Have a ER9x Turnigy 9x can I freshen it up?

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:53 pm

Hey guys,

in '11 I was flying some RC planes and was using a turnigy 9x with ER9x and a frsky DJT module and D8R-II rx.

I've been out of the scene for some time and now trying to get into flying quads. (primarily looking into racing quads once I get some time)

I could go get a taranis which seems to be the new 9x, but I would love to save the money right now and try to make best use of my turnigy 9x that is collecting dust.

Is there any hope?

I had someone else upgrade it for me and I'm pretty sure the firmware can be updated. He installed what seems to be a mini USB port by the battery port.

Please point me in the right direction and save me 250 dollars for a tx/rx combo!

Also what options do I gave with the frsky djt module as far as a smaller rx goes? I'm not sure how many channels these racing quads require... Perhaps my d8r ii is the perfect one?

Sucks when you do so much research then forget it all because you've been out of the game

Post by **MikeB** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:07 pm

Welcome back!
First off, er9x has been significantly improved since '11, so you might start by just updating to the latest revision of er9x (r818).
It sound as though the programmer you have may be the solderless programmer from SmartieParts. They have very recently released a new upgrade, also solderless, that provides the same processing power as in the the Taranis.

I suggest, as a start, go here: http://www.er9x.com/, and download eepe (near the bottom left). You may then use eepe to download the latest revision of er9x, and flash that to your radio.

To go with many of the changes done to er9x, there is a new manual, found here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6473#p90349.

Come back with any further questions.

Mike.

Post by **jhsa** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:12 pm

Of course it is possible to update your radio if the hardware is already ready for it..
Go to http://www.er9x.com and download the latest eepe program. then configure it for your radio and download the latest er9x firmware.. Using eepe, download your eeprom and save it to the computer. Then flash the firmware you've just downloaded from er9x.com. After just flash your eeprom (you previously saved) back to the radio..

razorseal wrote:
Please point me in the right direction and save me 250 dollars for a tx/rx combo!
Have a look at this

http://www.smartieparts.com/shop/index. ... page&id=33

And this:

http://www.ar9x.net/

Also what options do I gave with the frsky djt module as far as a smaller rx goes? I'm not sure how many channels these racing quads require... Perhaps my d8r ii is the perfect one?
With the DJT you could try the D4R-II. Its is a small 4 channel receiver but it can also output 8 channels in PPM. many flight controllers (it not all) accept PPM..

Sucks when you do so much research then forget it all because you've been out of the game

I have been out of the game for about 12 years. When I came back 5 years ago found a completely different RC world

So, don't worry and welcome back..

João

EDIT: Mike, we keep posting at the same time..

But you are always faster than me

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 3:28 pm

Thanks guys! Please check in on this thread later. I'm going to get to work on this when I get home and I'll ask my questions here as I'm sure I'll have some

What will the upgrade from smartie parts do? Do I need the extra processing power or am I OK with what I have. I suppose I can get it and upgrade my tx. Which part is it? The "9xtreme" PCB?

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 3:31 pm

I see multiple 818s there. Some say m64 frsky and one standard. How do I know which I need???

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 3:41 pm

jhsa wrote:Of course it is possible to update your radio if the hardware is already ready for it..
Go to http://www.er9x.com and download the latest eepe program. then configure it for your radio and download the latest er9x firmware.. Using eepe, download your eeprom and save it to the computer. Then flash the firmware you've just downloaded from er9x.com. After just flash your eeprom (you previously saved) back to the radio..

razorseal wrote:
Please point me in the right direction and save me 250 dollars for a tx/rx combo!
Have a look at this

http://www.smartieparts.com/shop/index. ... page&id=33

And this:

http://www.ar9x.net/

Also what options do I gave with the frsky djt module as far as a smaller rx goes? I'm not sure how many channels these racing quads require... Perhaps my d8r ii is the perfect one?
With the DJT you could try the D4R-II. Its is a small 4 channel receiver but it can also output 8 channels in PPM. many flight controllers (it not all) accept PPM..

Sucks when you do so much research then forget it all because you've been out of the game
I have been out of the game for about 12 years. When I came back 5 years ago found a completely different RC world

So, don't worry and welcome back..

