JR X-3810 sluggish sticks

[Christopher Wolfe]

G'day all.

 

Today I pulled out my JR X-3810 transmitter to check the battery state and discovered that the control sticks are very sluggish to the point that they are very slow to return to centre.

 

This transmitter is just over 20 years old but it is one of my favourites due too it's lovely feel in my hands and it's reliability.

 

About 8 years ago I replaced the RF module with a FrSky 2.4 Ghz module and a few years later the transmitter battery was replaced with a LiFe 3S 1500 mAH.

 

All still working well until yesterdays annual check when I discovered that the control sticks were very sluggish.

 

To me this seems like a lubrication problem but whether it is the pots or the gimbals I am not sure.

 

Actually I suspect the gimbals and if so, how does one lubricate the assemblies?

 

My trusty Futaba SG-14 does most of the flying nowadays so the JR is not used very often but it is bound to a few models that get the occasional outing so I would to keep it operational.

 

* Chris *

[John Lee]

I'd suggest a good blast of an electrical contact cleaner spray that has lubricating properties. There are lots to choose from eg https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-contact-cleaner-400ml/92716 (note not ordinary WD40)

[MattyB]

It all depends on where the friction is - the pot surface or in the gimbal themselves. If it's pots I'd be expecting erratic servo outputs as well as "sticky" gimbals, and in that case I'd go for contact cleaner as per the above, though I'd be surprised if pot wear/dirt was enough to affect the physical centring of the gimbal.

 

If it's gimbal bearing/mating surfaces causing the problems (more likely IMO), you'll want to apply some kind of silicon grease or lubricant to the relevant areas, after you've dissembled them sufficiently to clean away any dirt and old grease of course. Lots of videos about this online, though none I could find specifically for a 3810 (they are a very old TX now, though):

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lubricate+transmitter+gimbals

Edited September 11, 2023 by MattyB

[Christopher Wolfe]

On 11/09/2023 at 21:46, MattyB said:

It all depends on where the friction is - the pot surface or in the gimbal themselves. If it's pots I'd be expecting erratic servo outputs as well as "sticky" gimbals, and in that case I'd go for contact cleaner as per the above, though I'd be surprised if pot wear/dirt was enough to affect the physical centring of the gimbal.

 

Thanks.

 

The problem appears to be resolved. Long term storage in my workshop in which things get painted and sanded would be the culprit.

 

A thin layer of dirt and dust was removed by using cotton wool tipped sticks moistened with soapy water and then the sticks moved/stirred until they felt normal.

 

I then gave the gimbals a shot with WD-40 Specialist anti-friction PTFE lubricant Dry Lube and it worked very well resulting in silky smooth stick movement.

 

* Chris *