I made a charge adapter for my spektrum radio (pics)

[RUSTY XL-5]

Pretty pleased with the results.







I used some 12g wire (overkill I know), a deans plug, and an unused laptop charge jack. I'm currently using some crap rechargeable AA's, but I am buying some Eneloops very soon. The adapter makes it a lot easier/convenient to charge the remote's AA's without having to deal with a mischarging wall adapter.

[magman]

Very nice...well done!

[JERRY2KONE]

Yea I am in the middle of doing the same thing for my DX3R, but have not found a suitable plug to install on it. I was thinking of doing something very similar with a TRX plug and using it with one of my battery chargers. I already have a 5 cell 6volt nm pack for it. I really need to get off my butt and Get-er-done. Nice work.

[What's_nitro?]

Nice... I'm still using alkalines in all of my Tx's.

[RUSTY XL-5]

Thanks guys, it really wasn't that hard at all. 15 minutes of prep work and 5-6 minutes of solder time.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Yea I am in the middle of doing the same thing for my DX3R, but have not found a suitable plug to install on it. I was thinking of doing something very similar with a TRX plug and using it with one of my battery chargers. I already have a 5 cell 6volt nm pack for it. I really need to get off my butt and Get-er-done. Nice work.

The RadioShack 'M' or 'N' plug works (can't remember which); just test fit one. Just be aware that the "sleeve" of the plug into the Radio is the + terminal (usually the sleeve is the - terminal).

[George16]

For those that are going to do this to a Futaba radio, keep in mind that the polarity of the charging jack in the Tx itself is reversed.

I am wary about charging my batteries while inside the Tx. I just pull out the battery tray on my Futaba radio and charge it away from the radio itself.

[JERRY2KONE]

Originally Posted by BrianG

The RadioShack 'M' or 'N' plug works (can't remember which); just test fit one. Just be aware that the "sleeve" of the plug into the Radio is the + terminal (usually the sleeve is the - terminal).

Yea thanks BG. I remembered that you made this point in your earlier posting. I think that is why it has taken me so long to get it done, because I am leary of making the connections wrong and frying something in the process. I will get it done soon. Thank you for watching out for us.

[RUSTY XL-5]

I wasn't too sure of the polarity (I had a good assumption) so I made sure I had the polarity right before actually putting the battery "pod" into the remote. That way I couldn't smoke anything. I dont have a volt meter, so I hooked it up to my hyperion and if the polarity was wrong (which it was) it would read "reverse voltage". All I had to do is switch the two power wires around and it works like a charm.

[JERRY2KONE]

Originally Posted by RUSTY XL-5

I wasn't too sure of the polarity (I had a good assumption) so I made sure I had the polarity right before actually putting the battery "pod" into the remote. That way I couldn't smoke anything. I dont have a volt meter, so I hooked it up to my hyperion and if the polarity was wrong (which it was) it would read "reverse voltage". All I had to do is switch the two power wires around and it works like a charm.

Yes but are you charging the battery pack in the radio, or are you removing the pack and charging it seperately? That is where the problem is. The charging port is wired reverse from regular hookups. From what I understand the plug that goes into the radio is reversed from the normal plug. Normally the plug is + in the center of the plug, where as this port is - in the center of the plug (only for the Spectrum DX3R radio), which is what we are working with here.

[BrianG]

I just made my plug to Deans adaptor so it takes this into account. However, I had to mark the adaptor with "dx3r" to make sure I don't use it on the wrong radio. I've often thought about wiring the jack in the radio to be set up the right way, but don't want to take it apart again.

I've done this to my Futaba 2PL-FM but I have to bypass the diode inside. One problem with this is that you cannot charge at rates higher than 1 amp or the batteries will overheat or false peak (I am using Duracell/Energizer 2500's) on my 0610iNET. I just slow-charge it with my trusty Tekin 112 at 200-250mah.

[Patrick]

A main has some cables made for the same thing, for anyone who doesn't want to make their own.
Single lead. http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/14577
Multi adapter http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/29230 This one looks pretty useful.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by clowkoy

I've done this to my Futaba 2PL-FM but I have to bypass the diode inside. One problem with this is that you cannot charge at rates higher than 1 amp or the batteries will overheat or false peak (I am using Duracell/Energizer 2500's) on my 0610iNET. I just slow-charge it with my trusty Tekin 112 at 200-250mah.

I use the same cells and noticed the same thing. Since I'm not usually in a hurry, I charge at 0.5A, or use the auto-NiMH setting on my Hyperion 7i. I never drain them totally down so it usually only takes 1-1.5 hours to top them off.

[RUSTY XL-5]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Yes but are you charging the battery pack in the radio, or are you removing the pack and charging it seperately? That is where the problem is. The charging port is wired reverse from regular hookups. From what I understand the plug that goes into the radio is reversed from the normal plug. Normally the plug is + in the center of the plug, where as this port is - in the center of the plug (only for the Spectrum DX3R radio), which is what we are working with here.

I did what I said above to find to polarity in the jack adapter I made. My spektrum manual actually showed me the polarity of the charge jack in the remote. (I am charging the batts in the radio, see pic)