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How to:

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Mick Regan
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How to:

Post by Mick Regan »

Fit the Benedini Rotary Encoder on a Futaba 7C transmitter.

After recent discussions regarding the rotary encoder, plus the fact the original post is 5 years old, I have added a few extras.

This is a fairly simple modification to the Futaba transmitter which involves a small amount of soldering.

As with all modern electronics, some components are prone to damage due to static discharge. Keep handling of the transmitter boards to a minimum.

Finally, but most important. If your transmitter is new, THIS MOD WILL INVALIDATE YOUR WARRANTY :!:

Image

*For the Futaba 7C transmitter, the 2 soldered bridges indicated above, remain in place*

*The channel on your receiver that controls your sounds will be channel 6*

First you have to get the back off the transmitter by:

1/ Remove the battery cover.
Image
2/ Unplug the battery.
Image
3/ Unscrew the 4 screws.
Image
Next, get access to the channel 6 controls:

4/ Remove the knob from CH6 and unscrew switch D.
Image
5/ Remove the screw securing the circuit board. Unscrew switches G and H.
Image
6 / Carefully release the circuit board, and then unsolder the rotary switch and the toggle switch.
Image
Installing the rotary encoder:

7/ Solder the leads of the rotary encoder to the circuit board at the original rotary switch position.
THE RED LEAD MUST GO IN THE CENTRE POSITION.
The brown and orange lead can go in either position.
Image
8/ Install the rotary encoder and toggle switch in the CH6/D position.
Refit switches G and H. Refit the original circuit board in a position where it will not come into contact with the joystick or trap any wires.
Image
9/ Fit the knob to the rotary switch and the nut to the toggle switch.
Refit the back of the transmitter, and refit the battery and cover.
Image
You are now ready to test the encoder.

10/ Connect a servo to channel 6 on the receiver.
Operate the toggle switch, then rotate the encoder knob through each position. The servo should go through its range in 12 smooth steps.
You are now ready to reconfigure your sound unit.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Mick

P.S. If anyone is interested in any other systems or radios, I'll consider adding more "How to" posts.
Last edited by Mick Regan on Tue Dec 23, 2014 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jeffrey Goff
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Post by Jeffrey Goff »

Hi Mick, can you help on fitting the rotary switch into a Futaba T8UPS, this has the 2.4 module
regards
Jeff

Holger Hoffmann
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Post by Holger Hoffmann »

Hi Mick :D

That's a great Mod, very nice pictures.
I consider for a long time whether I with my Futaba ff-7 Fasst should also make, however, has not dared me. The rebuilding of the Rastung of the right tax bat was already very fiddly. Now where I this here see I will also try it.

best regards
Holger
Last edited by Holger Hoffmann on Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Holger Hoffmann

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Mick Regan
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Post by Mick Regan »

Hi Jeff

I'm not familiar with the T8UPS transmitter, though I have just downloaded the manual and will have a look to see if it is possible. Can you tell me where the controls for channels 5 to 8 are located on the transmitter :?:

Hi Holger

The mod on the 7C is probably the easiest on all. Most of the work is on an easily accessible board, so there is very little danger of damaging the transmitter.

Cheers

Mick
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Adrian Harris
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Post by Adrian Harris »

Great step-by-step guide Mick :D :D

I did look into doing this mod on a 2.4GHz 6EX but that needs a control board swap as well so I kind of lost interest at that point :?

Adrian.

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Mick Regan
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Post by Mick Regan »

Hi Adrian

I have fitted an encoder to a 6EX, but you have to use 1 of 4 stick operated channels. It requires a lot more disassembly. I use it to control a Benedini TBS mini sound board in a 1/6th Kubelwagen conversion.

I pesonally have changed my control method to a 12 switch pack mounted on the back of the transmitter. The circuit was supplied by Thomas and the layout was sorted by Stuart and Howard at the UKTC. Heres a pic

Image

You can assign any button to each sound. It is the setup I have always wanted, but there is a fair bit of circuit building involved.

Cheers

Mick
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David Brady
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fitting encoder

Post by David Brady »

Hi Mick
Great step by step guide, i did this mod in about an hour on a Futaba 7C transmitter start to finish, all works fine.
Thanks David

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Mick Regan
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Re: How to:

Post by Mick Regan »

BUMP
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John Fitzsimons
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Re: How to:

Post by John Fitzsimons »

Had this saved already. I hope to have a go soon.

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Re: How to:

Post by Steve Stuart »

Hi
Thanks for going Bump in the middle of the night! I have now used these instructions on two transmitters sucessfully, all straight forward.
Steve

Phil Markham
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Re: How to:

Post by Phil Markham »

Hi Mick,

Thank you for taking the time to post these great tutorials. Great stuf.

Best regards
Phil

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Mick Regan
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Re: How to:

Post by Mick Regan »

BUMP New addition added
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Steve Stuart
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Re: How to:

Post by Steve Stuart »

I have now used these instructions successfully four times, really invaluable. They make it fairly straight forward to do the job.
Many thanks, Steve

Dennis Jones
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Re: How to:

Post by Dennis Jones »

Mick,

This all seems contradictory as in your and the manual's instructions the bridges should be closed for a 7C (which I agree with) yet Chris Glover was told by Thomas to remove them. Unless I am reading things wrong. I use my own design anyway. Confusing or what !!!

Dennis.
Last edited by Dennis Jones on Wed Dec 24, 2014 12:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: How to:

Post by Chris glover »

Dennis Jones wrote:This all seems contradictory as in your and the manual's instructions the bridges should be closed for a 7C (which I agree with) yet Mick Glover was told by Thomas to remove them. Confusing or what !!!

Dennis.
Very confusing......It's Chris Glover! :lol:

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