Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
06-27-2007, 08:07 PM
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Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
Hi everyone,
I joined this site a long time ago, but never got into the hobby... until now. I just bought a Tower Trainer 40 with a GP .42 and a Futaba 4 channel Tx and 7 channel Rx.
It came today, and I haven't received the glow fuel, ignitor, and pump that I ordered, so I tried to test out the radio. And, I'm getting nothing.
The plane's receiver was set to 'on' when it arrived, I'm thinking the battery is probably dead, but I was kind of scared for a second because at first I plugged the male aileron cable into the female 'charger' without having looked at the labels. What kind of damage would plugging the battery into one of the servo outputs (or the charger itself, for that matter) do to the receiver?
I'm hoping to find a local AMA chartered club to learn at, but if I can't, I'm going to have to go it alone. Any tips as far as that goes? I have thousands of hours in various simulators over the past few years, and I've actually even flown a plane once, but the only radio controlled experience I've had was a little electric polyhedral I once flew. Is there any chance for success if I just take it slow?
Thanks,
-Tony
I joined this site a long time ago, but never got into the hobby... until now. I just bought a Tower Trainer 40 with a GP .42 and a Futaba 4 channel Tx and 7 channel Rx.
It came today, and I haven't received the glow fuel, ignitor, and pump that I ordered, so I tried to test out the radio. And, I'm getting nothing.
The plane's receiver was set to 'on' when it arrived, I'm thinking the battery is probably dead, but I was kind of scared for a second because at first I plugged the male aileron cable into the female 'charger' without having looked at the labels. What kind of damage would plugging the battery into one of the servo outputs (or the charger itself, for that matter) do to the receiver?
I'm hoping to find a local AMA chartered club to learn at, but if I can't, I'm going to have to go it alone. Any tips as far as that goes? I have thousands of hours in various simulators over the past few years, and I've actually even flown a plane once, but the only radio controlled experience I've had was a little electric polyhedral I once flew. Is there any chance for success if I just take it slow?
Thanks,
-Tony
06-27-2007, 08:21 PM
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RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
The plane's receiver was set to 'on' when it arrived, I'm thinking the battery is probably dead,
uh yea i think its safe to say the rx battery is dead! as for plugging in the connectors wrong, im not too sure. still new to the hobby too! but ive never seen exclusive warnings not to, but i could be wrong. (most mfrs write out their warnings and discretions as if they sold the product to 4 year olds- but i cant blame em!) im sure someone else can relate for ya!
uh yea i think its safe to say the rx battery is dead! as for plugging in the connectors wrong, im not too sure. still new to the hobby too! but ive never seen exclusive warnings not to, but i could be wrong. (most mfrs write out their warnings and discretions as if they sold the product to 4 year olds- but i cant blame em!) im sure someone else can relate for ya!
06-27-2007, 09:22 PM
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RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
Also, I just noticed that the Rx light on the power adapter doesn't come on when it's plugged in. I'm at a loss for what this might be. It's really pissing me off that I've hit a wall this early on- I already ordered all this stuff, and the radio might not even work 
06-27-2007, 09:28 PM
#4
RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
ORIGINAL: 23rd_Fox
Hi everyone,
I joined this site a long time ago, but never got into the hobby... until now. I just bought a Tower Trainer 40 with a GP .42 and a Futaba 4 channel Tx and 7 channel Rx.
It came today, and I haven't received the glow fuel, ignitor, and pump that I ordered, so I tried to test out the radio. And, I'm getting nothing.
The plane's receiver was set to 'on' when it arrived, I'm thinking the battery is probably dead, but I was kind of scared for a second because at first I plugged the male aileron cable into the female 'charger' without having looked at the labels. What kind of damage would plugging the battery into one of the servo outputs (or the charger itself, for that matter) do to the receiver?
I'm hoping to find a local AMA chartered club to learn at, but if I can't, I'm going to have to go it alone. Any tips as far as that goes? I have thousands of hours in various simulators over the past few years, and I've actually even flown a plane once, but the only radio controlled experience I've had was a little electric polyhedral I once flew. Is there any chance for success if I just take it slow?
