3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

[sestcourt]

Okay here goes...

Trex 450 pro wanted to convert it to FBL, purchased a second user 3GX off a forum member and I know he had it bound to a Spektrum radio set up.

I fly Futaba and have 2 other 3GX's so have a good understanding on how the work, both work well in a Velocity 90 and Synergy N5...

Anyway back to the issue, picked up a 450DFC head today and thought I'd spend the afternoon converting the machine. With all servos wired up and the 617 Futaba Receiver the machine has used for the past 2 years I set about running through the programming on the 3GX. Powered up my radio, powered up the heli - green light on the receiver but diddly squat happens on the 3GX.

Removed all wires. Refitted same issue, nuked the radio profile and tried again same scenario.

Swapped just the 3GX unit with the one on the N5 fault moves with the 3GX so nothing wrong with the wiring on the 450 Pro.

Plugged in the USB dongle and powered up the 3GX - nothing happens just the green power light shows on the receiver - pulled channel 6 out and of the receiver and plugged in a servo directly, servos moves in accordance to stick inputs.

Checked servo movement incase the throttle channel was screwing things but again same result.

I'm convinced the unit is good but its staying in Specky mode from the previous user....

Any ideas how to factory default the 3GX?

Cheers

Steve

[GIXERMAN]

Coolice or AlastairC may no the answer to that, sure they will be along shortly

[sestcourt]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Fingers crossed!

[AlastairC]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Just catching up with the forum :-) think you will be best pm'ing Coolice for this one. I have gone from an rx to sats before but never the other way. Seems strange with all the plugs in you cannot get the pc software to see it. If you could get that to happen just reload the firmware and you should be good. Normally it not powering is because it needs all the plugs in / bound... but given your test with another unit that is not going to be the problem.

Sorry not much use. Hope Ian can help.

Alastair

[sestcourt]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Thanks Alistair,

I've genuinely pulled hair out over this afternoon racking my brain as to what it could be. I've PM'ed Ian hoping he's got some kind of idea.

Cheers

Steve

[AlastairC]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

I try one of my units that i had sats on with an rx in the morning and get back to you if I find something (good excuse to try 3.1 on it)

[sestcourt]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

I try one of my units that i had sats on with an rx in the morning and get back to you if I find something (good excuse to try 3.1 on it)

Cheers Alastair that would be helpful if you could. Going to try 3.1 on the N5 tomorrow ;o)

[coolice]

Hey Steve.

Just replied to your PM mate.

The 3GX does not to my knowledge remember how it was setup in another model as far as receiver or satellite use, it will remember the FBL settings, but not whether it was using a seperate receiver or sats.
A lot of 3GX power up issues come from either power into the unit, or the receiver/sats not being bound and then the 3GX will nto initialise as it's not seeing transmitter signals from which to set from.
Initially I'm inclined to go with a power problem, you need all your patch leads going from the seperate receiver to the 3GX via the coloured patch leads, also your ESC goes into the 3GX. Then using a male-to-male lead take power from the lower horizontal ports on the 3GX labelled BATT OUT into the seperate receiver to give it power.

As you've fitted 3GX's before I wouldn't like to ask if the plugs are orientated the right way into the 3GX, but it's worth double checking.

I'd just double check your ESC & servo connections into the 3GX and then the patch leads going back to the receiver.
You do have your ESC plugged into the 3GX?
.

[AlastairC]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Cheers Alastair that would be helpful if you could. Going to try 3.1 on the N5 tomorrow ;o)

Ok just took my 3gx that was on my 450 and has only ever had sats on it. Plugged in a AR8000 rx using all the patch leads. Put the bind plug it and powered up. The rx bound with my tx with no problems and rx lights lit up. The 3gx did not though (no lights). Power cycled the 3gx and rx and then the 3gx came to life.

As per Ian's mail. Check your cables. Only other thought is that if it was second hand maybe if has not been wired correctly before and the sockets the patch leads plug into are damaged.

[sestcourt]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Thanks for trying that Alistair, I've been tinkering again while watching the GP build up this morning - still no joy I must of tried all potential wiring combos...

I have a pal that flies with a Spektrum set up so will head to his at some point this week to see if it powers up with Sat's plugged in directly.

Thanks for trying

Steve

[coolice]

Morning mate.

On the N5 what's powering the flight gear, I would assume a regulator?

I've just had a thought, the 3GX needs to see a low throttle to initialise from memory, as you're using Futaba you need to reverse the throttle compared to Spektrum. Might be worth reversing the throttle and giving that a go.
It might help moving the motor away from the main gear, so you can keep the motor connected to hear its beeps on power up without the possibility of blades turning.
.

[sestcourt]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Morning Ian,

Yes it's an Align 2-1 reg on the N5, when I swapped the 3GX units I switched my transmitter to the N5 model memory so you'd of thought all throttle config's would have been correct and the unit would of booted correctly.

With it back on the 450 I have my default radio set up with the throttle channel reversed and just for good measure I have tried to putting back to normal. I also reversed channel 7 which controls the Gov function.

With the motor moved away from the main gear, you do hear the ESC initialise beeps but it does not turn the motor when you apply throttle...

Still got a bricked 3GX....

[AlastairC]

3GX changing from a Spektrum bind to Futaba

Thanks for trying that Alistair, I've been tinkering again while watching the GP build up this morning - still no joy I must of tried all potential wiring combos...

I have a pal that flies with a Spektrum set up so will head to his at some point this week to see if it powers up with Sat's plugged in directly.

Thanks for trying

Steve

No problem. No GP for me. Looking after my 2 year old so CBeebies is the only thing he allows on tv.

[coolice]

Hey.

Hmmm, could be pointing to a duff unit.
One last ditch attempt, can you rebind the Futaba Rx with everything connected including the 3GX.
Also make all servo and patch lead connections, as the 3GX is fickle about not having all leads connected before it'll alloe any play time.
.

[tomatwalden]

No problem. No GP for me. Looking after my 2 year old so CBeebies is the only thing he allows on tv.

Buy yourself a second hand ipad or ipod touch from ebay and install the iplayer app for Cbeebies. Saved my sanity !