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how to use 2.4Ghz with Tamiya MFU

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here's a video of how to use the 2.4Ghz with Tamiya MFU by a fellow member from Singapore

Radio use here is a Spektrum DX6i.

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From Video uploader:

"Tamiya Scania R620 with MFC-01 demonstrating its special functions controlled via a Spektrum DX6i.

Edit April 2012: I have had heaps of questions regarding the video. Despite what Tamiya, Spektrum or Futaba says, it is possible to configure your own radio to work with the MFC-01 (or any other Tamiya multifunction unit). What you need is a four channel radio that has dual rates. Dual rates have two settings, 0 (off), 1 (on). In 0, have your travel range set at 66%, and in 1, set it to 100%. Run through your MFC-01 setup with dual rates set at 0. Thus, when you engage setting 1, you access the special functions. You will see me flicking switches during the video. That's me activating the dual rates.

Hope it works for you guys, because it works in every single one of my Tamiya models that use an multifunction unit - Tiger, Pershing, Leopard, Panther, and Scania."

The main point to note here is you need a TX with dual rates

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I have recently come up against the same issue, running an MFU with a 2.4Ghz set.... The only problem is the digital trim levers fitted to most of the sets currently available.

The simplest way of overcoming the problem is to buy a carson radio, which has mechanical trims, so is fully compatible.

Nige

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I bought a Futaba 4YF 2.4, and it does NOT work with the MFU.

I had to buy an FM version to get it to work. I'll end up using the 2.4 with my Bruiser when I build it.

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Skottoman, have u tried the 4FY 2.4 with e Bruiser?

From Futaba website, its been stated as "2.4GHz FHSS is not compatible with FASST systems, and the R2004GF receiver is compatible only with electronics created specifically for 2.4GHz FHSS systems."

could that be the problem?

Most, if not all the guys over here r using e Spektrum system without any issues.

I have another fellow trucker who is also using DX6i, but w/o the dual rate, trying to get a video of it too.

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The Futaba 4YF is an FHSS system. I have the correct recievers and it should work with anything, just does not work with the MFU due to digital trims.

Cheers,

Skottoman

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Thats funny, our DX6i n DX8 are also digital trim and they work fine with the MFU.

Look like we have to find a 4YF 2.4 n test out.

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The Futaba 4YF is an FHSS system. I have the correct recievers and it should work with anything, just does not work with the MFU due to digital trims.

Cheers,

Skottoman

The OP is negating the use of the trims for the extra functions by using dual rate switches instead. Dual rate setting one is normal controls, and dual rate setting two is the extra functions. It's a very good work-around to the common problem of the digital trims being painful to make the extra functions work easily.

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Hi Skottoman, i've done some read up on 4YF, and i might have discovery your problem, but i need to know more detail from you.

When you said the 4YF doesnt work with the MFU, do you mean it totally doesnt activate the special functions, or it only activate some functions but not the correct way of activating it?

If its the latter, i might be able to help you overcome it.

Awaiting for your reply,

Cheers

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Hi,

The 4YF 2.4 does not activate the special functions correctly. In fact at one point the MFU would cycle on, and then turn itself off (engine sound winds down), then back on again. I could get the horn to work randomly. I tried calibrating it with the sticks in different positions, etc. Nothing made it work.

See this post in my Knight Hauler thread. There is a link to another forum that describes the exact problems as well.

http://www.tamiyaclu...33

After all that, once I switched to the 4YF FM, all problems were solved, and it worked perfectly.

Cheers,

Skottoman

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From ur description, you cant activate the special function due to the 4YF being in a different mode. By default, 4YF comes in mode2, have u try changing it to mode1?

I have had the same experience once with mine 4EX, special function not working correctly,etc, and once i change the mode, everything was ok.

Could you be so kind to try and change the mode, if you havent tried that before, and test it with the MFU again?

Cheers,

Here's a extracted post from another thread,

"Just make the normal mechanical changes.......... This is not a computer radio, so there is no settings or programming to be concerned with. You just swap the throttle and elevator servos plugs and the aileron and rudder plugs on the receiver, voila, mode change."

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Ok, I've done more read up and i almost certain that its the 4YF default mode thats causing your problem

Here an extracted,

"The Futaba 4YF 2.4G is the most bang for the buck. As the MFU adds motors that generate noise, the AM transmitters may experience problems. FM transmitters, such as the Futaba 4YF are less sensitive to noise. Futaba does have a very interesting FM transmitter that works as a charm with the threespeeders, the Futaba 4EXA. It has EPA, end point adjustment, trim memory but still analogue trim levers and a four model memory.

However, if you really want to make sure that noise or interference will not be a problem the Futaba 4YF 2.4G is bullet proof. If you will drive together with others, I strongly recommend getting a 2.4 GHz transmitter. Moreover, they have such short receiver antennas that they never interfere with the scale looks of your threespeeder!

Keep in mind that Tamiya, like most, manufacturers do not update their manuals. The MFU manual is from 2003 (pre 2.4 GHz) and they always recommend the most basic extras that will make your model work, which is not always what it would work best with. But for such, and other, questions you can always come here."

