I got me a new 3PK PCM radio (the one with the big screen TV on the back !) and am setting it up for a Futaba 9602 servo in the car.

Because of where the servo centers itself, and thus where the servo saver ends up (I've tried a couple different teeth on the servo saver), I have to set the steering trim at about 70 or 75 to get the servo saver exctly centered.

I have the D/R set at 35%.

As a result, I have to mess around with the steering EPAs to get the same amount of steering in both directions, given the fact that the steering trim is set so high. It seems like the more steering trim you use in one direction, the less steering you get in that direction, unless you compensate by setting the steering EPA higher in that direction.

For example, if I set the steering trim to the left 75 to center the servo saver, then I have to set the steering left EPA to 120% to get the same amount of wheel travel left as I have to the right -- the the right EPA is set at 60%.

I didn't have to mess around like this to get the same left and right amount of steering with my old Futaba 3PJ, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something here.

Thanks for any help !

Jeff.

my first question is your servo output shaft on the centerline of the chassis?

Yep it is. The shaft of the servo is dead-nuts on the centerline of the car.

When I say "center" for the servo saver, i mean getting the arm on the servo saver exactly perpendicular to the chassis.

Thx.

what servo saver is it? I know the large kimbrough ones have inserts for different types of servo's.

Yeah -- it's the large white Kimbrough servo saver.

DavePull -- I just tried taking that back adaptor off of the servo saver and moving it one tooth. Now when I put the servo saver back on the servo, I only need to set the steering trim to 25 -- not 75 to get the servo saver exactly centered. That should help a bunch.

Thanks for thinking of that !

Jeff.

maybe that insert is off a tooth and the new radio has a finer adjustment for the trim I would try getting that insert out and moving till you get it closer to center. also when I set up a radio I set everything to zero then turn the car on and level the saver with the subtrim then I set toe then check the atv which I set @ 100 and adjust from there.the turning radius.

we were typing at the same time glad I could help!!!

So what is the difference between the EPA -- which has seperate settings for L and R -- and ATV ??

Thx again.

I think it is the same I have the 3pjs and it is atv on the screen.

With the EPA you can set the end points different for the left and right.. good for times when your steering linkage is symetical (sp?). The ATV should affect both the left and right equally.

Thanks Hank + Davepull --

Also after further reading in the manual, it looks like I should be using the subtrim to center the servo saver first (not the steering trim) as the subtrim moves the entire travel range. The steering trim just moves the servo WITHIN the range. That's why the more steering trim I used in a given direction, the less servo travel I had in that direction -- because the trim adjustment was using some of that travel.

Thx guys.

Uh Gee,
I,ve been seriousley considering purchasing a Futaba 3PK transmitter, ease of setup and adjustments are concerning me :confused: . After normal setup is this transmitter user freindly? and can the normal racetime adjustments be made without having the manual on the drivers stand with you?
Also I,ve always used a FM transmitter how does PCM compare? I believe the 3PK is availible with either.
Davepull,
Hows that 12th scale comin? Lil Hyperdrive is sweet isnt it :)

Later, Lee Helander :cool:
Velocity R/C

The 3PK is the best radio I have owned to date.
At first I thought it was tough to navigate but once I figured out which button to press to get you into the menus, its pretty easy after that.

It actually has 3 menu modes.
1. Beginner - Only brings up the real simple and basic features
2. Intermediate - Simple features plus some others
3. Advanced- Menu has all the features this radio has that you can adjust.

What I really LOVE about it is that it has **2** dual rate modes.

If I have a track where I'm running real low D/R -- like 20% -- you can't turn the car around with the steering set so low. But with the second D/R, all I do is hit a button and I can have full steering on that D/R to do a quick U-turn or what ever I need. Then I just release the button and I'm back to "race mode" D/R.

I also like the ability to control the servo speed, but I haven't played with that yet. EROCK -- are you using that ?? If so, how much have you slowed the steering servo down ??

Jeff.

You are correct to use only the subtrim to center the servo. If you use the 2 button trims above the steering wheel, it will cause the car to turn more in one direction and less in the other. On the direct menu, #4 goes directly to sub trims. In racing, I never use the buttons above the the wheel unless the the front end gets tweaked during a race. Make sure that before you use the subtrim that the trim above the wheel is centered first.

I also like the ability to control the servo speed, but I haven't played with that yet. EROCK -- are you using that ?? If so, how much have you slowed the steering servo down ??

