FrSky Teranis plus with Benedini encoder

[mark lawson]

Has anyone installed a Benedini encoder in a Taranis plus transmitter

[Adrian Harris]

I believe Stephen White tried it and had problems. Not sure if he found a way around them.

I use a Taranis X-Lite Pro transmitter now but use the push buttons for sound control.

Adrian.

[Stephen White]

Mark, yes, I've got a Taranis X9D with the Benedini rotary encoder. Installing it physically is dead easy but getting it recognised and calibrated is a bit sensitive. You've got to be very careful and slow as you "teach" each position. Having said that, I think there is a problem. I've not been able to get it to recognise all the positions. It only recognises six positions, which is consistent with the rotary encoders which are available for model aircraft use. There are stacks of YouTube videos showing successful integration of a six position encoder but not nine or ten. I'm now thinking it's a software limitation with OpenTx. I've asked on their Forum but they're all aircraft people who don't seem to see the need for more than six positions! Having said all that, I'm still intending to use it for my Cent one day and I'll simply map some of the Special Sounds to software switches. That's the joy of OpenTX.

The reason I want to use the Taranis is to have OpenTx, which will then allow me to emulate Liam Mahoney's simulated gear changes. I've got very good sound recording of a Cent changing up and down through the gears and I'd like to use it. If I ever get around to the Chieftain, it would be great for that too.

[mark lawson]

Thanks Steve and Adrian for your input, I have just watched a video on installing a 6 position encoder in the S3 port which in effect adds an additional channel, as you say Steve it will limit to only 6 positions this as you say will be programming which wont allow additional positions to be added, I wonder if we replace one of the potentiometer's with the encoder this will change things or would they remain the same.

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

"All aircraft people". Hm. Sounds like it would be time for tankies to challenge? Open source is there for coders to join. Or would we prefer to run our tanks in coordinated flight (aileron and rudder in harmony)? Or to deploy our slats and flaps before the gear (does that translate to aiming before shooting)?
How about just charging forward, turning and banging the gun with lots of noise and smoke of our choice? Realistically, of course!
Anyone?

[AlastairCooke]

Hi All,
Has anyone tried using a combination of physical switches and logical switches in OpenTX to get the sounds to trigger?

Alastair

[Adrian Harris]

I use the two momentary switches on the back of the X-Lite Pro to trigger the sounds.

Press the left one for the number of the sound you want and the right to trigger it.

I have a done a similar thing with the Spektrum DX8 and DX9, replacing two of the toggle switches with push button switches, wired to each half of one of the original switches.

Adrian.

[Stephen White]

Hi All,
Has anyone tried using a combination of physical switches and logical switches in OpenTX to get the sounds to trigger?

Alastair

No Alastair but it's the way to go. I've now got two Taranis X9D systems for a couple of aircraft models, which are operating superbly. The flexibility of OpenTX is a step change improvement over the hardware defined radios. That said, X9D is certainly 'yesterday's model". FrSky have new systems out. The joy of OpenTX is also the ability to simulate the setup and adjust it on the Companion software simulation. Liam Mahoney in Aus has used it for his Tiger with spectacular results.

When I eventually get back to tanks, I'll be using OpenTX on my Cent and Chieftain. The combination of logical and physical switches would for example allow a triggered sequence such as voice fire order, gun firing, sound, barrel smoke, recoil, flash, sound of shell case hitting turret floor, further voice commands. I've got all those working on my Cent but have to trigger them manually, which is laborious to say the least. With OpenTX, you could do all of them with one physical switch.

I've now bought a six position rotary encoder and intend to install that vice the ten position one. I know that the software will recognise six positions and with a combination of further logical and physical switches, you can get all or more of the functionality of the Benedini encoder. The next step is to replace Bendini with a more flexible sound card with more storage such as the Beier. Then there is virtually no limit to the number of special sounds which can be controlled.

I've found that learning OpenTX is like learning a foreign language - daunting at first but once you get over a threshold of familiarity, it becomes quite simple. I'd recommend some of the YouTube videos from channels such as "Painless360". He's a Brit who does a very good guide series. There is also "Project Blue Falcon" and Joshua Bardwell's channel. All of them do step by step setup videos, albeit for aircraft but the principles are the same.

[AlastairCooke]

Hi Stephen,
As ever thanks for the detailed response. I had already discovered Painless360 and this prompted the question. I am looking into an upgrade of the electronics to the latest red box version. I am in two minds about the Sound Option as the new speakers are a little large for the 'real estate' I have allocated (although this is not a stopper) but it comes with the latest card from Benedini, however this may not be the way to go? I am particularly interested in single button triggering of a sequence of sounds: For example start-up into idle that loops until the 'throttle' is 'pressed'.

Alastair

[Adrian Harris]

> For example start-up into idle that loops until the 'throttle' is 'pressed'.

That's how the Benedini works out of the box. Not sure of other sound systems.

Stephen is unusual in having recordings from actual combat, hence the sequence of sounds/actions which need to be done in an exact order and timing.

Adrian.

[Adrian Harris]

I've just successfully installed an encoder into a Taranis Q X7.

I've got an X9D+ here and will try the encoder in that one next.

Adrian.

[John Clarke]

I've always liked the idea of the encoder, simplicity. Flicking the three way switch can be iffy some times. But you may still have to look down at the dial, and you still have to remember what the number corresponds to.
I'm going to have ago at the two normally open, non latching buttons method. No programing, one extra little hole, easy wiring and can be used instead of the three position switch on any Tx. And long as you don't have a nervous twitch, simple to use without looking down at the Tx.

[Adrian Harris]

> I'm going to have ago at the two normally open, non latching buttons method.

That's my preferred method. Easy to operate, as long as you can count up to 12

Make sure to wire up the resistors so that pressing both buttons at the same time doesn't short the supply and shut down the transmitter

Adrian.

[John Clarke]

Counting to 12, not a problem in our village 10 fingers 2 thumbs. Easy peessy
I could always look for small rocker two way switch.
Must ask what size resistors you'll have used as I was expecting a high impedence input anyway.

[Adrian Harris]

I think I used 470R between the +ve and -ve leads to the board, which act as the current limit, and 2K ones across the switches to ensure the input floats at the midpoint when neither switch is pressed.

You need the current limit, otherwise, with both switches pressed, you have a short circuit between the +ve and -ve supplies.

I've done it on Spektrum DX6, DX8 and DX9 without issue.

Adrian.