Tx battery got reversed

[sweli]

I have some old Futaba FM Txs that I use with the kids.
The Lipo Tx packs I bought have a generic plug on the end and one of my kids accidentally reversed it.

Has anyone looked into what smokes on the mainboard when this happens?

I work in an electronics manuf (not an EE though) so I might be able to get a few components fixed if it's worth it.

[Charlie-III]

No, I don't know what smokes. Hopefully something easy.

To prevent similar down the road, I've done 1 of 2 things before.

1-Change plugs to polarized.
2-Plug the plugs together, then paint one side. This way it "should be obvious" which way it goes together.

[sweli]

I'll pull the oversized block connectors off the AA batt trays and solder on the LIPOs for the future.
It's 'pokayoked' to only go on one way.

I figured there woudl be a diode in there somewhere to prevent current flow the wrong direction.

[monkeymagic9]

best case scenario: a chip inside fried when hooked up backwards. it may be some basic generic receiver chip which you could replace (texas instruments or something), this chip will contain the various filters and blah blah blah for fm signals, and around it are just some capacitors and resistors which probably survived unscathed. with any luck there'll be that one and it can be replaced, with just a bit of luck there'll be a couple chips and one will smell burnt, but typically semiconductors don't survive much.. i've fried plenty of them on accident and i wouldn't be terribly surprised if you open it and it's a complete lost cause or just a myriad of random components.

good luck, good thing is you can probably find a cheap replacement if you can't fix it. seems everything has gone high-frequency digital these days.

[spillproof]

I think people give the fm stuff away now. I throw the AM stuff right in the garbage. My young fella's dont need fencing swords, they need TX's.

[sweli]

Originally Posted by spillproof

I think people give the fm stuff away now. I throw the AM stuff right in the garbage. My young fella's dont need fencing swords, they need TX's.

Constructive


I hang onto my Futaba 3PDF, because the are the best for controlling winches from drifting. Two clicks and you have reset the center point.
I have 4 of them, which the nearest 3PK or equal would run me ($100+)X4, compared to the ($20)X4 I have invested.
Going to play with a FrySky or Fly-Sky 2.4 conversion for $15.