics without a model of the radio.

I would use extream caution digging into a radio because it "doesn't feel right". If it works right you may be better off leaving it alone. If it is slopping around then it is not working right and unless your comfotable with small parts you may want to see if there is a club member that has some experience with such things. Who knows you may be a natural at it. But it would be a shame to take a perfectly good radio and reduce it to a paper weight.

Hi Guys

I should have said that the Tx my instructor uses is the FF9 and the one I use is the 6 channel Special Anniversary edition (I forget the full title) but I think you will know which one I mean. Both are a few years old and well used but otherwise in good condition.

Thanks

As Bruce said, They are adjustable. You might try the Futaba website to see if you can pull up the manual for that specific radio. I had to change out the fuse in my New JR radio not too long ago & just like Mr67Stang said there were a lot of little parts, wires, & circuitry in there. So if you go exploring without the manual I would use extreme caution.

I know the manual for my new radio has detailed instruction in how to adjust the sticks, I'm sure the manual for that one does too.

The other thing you might try if no manual for that model is available is to look at any manual by Futaba that is close to that model. I don't imagine the detent mechanisms are too different from model to model. At least that way you would have an idea of what to look for when you open it up. As well as the process itself to adjust it.

Hi
Thanks for the replies so far.
I have the manuals for both Transmitters and they do show how to adjust the spring tension for the sticks, (aileron, elevator and rudder) but not the ratchet on the throttle?
Maybe it's a question of me contacting Futaba direct?

Here is the Futaba support forum
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_125/tt.htm

Be sure to provide the EXACT model so you will get the best information from them.

Good luck

Hey Thanks Bruce.
I'll give that a try.

Ratchets are usually flat springs pressing against plastic teeth, and very easy to access. The stick springs you mentioned are actually a bit harder to find and work with. If you can locate those stick springs, the ratchets will be a piece of cake to find.

All 4 trim levers should feel about the same. If they don't then that throttle trim might be showing wear. It would be worthwhile to take a look just to see what shape it's ratchet is in. There is probably a flat spring bearing down on plastic teeth. You'll want to see if the softness comes from the spring going weak, the spring's hold-down screw coming loose, or the teeth wearing down.

If you're comfortable that you could adjust the stick's springs as described in the manuals, then inspecting the ratchet is going to be no harder. Go for it.

Tha answer from BAX in the Futaba forum:

You can add more spring pressure if you just open the transmitter and gently bend the spring to put a little more pressure on the ratchet of the throttle. If the transmitter is well-used, it could be that the ratchet, itself, is worn. In that case you'd have to replace that part of the throttle gymbal. That can be done for a nominal charge at the service center.

darock was real close to the same answer.

Actually.................

There are 4 trims with ratchets and one throttle ratchet in most non-digital TXs. The throttle itself has a ratchet and it's quite different than the trim ones. Every TX I've ever worked on has had the same type springs in them for all 5 ratchets, however.

The springs have all been held in by one screw for each. To increase the tension of any one of them required that I remove the screw in order to bend that spring. The screws for the trims aren't as easy to reach as the throttle stick spring screw.

I'm including a picture of the insides of a TX that shows where the two trim springs are and where the one throttle stick spring is.
The big RED arrow points to the spring for the throttle stick. That spring is brass. The green arrow points at it's hold down screw.
The white arrow points to one of the trim springs. The other trim spring for that side of the TX is directly behind and left of that white arrow.

In this TX, the throttle stick moves that spring as you move the throttle stick. The teeth that cause the ratcheting are on that fairly large metal "half circle" piece. The pieces that you're interested in are very accessable in this TX. They'll probably be the same in yours.

Hope this helps. If it doesn't, I have a guarantee: "If you're not entirely satisfied, there will be no additional charge."

CHARGE---WHAT CHARGE

I think he meant "CHANGE". [sm=bananahead.gif]

No, I meant "charge".

Since there was no charge for the first advice.......... mention of "additional charge" would be humorous.... to some people.

OK! we'll give him the benefit of doubt-it was humorous.

i dug into my futaba 4 channel radio mainly because the throttle stck somehow got disloged it was very simple on the internal parts. Looks complicated but really is not.just unplug the battery and take it apart. jus trember where u put everything. (caterogize ur parts)