Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Ok Maybe some of you know that I fried my jr radio by using the wrong Charger Well I decided to switch radio gear out from my thunder tiger 30 L ( that I have for my second plane ) I have never done this before I am brand new in this hobby so I was a little nervous My Lt 40 is all JR my thundertiger is all Futaba after I switched it all and started the engine I about cut my Hand off when the Plane took off my Bench The Thottle was Backwards After I changed my underpants I noticed all of the controls where backwards. On the bottom of the Futaba radio I found all the little white switches so now I should be ok ..........Ya Know all this and I still have not flown a single plane I'm waiting for the weather [>:] here is my question why did all my controls reverse? BTW Now I have no buddy box !!! I am still very excited about flying My Hanger 9 Extra Easy If I read right The first thing I should do Is maybe let my friend "Thunderhead" take it up and trim it out how hard are they to trim out?

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Yesterday I had the same problem? I knew that the last time everything was right. The only difference was that I let all the power out of the transmitter and it reset to factory.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

When you put a radio in any plane, the first thing you ever do is check the controls to make sure they are right. Never start it till you make sure! Even a good idea the first flight of every day, when you turn on the radio, give them all a check then too. If something got switched on the way to the field or something this will save you and it doesn't take long.

Sounds like you are pretty new to the hobby.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

I am so new to this hobby that I dont even need to go to the flying field to tear my sh%%&T up LOL Good advice Thanks Flyboy !

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Recently, I got a used RTF Tracer which was outfitted with all Futaba servos. I hooked them up to my JR reveiver after snipping off the edges of the connectors. One thing I noticed was that virtuall all of the controls had to be in 'reversed' mode to operate correctly.

I don't know if it's just the servos or the freq shift, but I'm sure there is some difference between the brands that makes them operate differently.

Switching receiver types or even switching tranmitters of the same brand is a major change and needs to be thoroughly checked. Not only the directions but throws as well.

I recently heard a story at the field from another flyer who switched his model over to a different transmitter and didn't check it thoroughly. The directions were fine but he forgot to check the throws! [X(] Result? One very sensitive plane that only lasted one flight! [:@]

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

when I plugged everything in to the reciever they would only work if plugged in one way I think maybe they was all backward has something to do with the pularity being backwards on futaba and JR ?? Idont Know

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

This is all perfectly normal. JR radio gear does work in the opposite direction to Futaba.

Check that all the controls are operating in the correct sense. They will all need to be reversed. By the way, how much of the radio gear have you changed. You need to make sure that the transmitter and receiver match. If you are using a Futaba tranny then make sure you are using a Futaba receiver. There is no problem with plugging JR servos into the Futaba receiver though (or vice versa but you will have to cut the locating tab off the Futaba servo plug).

You definately need to get someone to fly it for you first. It will save you loads of heartache to let someone who knows what they are doing check the model over and trim it out for you. Don't be tempted to try it on your own. I don't want to scare you but if you have a go on your own it probably won't last long enough for you to trim it out. (you'll see what i mean when you have your first go!).

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Just seen your last post regarding plugging in the servos.

Your servo has three wires. Two are the power supply and the third one is for the signal. They will only work when plugged in the right way.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

The other problem with just switching radios is you never know where the reverse switches were on the second radio. They and the programming could be all messed up. You want to check it out good.

You also want to get some help with flying it so you don't break the plane on the first flight. Hope it works out good for you.

Good luck

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

yeah flyboy is right, before running up the engine after a new radio install always check all controls for direction of movement and throw. Even before every flight with my acft, i waggle all the sticks and make sure everything moves the right way. Even if i just had a great flight, when i refuel, i always check my controls before i open up throttle and let it roll.

sean

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

There is not a set standard for the direction the servo rotates. I know Hitec and Futaba each rotate in the opposite direction, I do not know about the other brands. It is not a function of the transmitter or type of shift, just the way the servos are wired internally. With servo reversing switches on most moder transmitters, this is usually not a problem.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Rodney is right on. It's the servo. Back a few years ago, you'd actually buy "reversed" servos that worked in the opposite direction. This was back before servo reversing on all channels was the standard for transmitters as it is now.

Another funny is that no one agrees on channel numbers either. Futaba and JR don't agree on what control function is 1, 2, 3, or 4. I switched a plane from a JR to a Polk transmitter, and I had to actually unplug and rearrange the servo leads in the receiver. Oddly enough, I didn't have to reverse anything though.

Always checking and re-checking is a good idea. Not just a control wiggle, but making sure they go the right direction and seem to move "normally" is a good thing. If you notice a change from flight to flight, like something moving more slowly than it should, it might save your plane.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Funny you should say that, I've just got a Futaba T6XA. I've been using JR equipment for the last couple of years and this is my first Fubata. Last night I plugged everything in to test the system.
This is what I found:
channel numbers on the receiver, all servo's 'normal', Futaba 3004's
1. Aileron Left/clockwise
2. Throttle Up/clockwise
3. Elevator Up/clocwise
4. Rudder Left/clockwise

See something wrong? I tried two receivers, so it couldn't be that.... so I set up the dual rates and sure enough, the elevator rate switch affected the throttle servo. So, I took the back off the Tx and checked to wiring to the ginbals, all looked ok. At that point I was resigned to the fact I might have to send the Tx in.

