DX7 Lipo Conversion Process
!!! THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED ON THIS PAGE WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY !!!
DX7 Lipo Conversion Process:
First thing you need to do is buy your new LiPo TX battery. There are many places to do so, The one that we used in in creating this demo was a 3S RHINO 2620mah Transmitter pack from HobbyKing. These transmitter packs come with the necessary connectors to plug directly into your transmitter without the need of wiring a plug. Also you should be fairly certain that the pack will fit in the transmitter.
Here are some Links:
Transmitter Packs:
The HobbyKing TX Pack Category Page
The RHINO Pack used in the Video, and text write up:
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7346
Turnigy Transmitter pack:
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6955
Outrage Pack from CompleteHeli.com:
http://www.completeheli.com/Outrage-NRGTX-2500mAh-TX-NRGTX-25003
There are others out there, Feel free to Google around... Eventually these links will probably become discontinued as new stock comes in.
Installing the LiPo Pack
Using a LiPo Battery charger, Charge your new LiPo (They do not ship LiPo batteries fully charged).
Remove the back cover of your transmitter. Remove the stock NiCad/NiMH battery (Taking note of which side is Positive and Negative) and foam piece that acts as a spacer.
SAVE THESE ITEMS!!! I had to switch back to using NiCad when I accidentally left my transmitter on and let the LiPo drain to 0.0 volts. If you keep the NiCad/NiMH charged you can easily switch back for the hour your LiPo needs to charge.
Now plug the small JST connector on the pack into the transmitter. Take note of the keyways that are built into the connector to ensure positive and negative are correct. Now slide the pack into the battery tray and wrap the excess wires up neatly and tuck them into the extra space.
Replace the battery cover and your done!.... Sort of.
Taking the Next Step
When Spektrum programmed the voltage alarms on the DX7 they did so with the concern of maintaining enough power to run the radio and broadcast a strong enough signal. Since they ran off a NiCad/NiMH. When using a LiPo you need to be concerned with the battery more than the signal. In Short, We need to raise the Alarm Voltage.
Here are the Steps:
Ensure the Aileron D/R switch is in the UP position.
Press and hold the DOWN and SELECT buttons and turn on radio. Now you're in the setup menu.
Scroll up/down until you get to the screen that says [Model Reset]
Press the Adjust Descrease button (r/h side of LCD)
Flip the Aileron D/R switch down
Press the Adjust Increase button
Flip the Aileron D/R switch up
Press the Adjust Descrease button
Keep alternating this Aileron D/R up/down and Adjust Increase/Decrease sequence (about 5 cycles)
The radio will 'beep' and the LCD will go dark. This is the LCD test.
Scroll Up/Down (left side of LCD screen) through the Service Menu
Go to alarm menu, set alarm to 9.5V,and voltage to 11.5, ( if you have a fully charged 12.6 3S in there).
Scroll to "all settings ok?" push clear.
I know that seems confusing, so heres the video:
