Did this on my DX6i....
On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 11:02 AM, TyngTech <[email protected]> wrote: > I was recently asked how to install a trigger push button into an R/C > transmitter (Tx). I've been asked this several times over the years and > since I have a new Tx I need to do this to, I thought I'd take some pics of > this very easy project and make this tutorial. A push button trigger > upgrade for an R/C paintball tank controller is highly recommended in that > your trigger mechanism will not be accidentally left on if you forget to > turn off a Tx toggle switch. This can be an issue if using door-lock > actuators for your trigger in that leaving them on will burn them out. A > push button is also more intuitive to use and faster firing than a toggle > (or a joystick) when firing in the heat of battle. > > The following steps can generally be used on most similar transmitters as > their all typically built the same. I don't need to remind anybody that > going through with this project will of course void any warranties. > > > The victim, a brand new Spektrum DX5e right out of the box. This is a > typical low-end 5 channel radio built for R/C airplanes but is perfectly > suitable for R/C tank combat, especially since it's a 2.4ghz unit (which is > legal for ground models most anywhere). > > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4zFK3hHXXF8/Ujhf7Y02ktI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Kdf4oeCTCmY/s1600/2013-09-17+06.55.25.jpg> > > > The channel we will be using for the trigger is number 5 on this Tx. On > other radios this may be marked as flaps or landing gear. This channel, > since it's on a toggle and is either all the way off or all on makes it > perfect for a trigger. > > > <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BBF0-8qMRtw/UjhjH0y67_I/AAAAAAAAASE/gB8ep_HOL3Y/s1600/2013-09-17+06.56.02.jpg> > > > The push button will be installed in an existing hole on the right side of > the Tx (since I'm right handed). These rubber plugged holes are positions > where additional toggle switches would be located on a higher-end version > of this Tx. Most 5 and 6 channel radios will have spare locations such as > this that you could install a push button. On some radios, they may not be > as obvious as this one, but hidden behind trim plates and such. If there's > no holes, you can always make one with a drill. If for whatever odd reason > you would want the push button on the left side, you can easily move the > channel 5 toggle to the right and install the push button on the left. > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U3QqRji0xUU/UjhnEVi6McI/AAAAAAAAASY/wMdkamyi70Y/s1600/2013-09-17+06.57.36.jpg> > > > Here's the Tx opened up. It only took six screws to get this particular > unit open. Be careful when opening a Tx, as it will be easy to snag and > stress the wires that will be running all over the place. Also, make sure > the batteries ARE REMOVED! > > > <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8DUTY9Hi-cw/Ujhmu-cvtaI/AAAAAAAAASQ/IH_qLt0oKfc/s1600/2013-09-17+06.56.56.jpg> > > > Here's the backside of the channel 5 toggle switch. I will not be > replacing it but wiring the push button inline with it. This effectively > turns the toggle into an arming switch for the trigger. > > > <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kaKjGFzovww/UjhoePAe2-I/AAAAAAAAASk/HdY-wZhtgdg/s1600/2013-09-17+06.57.06.jpg> > > > The rubber plug is removed at the switch position I want to use. It > needed to be enlarged a bit to fit the push button. > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ceTEQvp7xqU/UjhtDWPyqLI/AAAAAAAAASw/T3pGX-2gRCI/s1600/2013-09-17+07.05.09.jpg> > > > These are typical push buttons that work well for this application. They > were both sourced from Radio Shack. You will need what are called Normally > Open (NO) switches. This means that when not depressed (normal state) > there is no connection between the two contacts. When depressed, the > circuit is closed between the two contacts. I will be using the larger > switch because it looks more impressive on the Tx, and as everyone knows, > looks are half the game when it comes to your R/C battle tech gear! > > > <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AdMg0XQcc68/UjhtwbafvLI/AAAAAAAAAS4/30UkiwhNu_0/s1600/2013-09-17+07.01.51.jpg> > > > Don't ever throw perfectly good wire away! This wiring harness came out > of an old hardrive enclosure that was chucked. The wires are the perfect > size for this project. > > > <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xuel8wbmZ14/UjhuzgUGfRI/AAAAAAAAATE/oR0w-s0sRYQ/s1600/2013-09-17+07.16.23.jpg> > > > Wires are soldered to the push button. > > > <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cO9GyKqMSDY/UjhvN_lrWMI/AAAAAAAAATM/V4AA3gmU_y8/s1600/2013-09-17+07.21.49.jpg> > > > Ready to void the warranty? If so, CUT ONLY ONE of the wires going to the > channel 5 toggle switch. Don't cut both, ONLY ONE and it doesn't matter > which one. > > > <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jjcch02P6Bk/UjhvatcU9_I/AAAAAAAAATU/TjbT4McRxR8/s1600/2013-09-17+07.25.33.jpg> > > > Strip, twist and solder the wires from the push button onto the channel 5 > wiring as shown. If your not a good solderer, small crimp connectors will > work also. > > > <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--DltBXJTbRc/Ujhv_ZSQagI/AAAAAAAAATc/iAa1JWiGn2U/s1600/2013-09-17+07.34.26.jpg> > > > Heat shrink tubing is shrunk over the solder joints. > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2_XUiA3QrQI/UjhwZ8kkAhI/AAAAAAAAATk/wiHUvOSd-sM/s1600/2013-09-17+07.38.11.jpg> > > > The wiring is folded together and wire ties applied to act as stress > reliefs. > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G75ol6HSNrg/UjhwmfFGB0I/AAAAAAAAATs/XGDV4JIRJZ4/s1600/2013-09-17+07.40.02.jpg> > > > The push button is mounted into the case. > > > <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bWrMNKaGOdk/UjhxC4bNNnI/AAAAAAAAAT0/vm90M1SzJZY/s1600/2013-09-17+07.40.55.jpg> > > > And the finished product. Make sure you don't pinch any wiring between > the case halves when screwing them back together. When testing, If the > button doesn't work, just flip the channel 5 toggle to the other position > to arm it. If it still doesn't work, you really messed something up. > > > <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cRWwzHzh0Vg/UjhxZ7zwxEI/AAAAAAAAAT8/-uoSXAjaykI/s1600/2013-09-17+07.48.48.jpg> > > Now you have a Tx with that bid bad red trigger button on the side. All > your enemy's will be in fear (and awe) of your battle controller and your > undisputed technical prowess! > > > As stated, these steps will work with most typical air radios. Since you > can potentially ruin the Tx if you screw something up, it's best to use low > cost or used radios. If your using a higher end radio like a 9 channel > heli radio, the above procedure will still work but you may not have any > spare switch positions as they will all be filled up with toggles or rotary > pots. In this case, you can either drill a new hole where you have space, > or what I've done in the past is pull an unneeded toggle (like servo rate) > leave it wrapped in electrical tape and in an open spot inside the Tx. > This not only opens up a switch position but does not impact the electrics > of the displaced toggle switch. > > Steve Tyng > > > > > > > > > -- > -- > You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. > To post a message, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] > Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat > > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "R/C Tank Combat" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > -- -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "R/C Tank Combat" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
