Futaba 4PL Setup, Tips, Tricks & Help

[snail78]

Hope these photo`s helps Charlie "thumbsup"

Well I ran my Fastrax Cage(SCX10 Running gear) today with one of the R2106GF RX`s, it didnt miss a beat ran it for over 2 hours and went practically out of site with the rig. Big "thumbsup" from me.

Very cool. Thank you for the pictures and info

 

[igbandy]

Glad to help fella`s "thumbsup"

 

[Harley]

Glad to help fella`s "thumbsup"

I modified your first post to include all of your pictures so I could link it to the first post. Thanks for the pictures "thumbsup"

 

[Tommy R]

Hey Harley,

I've got an odd issue I'm wrestling with. It's actually for my Short Course truck, but I'm hoping you may be able to offer some insight anyway. I posted this on RCShortCourse, but didn't get any replies.

Equipment used:
Radio: 4PL
ESC: Stock Losi
Motor: 12T Traxxas (Slash)
Battery: 5000 mah 2s

The Losi ESC can be run with or without reverse. I have it set up without reverse for racing. It still have a braking function.

I want to dial in some braking to the neutral throttle position. The reason is because when I let off the throttle, I want the truck to slow quickly to help with corner entry. Currently, it just coasts/freewheels for too long and I have to let off way too early entering the corners.

Normally, I would simply dial in some brake trim so I would have a bit of braking effect when the trigger is in the neutral position. However, I keep dialing the brake trim higher and higher with no change. Finally, once I get the brake trim up to ~35-40, it will start braking when I let off the throttle. But it's very, very abrupt. It's also inconsistent. Sometimes I let off it'll freewheel, sometimes it'll stop nearly immediately. Obviously, this isn't good.

Could I have a setting somewhere in the 4PL that is affecting/overriding my brake trim settings? Is there a better way to have some braking applied at the neutral trigger position? Expos are at zero. Throttle endpoints are set. Honestly, I have to question if the ESC is the culprit. Unfortunately, I know little about it since very few people run this ESC. It's the stock Losi unit that comes in the Losi short course truck (XXX-SCT).

Any help you could offer would be MUCH appreciated! "thumbsup"
Tommy

I have an update to this issue, but still have questions. I now am running a Traxxas XL-5 ESC (brushed, no drag brake), however my issue remains. But I noticed something odd recently. On the radio's display, there is a bar graph that shows your current position for each channel. Well, when I increase the brake trim and even max it out to 100, the bar graph only shows what I would estimate to be about 10-15% on the bar graph. I'd have to check again to verify this, but I think if I manually apply the brakes with the trigger the bar graph will extend all the way to 100% brake as you'd expect. I'll get pics of this later today to illustrate what I'm doing a poor job of explaining. :ror:

So I guess my question is: How can I get my brake trim to allow a broader range of braking power?

 

[Harley]

So I guess my question is: How can I get my brake trim to allow a broader range of braking power?

You can't because it's just a trim setting. You should ever be dialing that much trim into something because it is meant to be a fine tuning.

You could try adding Subtrim but in general it sounds like you just need to get a better ESC.

 

[Tommy R]

You can't because it's just a trim setting. You should ever be dialing that much trim into something because it is meant to be a fine tuning.

You could try adding Subtrim but in general it sounds like you just need to get a better ESC.

Unfortunately, it's a spec class so a different ESC isn't an option. Dang, it's tough to accept the fact that I can't tune this radio/ESC to play nice even though my antiquated equipment back in the '80s/'90s could do it.


On another note, any idea why the R2106GF receiver isn't on Futaba's site? It looks like a great crawler rx, but I just found it odd it wouldn't be in their website. Regardless, I'm ordering one! :ror:

 

[Mini]

I modified your first post to include all of your pictures so I could link it to the first post. Thanks for the pictures "thumbsup"

X2 pictures helped out a lot "thumbsup"

 

[igbandy]

I modified your first post to include all of your pictures so I could link it to the first post. Thanks for the pictures "thumbsup"

No problem Harley, glad to help. I hope people find my post`s and photo`s helpful "thumbsup"

 

[WAM]

7.2 will be no issue. I'll check on Monday about 8.4.

