Frank Skilbeck Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 My old DSM2 Dx6i seems to have started to play up, a couple of years ago I changed out the battery box so I could plug in a rechargable 4 cell Nimh pack all had been fine, but now after the radio has been on a short while (couple of mins) it beeps low Tx battery and then shuts off a few seconds later. It's not the battery as I've tried 2 and they both hold up well on a 0.5A discharge, so it's obviously some electrical component failing. Fortunately it didn't happen while I was in the air. But while this wasn't my main Tx I do have several models with DSM2 receivers (inc some micros) so what's the option for a DSM2 tx these days, take a chance on another 2nd hand radio (old JR maybe) or maybe a multiprotocol one like the Radiomaster etc. Anybody used one of these with DSM2 receivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Yes, I have a few DSM2 receivers, both Spektrum and clones, bound to my TX16S with no problems (andvarious other protocols). P.S. don't let people scare you with stories of how bad/difficult OpenTX/EdgeTX is.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Just one more test Frank, if your battery box is still intact. Put dry cells in, for one more try, as 4 dry cells are 6 volts. 4 rechargeables are 4.8volts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 My Radiomaster talks nicely to DSM2 and DSMX receivers, no problems. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Denis Watkins said: Just one more test Frank, if your battery box is still intact. Put dry cells in, for one more try, as 4 dry cells are 6 volts. 4 rechargeables are 4.8volts Denis the battery plugged in shows 5.5v, is OK for a couple of mins then drops to 3.4v and then the Tx shuts down. Put the battery on my discharger at 0.5 amps and it it will stay above 5v for ages. I've run the Dx6i for the last 15 years on rechargeable batteries and it's been fine. Looks like I'll have to investigate the Radiomaster Tx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 3 hours ago, Frank Skilbeck said: Denis the battery plugged in shows 5.5v, is OK for a couple of mins then drops to 3.4v and then the Tx shuts down. Does the transmitter or battery get hot Frank? its probably just the regulator blown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 Battery is cold, haven't checked the regulator, but on first switch on with a freshly charged battery, it will stay on for a couple of mins, leave it a while and it will repeat, but if switching on within 30secs it shuts down very quickly. I initially thought it was the battery, but it does the same with another pack and both perform fine on a 0.5A discharge. Quite fancied one of the new radiomaster pocket radios but they don't do it in a DSM2 compatible format. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Taylor Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 13 hours ago, Frank Skilbeck said: Quite fancied one of the new radiomaster pocket radios but they don't do it in a DSM2 compatible format. I think that any of the tx's that have one of the 4 in 1 modules either internally or in an external port will 'do' DSM2. I know my TX16S Mk2 will. So anything FrSky or similar could do it with a 4 in 1 in the external bay. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 Yes, an iRange module (full size and mini) does DSM2. If you use an external module though, you'll have two antenna, one of which may be in a less than pleasing place.... look on youtoob/tinternet for examples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 12, 2023 Author Share Posted October 12, 2023 (edited) Had the back off this morning and pulled the power lead, I'd modified the original battery box lead by adding a servo plug so I could use a standard 4 cell flight pack, the lead was showing signs of -ve wire corrosion, so I made up a new one and it seems to have fixed the problem, left the tx switched on and voltage was stable with no shut off. When I get chance I'll leave it switched on for a couple of hours before using it again. Will still look at the radiomaster tx as an alternative, but I really done need another tx 😀 thanks for all the comments Edited October 12, 2023 by Frank Skilbeck 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 On 11/10/2023 at 14:39, Frank Skilbeck said: But while this wasn't my main Tx I do have several models with DSM2 receivers (inc some micros) so what's the option for a DSM2 tx these days, Would it be cheaper to look into getting a few compatible (say Lemon) DSMX receivers? Rather than a whole new TX? That said, I don't know how shiny the models are you're talking about, and whether you'd be happy with a compatible RX in there rather than 'official' brand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Nigel R said: Would it be cheaper to look into getting a few compatible (say Lemon) DSMX receivers? Rather than a whole new TX? That said, I don't know how shiny the models are you're talking about, and whether you'd be happy with a compatible RX in there rather than 'official' brand... Not wanting to getting into any anti Spektrum debates but I find the Lemon receivers much better than Spektrum's own offerings in regards to range, price and reliability. Not scientifically proven just personal experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 (edited) On 11/10/2023 at 16:34, Frank Skilbeck said: Denis the battery plugged in shows 5.5v, is OK for a couple of mins then drops to 3.4v and then the Tx shuts down. Sorry to harp on but this has me intrigued Frank 😀 Where does this 3.4v reading come from, the transmitter display? or a multimeter actually on the battery terminals? and after its shut down at 3.4v what does the battery itself measure? On first reading it sounded like the tx was heavily loading the battery, ie a partial short of a duff reg, but now it looks like just an HR battery feed caused by corrosion, is that what you're thinking too? It would account for a low v shown on the tx display despite a good battery. . Edited October 12, 2023 by Phil Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 12, 2023 Author Share Posted October 12, 2023 The 3.4v was on the tx display, looks like the corroded wire had higher resistance and as it warmed up the resistance increased. Both batteries were fine when plugged into a charger and discharged at 0.5A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 12, 2023 Author Share Posted October 12, 2023 5 hours ago, Nigel R said: Would it be cheaper to look into getting a few compatible (say Lemon) DSMX receivers? Rather than a whole new TX? That said, I don't know how shiny the models are you're talking about, and whether you'd be happy with a compatible RX in there rather than 'official' brand... Nigel, my other radio is Multiplex M Link not a Spektrum DSMx, plus.some of the.models are older micro models with built in receivers so not easily replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 34 minutes ago, Frank Skilbeck said: The 3.4v was on the tx display, looks like the corroded wire had higher resistance Exactly, its a good fix then Frank, I'd happily carry on using that tx 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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