Thanks,
-Tony
Hi everyone,
I joined this site a long time ago, but never got into the hobby... until now. I just bought a Tower Trainer 40 with a GP .42 and a Futaba 4 channel Tx and 7 channel Rx.
It came today, and I haven't received the glow fuel, ignitor, and pump that I ordered, so I tried to test out the radio. And, I'm getting nothing.
The plane's receiver was set to 'on' when it arrived, I'm thinking the battery is probably dead, but I was kind of scared for a second because at first I plugged the male aileron cable into the female 'charger' without having looked at the labels. What kind of damage would plugging the battery into one of the servo outputs (or the charger itself, for that matter) do to the receiver?
I'm hoping to find a local AMA chartered club to learn at, but if I can't, I'm going to have to go it alone. Any tips as far as that goes? I have thousands of hours in various simulators over the past few years, and I've actually even flown a plane once, but the only radio controlled experience I've had was a little electric polyhedral I once flew. Is there any chance for success if I just take it slow?
Thanks,
-Tony
Plugging battery into the servo? Not smart
but won't hurt a thing with standard 4 cell batteries and standard servos. Charger voltage is a bit high but the servo loads it down quickly so there is no harm. Don't make a habit of it.The battery can actually be plugged into ANY servo port or the BATT port as they are all connected together within the RX anyway via the power "bus".
No harm - no foul. Now sit down and read the manuals like you should have in the first place and count yourself lucky this time.[:@]
06-27-2007, 09:30 PM
#5
RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
ORIGINAL: 23rd_Fox
Also, I just noticed that the Rx light on the power adapter doesn't come on when it's plugged in. I'm at a loss for what this might be. It's really pissing me off that I've hit a wall this early on- I already ordered all this stuff, and the radio might not even work
Also, I just noticed that the Rx light on the power adapter doesn't come on when it's plugged in. I'm at a loss for what this might be. It's really pissing me off that I've hit a wall this early on- I already ordered all this stuff, and the radio might not even work
06-27-2007, 09:53 PM
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RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
Hi again,
Wish my seller had sent the manuals along, all I got was the trainer, and for god knows what reason, an electric starter (which I think I'm going to sell. Why would I need a 12v source as a beginner?)
Anyway, I live in 07853, in NJ
Wish my seller had sent the manuals along, all I got was the trainer, and for god knows what reason, an electric starter (which I think I'm going to sell. Why would I need a 12v source as a beginner?)
Anyway, I live in 07853, in NJ
06-27-2007, 10:00 PM
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RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
Ooh, it's charging now that I flipped the switch to off. Cool, I hope it's still good
I'll let you know if I can get it talking once it's charged.
I'll let you know if I can get it talking once it's charged.
06-27-2007, 10:09 PM
#10
RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
ORIGINAL: 23rd_Fox
Hi again,
Wish my seller had sent the manuals along, all I got was the trainer, and for god knows what reason, an electric starter (which I think I'm going to sell. Why would I need a 12v source as a beginner?)
Anyway, I live in 07853, in NJ
Hi again,
Wish my seller had sent the manuals along, all I got was the trainer, and for god knows what reason, an electric starter (which I think I'm going to sell. Why would I need a 12v source as a beginner?)
Anyway, I live in 07853, in NJ
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXL370&P=ML would be a good battery.
Give me the exact model of the radio and I'll provide a link to the manual.
Manual for the plane if it is the ARF version http://www.towerhobbies.com/products...1110manual.pdf
06-27-2007, 10:55 PM
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RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
Much obliged, Bruce- I appreciate the link, because I'd searched for it before and didn't find it.
The radio's a 4VF, though I did manage to find it.
I'll test it out tomorrow after work; hopefully I'll get a response from the receiver.
The radio's a 4VF, though I did manage to find it.
I'll test it out tomorrow after work; hopefully I'll get a response from the receiver.
06-28-2007, 07:26 AM
#12
RE: Need advice on Futaba Rx + starting out
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx shows 15 AMA clubs within 25 miles of your zip code. Actually, these are the contact people and the actual club locations may vary. Check out the list.
