Mfu Questions For Trucks

[retroman]

Hi Guy's,

I'm a Truck noob at the moment, and I am wondering what you get with the MFU, as the information on it is a little vague! I understand that it doubles up as a speed controller, sound effects, but what else do you get? Does it also come with all the lights? It's a pretty hefty investment, and I don't want to order it, and then find I am only getting half of what I expected....... I guess I will still need a seperate reciever.

Also, what's the best radio gear to go for? I want to stick with 40mhz FM if possible, as I have 40mhz FM crystals already, for my KO Esprit II.

Thanks in advance,

Rich

[Mouton]

For starters, you need a four channel radio for the MFU, thus you are one channel short on your KO Propo. Best buy would be the Futaba 4 EX, which is available on FM 40 MHz.

All the lights and mounting hardware (incl. speaker and speaker boxes, fifth wheel et cetera) are included with the MFU. The only thing you might need are two servo extension cables depending on what truck you have. I had to use them in my Knight Hauler (short 20 cm ones), but those who build Scanias manage without.

[retroman]

Thankyou, that is exactly what I wanted to know. I will be building a King Hauler over Christmas, so as it is a similar length to the Knight Hauler, I guess I should order some extension cables.

[TA-Mark]

Good idea to check if 40mhz is legal for RC surface use in your country before buying one. My MFC instruction sheet recommends the Futaba 4VWD, which has sadly been discontinued. I bought my transmitter before they were all gone. The 4GWD is meant to be the replacement for the 4VWD but it has digital trims. Digital trims make some of the functions difficult to do.

[Mouton]

TA-Mark, I made the assumption that one who owns a high-end radio system like the Esprit II would know that you are limited to a few frequency bands and that they vary between countries. But then again, anyone can buy a used transmitter not knowing anything. For the sake of other users, I should have pointed out that you need to get a transmitter on a frequency band legal in you country. 27 MHz and 2.4 GHz are the only two bands legal worldwide.

The Futaba 4VWD is an OK transmitter but the 4EX is much better. Not only does it feature a 4 model memory, EPA for all channels, FM modulation but best of all - all with a nice price tag. And yes, it has analogue trims.

[TA-Mark]

TA-Mark, I made the assumption that one who owns a high-end radio system like the Esprit II would know that you are limited to a few frequency bands and that they vary between countries. But then again, anyone can buy a used transmitter not knowing anything. For the sake of other users, I should have pointed out that you need to get a transmitter on a frequency band legal in you country. 27 MHz and 2.4 GHz are the only two bands legal worldwide.

Australia is 29mhz and 40mhz for surface models.

[retroman]

Cheers Chaps

As luck would have it, it was the 4EX that I was thinking of going for. 40MHZ FM is legal here in the UK.

With the 4EX having 4 model memory, it means that I can run my Blazing Blazer, and any other future 3 speed projects with it

I have to admit, I'm quite fancying a Globeliner already!! Those Carson trailors look quite tasty as well, if a tad pricey!!

Best UK price I have found for the MFU so far is ?204 GBP, within the UK. The old order from Hong Kong trick has gone out the window now, as the exchange rate has bombed.

[snollan]

Retroman, what about going the 2.4GHZ route? You could look into the Spektrum DX6 -I got mine for $89USD off ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SPEKTRUM-SPM24601-DX6-...A1%7C240%3A1318

Some of the tank guys are using it It has 6Ch and 10 model memory. Just a thought.

[Mouton]

snollan, the semi truck MFU is not digital trims-friendly like the most recent one for the tanks. I do know that some people have used the Futaba 6EXA 2.4 FASST, which also has digital trims, but the general recommendation for ease of use is to get a transmitter with analogue trims.

OT@TA-Mark:

Interesting! I do believe you are quite alone in that respect though.

[retroman]

I have to admit, I have heard about 2.4ghz stuff, but don't really know that much about it! I heard that the theory is that the transmittor and the reciever "tune" themselves into each other at the cleanest possible frequency, so that the chances of interference are virtually nil. Also heard that when you are using seperate recievers in different cars, eg, at a bash, then sometimes they don't want to tune in to each other. just what I have been told chaps, I have no experience of it myself.

I would be reluctant to change from 40mhz FM, as I already have around 10 recievers, and three sets of crystals. Also have to confess to being a bit of a technophobe........ No brushless or Lipo for me!! My user name does sum me up quite nicely

My KO Esprit II has both digital, and analogue trom facilities on it, but to be honest I only tend to use the analogue ones. Much easier, and saves having to remember how to scroll through menus, and remember how to set it! I did use all the digital facilities on it when I was racing though.

The good news is that "The Boss" has given the green light for ordering the MFU.

[snollan]

snollan, the semi truck MFU is not digital trims-friendly like the most recent one for the tanks. I do know that some people have used the Futaba 6EXA 2.4 FASST, which also has digital trims, but the general recommendation for ease of use is to get a transmitter with analogue trims.

OT@TA-Mark:

Interesting! I do believe you are quite alone in that respect though.

Thanks for the heads up - I did not know that.

[hedge]

Australia is 29mhz and 40mhz for surface models.

UK is 27mhz and 40mhz for surface models.

[twisty]

UK is 27mhz and 40mhz for surface models.

and 2.4 gig.

I have been converting budget Specktrum DX5e for use with 3 speeds.The advantage of 2.4 is no interferance-ever-nada-not a twitch,plus no-one can turn on on the same frequency so no clashes,no peg board needed if you are driving with others.

Only thing is , even though it is budget 2.4 spektrum it does have digital trims,so not sure how it would work with the MFU.

Tamiya do recomend radio gear with analogue trims as the trims are used to activate some of the MFU functions as mentioned above.

[Stefan(2)]

Spektrum and MFU works proper together, my dx7 has digital trims,

works as it should do.

Stefan

[Backlash]

27 MHz and 2.4 GHz are the only two bands legal worldwide.

As I understand it, 2.4Ghz is not legal in Japan...

[Mouton]

Off topic:

Are you sure of that? While the last 1:10 Elec OR WC, which was held in Japan, clearly stated that 2.4 GHz was not allowed I have come across more recent info stating it now is.

[Backlash]

Off topic:

Are you sure of that? While the last 1:10 Elec OR WC, which was held in Japan, clearly stated that 2.4 GHz was not allowed I have come across more recent info stating it now is.

No, not entirely sure..

I, like you, was aware of the situation with 2.4Ghz radios at the worlds in Japan, and that is what I based this statement on..

Maybe 2.4Ghz is legal in Japan now..

Cheers

[retroman]

Well guy's, I'm now hooked on the idea of the MFU!

I went on You Tube last night, and done a search on the "King Hauler". Plenty of happy watching to be found! And found plenty of demonstrations with the MFU. Got to have one!! I think my King Hauler that I am getting for Christmas will only be half a truck without it

[Tamiya1/10]

I think my King Hauler that I am getting for Christmas will only be half a truck without it

You are bang on. Is like watching a movie without sound and in this case surround sound. The MFU will give you light, sound and action to your truck.