Large Scale Central

Spektrum DX5e Dropping Link

Problem Solving
#1

This is a pretty well documented problem with some DX5e transmitters. Over time they develop a problem with the radio section loosing power and resultant loss of control.

Here is a Youtube demonstration of the problem…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je764AvkRlQ[/youtube]

Mine has had on-and-off bouts with this problem. Each time I take it apart, look for cold joints, and do what I can with a soldering iron. It always seems to work when I put it back together, but fails again after a few uses.

Most of the posts on the R/C Plane forums blame the power switch as having an intermittent connection. Some say caused by corrosion of the un-sealed slide switch. The odd thing is that the Power LED’s never go off, just the radio quits. My attempt to trace the circuit didn’t reveal where the RF section and the LED Indicator section where on separate circuits, so I really didn’t believe the posts that said soldering the switch on, or replacing it solves the problem.

Last week mine really started to act up to the point that it wasn’t usable. I called Horizon to see if the circuit board was available as parts. It is not - they consider radios under $150 as throw-a ways. So I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to try the switch replacement. I had a mini DPDT in stock an there are places in the molded case for additional switches.

I removed the DPDT slide switch from the main board then soldered 6 wires in the place it came from with the other end soldered to a DPDT toggle switch. I mounted the switch in one of the spare holes, labeled it with my Dymo and covered the hole for the OEM switch with some black vinyl.

So far it has performed like new. I’m hoping it’s really fixed this time.

#2

Jon - I think I’ve seen the video you are talking about, but your link is for a two part review of a foamy plane. Nothing about DX5e problems.
But interestingly enough, I just had a call from a customer yesterday that may be experiencing this problem.

I’m glad you got your going. Hope it holds up for you.

EDIT! I just tried the link and it works fine. That is the video I was thinking about. I don’t know how I got something else the first time around. I have a tablet computer that is rather difficult to control at times.

#3

Del - Assuming your customer can’t see the link light on the receiver, the best way to know if you do or don’t have a link when the train doesn’t seem to respond is to try a sound trigger. If the horn or bell works you know you have a link.

This can be a frustrating loss of control. Fortunately trains don’t usually crash as bad as airplanes :slight_smile: A couple of times I’ve had to grab a loco and hold it back while I fumble for the power switch. Almost lost one in my dead end tunnel :o