receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

hey guys I have a Futaba R168DF 8 channel , Dual Conversion receiver. My problem is that in the channel 1 slot, the first prong is lower then the other two and that channel is no longer working. Is there some way I can fix this or do I have to send it back to futaba? Thanks for any help..

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

If it is truly lower (not broken off) it has probably broken the solder bond between the pin and the pc board and been pushed back. Remove the case and take a look at the circuit board. It should be obvious if the solder joint is defective. If it is, you may be able to resolder it. If you do not feel capable of doing that, you probably have someone in your club who can do it for you.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

I'd send it back.

You might be able to fix it if you really know your soldering and circuit card repair and don't mind risking several hundred (or more) dollars on the repair.

Personally, I trust my own abilities for a number of things, but I suspect I'd personally pass on that one.

(unless the prong is just bent, I've straightened countless pins, that's easy)

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

the pin doesn't look to be bent or broke just pushed down. I think I will have to send it in..[&o]

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Yeah, that sounds like a broken solder joint, so sending it in is the safe option, unless you've done repair work on an IC before or know someone who does.

There is also the warentee thing to consider. If it's a fairly new RX, doing it yourself will void any coverage left, sending it in will preserve or extend it, depending.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

if you have a soldering gun, trust your soilder skill.lol
good god..just reheating the solder on the pin, you don't even have add solder.

me..i can just take it down to the production line and have the rework ladies do it...if I'm lazy.
They put it under a manifying glass and has speacail desoldering guns and soldering guns.

another thing to consider...if the pin got sholved down..it might had broken the copper lines from the PCB and not just
the soilder joint.

Can you un screw the casing to inspect it ? Are there anytype seal or sticker that would viod the warranty if you open the
casing ?

If not..send it back. if it fails later within the warrenty...like bend the shaft to your 1.20 4 stroke...you can get them to replace the 4 stroke.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Good advice above if it's covered, send it in. If it's not, you may be able to get a computer repair shop to fix it for you. There are some local guys here that I know would do it, and the local guys can usually cut you a deal, not charging you the full $75/hr or whatever it is that the big boys charge.

There aren't many things I can't fix, but soldering circuit boards is something that I just don't want to be bothered with:)

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

If it's pushed down like you say, the solder may have taken the trace with it. Unless you're quite experienced with electronics repair I would leave it to the pros.

The receiver uses a quartz crystal that generates a very precise frequency through Piezoelectric effect. If you don't understand it, don't mess with it.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Most likley the trace got broken off...becuase if it's just a poor solder joint,
The pin will still make contact with the copper or metal in the pin hole and on the top side of the PCB.

i'm not sure how far the pin got sholve down..but even if it's sticking only half way. if the trace hasn't broke off,
it would still make contact with the female pin (connecter)

But if breaking the seal would void the warrenty just for you to see that...send it back.

Plus another thing is..electronics components are ever sensitive the static electricity.
The rework ladies are more sensitive..lol they hate being tide to thier work stations.:)
So you can't just going soldering away..you have to makesure your properly grounded.

you basically just add a jumper wire if the trace is broken. Not that difficult if you have an electronic shop
or factory with all the proper tools and settings.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Can you say that on here??????????? LOL..

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

I'd send it back, but prepare yourself for a slow return time and less than desirable service from my recent experience. I sent in four servos and an rx for service. Two of the servos only needed new gears as the ones they had were only stripped. The other two were just dead in the water. The rx was offered to me after it was involved in a minor crash. I figured I'd take it and have it checked out. They sent me an email listing the repairs telling me the servos were ALL trashed and were not worth repair,,ANY OF THEM. They offered me credit on the DEFECTIVE ones for new ones. They also stated the rx was not worth repairing, gezzzz, the crash wasn't bad at all. They did offer me credit on the rx as well about 10.00. The total price I was quoted was about $70.00 way too much I thought. I told them to just return the rx and I traded the 3004's for lesser 3001's to the tune of 40.00 plus 8.99 for shipping. Now, it's been over two weeks and I still have no servos. Rather slow on shipping I would say.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

servo gear replacement is so simple, I do that myself all the time. It's not worth sending in a servo for just the gears.

On most inexpensive servos, the cost of the tech's time to do even a simple job is more than the servo. So for anything other than warentee repairs, it's usually not worth it.

The reciever thing is odd though. Was that with Futaba's service center?

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Yuh, it was with their service center. I have replaced the servo gears before, but my LHS didn't have any in stock, plus I had the other two that were completely dead, so I was sending in some anyway. I figured why not as I'm not in a really big rush anyway.

