9XR PRO - better gimbals

Hardware Support for the 9XR Pro
playlet
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9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

Hi!

Can someone suggest what replacement gimbals can we use for this TX? Stock gimbals are bad. On my TX, rudder stick didn't last 4 months and I had to ask for the replacement. The replacement isn't good enough either.

Aurora 9, Taranis? Other? Which would be the best no matter what mods are needed to install them...

Thanks!

Br, Ivan

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jhsa
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by jhsa »

Until now there aren't any known replacements apart from the original ones HK sells :(

I have some 9X gimbals that I'm going to use on some experiments with hall sensors. Maybe a nice winter project. A user from this forum already replaced the throttle pot with a hall sensor and a magnet and it apparently worked well.. Will have to find the thread..
Sorry, this isn't the answer you wanted :(

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playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

Any answer is better than no answer. Thank you for that.

I wanted to open this thread to encourage people to publish what they did to mod their gimbals because we could all benefit from their experience. There are posts across forums about people changing their gimbals but there are no detailed instructions on what they did exactly and how they set it up...

Br, Ivan
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bob195558
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bob195558 »

HI playlet,

Sorry to here about the problem, I believe the Aurora 9, Taranis and stock 9x Radio Gimbals will not fit.
The 9XR and 9XR Pro Case and Gimbals, are smaller then the Stock 9x and Taranis Case and Gimbals.
Other than purchasing replacement Gimbals, ...... the only thing I can suggest is to: (1) trying to repair the bad Potentiometers,
(2) purchase the mode 2 left side Gimbals set from HobbyKing try replacement it again or replace the bad Potentiometer in it.
Note: 3 of the 9XR Gimbals Potentiometers are different from the throttle Potentiometer.

HobbyKing Replacement 9XR Gimbals: mode 2 left side: (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... ode_2.html)
and the right side mode 2: (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... ode_2.html)

Check out this post for more info about these small Potentiometers that are used in these stock 9X and 9XR Gimbals: (http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=2974)
and see (http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic ... 150#p54150)

I have not seen anyone who has done or found different Gimbals to use to upgrade the stock 9XR and 9XR Pro Radios.

If you are able to verify that the problem is in the rudder potentiometer itself and that it is receiving the proper voltage to it,
this would be a start to troubleshooting your problem.

Add Edit March 2 2017: M9 Gimbals: (http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=9977).

Bob B.
Last edited by bob195558 on Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
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playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

My problem is the pot pcb that is very poorly attached to the pot so the slightest move of the wires offsets the stick center and my plane/quad starts turning.
I hot glued the pcb to the pot to try to immobilize it and it works great. The only problem is the cold weather that affects the glue and my problem returns.

All of these gimbals are of bad quality. Stick centering is another issue. There is always 0.5-2.0 +/- offset. This is very noticeable in flight, especially on the quad. I have to fight it to make it go straight...

Br, Ivan

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Bill
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by Bill »

The only problem is the cold weather that affects the glue and my problem returns.
You would probably have better luck with epoxy that should hold on in low temperatures.
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bob195558
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bob195558 »

Try programing a Center Dead-Spot area for the rudder control stick.
This may fix the Stick Centering issue.

Bob B.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
3D-Printing: (https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129).
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bob195558
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bob195558 »

If there was a mod to be able to use the replacement 9XR (Sky) mainboard in the older 9x Radios,
this would be a big upgrade and a lot of us would want to do it.
(Better yet, to be able to use the 9XR-Pro mainboard in the 9x radios.)

HobbyKing has for under $10 the replacement 9XR (Sky) mainboard: (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... itter.html).

The programing buttons need to be changed some how,...... with many other thing.
There would be some difficult things to over come to get it to work.
Then the Taranis Gimbals could be used with the 9XR (Sky) Radio using the older 9x Radio case and hardware.

Then again if the old Sky9x Board Rev3 (http://www.ersky9x.net/) was available for, ...... say about $20, a lot of us would want it.

Bob B.

(Add Edit: Strikethrough text and clarify)
Last edited by bob195558 on Sat Jul 15, 2017 3:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
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jhsa
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by jhsa »

Please don't confuse the 9XR mainboard with the (Sky)board. HK sells the 9xR mainboard with an atmega128 processor, not the skyboard. It would be nice though.. ;)

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9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by Daedalus66 »

Yes, the one they sell is a replacement for the 9XR board, not 9XR Pro. The early 9XR had an ATmega64, so this one with a 128 is a cheap and easy upgrade for those of us who bought the 9XR before about spring 2013.

