Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[budgie]

Hi everone,

I am a novice when it comes to electrics and all things technical, hopefully someone can help me out with this.
I need radio gear for my model Severn lifeboat, i recon i need 4 channels. (1ch each motor,1ch steering, 1ch bowthruster)
I want to run it "tank steering" without mixers. i.e port prop on left stick and starboard prop on right stick.
I ve been trawling through this part of the forum and the Spektrum brand seems to be a good bet.
Now i see there are a few models DX5,DX6, DX6i......
Can anyone say which one would be best?
Also i read in one of the threads about self-centering sticks, do i have to modify the transmitter or are they already self-centering?
As i said novice!!!

[Shipmate60]

Budgie,
I have been doing some investigating on the cheaper radio sets.
They are perfectly adequate but do suffer with the neutral point being not precise, ie can be a bit high or low.
I have put this down to being built down to a price.
The more expensive sets do seem to be built to a higher spec which suits modern electronics better.
So to sum up I would say the best one in your price range.
I know the owners of the cheapies will say "mine is OK" as I would and I have 3 of the Giant Cod sets.
That is my opinion.
If the transmitter is in the wrong "mode" this is easily changed so you can have the self centering on either throttle stick.

Bob

[john j]

Also i read in one of the threads about self-centering sticks, do i have to modify the transmitter or are they already self-centering?
As i said novice!!!

Do you mean that you want both sticks to be self centering on all four axis ?

                                         cheers
                                               john

[justboatonic]

Hi everone,

I am a novice when it comes to electrics and all things technical, hopefully someone can help me out with this.
I need radio gear for my model Severn lifeboat, i recon i need 4 channels. (1ch each motor,1ch steering, 1ch bowthruster)
I want to run it "tank steering" without mixers. i.e port prop on left stick and starboard prop on right stick.
I ve been trawling through this part of the forum and the Spektrum brand seems to be a good bet.
Now i see there are a few models DX5,DX6, DX6i......
Can anyone say which one would be best?
Also i read in one of the threads about self-centering sticks, do i have to modify the transmitter or are they already self-centering?
As i said novice!!!

I would never recommend 'tank steering' on anything but a tank and even then I wouldnt! With a boat it will be very difficult imo to keep the boat straight.

As for radio, I'd always recommend Futaba. If using a twin stick Tx, I think you'd have to fix a rachet kit to (normally) the right hand stick.

[barriew]

Normally only one 'vertical' stick is self centering. For some brands I think you can get the necessary springs to convert the other stick. Not sure about Spektrum and the cheap sets.

Barrie

[DickyD]

Tank steering on a boat is hopeless, what you need is an ACTion P94.

[budgie]

I didnt realise "tank steering" would be so difficult on a model boat. I spend half of the year "driving" offshore boats all over the world and thought it would be just as easy on a model.
I will need to look into a P94 mixer then, i'm affraid this is my first model so not up to speed with all this technical stuff.
thanks

[DickyD]

There's loads of people on here have the P94's in their boats and swear by them, including me.

http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/P94.pdf

Wiring diagram for a lifeboat.

http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Slipway%20Tamar.pdf

[dougal99]

Mixer - 'simples'

independent twin props - takes a bit of practice.

each to his own

[GG]

As someone who has used both "mixers" and "tank steering" with independent twin screws, I can honestly say that I find neither method better than the other one.
Both take practice to get the best performance out of the model.
It's purely personal but for general sailing around I find the "mixer" system a shade better, but for precise manoeuvres in confined spaces "tank steering" works better for me.
The answer is to try both and see which you prefer.
I would be suspicious of anyone who tries to claim one method is better for all models and modellers.
GlynnG

[Shipmate60]

I have always prefered "tank steering" until I tried one of the first ACTion mixers.
Here is a video of my 10 foot bare hull turning in a tight spot on the lake.
I am now a convert.

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk251/shipmate600/?action=view&current=Picture031.flv

Bob

[Ghost in the shell]

if you get a Futaba 6EX family you dont need a mixer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cok0wJTJVLE

my radio there is a Futaba 6EXA on 40mhz set to mode3, but retaining ratchet on LH stick

[ianb]

Well, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and tell you what I use and why.

My transmitter is a JR 9Channel and I use a variety of receivers with it , from 4 to 9 channel depending on what controls I need and what receivers I have laying around. I do believe that Futaba, Sanwa, and Hitec are all in about the same class and quality.

Cons:   Initial cost is quite high, especially compared to the cheap Hong Kong units for example

Pros:    Simply by changing the RF module I can be on any legal Mhz band or 2.4Ghz  - versatile
           The transmitter can store 30 models (including names)  -  more than I'll ever need
           Digital trims can't be inadverently changed when packing up  -  reliability
           6 programmable mixes plus 2 dedicated mixes cover most situations I can think of  -  no need for after market mixers (Sorry FLJ)
           Should I ever decide to try out another branch of R/C modelling (gliders, planes or helis) my transmitter has the built in software to handle that
           Mechanical components are top quality so no play or roughness
           Well known worldwide manufacturer with a reputation to maintain. Spare parts are a phone call away, as are matching receivers, servos, and battery packs.
           I may never have to buy another transmitter again, and this one transmitter will do it all.

[ianb]

Sorry, I accidentally truncated and sent this message too early!

The 9 Channel transmitters are also quite easy to program, as a quality maker will provide a good manual.

The above choice of Tx was made for reasons that suited my needs. Other modellers may have different priorities and budgets. I decided that if I spend 300+ pounds and a year of my spare time on one model, I wanted a reliable, versatile system to control it, and one that would give good service for many years and models.

No, I didn't leave out Spektrum, JR uses the Spectrum technology.

I guess to sum up my advice to budgie, buy the good radio from a quality maker which is within your budget. You won't regret it  Extra channels do no harm.

Ian

[john j]

Well, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and tell you what I use and why.

My transmitter is a JR 9Channel and I use a variety of receivers with it , from 4 to 9 channel depending on what controls I need and what receivers I have laying around. I do believe that Futaba, Sanwa, and Hitec are all in about the same class and quality.

Cons:   Initial cost is quite high, especially compared to the cheap Hong Kong units for example

Pros:    Simply by changing the RF module I can be on any legal Mhz band or 2.4Ghz  - versatile
           The transmitter can store 30 models (including names)  -  more than I'll ever need
           Digital trims can't be inadverently changed when packing up  -  reliability
           6 programmable mixes plus 2 dedicated mixes cover most situations I can think of  -  no need for after market mixers (Sorry FLJ)
           Should I ever decide to try out another branch of R/C modelling (gliders, planes or helis) my transmitter has the built in software to handle that
           Mechanical components are top quality so no play or roughness
           Well known worldwide manufacturer with a reputation to maintain. Spare parts are a phone call away, as are matching receivers, servos, and battery packs.
           I may never have to buy another transmitter again, and this one transmitter will do it all.

I must admit, i have to agree. In addittion to that, you can also change between FM, PCM and in JR`s case sPCM  Yeah the initial outlay is more but you will never need another TX, and the flexibility it gives you, you will wonder how you ever managed without it.

The only downside is the cost, but because some people are moving over to 2,4 and dont want the add-on module with the ariel at the back of the TX. you can pick one up for not a lot of cash