From here, http://www.tamiya3speed.com/forum/showthread.php?1559-Radio-for-King-Hauler

And another here,

"Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post, although i have been lurking on this site for some time and reading, in awe, of all the custom projects being done now and in the past! It seems like everyday i find a new (to me) post on this site that shows mind boggling creativity and genuine ingenuity...!

Anywho, this all began when i finally pulled the trigger for my first semi. Tamiya Globe Liner amd MFU.

I have built the tractor and installed the MFU. i am using the Futaba 4YF radio system. Everthing works fine with the exception of the right turn signal. it works intermittently at best while the left works great. The emergency flasher (hazard lights) work great so i dont think its a problem with the connections. I found a similar thread on this site that said it may be the EPA, which makes sense, but therein lies my problem, the 4YF doesnt seem to have EPA... has anyone used the 4YF with the MFU with a similar issue? If so, i will gladly take any advice on how i can get this sorted out."

From here, http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58807

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"By default, 4YF comes in mode2, have u try changing it to mode1?"

"You just swap the throttle and elevator servos plugs and the aileron and rudder plugs on the receiver, voila, mode change."

I don't understand why I'd want to switch which sticks. Why I'd want to have the gears and throttle on the right stick?

I will try my 4YF 2.4 again on the Scania i'm building. I did get to work before, but it was random and intermittant. By simply changing the transmitter and reciever to FM, all was fine.

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look like you are not fated to use 2.4Ghz with MFU.

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I was getting ready to put in some lights in the truck and started thinking about a MFU instead. I run a 2.4 so I've been watching this thread with interest. Mine isn't dual rate but the next model up is. I could keep the 3 recievers in use and upgrade the transmitter for 100 bucks, then 350 for the MFU. I watched the video of one in use and it made up my mind for me. Even though mine is a shelf queen there is no way I could keep all the functions straight. I'd need a big wall chart to even think of controlling everything and then go back and forth to the car or trailer on the same transmitter. Is there anything less intense that does some of these function controls a bit more automatic perhaps?

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Just need to understand the underlying design concept of the MFU. In the analog days, Tamiya used the trims to "overdrive" the servo positions (beyond their normal range) to activate the special functions. If you don't wish to use dual rates in the digital tx/rx, just don't throw the sticks to their limits during the calibration of the MFU. When you want to activate the special functions, then push the sticks to the limit. It's actually very simple, and you're instinctively get used to it very soon.

With that you don't have to be bothered about flipping switches, and dual rates at all.

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Huggable, I tried that also... pushing the sticks to about 75% of their throw during calibration.

That also did not work on the 4YF...

Maybe I didn't try it enough. Perhaps 50% throw during calibration would work... But at that point, it would affect the 3 speed gear shifting, and steering...

Doesn't matter for me right now, as I'm running the FM system on my 2 trucks.

Cheers,

Skottoman

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Hi Skottoman, you can do the normal range for the throttle and steering. Only do a 75% throw for the movements required for special functions (ie, left stick -left & right, right stick -up & down). As VTR pointed out, the only radio that doesn't work with the MFU is the 4YF, it seems.

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Would love to use a dx6i or moreso the Futaba equivalent with dual rates for my trucks and hopefully a future tank etc

But I would also want the remote to fly planes and Im not keen on sacrificing one of the spring loaded channels. :(

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thank you very much for the tip VTRSP1 , id been scratching my head for a couple of days trying to work out why the trims wouldnt make the mfc do as the instructions said it should , with the dual rates its now working ! jon

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Hi,

I am new to this and found this post when looking into using spektrum. I am in the process of building my scania r620 and want to use the spektrum dx6i tx what servos do I need to buy? Controller etc etc

Cheers

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DX6i works well with the three speed gearbox - any standard servos will do like a Futaba S3003/Acoms AS17 for example. I gave up trying to get the DX6i working with the MFU - it just would not have it! Maybe it was my controller/receiver combo - who knows but I ended up continuing to use my Acoms 4CH as I know it works well - just a shame its not 2.4Ghz.

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The DX6i works well with the MFU the new DX6 is a nicer TX. I have a ".SPM" file that can be used on that. Plus it already has the throttle spring fitted all you do is undo the tension on the ratchet!! The best receiver to use is the Orange R620 w/failsafe. I have this running on my trucks with my DX9. It's great to have 4 trucks all turned on and able to swap with out going near them when on the layout!!!

Servo I use are the Futaba S3003 as suggested above!

Ant

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The DX6i works well with the MFU the new DX6 is a nicer TX. I have a ".SPM" file that can be used on that. Plus it already has the throttle spring fitted all you do is undo the tension on the ratchet!! The best receiver to use is the Orange R620 w/failsafe. I have this running on my trucks with my DX9. It's great to have 4 trucks all turned on and able to swap with out going near them when on the layout!!!

Servo I use are the Futaba S3003 as suggested above!

Ant

Hey Ant, how do you get around the MFC-03's infernal 'no signal' beeping when you switch between trucks (and the MFC-03 is left on)?

Cheers :)

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