Jeff.Jeff - I use this feature alot. On tight tracks I try and keep it 100% on both Input and Return this way you get all the steering you can get. But on tracks, like our asphalt track, (which has sweeping turns) I usually lower the Input to 75% and reduce the Return to 50%, then adjust from there. I find on tracks like this where the turns are sweeping it helps you hold a better line and gives you that slight adjustment when say a spring change might be too much.

Some have even fooled around with changing the steering exponential curve, where say you turn the wheel all the way and it gets in hard and then you set the radio so the curve changes throughout the turn, i.e. so you can keep the wheel all the way turned but the steering lessens from center off. I haven't even begun to delve into that territory, LOL

You are correct to use only the subtrim to center the servo. If you use the 2 button trims above the steering wheel, it will cause the car to turn more in one direction and less in the other. On the direct menu, #4 goes directly to sub trims. In racing, I never use the buttons above the the wheel unless the the front end gets tweaked during a race. Make sure that before you use the subtrim that the trim above the wheel is centered first.Also,on my 3PK,I programmed the knob just (kinda) above the steering trim buttons & next to the antenna for steering subtrim adjustment. This way,you wouln't have to fumble through the different menus to look for "Steering Subtrim". Very handy in case you forget or you're in a hurry! The book will show you how to program all of those various buttons for whatever you want!
-George

Ok,
I steped up bit the bullet and bought a Futaba Magnum 3PK today, fixin to sit down and read the manual. George and Dave P. I might need a grace period for grumblin on the drivers stand :lol: I,ll be at HW the next Sat nite race so dont hide!

Later, Lee Helander :cool:
Velocity R/C

I just checked the book and atv is what futaba called epa on the Super3PJ. so they are the samething and which means that you adjust it per side

Ok,
I steped up bit the bullet and bought a Futaba Magnum 3PK today, fixin to sit down and read the manual. George and Dave P. I might need a grace period for grumblin on the drivers stand :lol: I,ll be at HW the next Sat nite race so dont hide!

Later, Lee Helander :cool:
Velocity R/CLee- Congrats! LMK if ya need any assistance w/it. I kinda managed to figure things out before I bought mine! lol I've rearranged my function lineup in the "Direct" menu,so everything makes sense to me! I'll show you Friday!
-George

I have had my radio for 4 years now and I have no idea how to reverse my servo. that is why the books is always with me.

Thanks George & Dave,
I,m going to use my old Hitec 3-D this week, The 3PK is for my new 0700 EASE Hyperdrives( first NEW cars I,ve ever had, my wife is spoilin me :thumbsup: ) so after I get one of the cars together I plan on slipin out to HW one Sunday for some practice/transmitter training. This manual is something else doubt I,ll ever use half this transmitters capabilitys. I sure do hope it cures my backstraight glitching problems at HW, I never have any problem at other tracks but for some reason down the back straight at HW I have problems :confused:

See Ya, Lee Helander :cool:
Velocity R/C

Lee-I plan on being out there Sunday if ya need some help w/your radio. Also,not shaking the steering wheel due to nervousness when around traffic helps! LOL!

HeHeheHe,
George theres times that more than my steering wheel shakes :lol: You should see some of the Nastruck races at Banford :eek:

Help,
I,ve installed my 3PK and have no steering servo inputs, does make a slight buz noise but no movement. Im using a 3PK transmitter, Futaba FP-R113ip receiver , Futaba S9650 Digital steering servo and a LRP Quuantum 2 ESC. ESC sets up and works fine, tried a differant steering servo ( another S9650 that was operating in another car ) Transmitters on PCM, steering endpoints and trims are set but servo moves neither right or left! What Am I missing here? :confused:
Lee Helander :cool:

Help,
I,ve installed my 3PK and have no steering servo inputs, does make a slight buz noise but no movement. Im using a 3PK transmitter, Futaba FP-R113ip receiver , Futaba S9650 Digital steering servo and a LRP Quuantum 2 ESC. ESC sets up and works fine, tried a differant steering servo ( another S9650 that was operating in another car ) Transmitters on PCM, steering endpoints and trims are set but servo moves neither right or left! What Am I missing here? :confused:
Lee Helander :cool:
If you want to use digital servos, you have to use HRS receiver. If you have a 113ip pcm receiver, use a standard analog servo. Thats what it say on the manual.

Henry E.

the only other thing I could think of is first Is the servo plugged into the #1 slot on the receiver and 2 are the 3 wires on the lead in the right order?

