How to Modify Futaba 3GR-2.4GHz radio throttle stick to not self center?

[ralphhager]

I have purchase a Futaba 3GR-2.4GHz (TX T3gr HRS/PPM). I will be using this radio to control a model sailing yacht. How can I make my throttle stick to not self center?
Question: Can the springs that hold the sticks on the Futaba 3GR transmitter be removed to provide a more of a "free form" movement? Is there a mod to fix this action
If so, I would appreciate your in-put on how the throttle stick can be modify.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSNN8&P=0
Futaba 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz

Thanks Ralph1937

[toesup]

I have purchase a Futaba 3GR-2.4GHz
How can I make my throttle stick to not self center?

The manual for this radio can be found at http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/

Its usually a case of removing the back of the radio, easing the main board away from the back of the sticks and removing the spring(s) from the back of the stick. Check before you do this that there is a rachet capability on the stick (compare it to the other stick 'internals') so its capable of becoming non self centering.

If all else fails, try the service Dept at Futaba.... ;)

[ralphhager]

Thanks Toesup for your input....

I sent out an email to “support Futaba", there reply is below:
“The ratchet plate should have come with that transmitter. It will be in a plastic bag in the styro-foam box.” Sincerely, John G. (Product Support Lead Technician-Futaba Programming Technician
Great Planes Model Distributors

I order the Futaba 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz No Servos from Tower Hobbies. I received the transmitter and receiver only, no plastic bag in the styro-foam box with ratchet in it.

I will email “Futaba Support” to see if Ratchet p/n# “FUTM3625” is the right one for this radio (3GR-2.4GHz”. While I am waiting for a reply, I will order from Tower the Ratchet and ratchet screw, see below. When I get a reply from Futaba Support, I will update this post.

TOWER HOBBIES Tech Notes for this p/n:
Futaba Manufacturer Stock# 1M14A01001 (FUTM3625)
Tower's Stock Number LXH435 Price 1.49
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=000578626&I=LXH435&P=K
This is the Ratchet to Convert the Left Stick from Spring to Ratchet Operation for the Futaba 2V, 2VR, 2CR, 2DR, Radios. ?????? (Not sure it can be use for the 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx) :confused:
FEATURES: When this ratchet is installed, it holds the left stick in the position that you leave it instead of re-centering itself back to the neutral position.
INCLUDES: One Spring Steel Ratchet. SEE PICTURE BELOW
REQUIRES: One FUTM3635 ratchet screw to attach ratchet into the transmitter. The rear half of the case must be taken off to access the ratchet mount. This will NOT work on the 2ER. 2ER Requires special order spring (HSP51420 & HSP6

Futaba Ratchet Screw FUTM3635 - Manufacturer Stock# J55043
Tower's Stock Number LXH436 Price .45

Ralph1937 :)

[toesup]

I order the Futaba 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz No Servos from Tower Hobbies. I received the transmitter and receiver only, no plastic bag in the styro-foam box with ratchet in it.


In all my years (30+ years) of converting Futaba equipment from throttle left to throttle right ( Its a British flying 'quirk') i have yet to find a plastic packet in ANY Futaba outfit with the ratchet and screw contained within...

Though i HAVE made a few... ;):D

[Stu :)]

In all my years (30+ years) of converting Futaba equipment from throttle left to throttle right ( Its a British flying 'quirk') i have yet to find a plastic packet in ANY Futaba outfit with the ratchet and screw contained within...Though i HAVE made a few... ;):D

Wierdness. In all my years of buying Futaba gear I've always got a ratchet and screw, though it's usually found in the bag with the Rx battery pack and Rx switch, along with some wierd servo thingy.

If you really want to get a funny look from your local Futaba agent, tell them you want to de-ratchet the throttle and have it self center on a 6EXAS.

Stu :)

[ralphhager]

Do Not Use P/N Given On Reply #3 OF THIS POST :rolleyes:
See correspondents with Futaba for radio (Futaba 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz) below.
When I receive the part from John G (Futaba Product Support Lead Technician), I will up-date this post
the part picture and p/n if given.

Ralph1937 :)



Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:38:48 -0500: Thank you for your recent e-mail. That parts are on the way to you..
Sincerely,John G. (Futaba Product Support Lead Technician)
www.realflight.com

>>> Ralph G Hager <ralphhager@sbcglobal.net> 4/29/2008 1:02 PM >>>
John G.
Thank you very much for the info. It's too late - I already ordered the ratchet and screw from Tower Hobbies but that is no problem. I'll just add them to my "extra parts" pile. I would really appreciate your sending me the parts I need. If you could all so send Futaba p/n, I would like to add this info to my rcgroups.com post. Let me know of any costs. My mailing m,address is: Thanks Ralph1937

Ralph Hager
XXXX North Country Drive
Antelope, CA 95843
ralphhager@sbcglobal.net

support Futaba <support@hobbico.com> wrote:
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
Those parts from will not work on your transmitter. So I would not order them. What is your mailing address and I will try to find one to send to you.
Sincerely, John G. (Futaba Product Support Lead Technician)
www.realflight.com
>>> Ralph G Hager <ralphhager@sbcglobal.net> 4/28/2008 10:59 PM >>>

[ralphhager]

Results of latest email to "support Futaba":

Subject: 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz to use with sail boats operation

Is it feasible to convert the Futaba (Manufacturer Stock FUTK3010#) 3GR-FS 2 Stick Tx R603FF 2.4GHz to use with sail boats operation rather than spring loaded left stick? Is it possible to buy this radio with a Left Stick from spring to Ratchet Operation? ralph1937

"support Futaba" <support@towerhobbies.com>
Thank you for your recent e-mail.

