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Futaba 4PL Setup, Tips, Tricks & Help

Moved to channel 4. Same thing. I just don't understand. It has to be something I turned on or something cause it acts just like you are hitting the brakes when you go from forward to reverse. Everything works as it should now but with no reverse. Can I do a master/default reset to the tx and start over again without having to create a new model number? thanks again guys.
 
Jwatts said:
I did that. Same thing. Could it be that my esc lost programming somehow? I don't know what I have done but it is really frustrating me cause I can't figure out what I did.
Click to expand...

If it acts like you are hitting the brakes then the TX is doing it's job unless its just the drag brakes. You can do a model reset and it will clear that model. I would just select a new model and test out the ESC as I think the problem is not the TX.
 
I'm thinking the problem is still in the punk? Esc is showing the red light while reversing like intended. I've swapped the punk and switch over to the fourth channel and didn't change. The display on the Tx is showing forward and reverse on graph. I'll post up what I find tonight. For a quick test I'll remove the punk and use that same Esc on one of the motors to see what happens

It was working great before Jerry. Stop messing with it! :flipoff: JK

Edit:

Okay...Had time before lunch to mess with this thing. Removed the punk dig completely. Took one of the motors and wired to Esc. Still no reverse. I'm thinking the settings in the micro might have gotten changed? Once I get home I'll hook it up to the castle link and see..
 
Last edited:
Team Tactical Bacon said:
I am about to pull the trigger on buying a 4pl. I spent the last couple hours reading this thread. :shock: Checked the PDF of the manual too......... I want to use the SW2 3 position switch in an "in - neutral - out" configuration on a winch setup with SW1 used as a momentary on for it. Is that possible? (or necessary?)

I have a Futaba from the early 90s that still works great.....but it's time to upgrade! I'm sure the 4PL won't let me down. Thanks for all of the info!
Click to expand...

You could with custom electronics (standard winch controllers won't work) and using 2 channels. You'd have to use CH3 (for example) on SW2 to set the direction of the winch and CH4 on SW1 in 'alternate' mode for momentary on/off.

This is one feature missing in this radio, they didn't provide the 'alternate' or momentary mode for switches other than SW1. But it's still a great radio and I love it "thumbsup" My solution will be to replace SW2 with a momentary toggle but only once the warranty is over ;-)

Another idea I've been thinking of doing on my Bruiser is to use a 2 position switch to control a relay that will switch the ESC output from the truck's motor to the winch motor. This way I'll control the winch with my throttle and the relay would short the truck's motor for brakes in winch mode. This does require that both motors be brushed, and I won't be able to drive and winch at the same time.
 
Sneed got my xr and 4pl workimg as 1 again. Somehow I managed to change the settings in the mamba micro to no reverse without a castle link at that. Just wanted to let you know what had happened. Thanks again Harley and everyone else that tried to help me out.
 
Harley said:
It sounds like your ESC reset to a default setting. Plug it into a Castle Link and check that out.
Click to expand...

Jwatts said:
Sneed got my xr and 4pl workimg as 1 again. Somehow I managed to change the settings in the mamba micro to no reverse without a castle link at that. Just wanted to let you know what had happened. Thanks again Harley and everyone else that tried to help me out.
Click to expand...

Told ya :ror:
 
ok so i just tried to rea through this whole thread, i got about half way and gave up. so im trying to figure out if i should get a 4pl or go all out and get a 4pks. I have a lcc and im eventually going to get a scaler, and a moa comp crawler. i tried a guys 4pk with an xr10 today and really liked how it felt and operated. i liked how you could push the button on the grip for front dig, and a buton near the wheel for rear dig. Can a 4pl do this/ can it have 2 diff butons for front and rear dig? if not can someone show me a link or make a vid that shows how to do a dig. im trying to get the best radio that i need. i also race short course trucks so i will need to use it for that also.( iv been using a traxxas 2.4 2ch radio so any thing would be an upgrade)"thumbsup"
thanks for helping and sorry for the long post:mrgreen:
 
I went to The Source and found a barrel plug that fits the charge jack. It's a Nexxtech 2741571A, 1/8"(3.5mm) OD, 1/16"(1.3mm) ID.

Once I got it wired up I realized that the TX has a diode behind the charge jack so I can't use a peak charger. I just put the plug on my very old RX pack trickle charger since I currently use a 4 cell NiCd pack.
 
Harley, I just wanted to say thanks for this thread "thumbsup"

I just got a 4PL and this has helped me get it running correctly the very first try. Runing 2 Mamba Micros in my new Berg and the 4PL works great
 
Harley! YOURE MY HERO.....This is the second thread and second Futaba controller for me becuase of your write ups! I love my 4PL and my 6EX because of you. If I were gay I would kiss you on the lips (open mouth)....:mrgreen:
 
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