Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
01-26-2012, 10:22 AM
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Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
As a recently returning hobbiest to the R/C world, I have 4 planes that are currently fitted with pre-'91 Futaba AM receiver / servo systems. Obviously, it is time to retrofit these still-airworthy planes with the latest and greatest. So, the questions I poseare these....
** Do I simply replace the receiver with a 2.4Mhz unit and connect all existing servos or do I have to refit the plane with new servos, as well ?
** If I can use the existing servos is there anything unique in their attachment to the new receiver ?
** Finally, whatis the common thought on the current radio offerings ? I've used Futaba and Airtronics in my previously life. Is Spektrum better ?
Regards....
Steve Swanson
Overland Park, KS
** Do I simply replace the receiver with a 2.4Mhz unit and connect all existing servos or do I have to refit the plane with new servos, as well ?
** If I can use the existing servos is there anything unique in their attachment to the new receiver ?
** Finally, whatis the common thought on the current radio offerings ? I've used Futaba and Airtronics in my previously life. Is Spektrum better ?
Regards....
Steve Swanson
Overland Park, KS
01-26-2012, 10:28 AM
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RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
yes you can use the older servos, but the new ones are better, i did that years ago when i went too 2.4
01-26-2012, 01:09 PM
#3
RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
If you have the pin type servos, you will need to convert the connectors to either JR, Z, or Futaba depending on what RX you use. Spektrum/JR you would have to file the connectors to fit, but jr connectors fit Futaba RX without any filing.
Other than that, just make sure the switch harness and battery pack you use are wired correctly for polarity and pinout. I believe now the negative black wire faces the front of the RX, if you have the connectors facing you, the slots on a Futaba would be at the back, the ground would be at the front, red in the middle. All other RX are the same, just used Futaba as an example cause it has slots, the others dont.
01-26-2012, 01:30 PM
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RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
As I recall, all the old Futaba AM stuff had servos that used their old 90 degree connectors. They didn't use what we use now until FM. If that's the case, they will not work with any modern receiver of any brand. You will have to replace the connectors on your existing servos or replace the servos.
Brand is up to you. They all work.
steve
Brand is up to you. They all work.
steve
01-26-2012, 01:37 PM
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RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
Hmmmm....that's not a warm fuzzy, Steve !
Guess my next stop is my local Hobby Haven after I double check the servo connectors.
Oh, well. At least the equipment doesn't cost what it used to !
Guess my next stop is my local Hobby Haven after I double check the servo connectors.
Oh, well. At least the equipment doesn't cost what it used to !
01-26-2012, 03:03 PM
#7
RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
You said you have used Futaba and Airtronics. Almost certainly the Futaba servos you have are the "G" plug as mentioned. Now if any are Airtronics the those servos are almost certainly the "old style Airtronics" which use reversed polarity from the modern Airtronics Z. If you plug a switch harness from an (old style) airtronics setup into any brand modern Rx you will instantly destroy that Rx.
Old style Airtronics plugs are always black plastic and the modern "Z" is blue plastic.
John
Old style Airtronics plugs are always black plastic and the modern "Z" is blue plastic.
John
01-26-2012, 03:10 PM
#8
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RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
You might consider testing those old servos with your old radio before investing the time to convert them. 20+ years is a long time for corrosion and material break down to make them glitchy.
01-26-2012, 03:22 PM
#10
RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
Yes you probably still can get adapters for either of these above at a cost but you still have ancient servos that are almost guarenteed to have corroded feedback pots. You are starting with a half/clean slate but cheaping out on servos is foolish and it will bite you in the butt if you are not careful so truly start out with a clean slate.
Servos are cheap these days my friend, thats why eveybody almost always now use two on ailerons. Two on ailerons in the so called good old days was unheard of simply because of cost.
John
Servos are cheap these days my friend, thats why eveybody almost always now use two on ailerons. Two on ailerons in the so called good old days was unheard of simply because of cost.
John
01-26-2012, 08:38 PM
#12
RE: Retrofitting New 2.4 Mhz Radio Technology to my AM-based Planes
Its all about sharing the passion Swanee and in many cases a lifelong passion
Inregards to radio types well all the majors these days are good and in my case I prefer the Hitec 2.4 system. Even with the entry level Hitec 2.4 system (Optic 6) a form of telemetry is used and along with the usual audible warning when your Tx battery is low it will also give a real time warning when the battery up there in the airplane is low. The top of the line Aurora will also give the actual voltage in the airplane at any time. This also makes carrying or using a volt meter uneccessary.
Now how cool is that, thats one to sure blow your socks off, from the 'good old days'
There is also a new midrange Eclipse 7 something that is dedicated 2.4, just checked that one out at the big AMA show a coupla weeks back.
Welcome back and enjoy
John
Inregards to radio types well all the majors these days are good and in my case I prefer the Hitec 2.4 system. Even with the entry level Hitec 2.4 system (Optic 6) a form of telemetry is used and along with the usual audible warning when your Tx battery is low it will also give a real time warning when the battery up there in the airplane is low. The top of the line Aurora will also give the actual voltage in the airplane at any time. This also makes carrying or using a volt meter uneccessary.
Now how cool is that, thats one to sure blow your socks off, from the 'good old days'
There is also a new midrange Eclipse 7 something that is dedicated 2.4, just checked that one out at the big AMA show a coupla weeks back.
Welcome back and enjoy
John
