Help! Problem with my "Reality Craft" simulator Tx

[Myron Beaumont]

The Logic 3 joystick of 'er indoors' for games works with the disc installed(except for no provision for a rudder function )

I tried this out to check the computer.

The 6 channel PPM transmitter after a lot of fiddling works on everything except ailerons (channel one normally but any other channel for that matter ,in which case I could transfer it )

It did work last time I used it & have even started from scratch twice just to make sure so to speak. No result!

Can anyone please suggest what I might try next apart from binning it

I've had the back off / wiggled everything etc .no difference!

 

G-umpy 2

[Andy Gates]

What version of windowsa are you using Myron?

XP had an issue where you had to install a virtual serial port driver, may be this needs reinstalling?

[Myron Beaumont]

Andy

Thanks -that was a quick reply . I'm on Vista now but was on XP previously . I just asked the expert ('er indoors ) who assures me that it has worked on Vista before today ?

[Andy Gates]

In the setup for the controller with the PPM Tx, when you wiggle the stick for the ailerons do you get deflection on the bars?

 

Just retested mine and it had lost all its settings.

Could it be the channel is not assigned correctly, my rudder for instance is on ch6!?

Edited By Andy Gates on 20/12/2009 13:54:27

[Myron Beaumont]

Andy

Funny you should say that about rudder being on channel 6 .SO IS MINE NOW !!! I didn't mention it 'cos at least it works !

No -I don't get any deflection on the blue thingy that shows movement for aileron .

I'll never get the hang of digital stuff

Or is it my lack of a brain cell ?(or two)

G-Umpy -Wished it was a bit warmer, I'd be flying the "Real"thing

[Myron Beaumont]

PS

Just thought that even if something was on the wrong channel then at least you could move it -But as I say there is no movement for the ailerons on any bar ?

[Andy Gates]

Sounds like the potentiometer, potentiometer drive or a wire is broken in the transmitter unit.

 

Do you have another sim to try it on to see if it is a software issue? In not try a download of FMS which will work with the same unit.

 

If you get no deflections on that then the Tx is defective.

 

As to the brain cell issue - I dare not comment!

[Myron Beaumont]

Andy

Good thinking .I do have an old programme CD thingy about flying . I'll try it out soon . Had enough for the moment 'Have doused the pots with WD40 and the working ones are smoother ( I know I shouldn't have but what the heck!)

Thanks for your help once again .

[Andy Gates]

My pleasure, let us know how it goes.

[Myron Beaumont]

Andy

It IS  the aileron  potentiometer (about 5 k ohms) like you suggested ! Really weird jittery readings from either main input sides of it to the wiper. BUT what a job to replace or mend ! I'll have a go but i expect a new pot would be dearer than replacing the whole Tx

[Andy Gates]

Take a good look at the pot, measure the diameter of the back and the spindle shape and size.

 

Then visit your local Maplin/Tandy/HiFi store.

A replacement should cost no more than a few pounds.

 

Don't disconnect the origional pot until you have a replacement available. Helps keep the connections in the correct place.

[Myron Beaumont]

Thanks Andy

Just a thought but do you think it will be a linear or a logarithmic type potentiometer?

Shall have to disconnect it to measure true value "out of circuit" but no probs -I always mark everything or draw a picture for something I am not familiar with

[Myron Beaumont]

Ps

It goes to show which control wears out first maybe doesn't it  I would have thought logically it would be "linear" by the way

[Andy Gates]

It would be a linear pot, but when I measured the resistance of my pots they were no where near the value you had.

 

I would suggest a replacement Tx would be the way to go. You could get a cable for your normal Tx  to the PC and go that way of course.

The repair looks a might iffy.

The alternative would be to swap the 2 stick units over and to transfer the throttle rachet. That way the iffy channel would be on the rudder, and if you are doing normal flight you could set the rudder and the ailerons on the same (aileron) stick.

 

A few options there for you.

[Rick Devonshire]

Information please.

It seems that my new RC PlaneMaster T/X unit is also suffering from poor contact on two of the pots. Before I start removing the back did WD40 solve the problem Myron?

Alternatively anyone replaced his pots with Maplin units and if so which actual unit was used? Can you possibly give me the code for Maplins catalogue please?

Rick.

 

[Myron Beaumont]

Rick

No amount of WD40 made any difference to mine !

Havn't got an up to date Maplins catalogue but try the web

 If only I was any good at programming anything ,I'd try to use one of my proper tranny's.

Edited By Myron Beaumont on 26/05/2010 08:39:32

[Rick Devonshire]

Ref faulty potentiometers.

I contacted [email protected] and explained to them the problems I was having with the 'Tx' not working on some of the controls and they kindly sent me a new 'Tx'. Now all seems to be working well.

There's a number of documents, flight manuals, trouble shooting files etc. also included on the disk which are not obvious unless you seach the disk.

As a I have not flown a model for some 10 years or so it is just what I need to give me some practice before I complete the Slope Soarer I am currently building.

Hopefully it will soon be back to the hills!!!

Rick.

P.S. From reading the FAQ file on the disk it would seem that my old Hitec Focus 6 Tx will work with this software if I buy a USB lead to plug into the buddy box socket. Anyone know who stocks these leads?

  

Edited By Rick Devonshire on 14/06/2010 07:52:14

[XK50]

Consider, also, the possibility of a USB port problem on your computer.  My Viao laptop has such a fault and I've had to add a USB adapter to the PC Express slot (cheaply from Amazon).  This works fine, now.