João

EDIT: Mike, we keep posting at the same time.. But you are always faster than me

Thanks!

Is DJT still something decent? I remember it as having great range back in 11 which was why I wanted it.

And what mode does it transmit it in its regular mode when its 4ch? I remember ppm as being the sort of "analog" of transmitters.

Post by **jhsa** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 3:48 pm

DJT is wonderful.. it is what I still use on my main tx.
What you mean with mode?
The radio sends PPM to the DJT, yes.. then the module sends the information to the receiver using the frsky protocol..

João

Post by **MikeB** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:10 pm

If your Tx doesn't have any modifications to it for telemetry, then you will want the standard er9x. In any case, use that one, and if you get switch errors on THR and AIL, then you have the telemetry mod done, and will want the er9x-frsky one.

Mike.

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:12 pm

jhsa wrote:DJT is wonderful.. it is what I still use on my main tx.
What you mean with mode?
The radio sends PPM to the DJT, yes.. then the module sends the information to the receiver using the frsky protocol..

João

Ahh gotcha. Makes sense now

its slowly coming back.

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:17 pm

MikeB wrote:If your Tx doesn't have any modifications to it for telemetry, then you will want the standard er9x. In any case, use that one, and if you get switch errors on THR and AIL, then you have the telemetry mod done, and will want the er9x-frsky one.

Mike.

You know, I barely remember but I think I do remember errors a while back related to something like this. I'll find out tonight. I'm pretty sure I have telemetry mods as well. I was always wondering why I got them. Maybe this will be the solution.

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:22 pm

What about this ar9x board??? I guess let me see if I can at least get to fly the quad with what i got now lol

Post by **MikeB** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:31 pm

Exactly! er9x is very capable. Probably the main things you won't have, that these upgrades provide, are voice output and telemetry logging.

Mike.

Post by **jhsa** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:44 pm

He could with some DiY.

But I aggree, better to get your model in the air first and then think about upgrades depending on what you might need/want..

João

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:52 pm

MikeB wrote:Exactly! er9x is very capable. Probably the main things you won't have, that these upgrades provide, are voice output and telemetry logging.

Mike.

Yeah I can pass on those for "now". Main goal is to get the quads flying.

Is it easy to setup a quad up on the transmitter? I hope the manual is good enough. Lol

Also, do you guys know how many channels quad racing copters require? Going to need to order a d4r ii I suppose.

Someone also mentioned the xjt modules work well with the x series of rx modules. But I'll try with the djt first. I don't really understand the whole benefit of having sbus for naza cc3d controllers and stuff..

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:39 pm

Well this is annoying. I can't get it to work

getting this error:

Code: Select all

=================================================================================
Started AVRDUDE
C:/Program Files (x86)/eePe/avrdude.exe -c usbasp -p m64 -U eeprom:r:C:/Users/Emir/AppData/Local/Temp/eebackup.hex:i
=================================================================================
avrdude.exe: error: could not find USB device "USBasp" with vid=0x16c0 pid=0x5dc

=================================================================================
AVRDUDE done - exit code 1
=================================================================================

Did little research online and saw it was driver related. Installed driver using Zadig

now it shows it as working properly under device manager in windows (tried both in w10 and w8.1)

try flashing the rom, and I get the same error.

Thing is, the usbasp driver is installed and the 9x shows being connected to my computer. but i'm getting error that can't find device.

my config on eepe is stock:

programmer: usbap
mcu: m64
port: blank

Any help?

Post by **jhsa** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:47 pm

Try port "USB"

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:48 pm

jhsa wrote:Try port "USB"

I did

tried with tx on and off as well (it seems to be powered by usb if connected)

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:20 pm

Found the solution.

can't use WinUSB drivers. must use libusb-win32 instead.

now I'm getting an error that says bad EEporm data on the tx. it then said formatting.

now everytime I turn the 9x on, I get an alert saying throttle not idle reset throttle (but the throttle is idle) then a switch warning for THR > ID2 AIL GEA

please reset switches.

I downloaded the er9x frsky 818 firmware. Did I get the wrong one?

edit to add: I tried the standard one, and same thing. I'm getting errors like the other firmware.

It's never an easy process.

