Futaba 3PM Modded for 3 Position Switch

[sourdojack]

I made this mod to my controller a while ago. And since then I have had some interest from my friends on modifying their controllers too.

So I took some step by step pics on how to add a 3 position switch to a Futaba 3PM


Here is my controller with the switch added in. The switch is spring loaded, first click is programmed for freewheel, then pushing it in all the way is rear axle locked.




Step 1:

Remove the 7 screws from back of controller



Your controller should look something like this inside...



Step 2:

Remove electronics

Don't forget these little two screws underneath the circuit board on the steering pot



You now should have an empty case



Step 3:

Mark and drill case for switch

Switch out of a Mercedes C-class window switch group





I used a uni-bit, came out looking like this...



Slowly and carefully make the hole just big enough for the switch to fit in tightly



Step 4:

Route wiring (I used phone cord)

Make sure none of the wires from the switch short out to each other.



The first click on the switch closes the inner contacts (blue wires) when pressed fully both sets of contacts are closed (blue and orange)

Inner contacts (blue) get soldered onto SW2 switch shown here




Second set of contacts (orange) get soldered onto Cond2 switch

It should look something like this afterwards



Step 5:

Re-assemble

I tacked the switch in place with some CA glue. Then for final appearance run a bead of black epoxy around the switch






This one took me about and hour and a half... So all in all, not that hard of a modification! :-P

Feel free to ask questions!

TOM

[rmdesignworks]

nice mod but you left out the specific pics and info on the orange/white wires,,ar ethey at the bottom of the last open case pic?

[WOUrugger51]

hey, this is MY RADIO!!

LOL

Tom is the man. How he thinks of this sh!t is beyond me.....

[Deezul]

i just run mixing on mine and it works fine........mode2 is freewheel mode 1 sw2 back is 4wd and forward is locked.

[AkFordfan]

Will this work with a standard 3 position switch, if so where does the fourth wire go? or can i just replace the two position switch on the board with a three?

[WOUrugger51]

Originally Posted by AkFordfan

Will this work with a standard 3 position switch, if so where does the fourth wire go? or can i just replace the two position switch on the board with a three?

I believe mine is setup that way... I'll ask Tom

[AkFordfan]

Thanks, that would be great

[AkFordfan]

Did you find out anything yet?

[WOUrugger51]

am texting him right meow...

[sourdojack]

Originally Posted by AkFordfan

Will this work with a standard 3 position switch, if so where does the fourth wire go? or can i just replace the two position switch on the board with a three?

So I'm not sure what you mean by "standard" 3 position switch. But the switch I used works as follows:

Push it to the first detent and one set of contacts go from "open" to "closed".

Push it to the second detent and the first set of contacts stay "closed" and the second set of contacts go from "open" to "closed"

I have a couple more of these switches left. If you want I can mail you one for N/C


TOM

[show&go]

Im sure doing this would void the warranty on my radio though!
I have been looking at the 3pmx, but does it actually have a switch for a dig unit? They dont make it very clear.

[sourdojack]

I could care less about warranty... If this radio breaks I will just buy a 3pk or 4pk so I can still use my recievers

The 3pm-x has newer software that allows you to program the "DT3" or "DT4" switch for use of dig or rear steering. They are both 3 position "trim" switches.

TOM

[Captaincrash]

Originally Posted by show&go

Im sure doing this would void the warranty on my radio though!
I have been looking at the 3pmx, but does it actually have a switch for a dig unit? They dont make it very clear.

I bought a 3pm-mx and couldnt be happier!!

[show&go]

I bought a 3pm-mx and couldnt be happier!!

Thanks, thats what I was hoping to hear, I will probably pick one up.

[craddock35]

Any way this will work with a small 3 pos toggle like what people are useing on the tq3 controllers? I have no idea where I could get one of those switches like you from around here.

[miura73]

Hi,

I can't see the photos on the beginning...
Can any one help me?
Can any one send me please the photos, or how to do the modd?
Thanks,
Miura73