View Full Version : Modding my cheapo TX to be Phoenix compatible
kamtsa
09-11-2007, 12:51 AM
After Terry pointed out that Phoenix should work with many cheap transmitters, I decided not to wait for the adapter mail order and to modify my Esky TX to be Phoenix compatible. I presume that a similar technique should work with other cheapo TX's.
The mod itself was very simple. I added a 3.5 stereo jack at the back of the transmitter (drill + JB Weld) and wired the signal and ground wires to the back of the small board that hold the mini din connectors (see pictures)
The stereo plugs has three contacts, the ground (at the back of the connector), the signal (the tip) and a third contact in between that is not used.
Kam
kamtsa
09-11-2007, 12:53 AM
Attached are few waveforms that I observed on the signal wire of the ESky TX mode.
Each frame contains 6 channels even though the TX is specified is 4 channels.
The throttle channel for example varies from 680usec at throttle min to 1.360usec at throttle max. I believe that these signals should be between 1000usec and 2000usec nominal but Phoenix calibrates itself anyway to the actual min/max it gets from the TX.
Kam
YOU still have to get off batteries !! Looks like what i did with an old Tx, good work.
Pinecone
09-11-2007, 07:01 AM
Or if you remove/disconect the RF board, the batteries last a LONG time. :)
I run my 6102 for weeks. With JR, the trainer cord turns the Tx on, but wihtout RF deck being hot.
kamtsa
09-11-2007, 08:29 AM
Or if you remove/disconect the RF board, the batteries last a LONG time. :)
I run my 6102 for weeks. With JR, the trainer cord turns the Tx on, but wihtout RF deck being hot.
On the ESky 4ch, removing the crystal reduces the battery current from 186ma to 73ma. I would not be surprised if a big chunk of that current is going to power the 5 front panel battery monitoring LED's.
It also has a Charge connector but I never try to use it.
Kam
Pinecone
09-11-2007, 09:36 PM
I use batteries in my Phoenix Tx, since I use it while traveling around the world, so would need adapters and some way to deal with 220 v power.
Why not devise a device that powers the transmitter from a USB cord. I have a set of small speakers that draw power from a USB port, and it would seem that the transmitter section apart from the radio generator might do fine with this.