Neon SS FM problem

lincoln · Oct 29, 2009, 07:00 PM

I tested this radio once and it worked. Then I did some servo reversing, which requires opening the case and moving plugs. Afterwards, moving the stick wouldn't do anything. The tx was still transmitting, because when I turned it on the servos would all move to a definite position. I guess I must have bumped something, but I haven't figured out what. I am not sure, as this was a while ago, but I may have bumped the entire tx at some point, or dropped it a small distance. Any hints, or do I just need to send it back? Hardly seems worth it to send back on such an inexpensive tx.

BTW, I like the concept of a simple 3 channel tx with one stick for two of the channels. And the smaller the better. The upgrading possibilities seem like a nice feature too.

Thanks,

Lincoln Ross

BRENDAN LUGO · Oct 30, 2009, 10:07 AM

After you opened up the Tx and did your servo reversing, are you sure you put the Tx crystal back in the transmitter (from the back of the case)? I find a lot of people loose or forget to put the crystal back in after opening up the Tx. Also did you put 8 batteries in the Tx?

lincoln · Oct 30, 2009, 08:49 PM

It's not the crystal. As I mentioned, when I turn the tx on, the servos have a definite response and go to a fixed location. I just can't change that location with the stick.

My Neon has nicads. The green LED is lit when I turn on the tx. (The one labelled "High")

BRENDAN LUGO · Nov 02, 2009, 10:26 AM

Could the battery polarity have been reversed at any point?

lincoln · Nov 02, 2009, 11:49 AM

That would be very hard to do with a polarized connector hard wired to the nicad pack. Also, part of the transmitter still works. As mentioned, when the tx goes on, the servos start to hold a position, even against a little resistance, which I think means they're getting a specific, timed signal. (Maybe against a lot of resistance but I didn't want to strip the gears.)

I have looked over all the parts and I don't see anything obviously wrong. Nothing looks burnt, and I don't see any broken leads. Well, ok, I didn't take apart the gimbals, but the pot shafts appear to turn when I move the sticks.

BRENDAN LUGO · Nov 02, 2009, 12:34 PM

Even with the polarized connector people have managed to plug batteries in backwards. This burns out the IC that controls the pulse movement to the channels and would still give symptoms like what you describe.
Since there does not apear to be any obvious sign of what is wrong with the Tx it may be best to have us look it over to see why it is no longer working for you.

lincoln · Nov 02, 2009, 05:50 PM

I admit that I have on rare occasions had brilliant flashes of stupidity. I'm not at all sure that's what happened here, but it's not impossible.

How much to send it back and get service?

Is it possible to just mail order the board? I've looked at everything and it looks fairly trivial, as long as I don't have one of those moments.

BRENDAN LUGO · Nov 03, 2009, 10:04 AM

We don't charge to check out our equipment so you just have to get it to us. We would need the transmitter in it's entirety and not just the board.

lincoln · Nov 03, 2009, 11:20 AM

I wasn't suggesting sending you the board. I was asking if I could buy a replacement board. If that's not feasible, maybe I will just send the transmitter to you.

BRENDAN LUGO · Nov 03, 2009, 06:23 PM

We dont sell those parts as they are service parts only.

Oct 29, 2009, 07:00 PM	#1
lincoln Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,597	Neon SS FM problem I tested this radio once and it worked. Then I did some servo reversing, which requires opening the case and moving plugs. Afterwards, moving the stick wouldn't do anything. The tx was still transmitting, because when I turned it on the servos would all move to a definite position. I guess I must have bumped something, but I haven't figured out what. I am not sure, as this was a while ago, but I may have bumped the entire tx at some point, or dropped it a small distance. Any hints, or do I just need to send it back? Hardly seems worth it to send back on such an inexpensive tx. BTW, I like the concept of a simple 3 channel tx with one stick for two of the channels. And the smaller the better. The upgrading possibilities seem like a nice feature too. Thanks, Lincoln Ross Last edited by lincoln; Oct 29, 2009 at 07:00 PM. Reason: forgot to subscribe to thread

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Oct 30, 2009, 10:07 AM	#2
BRENDAN LUGO Hitec service Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 283	After you opened up the Tx and did your servo reversing, are you sure you put the Tx crystal back in the transmitter (from the back of the case)? I find a lot of people loose or forget to put the crystal back in after opening up the Tx. Also did you put 8 batteries in the Tx?

Oct 30, 2009, 08:49 PM	#3
lincoln Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,597	It's not the crystal. As I mentioned, when I turn the tx on, the servos have a definite response and go to a fixed location. I just can't change that location with the stick. My Neon has nicads. The green LED is lit when I turn on the tx. (The one labelled "High")

Nov 02, 2009, 10:26 AM	#4
BRENDAN LUGO Hitec service Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 283	Could the battery polarity have been reversed at any point?

Nov 02, 2009, 11:49 AM	#5
lincoln Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,597	That would be very hard to do with a polarized connector hard wired to the nicad pack. Also, part of the transmitter still works. As mentioned, when the tx goes on, the servos start to hold a position, even against a little resistance, which I think means they're getting a specific, timed signal. (Maybe against a lot of resistance but I didn't want to strip the gears.) I have looked over all the parts and I don't see anything obviously wrong. Nothing looks burnt, and I don't see any broken leads. Well, ok, I didn't take apart the gimbals, but the pot shafts appear to turn when I move the sticks.

Nov 02, 2009, 12:34 PM	#6
BRENDAN LUGO Hitec service Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 283	Even with the polarized connector people have managed to plug batteries in backwards. This burns out the IC that controls the pulse movement to the channels and would still give symptoms like what you describe. Since there does not apear to be any obvious sign of what is wrong with the Tx it may be best to have us look it over to see why it is no longer working for you.

Nov 02, 2009, 05:50 PM	#7
lincoln Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,597	I admit that I have on rare occasions had brilliant flashes of stupidity. I'm not at all sure that's what happened here, but it's not impossible. How much to send it back and get service? Is it possible to just mail order the board? I've looked at everything and it looks fairly trivial, as long as I don't have one of those moments.

Nov 03, 2009, 10:04 AM	#8
BRENDAN LUGO Hitec service Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 283	We don't charge to check out our equipment so you just have to get it to us. We would need the transmitter in it's entirety and not just the board.

Nov 03, 2009, 11:20 AM	#9
lincoln Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,597	I wasn't suggesting sending you the board. I was asking if I could buy a replacement board. If that's not feasible, maybe I will just send the transmitter to you.

Nov 03, 2009, 06:23 PM	#10
BRENDAN LUGO Hitec service Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 283	We dont sell those parts as they are service parts only.