We have asked, to no avail, for the 9XR Pro board (Sky in different format) to be made available as a spare, but using it to upgrade either a 9XR or or a 9x looks like a fairly tough proposition.

I have been using a 9XR Pro pretty steadily for a year (it's a preproduction version). I did have to replace one of the original sticks at the very beginning, as it had a gross centering error, but since then the sticks have been OK and I don't see any degradation in accuracy. My applications are not particularly demanding, I must admit.

One concern I do have is that with the coming of cold weather, the lubricant in the sticks is getting viscose and they are a bit slow to return to neutral. So I'm back to my good old JR9303 for winter flying. I'm going to experiment with Triflow lube in an old stick assembly.
playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

Hi, guys!

It's been over 2 years since I started this topic so I feel like asking again:

Do we have a better choice for 9xr pro gimbals now?

Thanks!
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MikeB
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by MikeB »

Well, someone has got FrSky M9 (hall effect) gimbals into a 9X, see here: http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=9977.
Electrically, they are compatible with the 'PRO (3.3V supply). Whether they will fit mechanically I don't know.

I believe standard FrSky gimbals have been fitted to a 'PRO.

Mike.
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playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

If taranis gimbals fit in pro (with some modding), then there is a good chance that these will, too.

I didn't know pro is 3.3V aswell, thanks for that! :)
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jhsa
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by jhsa »

Hmmm, they are a bit different than the older taranis gimbals.. Please see here..

http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=9977

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playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

Well guys, today I bit the bullet. I destroyed my 9xr pro and installed m9 gimbals.

I had to masacre the aluminum topplate of the gimbals with the angle grinder since it's too wide to fit in the 9xr pro case. I have cut the pins holding original gimbals and hotglued m9s in.

Biggest issue was to cut vertical trims in half and reattach them in the end. M9s are wider and they barely fit after the operation.

All is good now, gimbals are perfect. They center perfectly.

12 hours of frustrating work done and now I can enjoy my new gimbals.Image
synrgy
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by synrgy »

playlet wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:33 pm Well guys, today I bit the bullet. I destroyed my 9xr pro and installed m9 gimbals.

I had to masacre the aluminum topplate of the gimbals with the angle grinder since it's too wide to fit in the 9xr pro case. I have cut the pins holding original gimbals and hotglued m9s in.

Biggest issue was to cut vertical trims in half and reattach them in the end. M9s are wider and they barely fit after the operation.

All is good now, gimbals are perfect. They center perfectly.

12 hours of frustrating work done and now I can enjoy my new gimbals.Image
DO you have any info in regards to what you had to change with the wiring to get these working ?

Do you think following the post about 9x with original taranis gimbals on here would be similar for the wiring part of this conversion ?
playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

To tell you the truth, I don't remember anymore. I followed some video on youtube where a guy put regular taranis gimbals in 9XR. I almost burned one M9 gimbal in the process. Something was reversed and it started smoking. I was very lucky nothing was destroyed in the process.

Throttle and Elevator trims need to be destroyed in the process. If you're not good and delicate and precise with the soldering iron, you will not be able to fix them once you cut them in half. You can't put M9s in without cutting them in half. Then, I had to solder little pieces of wire directly on the button at the corner of the pcb to make them work again. There is no room for error here. It wasn't easy putting it together, too. Trims were activating by themselves. You need as little solder there as possible.

I would not recommend anyone doing this unless they know what they are doing and they are prepared to risk everything to put them in. It is worth it, but it is a major pain and risk.

If you decide to do it, I will disassemble my radio to take pictures of the wires and post them here.
Ronen
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by Ronen »

Hey, would be great to see photos of the wiring. I have my m9 gimbals on the way and it would help me and others in the process. Anyway I will post pics of the mod when I get to it. Thanks

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playlet
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by playlet »

Here you go :)ImageImageImage

The best mod I have ever done to my 9XR Pro :)
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bob195558
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Re: 9XR-Pro - (M9) better Gimbals

Post by bob195558 »

Some more info here about M9 Gimbals installed in 9XR-Pro: (viewtopic.php?f=95&t=9977&sid=5cfdd3237 ... 30#p129790).

