Transmitter lifespan???

[Skipper Billy]

I have worked out that I use my transmitter (JR DSX9) about 67 hours a year - flying and on the sim.

Whats the expected lifespan?

Has anyone ever worn a transmitter out?

In the past I have always sold on and upgraded way before any issues occur but just wondered if anyone has any experience of transmitter failures??

[Andy from Sandy]

All electronic devices can fail for various reasons but electronic devices so long as they have been handled correctly and used correctly should last many, many, many years.

In a TX the liability is in the quality of the gimbals and the devices used for converted the movement to an electrical signal. These are usually some kind of potentiometer. There is no real way of knowing how long they can and will last. These can be replaced fairly easily so the TX can carry on.

There was a guy at the MK flyin using vintage rc gear so that is what at least 25 years old and it looked even older.

It is unforunate that the most expensive TX, Futaba 14MZ, also seems to use one of the worst pots for life span and I know a guy who has had to change them twice because they wore out. As for the TX, excluding pots, that is in perfect working order.

[Mart61]

Whats the expected lifespan?

Depends upon how often you drop it.

[POLAR BEAR]

Just had a bit of hastle with my 9X2 its about 5yrs old so replaced it with a mk2 DSX9

[Baldie]

And as im sure you are aware (Im not sure about Futaba, I have never used them) But both Jr and Horizon Hobby will service the handsets for a fraction of the cost of a new tx.
So unless parts become unavailable - Almost indefinite for the popular brands.

But as stated earlier, The moving parts do wear, Pots also become noisy and switches dirty over time, But avoid getting the set wet, Or suddenly moving it from a warm room to outside when its cold (causes moisture to condense on metal surfaces inside the tx, causing corrosion possably) try to let it acclimitse by moving it to a cooler part of the house before going out with it) will help prolong its life,

[pchristy]

I've got a Bonner Digimite, of 1967 vintage, that is still in perfect working condition! Only the nicads have been replaced. I've also got a "bang-bang" Grundig system from 1965 that also still works perfectly.

If you look after your kit, it will look after you!