Not sure what's up with there service. Here's the email in short below:

"S3001 (1): unit is not cost effective to repair. We can offer you a new S3001 for $15.00 on an exchange basis. S3003 (1): unit is not cost effective to repair. We can offer you a new S3003 for $8.50 on an exchange basis. S3004 (1) unit is not cost effective to repair. We can offer you a new S3004 for $10.00 on an exchange basis. R127DF (1): Due to the cracked case parts and broken ceramic filters, this receiver is not cost effective to repair. We can offer you a new R168DF for $40.00 on an exchange basis.

Repair Parts Used Item Parts Labor
Qty Item Item Description Charge Charge
1 FUTL0703 R127DF FM72MHZ HI W/O CRYSTAL 00
1 FUTL0832 R168DF FM DC 72MHZ W/O CRYSTAL 40.00
1 CRYSTAL CH 37 00
1 FUTM0031 S3003 SERVO STANDARD 00
1 HSP30092 S3003 SERVO ONLY 8.50
1 FUTM0004 S3004 SERVO STANDARD BB 00
1 HSP30093 S3004 SERVO ONLY 10.00
1 FUTM0029 S3001 SERVO STANDARD W/B BRNG 00
1 FUTM0029 S3001 SERVO STANDARD W/B BRNG 15.00
Totals 73.50 00 73.50
Tax 00
Shipping 8.99
Estimate Total $: 82.49

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

That's why when I order from TH, I always thow in extra servo repair kits. Just to have a bunch of them laying around.
It would be nice if i can just get one perticular gear...i don't really need the entire kit.:)

the ceramic filter is either a capacitor or an inductor.
capacitors cost manufactures .08 on the average.lol
the casing probably costed them $.05 on the average.

Anyway...they're not going to be making out like bandits.
probably loose money, becuase it probably took someone more than an hour to inspect all you're stuff.
Someone else to punch in the informations of your order.
Someone else to un wrap your order.
Someone else to type you an e-mail:)
Someone else to stock your stuff on the shelf until you make up your mind.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Actually the filter is probably one of the crystals on the board. Dual conversion RXs have two crystals in addition to the one that you plug in. And they are fairly fragile compred to much of the rest of the RX. If they crack, the results can be hard to notice on the bench, but might only show up on the ground with engine vibration. And even then, it might be sporatic. I've had a couple of RXs do that over the years. As for the cost of those extra crystals, I've no clue. I doubt they are very expensive, but as you said, it's not the parts count that matters, it's the labor

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

If it takes all those people to help me out, I feel special then. :D

No really, I thought that was way, way over priced, but oh well. That's just one of the costs of this great hobby we share.

If the capacitors are indeed that inexpensive 0.08 and 0.05 respectively, they should really reconsider their costs. Honestly, I've been flying about 9+ years now, have owned about 25+ planes, currently have 14 flying and have my eye on three more which I already have the servos for and I'd have to guess I've used Hitec servos 98% of the time and have had only 1 servo strip and another one go competely dead. I just may be lucky, but those HS 422's/425's are little workhorses.

Just my take on the whole thing,,

take care,
:D

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

ok, after looking at the receiver a little closer. the pin pushed down loose from the board and tore a small piece of green with it, my LHS looked at it and didnt think he coud fix it. If I sen this back can they fix it or are they going to say its not fixable. and about how much will it cost? I cant seem to find my receit :(

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

For about $50 you can get another receiver and crystal and get back to flying. If it were me I'd spend the postage and send it in for appraisal and cost quote and go ahead and get another elsewhere. If the reply is favorable I might would have it fixed just to have spare handy but as much as everything costs now ($50 just to fill up my car), I sure wouldn't dawdle over it.

Regards,

Clay

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Yep, that's exactly what I figured it would be. Now that a piece broke off your trace has undoubtedly pulled away from the PCB. If you send it in they will likely just send out a new one and trash the broken one. No technician is going to simply jump it and consider it fixed.

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

As i said it can easily be repaired if the trace is broken, all they have to do is add a little wire jumper to the pin.
I was a manager for an Electronic assembly house.

The customer is always right..i won't bend over for a penny if i can make a dollar.
I know you'll buy more radio Equipments as you build up your fleet.:D

that's just me ..thou.
The truth is, I rather sleep better at night, ain't nothing like having to answer phone calls of a unhappy customer.:)
My stress level is worth more than $50

RE: receiver question, (Can I fix it?)
 

Not if the pin took some of the PCB around the hole with it. What's the pin going to be mounted to?