Beginner needs help (already, lol)

[bilbosmeggins]

Good on you bilbo..straight in at the deep end.

Hey, by my usual standards this is very tippy-toe

[tiddler]

Any thoughts on the LP5DSM, or am I just best off waiting for the DX6i to arrive? It's quite disconcerting. It displays 5.6 volts steady, and jumps to 4.2 the absolute second the lead is plugged into the back. A few seconds later and the display won't even show the numbers any more, just jumbled, fading half-characters. I'm getting kinda twitchy, lol.

Hi m8 and welcome to the forum

What your describing is definatly NOT RIGHT, and it sounds to me like your batteries are being short circuited when plugging the sim lead in. The LP5DSM Unlike the DX6i needs to be turned on when connected to Phoenix, which does mean its using power, but not the way your describing it That's just Wrong
If I was you, I would stop using it immediately.

The DX6i on the other hand needs to be turned off for use with the sim and gets its power from the USB dongle.
I had an LP5DSM to start with and have long since used a DX6i with the sim and there is NO WAY either of them should get even warm let alone hot and this is with hours of use.

[bilbosmeggins]

Thanks Graham. Both for the welcome and the advice. I did kind of suspect something like a short-circuit, but was seeking reassurance. I'll deffo not hook it up to the PC again. Will just have to play the waiting game now for the DX6i to atrrive. Cheers, much appreciated

[tiddler]

Thanks Graham. Both for the welcome and the advice. I did kind of suspect something like a short-circuit, but was seeking reassurance. I'll deffo not hook it up to the PC again. Will just have to play the waiting game now for the DX6i to atrrive. Cheers, much appreciated

Yeah, my guess is the contacts on the trainer socket of the LP5DSM are being distorted in some way causing a short, so it might be worth opening it up and having a look.
The DX6i is a great radio and and works really well with Phoenix When it turns up you may find this thread useful in setting things up for the sim >> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/phoeni...tionality.html

[Balders]

The DX6i on the other hand needs to be turned off for use with the sim and gets its power from the USB dongle.

I don't believe that's strictly true. I think inserting the 3.5mm jack in the back effectively "turns on" the Dx6i, rather than actually providing power. Sorry to be pedantic, but just thought it could cause confusion. Certainly, when I plug mine in, the battery meter reflects the battery state, not some line-in voltage over USB.

[tiddler]

I don't believe that's strictly true. I think inserting the 3.5mm jack in the back effectively "turns on" the Dx6i, rather than actually providing power. Sorry to be pedantic, but just thought it could cause confusion. Certainly, when I plug mine in, the battery meter reflects the battery state, not some line-in voltage over USB.

Yep sorry, my bad.

Your right about plugging in the sim lead turning the DX6i on, although as far as I know it doesn't actually transmit when connected, so power usage is minimal. I've left mine plugged in for hours at a time and it hardly seems to have any affect on the battery level or life.
One thing for sure though is, it definatly doesn't get hot or even vaguely warm.

[bilbosmeggins]

Yeah, my guess is the contacts on the trainer socket of the LP5DSM are being distorted in some way causing a short, so it might be worth opening it up and having a look.
The DX6i is a great radio and and works really well with Phoenix When it turns up you may find this thread useful in setting things up for the sim >> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/phoeni...tionality.html

Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to make use of it as soon as the tx arrives. Happy days ahead