All right fellas, all you guys using Smartfly power expanders, drop some knowledge!

I decided to go with a Smart-fly power expander on my 33% H9 extra.
I running 6 - 5945mg, 2 - 5995TG's, a Futaba digi on throtle, A Smart-Fly fiber optic kill switch, So I figured that running nice clean power to these servos will be benificial.

Since I have never owned a power expander before I have a few questions.

1) I ordered the Futaba expander from Smartfly , and received the Futaba one.(has Fut markings) BUT the channel order of the single wire leads comming from the power expander do not match up with the channel numbers on my reciever, it's exactly the opposite.
The single wire leads comming out of the expander are too short to cross or do anything like that So my question is, If I mentally keep track of the channels will it effect anything?
The rec ch 8 goes to expander ch 1, 7-2, 6-3, 5-4, 4-5, 3-6, 2-7, 1-8.

2) the deans "power in" (just to clairfy), this is my MAIN power in for everything correct? As in, I add a deans connector to the output of my regulator.and plug the reg into the expander. (its a fromeco 4800 into a HD switch, into the fromeco reg, then into the expander?

Is that basically it?

I'm sure its just this simple, but you guys know how it is.... anytime its the first time I actually own something... I always like to get a second opinion before I proceed into turning stuff on!

I'll post a picture of the set up when I get home tonight.

Thanks!
Sleepy

BUMP

I get NO LOVE!

Hey Sleepy, sounds to me you received a JR circuit board. I just installed one on my yak and all the lines 1-8 are in perfect order for JR. Call Bob @ Smart-fly and see if that is correct. Also Yes, the deans plugs on the expander are for your inputs. There is one male and one female, both can be used for inputs from two seperate batteries and regs. Dual redundancy. It was a little confusing haveing the male /female deans. You could use one as a feed to another item(smoke pump etc.) But Ive heard it was a bad idea as RF noise could cause problems... Hope this helps.

Thanks.
S

Sleepy,
Channel numbers in your Rx and channel numbers in the PE can be mixed and matched to your hearts content, you don't have to connect channels "straight over." All my Futaba Rx's have end inputs, so the leads are plenty long, even for channel crossing. If you are using a "top loader", then I can see the leads being a little short. You could turn your Rx over, so it's upside down. Then your channels would line up, although not important, and you can just put a piece of double sided foam between PE and RX, so wire leads will clear. The PE has two Deans connections, and IN and an OUT, one is male, the other female. You can connect to both if running dual batt-reg-switch.
Of the 10 channels on the PE, only the five with five servo outputs per channel are truly fully amplified (signal and power), so use these for any multiple servo hook ups to a single channel.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll answer what I can. The PE for $100 is IMHO a steal.

Thanks!

I love the thing... and now I can set it up properly!

Thanks again. And yes for what it does, its worth every penny!

Also DONALDS rules! I have spent WAY more than I can tell my wife about there!!
His mailorder is the best in the business! (servo deals rule as well!)

You are gonna love that board sleepy they f'in rock

had to do it

Pre death Katana setup

Sorry had the RX in for service, but the batt is hooked up as with all my other leads

Man your leads are long!
Mine barely make it into the reciever..
I have to put them in and I can hardely flatten the reciever out.
I'll have to take a few pictures.

Thanks.
S

my leads will not reach into a top loading reciever, you must run an end loading reciever

I did run with a top loading reciever, but i had to stand it on end to hook up the leads (not a real good ideal)

thats DUMB.. I have 5 PCM recievers all our top loading...
It will have to work.

With the problem you described, The rec ch 8 goes to expander ch 1, 7-2, 6-3, 5-4, 4-5, 3-6, 2-7, 1-8, why can't you just mount the receiver inverted and make everything line up?

Yes sleepy that does suck

Possibly my only complaint with the smartfly unit, BUT they do make sure to tell you this when ordering it from Smart Fly.

A hitec super slim will work perfectly with your unit too.

With the problem you described, The rec ch 8 goes to expander ch 1, 7-2, 6-3, 5-4, 4-5, 3-6, 2-7, 1-8, why can't you just mount the receiver inverted and make everything line up?

I could, but then your kind of crushing the leads that plug into the rec.
I'll get a pic. hold on