I should add that both my sticks aren't showing where they're supposed to be on the little screen. (both sticks centered show left side at 2 o clock and right side at 1 o clock)

Post by **jhsa** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:25 pm

You must calibrate the sticks.. Go to the Radio Setup menu by pressing menu long and selecting it from the popup menu.. Then go to calibration and follow the instructions..
The switch error at startup happens when the switches are not in their default positions, which are towards the top and the back of the radio. You change the default positions if you which, but I'm going to let you find out how to do that in the manual

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6473

João

Daedalus66 · Post by **Daedalus66** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:26 pm

.....

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:32 pm

Daedalus66 wrote:As explained by João and Mike, if you don't have FrSky telemetry mods you want the standard Er9x firmware, not the FrSky version.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

the thing is, I don't know if it was done or not. I had someone upgrade my 9x 4 years ago. so I don't know.

I get this error whether I upload the standard or the frsky version:

: 9x error.png (164.71 KiB) Viewed 11723 times

If I remember correctly, one of my switches might have stopped working. It might have been that AIL D/R one. It seems to be highlighted in the screen, and switching that switch isn't unhighlighting it.

Post by **jhsa** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:39 pm

read my post above.. do you get the switch error when the switches are towards the top and the back of the radio?

João

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:44 pm

jhsa wrote:read my post above.. do you get the switch error when the switches are towards the top and the back of the radio?

João

Yep. all switches are to the top and back. So you said this means it could be because I have telemetry right? (i'm on standard right now) the frsky one gives me the same error.

Post by **jhsa** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:48 pm

If it was only the THR and AIL switches, it could be a sign of wrong firmware..
Try something, does moving the switches clear the alarm for that same switch? Does the switch name disappear? if so, which ones?

João

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:52 pm

jhsa wrote:If it was only the THR and AIL switches, it could be a sign of wrong firmware..
Try something, does moving the switches clear the alarm for that same switch? Does the switch name disappear? if so, which ones?

João

ok, installed the frsky again. now all but the THR switch is not highlighted. the AIL D/R switch doesn't do anything it seems. the switch in the rear top left seems to be switching the AIL switch. Which would be the THR switch?

(I'm assuming the THR switch would be the rear left one which is acting as my AIL switch right now) and the AIL switch is not doing anything.

Is it possible the connection is physically messed up? Since I didn't do this mod myself, I don't know. but are these switches individually connected to the pcb? I wonder if I should open it up and take a look inside to see if a solder got disconnected or a switch came loose?

Post by **MikeB** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:55 pm

Press a key to get past the switch error etc. Now press LEFT, and then select DiagSwitch.
All the switches are shown on this display, together with their state. Move each switch in turn and see which change correctly. The thre-position switch (ID0,ID1, ID2) will show nothing in position ID0 (up), ID1 will show as a '1' when the switch is in the middle position and ID2 is '1' when it is down.

Mike.

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:51 am

MikeB wrote:Press a key to get past the switch error etc. Now press LEFT, and then select DiagSwitch.
All the switches are shown on this display, together with their state. Move each switch in turn and see which change correctly. The thre-position switch (ID0,ID1, ID2) will show nothing in position ID0 (up), ID1 will show as a '1' when the switch is in the middle position and ID2 is '1' when it is down.

Mike.

All work correctly except the throttle switch (rear left side) is changing the AIL. the AIL D/R switch isn't doing anything and THR is highlighted 1. It won't change no matter what switch I touch.

How's that possible?

Post by **jhsa** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 2:35 am

Could you please take a good picture from the mainboard inside the radio and post it here?

João

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 4:45 am

jhsa wrote:Could you please take a good picture from the mainboard inside the radio and post it here?

João

Yep. I'll take it apart in the morning and take a pic for ya.

razorseal · Post by **razorseal** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 5:44 pm

Here you go. Some seriously shoddy work in there. Looks like a little chip (whatever it is) might be burnt near that exposed wire too. Why on earth would someone use exposed wiring? Makes me mad I paid this fool 100 bucks to do this.

It still works, but I'm a little afraid now. Was planning on getting the Dominator V3 for my FPV stuff. Looks like I might have to get a new tx now?

Here is the gallery which will have higher resolution images - http://postimg.org/gallery/2yee7ts5e/

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