Turns out that these Tx's can switch modes and it had been set up as (or inavertently changed to) mode 1! :eek:

BTW, my JR receivers have ail, ele, rud, thro, etc printed on the receiver and the Tx refers to the functions too, so I've never really thought about the channel numbers except maybe the channel reverse switches on the back of a Quattro but I forget what they are...

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

I really like this message board because the members are so polite, but every once in a while I read a post that just leaves my mouth hanging open. This is the post. Are you nuts? Didn't you CHECK the controls after you changed the radio? Changing a radio is major surgery and you should check everything (including range) when you finish. You got lucky -this time! That spinning disc on the front of the plane can seriously hurt you. Be careful! There's nothing in this hobby worth dying (or losing limbs) over.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Shoot, even futaba changed this. For years it was ailerons, throttle, elevator, rudder on 1 through 4. Now it is ailerons, elevator, throttle, rudder.

I still get them backwards sometimes because of that! I have no clue as to why they thought they needed to change that.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Yeah, and it doesn't help that I use Hitech, FMA, and JR RXs with JR and Polk transmitters.... So I'm forever turning on the RX and TX, then plugging in the servos one at a time, wiggleing the sticks, then moving it around until it's right. :D

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

I don't really understand the cnfusion over the direction that servos rotate. I mean, if the servo horn is on one side of the servo it may rotate to the front with a given input, but move the horn to the other side of teh servo and it will rotate to the rear. ;)

glitterdun,
If you didn't know enough to check servo direction on ALL controls after changing radio equipment, be SURE to get help before you try to fly. [X(]

I don't mean to criticize or anything, but it seems to me that you're jumping into this without even thinking. These things can be really dangerous, and you've already fried one transmitter because you didn't read or ask questions, just did what you felt like doing. Next you almost impaled yourself on a prop because you haven't bothered to do any research.

This is a great hobby, and I want you to have fun with it, but you know what? Winding up in the hospital with fingers missing or something worse, won't be fun.
Dennis-

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Ouch! I was thinking, thats what got me into this mess to start with. I will have someone else fly it first thats for sure . I know I have a lot to learn I have put about thirty Hours a week On here but I never read any threads about "Hey Be sure Never to use the wrong Charger On Your Radio" My Point Is Im sure this Hobby is alot about Trial and error I tried to switch radio gear myself after I did I felt pretty confident that I had done it right well I was close, but I learned from it and never got hurt .... "Jumping into this without thinking" "Becuase you didnt read or ask questions" "Just did what you felt like doing" " you haven't botherd to do any reserch" I dont mean to criticize or anything ????? I think maybe you did, Gitterdun..

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Actually, if you do this hobby by trial and error, it is very expensive. The mistakes have almost all been made by someone at some point. If you get help from someone that knows what they are doing, you don't need to make them yourself and pay for them. There are many that get into the hobby and don't do things like fry radios. If you go at it with the trial and error method, you stand a very high rist of hurting yourself or someone around you.

I would suggest getting with a club and getting help, soon! Why burn up equipt just to see what happens.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

tough crowd!

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Come on now I didn't burn my radio up just to see what would happen I tried to charge a Jr radio with a futaba charger and now Im a danger to the Rc Community ? I will admit that when I read DBCherry's coments I was a little , well anyway I really like this web site and the people that are so willing to help each other out I have learned a ton on RC Universe Thanks Guys !

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Don't take us wrong! Your not a menace. Its just that over the years, we see new members get on and say the same things over and over. "I don't need help" "this is easy" "I just crashed my plane" "someone sold me really cheap just at way too much money" among others. We are just trying to help you and make the new people undertsand that it is often better to seek local help in starting and flying a new plane rather than seeing them wreck it. Becuse there were a couple RC related deaths in the last few months, they tend to get used to back this point up.

Don't take it as people yelling at you and belittling you.

We all want to see you have the best RC experience possible. Crashing the first time out sux for anyone.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

No one is criticizing you. Its not a tough crowd, well sometimes maybe, but not that I've seen on this post. They are just trying to help you, and are concerned you might hurt yourself. Actually I think they are being very nice. RC Planes & helicopters can be a great deal of fun, if approached the correct way and in a safe manner. They can also be extremely dangerous. Anyway don't take anything personal here. Like I said they are trying to help you, not criticize.
Joe

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Like most things, there are different ways to learn in this hobby. Trial and error works (after a fashion) but it's probably not the best approach. There aren't any stupid questions. We were all new to this at one point, and most of us have had the same questions and learning experiences.

I think what people are trying to say here is that it's better to ask if you have any doubts or concerns, rather than trying it first. So long as you're continuing to grow into new aspects of the hobby that'll always be the case. I've been flying planes for years, and have been learning (slowly) to fly a helicopter the last couple seasons. I've asked a lot of questions during that time, many of which were very basic.

It's far more pleasant to learn from someone else's bad experience than to have one yourself.

RE: Why are all my controls Backwards?
 

Its funny how addicting this website can be when your slow at work ! did you guys check out the post where the guy got his hand in the prop go to" Raining airplanes " its the 5th post its a wake up call for me !! Thanks for all the advise guys ! These planes are not Toys thats for sure Mike