No, it does not come that way and the parts are not available to convert it to it.
Sincerely,
John G.- PS9004
Product Support Lead Technician
Futaba Programming Technician
Great Planes Model Distributors
www.futabarc.com
NO AUTORESPONDER

[420TEE]

As to reply #3, I have always had to separately order the ratchet and screw and they have never fit correctly in the radio although by drilling the hole for the screw larger and deeper and torqueing it down real good it works. This is not the 2.4 system.

[toesup]

No, it does not come that way and the parts are not available to convert it to it.


Ralph
Have you taken the back off of the radio to see if you can get at the back of the sticks / gimbals past the main board?.
If you can get in to the back of the sticks, take a pic and post it here.

I guess it depends what the back of the gimbals are like...

[ralphhager]

Originally posted by toesup
Have you taken the back off of the radio to see if you can get at the back of the sticks / gimbals past the main board?. If you can get in to the back of the sticks, take a pic and post it here.

I did not take off the back yet, but I did tonight to take pictures. Once the back was off I remove the spring and it look like it will work without spring attached. It doesn’t spring back to center, and will stay at the position I put it in. I use the left stick to control the sail sheet. Tomorrow I will test it out on my sail boat.
Thanks everyone ralph1937

[dostacos]

In all my years (30+ years) of converting Futaba equipment from throttle left to throttle right ( Its a British flying 'quirk') i have yet to find a plastic packet in ANY Futaba outfit with the ratchet and screw contained within...

Though i HAVE made a few... ;):D
PREACH that brother..... :D

[Kmot]

Hi Ralph,

Your gimbals look about the same as 99% of them. Just pulling off the spring in the fore/aft direction as you have already done eliminates the self centering.

The ratchet is ususally tossed by heli pilots because they want finer control than the "notch" gives them.

I think you have solved your problem already.

[ir3]

Contact Hobby Services at hobbyservices@hobbico.com. Ask for part # HSP79721 with the following description: 1M14A02701 Clamper ST-28. It is a brass item that when installed converts the lever to ratchet. I am including a pic of the installed item. You need to remove the spring and moving arm that the spring is attached to. When the brass part is installed, the lever goes to full ratchet.

Good Luck,

IR3

[Kollijox]

Hi Ralph
I like to hear about your experiance from 3GR so far. I see that you use it for sailing. I have come to the conclusion that tis must be the best sailing radio compared to price.
Sorry to hear about the problem with trottle stick.

How is the stick feeling?
Do you use second condition for rudder trim?

Best regards
Sven in Sweden

[ralphhager]

Sven in Sweden:
My experience on the 3GR was limited. I tried it out in my garage and it seems to work find. :rolleyes: :o I was set to go sailing with the “Sacramento Model Yacht Club” that week-end, but I broke my mast. My model yacht is an ODOM and my club no longer sail the ODOM class. They do let me race with the US1M Class, which I haven’t a chance to compete with. So now I am looking for a US1M that doesn’t cost a $1000.00 plus. I was sort of looking to buy a Thunder Tiger - Voyager II P/N TTR5552. I would only use its fiberglass racing hull & keel, and add my own rigging and mast. The problem I have now is Thunder Tiger hasn’t put the Voyager fiberglass racing hull on the market yet. :confused:

[MILLERTIME]

Great idea.

My voyager with ODOM sails.

Don M.

[Ghost 2501]

you could always simply De-spring it

[Kollijox]

How do i delete a respond

[Kollijox]

OK
For what reason did you by 3GR?

[ralphhager]

Don M.:
I like the looks of your Voyager, with the ODOM rig on top. How does it sail compared to the ODOM? Would you say it is faster or slower? The Voyager I was thinking about has the fiberglass hull; I believe yours is a Voyager 1 with a ABS hull.
Ghost 2501
That is what I did was remove the spring on the left stick to control the sail sheet. It works great.

Kollijox:
For what reason did you buy 3GR? Main reason is my club has more boats then allotted FM frequency channels. With the 3GR-2.4GHz RC Radio, frequency channels do not present a problem. The 3GR-2.4GHz has unlimited 2.4Ghz channels. I was also going to use it with my recues tug, which also needed a free channel.
Ralph1937 :)

[MILLERTIME]

How does it sail compared to the ODOM?”
I’m not the best sailor but I think it does ok.

“Would you say it is faster or slower?”
I think slower in light wind, faster in high wind.
My Voyager has the ABS hull.


More pictures.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10911742&postcount=115