Replace 9XRPRO gimbals with joysticks?
Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:03 am
Hi all. I hope this is the right place in the RCTA Forum to put this, if not Mods please move it, thank you.
I would like to ask the opinion and request some advice here whether or not my project is feasible. Tanks are very much like bulldozers when it comes to this tech so Tankers may benefit from this project. Like Tankers, I make big accurate scale operating models and end up operating them with a kids-toy like RC unit made for planes. So I want to build my own controller box as follows.
I have two Turnigy 9XR PRO transmitters I bought here at RCTA which I got fitted with spring loaded self-centering gimbals and tanker9XPRO firmware as part of the sales process. Both have been good reliable workhorses without any problems. They are used to control a number of different 1/16th scale radio controlled bulldozers models have made which vary in weight from 22KG to lbs to 37KG using 12V car seat motors and Dimension Engineering 2x32 motor controllers and home-made DIY linear actuators I made myself run by DE 2x5 motor controllers all operated through the XR9PRO using differential steering and Mode 1. So its Left /Right on channel 1, FWD/REV on channel 2, with the blade and rear ripper UP and DOWN on channel 4 and tilting PITCH control for the blade or ripper on Channel 3 using a GEAR and AUX + a channel 5 and 6 mix to change between the blade and rear ripper.
Just for ref to see what I’m finally getting to with my eventual questions, here is a link so you can see how they work, very similar to a tank hence why I got the9XR PRO with tanker9XPRO firmware from RCTA.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzwwU ... Hu6VIUAeJA
So I want to build a DIY remote control housing box like the one I’ve pictured below, installing all the guts from the 9XR PRO radio with the screen and switches mounted approximately as shown. There will be plenty of room to remount everything so that’s not an issue.
Now, notice the two joysticks instead of the usual two gimbal sticks. I am wanting to fit something more like the Arcade type joysticks as shown.
I was wanting to use the joysticks like these though not necessarily these, just some like them that would be compatible.
https://au.element14.com/w/c/switches-r ... -joy-swi_0
or another example
https://core-electronics.com.au/search/?q=joy+stick
So here’s my enquiry:
Q-1:Can I remove the OEM Turnigy gimbals and replace them with larger 2-axis joy sticks, preferably the Arcade type and wire them straight into the wires that were attached to the OEM gimbals without messing up anything in the radio, that is to say, I still want to be able to install the joysticks without altering any of the radio software or firmware, just replace the gimbals with joy sticks.
Q-2: Can anyone recommend suitable joysticks that can be wired straight in to the OEM wires and will work.
So to summarise, I want to make a control box with joysticks with all the components of the 9XR PRO inside to resemble the picture above. Admittely I'm not very electronically savvy, being more a practical person who can make things on a lathe instead for instance. So I wouldn't have a clue what type of joysticks would be suitable.
If it turns out this can be done, if the Tankers and Mods thought it was of interest, I could run a Control Box progress build thread here. Any radio could be used BTW, just so happens I got the two 9XR Pros at RCTA. If Tankers have any questions about my dozer builds like for example how I did the tracks or linear actuators I'm happy to share with pics.
Thank you in advance
rcdozerbuilder
I would like to ask the opinion and request some advice here whether or not my project is feasible. Tanks are very much like bulldozers when it comes to this tech so Tankers may benefit from this project. Like Tankers, I make big accurate scale operating models and end up operating them with a kids-toy like RC unit made for planes. So I want to build my own controller box as follows.
I have two Turnigy 9XR PRO transmitters I bought here at RCTA which I got fitted with spring loaded self-centering gimbals and tanker9XPRO firmware as part of the sales process. Both have been good reliable workhorses without any problems. They are used to control a number of different 1/16th scale radio controlled bulldozers models have made which vary in weight from 22KG to lbs to 37KG using 12V car seat motors and Dimension Engineering 2x32 motor controllers and home-made DIY linear actuators I made myself run by DE 2x5 motor controllers all operated through the XR9PRO using differential steering and Mode 1. So its Left /Right on channel 1, FWD/REV on channel 2, with the blade and rear ripper UP and DOWN on channel 4 and tilting PITCH control for the blade or ripper on Channel 3 using a GEAR and AUX + a channel 5 and 6 mix to change between the blade and rear ripper.
Just for ref to see what I’m finally getting to with my eventual questions, here is a link so you can see how they work, very similar to a tank hence why I got the9XR PRO with tanker9XPRO firmware from RCTA.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzwwU ... Hu6VIUAeJA
So I want to build a DIY remote control housing box like the one I’ve pictured below, installing all the guts from the 9XR PRO radio with the screen and switches mounted approximately as shown. There will be plenty of room to remount everything so that’s not an issue.
Now, notice the two joysticks instead of the usual two gimbal sticks. I am wanting to fit something more like the Arcade type joysticks as shown.
I was wanting to use the joysticks like these though not necessarily these, just some like them that would be compatible.
https://au.element14.com/w/c/switches-r ... -joy-swi_0
or another example
https://core-electronics.com.au/search/?q=joy+stick
So here’s my enquiry:
Q-1:Can I remove the OEM Turnigy gimbals and replace them with larger 2-axis joy sticks, preferably the Arcade type and wire them straight into the wires that were attached to the OEM gimbals without messing up anything in the radio, that is to say, I still want to be able to install the joysticks without altering any of the radio software or firmware, just replace the gimbals with joy sticks.
Q-2: Can anyone recommend suitable joysticks that can be wired straight in to the OEM wires and will work.
So to summarise, I want to make a control box with joysticks with all the components of the 9XR PRO inside to resemble the picture above. Admittely I'm not very electronically savvy, being more a practical person who can make things on a lathe instead for instance. So I wouldn't have a clue what type of joysticks would be suitable.
If it turns out this can be done, if the Tankers and Mods thought it was of interest, I could run a Control Box progress build thread here. Any radio could be used BTW, just so happens I got the two 9XR Pros at RCTA. If Tankers have any questions about my dozer builds like for example how I did the tracks or linear actuators I'm happy to share with pics.
Thank you in advance
rcdozerbuilder