Bob B.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
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Hikage
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by Hikage »

I made the upgrade too and i love my New gimbal on 9xr pro i dont hot glue but made New hole in the gimbal for attach it with the original screw and hole.
timemaster
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by timemaster »

Hikage wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:59 pm I made the upgrade too and i love my New gimbal on 9xr pro i dont hot glue but made New hole in the gimbal for attach it with the original screw and hole.
can you post some photos please ?
timemaster
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by timemaster »

Ok I made some photos of my installation M9 gimbals into my 9XR PRO, yesterday. The whole process took about 5 hours. Result is quiet good and I am happy with a new sticks but the way how to get them into this radio isn't really cool :( As playlet said before, it was really massacre but I thing that was the first and last change of sticks at all so I'll get over it.. :) The only problem, where I got stuck, was at the end while putting things back - some small pieces of plastic need to be triggered but it just wants to look..


About the wiring, correct is shown on playlet's picture above, you don't have to follow steps for upgrading to Taranis gimbals - they are preventing the need of reversing axis by swapping wires. It is possible while you have classic potentiometer but in this case you have to reverse axis in software because hall sensors has pinout strictly defined.

add screw to disable spring on throttle axis
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take off the metal plate
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make space in Turnigy's body by trimming found plastic stands
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cut out all corners of metal plate and try to fit it in the hole
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metal plate must "click" inside
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put metal plate back onto the stick body
Image
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install the whole gimbal
Image
trim plastic corner of external module bay
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cut out about 2mm from trim pcb and connect it's wires directy
Image
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put trim pcb back and follow the same steps for the other side
Image
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final result
Image
Hikage
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by Hikage »

Sorry, i made a lot of time for post my modification but now, it's here

The modified trim for gimbal to fit
Image

throttle/yaw plate
Image

pitch/roll plate
Image

gimbal look like this when i finish to insert in the radio, i use the hobby knife a lot on this part
Image

gimbal zoom for look where i put the screw and how
Image

interior look when all are in place before put center plate with trim
Image

I modify the radio case with this you can unscrew gimbal and leaving plate in the radio case.
on left i leave the original and on right the modified one, left are modified after only leave like this for the picture
Image

Finished Radio
Image

i use the original hole for screw the plate on the case, i use a metal drill for made the hole on the plate when the plate are in the case
i need to cut the plastic of the case about 10mm maybe more dont remember exactly and cut the old screw on 2 hole or the screw are not flush with the case and you cant reassemble the faceplate
rsilk49
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by rsilk49 »

Hobbyking have discontinued replacement gimbal parts for the 9XR Pro.

"Unfortunately, the gimbals for the 9XR Pro have been discontinued and will no longer be made available.

Kind regards,
James
HobbyKing Support Team"

So I have just bought some used Taranis radio gimbals (not Hall) from someone who is updating their gimbals to Hall. These should be higher quality, look simpler to mod, and were cheap ;)

.rs
S500 + Pixhawk 1 clone + Mauch PM + C&T Telemetry adapter + 9XR-Pro (Taranis gimbals)/XJT/X8R
bivo
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bivo »

Dears
I have been problem centering the elevator stick.Everytime I turn the radio on its necessary to calibrate it.
Does anybody could give me a feedback about using Taranis gimbals?
Do they work propelly?
rsilk49
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by rsilk49 »

bivo wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:02 pm Dears
I have been problem centering the elevator stick.Everytime I turn the radio on its necessary to calibrate it.
Does anybody could give me a feedback about using Taranis gimbals?
Do they work propelly?
Working well for me. They do take some work to install, so check out the utube videos and rcgroups for good instructions. Check out rcgroups and utube for more ideas.
S500 + Pixhawk 1 clone + Mauch PM + C&T Telemetry adapter + 9XR-Pro (Taranis gimbals)/XJT/X8R
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jhsa
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by jhsa »

bivo wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:02 pm Dears
I have been problem centering the elevator stick.Everytime I turn the radio on its necessary to calibrate it.
Does anybody could give me a feedback about using Taranis gimbals?
Do they work propelly?
Please open the radio and see if the body of the pot is moving.. Try gluing the body of the pot to the gimbal frame so it doesn't move. That might fix your problem..

João
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bivo
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bivo »

Thanks João!
I'll check
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Re: 9XR PRO - better gimbals

Post by bivo »

Unfotunatly the body of the pot is not moving. I just noticed a small moviment in the board where are the wires of the pot when I force it with my finger. I've just fixed it with a small piece of depron, but I'm not sure if this is the problem.

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