Not sure what this means. This RX can only be used with 2S systems, or do you set something on the esc that feeds it?

 

[Harley]

Not sure what this means. This RX can only be used with 2S systems, or do you set something on the esc that feeds it?

The BEC (either inside the ESC or Externally) send the voltage to the RX.

 

[DioptricStraw]

I have a question. I am going to Grand Bend Ontario this weekend with some of my rc's. I am running a 4pl, i am going to be running an hpi vorza with paddles for the beach. My friend who is meeting us up there is running a baja 5b and a 4pk. We thought it would be fun to go to the 1/4 mile drag dtrip and see if they will let us run.

So the question is will we be able to control the trucks all they way down the track or will we have to stand at the half way mark.

 

[Harley]

So the question is will we be able to control the trucks all they way down the track or will we have to stand at the half way mark.

It's hard to say. I highly doubt either of you would be able to see or effectively drive them from the start line anyway.

This test was done by killer RC. Watch it.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2834208&postcount=1

 

[WAM]

The BEC (either inside the ESC or Externally) send the voltage to the RX.

So 11.1V goes to the ESC, but only the motors are sent that voltage. A stepped down voltage is sent to the RX and from there to the servo. So the servo and RX always receive identical voltage? I'm trying to get an understanding of this because I'm wiring my first crawler using an R2106GF and a CC BEC and am wondering if I should use the Castle BEC schematic, or the RX-bypass technique.

The instructions with the R2106GF talk about light-duty indoor aircraft use. Should one read into that it's best to bypass the servo current instead of running it through the RX?

 

[Harley]

So 11.1V goes to the ESC, but only the motors are sent that voltage. A stepped down voltage is sent to the RX and from there to the servo. So the servo and RX always receive identical voltage? I'm trying to get an understanding of this because I'm wiring my first crawler using an R2106GF and a CC BEC and am wondering if I should use the Castle BEC schematic, or the RX-bypass technique.

The instructions with the R2106GF talk about light-duty indoor aircraft use. Should one read into that it's best to bypass the servo current instead of running it through the RX?

Yes, BEC (either internal or external) supplys voltage to the RX. Use the diagram I have provided. If you want to bypass the RX for the BEC that is an option as well. I have not had any issues with putting current through a RX yet.

 

[WAM]

Yes, BEC (either internal or external) supplys voltage to the RX. Use the diagram I have provided. If you want to bypass the RX for the BEC that is an option as well. I have not had any issues with putting current through a RX yet.

Then that's what I'll do. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[Harley]

Then that's what I'll do. Thanks for the quick response.

No problem, if you need any more help with the wiring diagram let me know.

 

[WAM]

No problem, if you need any more help with the wiring diagram let me know.

You won't need to offer twice. ;-) In that regard, your diagram depicts a 4-channel RX where CH4 also says Batt. The 2106 is of course a 6-channel RX and CH6 is marked B/6 which I assume means Batt.

I installed the four connectors in 1 thru 4 like your diagram, but now looking at the empty Batt channel, I'm unsure. What say you?

 

[Harley]

You won't need to offer twice. ;-) In that regard, your diagram depicts a 4-channel RX where CH4 also says Batt. The 2106 is of course a 6-channel RX and CH6 is marked B/6 which I assume means Batt.

I installed the four connectors in 1 thru 4 like your diagram, but now looking at the empty Batt channel, I'm unsure. What say you?

It doesn't matter where you put the BEC actually. So you are good to go.

 

[Burn]

Ok, so I just ordered this* Futaba 2.4GHz S-FHSS 4PL 4-Channel Surface Radio FUTK1400. Comes with a rx thought the price was good right at 200. From every thing I have read here seems to be a good radio, didn't really care for the one that came with the wraith. Harley anything specific I should be aware of with this tx/rx.

 

[Harley]

Ok, so I just ordered this* Futaba 2.4GHz S-FHSS 4PL 4-Channel Surface Radio FUTK1400. Comes with a rx thought the price was good right at 200. From every thing I have read here seems to be a good radio, didn't really care for the one that came with the wraith. Harley anything specific I should be aware of with this tx/rx.

Aware of? I don't really know what you mean. I can tell you whatever you want to know but will have a hard time telling you everything at once.