Spektrum DX6 Binding Problem

[Heliman450]

Hi all! So, my rebuild on my ex Blade 450 is going well and everything is together and almost ready for testing/setting up. The problem............

The Tx. won't bind with the AR7200BX on either unit (my friend's original Blade 450 or my ex). Despite blaming myself for being an idiot and trying all kinds of different combinations, I still get the 'Binding Failed' message on the Tx. I'm assuming it's something with the Tx. and my lack of knowledge with the Spektrum transmitters.

All suggestions welcome.

 

[Smoggie]

Just to make sure that you are following the correct procedure (assuming this is the new style DX6):

• Navigate to the 'bind' menu in the Tx setup, but dont click the bind button yet.
• Plug in bind plug into bind port on Rx
• Power up the heli, LED on Rx should flash indicating bind mode.
• Click 'Bind' in Tx.
• Tx should bind with Rx, when it does remove the bind plug.

This is best done outside as wireless transmissions in the home may occasionally interfere with the bind process. The Tx should be at least a good arms span away from the Rx when you bind.

If you still have trouble try binding to a spare and clean model memory in the Tx

 

[Heliman450]

Hi Steve, out celebrating my wife's birthday but never mind, here goes.....

It looks like the batteries are low despite showing 5.3V. Let's see how it goes after a charge.

 

[Smoggie]

5.3V volt total for a 3S battery?.. If so the battery is toast, it won't charge.

 

[Heliman450]

Hi Steve, just got home. The Tx. Has 4 NiMH batteries and I left them charging when we were out. The Tx. now shows 5.6V with a full battery icon. I changed the alarm setting from 4.7V to 5.0V. In the morning I'll try again. Let you know how it goes.

 

[Derek]

A buddy of mine had a similar problem getting his Blade 450 to bind to his DX6. I've had that same problem getting my DX8 to bind to some other Spektrum rx's and OrangeRx's. However, once I lowered the throttle trim all the way down, I was able to get an immediate bind. I suggested that my buddy try the same and he was able to get an immediate bind. Try that...maybe that will help.

 

[Heliman450]

A buddy of mine had a similar problem getting his Blade 450 to bind to his DX6. I've had that same problem getting my DX8 to bind to some other Spektrum rx's and OrangeRx's. However, once I lowered the throttle trim all the way down, I was able to get an immediate bind. I suggested that my buddy try the same and he was able to get an immediate bind. Try that...maybe that will help.

Hi Derek, thanks for the tip. What do you mean by "once I lowered the throttle trim all the way down"? All the trims are at the neutral position (FBL requirement) and the throttle cut is currently sitting at -100% as I reset the model with the intention of completely reprogramming the Tx. again. There were five models in total listed, only the Blade being used. Everything that I had previously programmed had disappeared so I need to question my friend. It's my intention not to leave him alone with the model or the Tx. as he has a tendency to try and repair crash damage with some really extreme methods

Now that the batteries have been in the Tx. overnight the voltage is reading 5.5 and the icon is showing fully charged. Before it's used for a flight, I'm going through it with a fine-toothed comb as the saying goes to make sure all works correctly.

 

[Smoggie]

Sorry, when you said battery I immediately thought of the battery in the heli, not the battery in the Tx.

You will get an extremely early alarm if you set the Tx to 5.0V. The nominal running voltage for a NiMh cell is 1.2V, so that's 4.8V for four. They start out at around 1.35V or so when freshly charged but they drop very quickly to around their nominal voltage.

Here's a NiMh discharge curve:

If you have the alarm at 5V (1.25V per cell) is will activate when you have only used 10-15% of battery capacity. The default 4.7V alarm is the correct value. The 5.3V you saw previously is to all intents and purposes a fully charged battery, so that's certainly not your problem. Voltage would have to be down close to 4V before there would be any effect on RF transmission.

I've never experienced the throttle trim issue that Derek described. I have been binding Spektrum transmitters and receivers of various types for about ten years and have always just used a closed throttle with trims centred during binding. But it's worth a try if you have been through all the other steps and nothing works.

 

[PLANETGETLOW]

Sometimes you need to stand away about 6 feet from it when binding as well

 

[Smoggie]

Sometimes you need to stand away about 6 feet from it when binding as well

Yes, covered in post #2

 

[Heliman450]

Thanks to everyone for feedback. After lunch, I'm off to my workshop with fully charged batteries in the Tx. I've done some of the new settings and will complete them later. First check is the binding!