Thanks Guys,
Appreciate the help, found the problem. I had set the dual rate for the steering to 0% :drunk: whew! I wont go anywhere without the manual for this transmitter, sure is sweet though I keep finding more things that it will do!
Later! Lee Helander :cool:

What would be a great non digital Futaba servo for carpet oval?


Thanks
Anchor

I also use Hitec HS-5475HB They are around $40 from servocity.com I also have a Futaba S3151 that I paid for around $35. They are both digitals that I use with my 3PK

JayZee :jest:

(If you want to use digital servos, you have to use HRS receiver. If you have a 113ip pcm receiver, use a standard analog servo. Thats what it say on the manual.by henry)
Digital servos will work with both the pcm and the hrs receiver. The hrs receiver will only work with digital servos. Not the other way around.

will the s3151 work with a noval xxl reciever ?THANKS tIM

You can use digital servo's with either the HRS or the pcm RX,but if you use the hrs RX you can ONLY use digital servo's.

I just bought a used 3PK radio Is there and way to reset the radio completely and then pick whether I want it on beginner Intermediate or Expert? Thanks


Wheeler

I just bought a used 3PK radio Is there and way to reset the radio completely and then pick whether I want it on beginner Intermediate or Expert? Thanks


Wheeler

Do you have the manual? Check page #32
Looks like you have to erase it model by model.

If you dont have the manual its online here
check pg 32
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/3pk-manual.pdf

Thanks Erock

no prob,

if you are new to the radio, one thing that will help you out is on page 34
Menu 2, FUNC-DIAL

Set
D/R (dual rate),
ST-TR (Steering Trim),
TH-TR (Throttle Trim),
all to 1, the default is set to 5 which makes it hard to fine tune the radio to the car.

Is there any type of "setup" sheet that can be used to write down all the settings being used for a single model setting? I was thinking of something like the setup sheets that are available for recording a chassie setup, but for a radio. Has anyone seen anything like that? Thanks, waw...

Is turning your steering speed down an advantage? If so on what type of tracks and how much do you slow it down...

Wheeler

I start out at most tracks at 100% turn and 100% return.
On sweeping tracks, it sometimes benefits me to slow the return down to like 80-85% which seems to help the car setup for the straights better.

Its all a matter of feel. I tend to like a twitchy feeling servo versus a lazy one.

Thanks Erock. I understand the 100% return part whats the 100% turn is that the initial turn before the return speed?

Thanks for the help

Thanks Erock. I understand the 100% return part whats the 100% turn is that the initial turn before the return speed?

Thanks for the helpWheel'her- Correct. For example,if you have 100% turn & 85% return and you're turning the wheels from straight to the Left,your servo is turning the wheels faster from neutral to Left than the return to neutral (wheels straight). Just for the heck of it,set your turn to 100% & your return to something low,like 20-30%. Now,turn your steering from left to right. You'll see how the wheels turns fast one way & goes back straight slow. It's a very cool tuning option!
-George

Thanks George good explanation!!!! Now what menu is that feature on hahah and whats the abreiviation for it

Thanks George good explanation!!!! Now what menu is that feature on hahah and whats the abreiviation for itLOL! It's on "MENU 2" & the abbreviation is "ST-SPEED". The function "TH-SPEED" is "Throttle Speed". This would be used for a throttle servo on a gas vehicle. Does the same for steering-but only for a throttle servo on a 3rd channel. Useless for an electric vehicle.
Try experimenting w/the steering speed on your car in practice & you'll see how useful it could be.
-George

Thanks George

Wheel-Let us know how it's working for you!
-George

I'll keep in touch

Does using HRS make a big difference

I'll keep in touch

Does using HRS make a big differenceI've never used an HRS receiver,but using a digital servo in PPM or PCM mode makes for a more precise,responsive feel. Especially good for tracks w/tight,smaller radiused turns where you have to put the car in a certain spot every lap. Setting the servo speeds really shines w/a digital servo. A great combo!
-George

no prob,

if you are new to the radio, one thing that will help you out is on page 34
Menu 2, FUNC-DIAL

Set
D/R (dual rate),
ST-TR (Steering Trim),
TH-TR (Throttle Trim),
all to 1, the default is set to 5 which makes it hard to fine tune the radio to the car.

If you are having problem with either steering or throttle and you had your 3PK for sometime , you should do the ELECTRONIC CENTERING CALIBRATION ADJUSTER on page 45 of the manual if you cannot send your radio for servicing. It correct for minor slippage/wear/drift in the steeringand throttle to provide like new performance. It will also tell you if the adjustment can correct the problems or not. Very helpful. Hope this hepls you guys. :cool: