RCCrawler Forums

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 09:55 AM

how do you modd a dx3 so that you have a 3 position dig switch.

calcat430d · 06-02-2009, 10:02 AM

I have installed a 2 position switch in my XR3(mechanically the same as a DX3) radios in the past to shift my emaxx. I bought a micro "on-off" toggle switch from radioshack, mounted it at the top of the grip for my left thumb, then soldered two wires between the switch and the circut board's contacts for switch "A"'s right or forward postion. When the toggle is up, the circut is open and the radio doesn't even know the switch is there. When the toggle is down, the radio thinks I'm holding switch "A" right or forward. I set the third channel to 3p mode, then turned travel adjust left all the way to 0 and travel adjust right all the way up to 190%. I set the toggle up, then installed the shift servo's horn on the servo in the first gear postion. When I flip the switch down the truck shifts to second.

For what you want to do, just get a micro "on-off-on" toggle with three contacts. Mount it in a comfy spot. Wire the middle contact to the common contact between "A"'s left and right contacts, then wire each remaining contact to "A"'s remaining contacts for left and right.

I have some pics to help explain... Switch "A" is actually a spring loaded plastic rocker that pushes momentary micro pushbuttons on the circut board when pushed one way or the other:

This next one shows the back of the circut board where I soldered the two wires. You can follow the board traces to see the common trace that I have the black wire soldered to. Connect the center contact there. The red wire I have connected to the right or forward's remaining contact, wire one of your switch's contacts to that and then connect the other to the contact to the right of the black wire in the pic:

This next pic shows where I mounted my switch for shifting duty. You can stick yours wherever you like, just make sure it clears the circut boards inside.

I also modified mine to run 10 cells since I run 2650mah Duracell Nimh AA's(8 alkalines=12 volts, 8 Nimh=9.6 volts, 10 Nimh=12 volts). This gives the radio a much longer usable runtime before the low battery alarm starts to beep and it helps range as well. Total parts needed are just a 2 cell holder and a 9volt battery pigtail from radioshack. The extra 2 cells hide in the grip:

(the white strapping tape is needed because the end of these 2 cell holders likes to break off over time from the spring pressure, the tape keeps this from happening, plus you can make a little pull-tab of tape so the holder can slide out of the grip without taking it apart...

BigB_117 · 06-02-2009, 10:02 AM

I just did a search and found this:

DX3 toggle switch installation

Scattman · 06-02-2009, 01:33 PM

When I modded my DX3 I wasn't really worried about having to hold the switch into position since I was using it for dig on a Berg and I wanted it to be momentary. What was the issue was the placement of the A switch. I couldn't really get to it. So I just swapped the wires from the A switch with the B switch. Now it works the same, which I am fine with, it is just much easier to reach.

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 02:03 PM

i was reading in the forum how to do it and it said you could only have a 2 position switch for the dx3.0. is that right.

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 05:17 PM

could you use a dx3.o and have it as a 2 position switch. one would be 4wd and the other would be 2wd with locked rear wheels?

Scattman · 06-02-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster

i was reading in the forum how to do it and it said you could only have a 2 position switch for the dx3.0. is that right.

Yes, that is correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster

could you use a dx3.o and have it as a 2 position switch. one would be 4wd and the other would be 2wd with locked rear wheels?

Yes, that is possible. Or you could do 4wd and rear freewheel.

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 07:15 PM

which would be better rear wheels locked or rear wheels unlocked.

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 08:02 PM

does a futaba 2pm have a 3 position switch?

Failedabortion · 06-02-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster

does a futaba 2pm have a 3 position switch?

You mean 3pm right?

chessmaster · 06-02-2009, 08:47 PM

yah i meant 3 pm.

chessmaster · 06-03-2009, 03:45 PM

what would be better 2wd with locked rears or with unlocked?

Scattman · 06-03-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster

yah i meant 3 pm.

3PM has a 2 pos. 3rd channel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster

what would be better 2wd with locked rears or with unlocked?

That's a matter of personal preference. I have never had to choose between the two but I think I would go with rear unlocked. You can still blip the throttle in turns to help turn sharper and rear freewheel comes in handy when climbing at times.

Aaronb · 06-05-2009, 01:09 AM

nice! calcat, thanks for the info. i will be doing this very soon.

Aaronb · 06-30-2009, 10:48 PM

anymore info on making it a 3 position?

06-02-2009, 09:55 AM	#1
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	help.... how to modd a dx3 for dig system how do you modd a dx3 so that you have a 3 position dig switch.

06-02-2009, 10:02 AM	#2
calcat430d Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: san diego Posts: 441	I have installed a 2 position switch in my XR3(mechanically the same as a DX3) radios in the past to shift my emaxx. I bought a micro "on-off" toggle switch from radioshack, mounted it at the top of the grip for my left thumb, then soldered two wires between the switch and the circut board's contacts for switch "A"'s right or forward postion. When the toggle is up, the circut is open and the radio doesn't even know the switch is there. When the toggle is down, the radio thinks I'm holding switch "A" right or forward. I set the third channel to 3p mode, then turned travel adjust left all the way to 0 and travel adjust right all the way up to 190%. I set the toggle up, then installed the shift servo's horn on the servo in the first gear postion. When I flip the switch down the truck shifts to second. For what you want to do, just get a micro "on-off-on" toggle with three contacts. Mount it in a comfy spot. Wire the middle contact to the common contact between "A"'s left and right contacts, then wire each remaining contact to "A"'s remaining contacts for left and right. I have some pics to help explain... Switch "A" is actually a spring loaded plastic rocker that pushes momentary micro pushbuttons on the circut board when pushed one way or the other: This next one shows the back of the circut board where I soldered the two wires. You can follow the board traces to see the common trace that I have the black wire soldered to. Connect the center contact there. The red wire I have connected to the right or forward's remaining contact, wire one of your switch's contacts to that and then connect the other to the contact to the right of the black wire in the pic: This next pic shows where I mounted my switch for shifting duty. You can stick yours wherever you like, just make sure it clears the circut boards inside. I also modified mine to run 10 cells since I run 2650mah Duracell Nimh AA's(8 alkalines=12 volts, 8 Nimh=9.6 volts, 10 Nimh=12 volts). This gives the radio a much longer usable runtime before the low battery alarm starts to beep and it helps range as well. Total parts needed are just a 2 cell holder and a 9volt battery pigtail from radioshack. The extra 2 cells hide in the grip: (the white strapping tape is needed because the end of these 2 cell holders likes to break off over time from the spring pressure, the tape keeps this from happening, plus you can make a little pull-tab of tape so the holder can slide out of the grip without taking it apart...

06-02-2009, 10:02 AM	#3
BigB_117 RCC Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sebastopol CA Posts: 1,525	I just did a search and found this: DX3 toggle switch installation

06-02-2009, 01:33 PM	#4
Scattman Official Cook of the ECC Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawthorne, Florida Posts: 2,653	When I modded my DX3 I wasn't really worried about having to hold the switch into position since I was using it for dig on a Berg and I wanted it to be momentary. What was the issue was the placement of the A switch. I couldn't really get to it. So I just swapped the wires from the A switch with the B switch. Now it works the same, which I am fine with, it is just much easier to reach.

06-02-2009, 02:03 PM	#5
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	i was reading in the forum how to do it and it said you could only have a 2 position switch for the dx3.0. is that right.

06-02-2009, 05:17 PM	#6
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	could you use a dx3.o and have it as a 2 position switch. one would be 4wd and the other would be 2wd with locked rear wheels?

06-02-2009, 07:15 PM	#8
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	which would be better rear wheels locked or rear wheels unlocked.

06-02-2009, 08:02 PM	#9
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	does a futaba 2pm have a 3 position switch?

06-02-2009, 08:47 PM	#11
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	yah i meant 3 pm.

06-03-2009, 03:45 PM	#12
chessmaster Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 153	what would be better 2wd with locked rears or with unlocked?

06-05-2009, 01:09 AM	#14
Aaronb Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tehachapi Posts: 255	nice! calcat, thanks for the info. i will be doing this very soon.

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06-30-2009, 10:48 PM	#15
Aaronb Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tehachapi Posts: 255	anymore info on making it a 3 position?

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