Tim Mackey Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 The original post on this topic was unwieldy, and I have deleted it. As a replacement, and update, I will summarise all of the modifications I have done and the benefits. If people require the construction detail then please PM me, I have all the info logged and photographed.NB: These mods if carried out, are entirely at your own risk, and will definately void your warranty. 1) Original batery replaced with LiPo - greater run time and always ready.2) "On" indicator lamp added to front case - assists in not forgetting to switch it off Here it is "ON"3) Original linear voltage regulator replaced with switching reg - Further very large increase in run time4) Battery level warning alarm fitted - Very loud alarm as LiPo approaches low level - see sounders on case top in picture above.5) Secure the aerial exit points ( and the satellite connection plugs ) with a dab of semi-rigid glue. There have been instances of these delicate wires breaking at the point of exit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Johnson Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 What extra run time did you get using the switching regulator? I have some DE-SWO33's is this the one you used? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 Hi Mike, yes it was the DESW033 that I used. Current consumption is now 136 m/a ( but remember I have fitted a LED "ON" warning beacon also, so this accounts for some of that ) - before the mod it was 288 m/a.Previous average continual run time with the old linear regulator and an 1800 mahr NiMh was around 2.5 Hours, and now it is over 7 hours with new reg and a 2500 LiPo. Here is the old and the new....very simple swop out to do the job, no heatsink is necessary as the current is so low.Assuming you are good at soldering / de-soldering, then you should have the job done in around 20 minutes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Johnson Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Thanks for the update, I saw this mod on the 6 channel system and thought the DSM2 system did not need the stepping reulator, however if you are getting 7 hrs from this mod, its got to be worthwhile. Can you give us some more detail of the on light and sounders, they also look a worthwhile mod. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Mike, I will send you a zip file with the info on these other mods, but I need you to email me to get your email adddy cos I dont see "message me" on your profile - actually there is nothing on your profile page so get filling it in ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Johnson Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Timbo Sorry for not comming back sooner, but I lost the thread in my favorites for some reason. Thank you for the information very good detail and will do the mod asap. What is needed from someone hint hint, is a plug in board of some kind to allow this to be done on say a Futaba FF9 with a LiPo battery, perhaps just a board with a sounder whith plugs either end one for the battery the other for the Tx connection. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolhytz Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Timbo, Hi there, can you tell us where to buy this regulator? Also what is the runtime using the stock battery?Thanks a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 DESW033Current consumption is now 136 m/a ( but remember I have fitted a LED "ON" warning beacon also, so this accounts for some of that ) - before the mod it was 288 m/a.Previous average continual run time with the old linear regulator and an 1800 mahr NiMh was around 2.5 Hours, and now it is over 7 hours with new reg and a 2500 LiPo. I think I got my reg from Farnell online - but cant honestly remember, its a good bet thopugh, cos I get pretty well all my stuff from them these days !If your stuck, I think I have a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolhytz Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 TimboThanks for the info. I found one from totalrobots site and ordered it. Tolhytz( Eastbourne) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Nice work Timbo. The battery change, is it just a straight swap like the FF9? As for the lekky modifications, I doubt I have the soldering skills, so I'll stick to heat shrinking the antenna wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 yes it is- no regulator or anything else like that required - depending on which pack you get....you may need to change the plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 As an update to this mod ( fitting a lipo ) I think I would like to suggest that anyone doing it should really consider changing the regulator - there have been one or two ( unconfirmed ) rumours of the LiPo pack causing an overheat of the standard cheap linear regulator - which is quite possible. besides, as stated at the start, any such mods will void your warraty, and also, quite possible cause a problem if you were unfortunate enough to have an incident requiring Insurance claims. Just so you know the risk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Strefford Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Anyone know if a similar mod could be used in a Futaba FF9 when using lipo? If so any details? Also is there a circuit for the sounder anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted December 2, 2008 Author Share Posted December 2, 2008 The sounder circuit I have Eric - message me via the forum with your email addy I will send it to you later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Driver Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Timbo,thanks for these mods,I like the idea of the light,being an old fart I tend to leave mine switched on quite a bit,specially if a club mate starts chatting or while I'm changing batteries. however,they've all got a good point to them,so if you wouldn't mind sending me the details I'd be grateful.there is just one point I'd like cleared up,I take it you remove the lipo for charging? vic driver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Yes I do. PM me vai the forum with your email address and details will be sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Does anyone know if it is posible to swap the DX7 over from Mode 1 to Mode 2 ? Edited By Reef on 10/04/2009 09:29:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 Not without fettling and fiddling as in my thread on modifying. You must specify the mode required at time of purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Thanks, Timbo - appreciate you not wanting to get into a blow by blow description when you don't know skill levels but I don't mind extensive soldering and desoldering and extending / replacing of wires if I rewire the pots and trim switches. Other than that hassle, can I take it that component values are the same on both sides and the hardware is swapable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted April 11, 2009 Author Share Posted April 11, 2009 AFAIK - the only mods I have done to the DX7 are the regulator and alarm, as detailed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empeabee Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Hi TimboWould you be kind enough to let me have further details of :- Regulator ModLipo upgrade idiot light Lipo low alarm.T.I.A)Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 Email sent empeabee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Instead if the Lipo, I would recommend using an Eneloop Nimh replacement battery. Always ready like LiPo No regulator issues Charge as original Nimh 2000mAh No LiPo safety worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 I probably would too these days - when I first did this mod LSD cells were not readily available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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