Let you know how it goes.

 

[Derek]

Hi Derek, thanks for the tip. What do you mean by "once I lowered the throttle trim all the way down"? All the trims are at the neutral position (FBL requirement) and the throttle cut is currently sitting at -100% as I reset the model with the intention of completely reprogramming the Tx. again. There were five models in total listed, only the Blade being used. Everything that I had previously programmed had disappeared so I need to question my friend. It's my intention not to leave him alone with the model or the Tx. as he has a tendency to try and repair crash damage with some really extreme methods

Now that the batteries have been in the Tx. overnight the voltage is reading 5.5 and the icon is showing fully charged. Before it's used for a flight, I'm going through it with a fine-toothed comb as the saying goes to make sure all works correctly.

What I meant when I said, "one I lowered the throttle trim all the way down" was to press the throttle trim switch downwards so that the throttle trim is all the way down. You are right that the FBL requirements do require that the trims be at their neutral positions...that being the Aileron, Elevator, and Rudder because those 3 are stabilized by the FBL controller. The throttle input is not controlled by the FBL controller.

Sometimes you need to stand away about 6 feet from it when binding as well

I have found that I need to have the tx about 4-6 feet away from the rx during the bind process, too. Some rx's don't seem to matter but, on the other hand, some do seem to matter. So, I just make it a part of the routine to stand 4-6 feet away from the rx every time.

 

[Heliman450]

Hi all, so here goes.................. The binding process was successful but not with the DX6

I went through everything again and checked voltages at the gyro. The ESC supply was giving 4.8V and my temporary supply 5.7V. Both enough for the binding process to occur. So after going through this methodically and trying all suggestions, the only option left was to try another Tx. After a quick trip home to collect my JR ProPo radio, the binding process happened immediately using the flight battery. All servos were then connected up and the binding plug removed. Result!

So the final verdict is that the DX6 transmitter is no more! Tomorrow, I'll give my friend the bad news, however, he told me he has another Tx. so maybe not such bad news for him.

Thanks again for all the help. Next time, I'll put transmitter 'total failure' higher up on the list of possible explanations.

Bye now!

 

[Smoggie]

Which version of the DX6 is this you are talking about?

If it's the old DX6 that looks like this:

Then it uses the long defunct 'DSM' protocol, so it wont bind to any modern DSMX Spektrum receiver or FBL.

If it's the new style DX6 that looks like this:


Then it 'should' work.. if it doesnt the Tx may have a fault.

 

[Heliman450]

Hi Steve, not sure where I might have mislead you on this. The heli was previously working fine with its Tx. (the bottom of your two pictures) I had test hovered the heli before handing it over to him.

He subsequently experienced a crash and described it as the heli just turned over to the right and crashed. As the Tx. was his original and was transferred to my ex Blade 450X, it seems quite likely that his Tx. had a fault, which has now become fatal for the unit. The only way forward is another Tx. as I see it.

 

[Smoggie]

Sorry, i didn't pick up that the Tx had worked with this heli previously.
Then it does sound like the Tx has a fault. I've heard quite a few reports of the RF module failing on the DX6. Horizon often repair them free of charge even when out of warranty, so it's worth enquiring.

 

[Smoggie]

PS.. If he does decide on a new DX6.. As luck would have it i have one here 'new in it's box' (though stored for several months). I got it with a second hand heli I bought but the Tx has never been used at all. I intended to stick it on eBay but havent gotten around to it yet.

 

[Heliman450]

Hey, that sounds like a good option. I don't have a clear picture of his fleet etc. He keeps mentioning other things that he has, such as he has two identical DX6's and I had to check that the one he handed over to me was the same unit I'd previously set up. I'd programmed his name in it as the user so no problem there. Who knows? Maybe he has dozens in his possession

 

[Derek]

Hey Phil....I'm just wondering if you can use that DX6 and bind it to a completely different rx.

 

[Heliman450]

Hey Phil....I'm just wondering if you can use that DX6 and bind it to a completely different rx.

Sorry Derek, that's a bit too cryptic for me. As an old git, I need a bit more data to get the grey matter warmed up. Can you explain a bit more to help me out?