This is the first winter I've owned a Futaba transmitter. I'm extremely happy with it, but I live in the northeast US and its finally starting to get cold in the mornings when I fly, and during the day when I leave the transmitter in my car. I've had no problems at all on several occasions when the temperature was in the low 20's, but its colder now and I was wondering what the actual operating and storage temperature specs are for the 9CAP Super?

I know that a lot of components are only spec'd to the commercial temperature range (0C - 70C) and I'm concerned that if I operate or store it in violation of its temperature specs then the frequency may go out of tolerance or something could be damaged or just not work correctly (like the LCD screen?). Also, I suppose it could void the warranty. I looked in my manual and through the faqs on the Futaba site but could not find the information anywhere.
Thanks a lot
-Norm S

Hi NormS,

No you won't find information regarding temperature for storage in the manual. Just of course use common sense and do not store this outside or in an unheated garage where the temperature could go below 0C. Delicate internal parts could be harmed during extreme exposure.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can also reach our Futaba support team at 217-398-8970 opt 2, or via fax at 217-398-7721.

Sincerely,
Krysta Hunt
Product Development & Support Specialist
Futaba Service Center USA

Hi Krysta,
Thanks a lot for getting back to me on this.
I understand that the storage issue is mostly common sense, like not leaving your gear in a hot car in the summer or a cold car in the winter, but that was secondary to my real question which was about the operating temperature range. This is really something that's important to people who fly in the winter and I was actually a little surprised to find no mention of it in the manual or on Futaba's web site, unless its there somewher and I just missed it. Obviously, my major concern is crashing or losing a plane if I operate the transmitter beyond its specified temperature range, but I'm also concerned with damaging the transmitter itself under those conditions. Do you know what the operating temperature range is, or can you find out?
Thanks a lot.
-norm s

HI NormS,

Sorry, I misread your post, I was already in 'Friday" mode I guess...

The operating temperature range will be the same as of course the storage range, not recommended below 0C.

We have a lot of people who use RC equipment even in the most northern climates with things such as trucks with skis attached, hydroplanes, even airplanes with skis and they do not seem to have a problem. But of course the internal portions of the system ( receiver, servos, ESC's ) are in the body of the vehicle where there is generated heat from motor systems.

We do know of people who fly in places such as Denmark and Alaska, who will fly at temps around -10C, but they will usually use something like a "radio glove" which helps protect the transmitter.

Hope this helps, Krysta

Thanks a lot for the information; sorry for the confusion about operating versus storage temperature.
You know, I've been looking on the web for this information. Airtronics publishes that their transmitter's temperature range (they don't say whether its operating, storage, or both) is 0F - 160F and Multiplex publishes theirs at -15C - 55C (5F - 130F). Are you sure that Futaba's low temperature spec is 0 degrees centigrade (32F)? Could it really be 0 degrees fahrenheit? The reason I'm asking is because I think Futaba builds a much better radio then anyone else and it would be surprising if other manufacturers had a significantly wider operating range.
Thanks a lot.
-norm

Hi there.
Just wanted to add some of my experiences in winter-flying here i Norway.
My personal "record" of flying in lowest temperature is -24 C, flying a Raptor 50 with Gy401 gyro-R149DP receiver-9252 servos-GV1 governor, and a RobbeFutaba FC28 transmitter. It took a while to get the engine started and of course the servos was a bit slower than usual/same with the LCD-on the TX, but apart from that it worked perfectly. ( I have to admit that flying this cold day was done just to test to see if it was possible, and it was!)

I have also for several years flown with a 9C during more "normal" winter temperatures (down to -15C) and there are no problems at all. . Also the 14MZ works flawlessly to -12C. (I have not yet used it in lower temperatures) My 601/611 gyros also works without any problems in these temperatures.

General note: Just make sure that you leave all equipment outside between flights. -Do not take the TX inside a warmer car or housing, as this will cause heavy condensing and you will have to wait until it all has dried up before you turn on the TX again. Just leave the TX outside between flights, and you'll have no problems.

During days when the wind is blowing or it snows, I use a Raydiowarm glove for my TX. This is just to try to keep the finger a bit warmer (and the snow away from the TX).

Happy winter-flying!

RJ

Hi Hirobofly;

When you were flying with the 14MZ at -12 deg C, you had no problems with the liquid dispaly? The touch functions and the visibilty with the backlight on worked okay?

Daryl.

Hi there.
The display works fine, although slow as with all LCD tend to get sluggish when cold.
If you like to test before you fly, put the radio-gear in your freezer and check it out.
Please note that the Li-Ion battery does not cope very well with cold conditions and you'll have shorter on-time of you TX.

RJ

My 14MZ display goes very dark and is slow to update at +5C in a calibrated-controlled thermal chamber.

Bought a raydiowarm now it stays warm, so does the fingers. In sun it gets to ~70-75F inside.

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I've gotten information back from my receiver vendor (CC/Berg) that they've tested down to 0 degrees fahrenheit, which is good news. I still can't believe that futaba only specs to 32F, but I can't figure out how to verify this. Thanks a lot to you guys who have been flying at LOW temps, for giving me some hope that everything will work OK.
Thanks a lot.
NormS

FYI, I talked to a futaba tech support guy on the phone and he said that their transmitters were spec'd to 0 degrees fahrenheit.