9V Transmitter Mod... 200 FT RANGE???e

[evileric]

I noticed this link in another post, and after reading this paragraph, I thought I'd post the link in it's own topic. Crazy Stuff:

RF Power Mod: Perhaps the most important aspect of my range modifications involved increasing my 27Mhz transmitter's RF power. It did this by operating the transmitter's RF amp from a 9V alkaline battery. In stock form the transmitter is powered by two AA cells (3V). Using a longer receiver antenna and 9V in the transmitter, range is extended from 25 feet to over 200 feet.

http://members.aol.com/rchelicam/microszr/microszr.htm

The site includes diagrams and pictures of ... a plane... but for the remote changes alone it's worth the drive to acton.

Wheee

[hogjowlz]

i have an rc boat nkok micro sea explorer. it is about twice the size of a bit. on the package it says 80foot outdoor range and i bet its right. its a little controller with a 9v in it.

if 3v(2aa) gets say 15foot, 6v should get 60foot(in theory) and 9v should get 120foot.

[evileric]

That's nuts! I wonder what the implications of the transmiter voltage mod would be on the charging circuits, Could a bit take 9V of charge? I don't think so... then again ?

[hogjowlz]

i dono i wouldnt do it but you could mod an extra controller for the range or make a charging station.

the charging station for the boat is separate from the controller.

[bill]

You could also add a few more circuits to reduce the voltage to the car. I might attempt this mod on my controller to see if it really does increase range. I just have to find out where to buy the correct diode.

[hogjowlz]

you can also ad a 3rd or 4th aa battery to the controller.

[bill]

Yeah, but it would be a lot better looking with the 9v battery in the same spot as the 2 original AA batteries. Also, you get more voltage than using 3 or 4 AA batteries.

According to the link above, I would not use more than 3 batteries as the TX chip they're using theorectically should not get more than 5 volts.

He does mod the circuit with a regulator to provide the chip with the proper voltage, but the RF stages are getting 9 volts. Since 200ft. is kind of overkill, running on 3AA batteries would probably boost range, and not require a voltage regulator to the encoder chip.

[hogjowlz]

3aa batteries should double the range.

[Nathan]

Makes sense to me. My 2-cell ZipZap saw a sorthwhile range increase, so surely more volts on the TX wold have the same effect. I think you can get 5v regulators at radio shack.

[scottyboyfun]

I think the blokes ideas on that site are really well, he seems 2 know his stuff alright!

The 9V radio mod sounds good!

It shouldnt be too hard to drop the charging cicuit voltage either.

TAKE NOTE----- My clone, panther, I put 3AA batteries in it, and it got HOT!!!!!!!! So I took em out!

I did connect them properly and insulate as well!

I dont think the TOMY s mind tho, but theres all the regulators 2 stop the damage.

I don't think you will get that much of an increase in range by boosting the battery count. You must keep in mind that there are resistors meant to keep you from running too much power, and by adding batteries, you'll probably smoke them, and the rest of your controller board as well. And then you'll end up walking 200 feet to get your bit cuz your controller smells like melted plastic.

Cliff notes: not a safe mod, you're better off settling for 30 feet of range with some easy mods than buying a new car cuz you feel the need to drive across the gym floor.

[scottyboyfun]

Shocon have a look at the site, I really do think that the bloke knows what he is on about.

I agree that 30ft should b the max needed,but this is modding, and modding can b extreme! the man says 100 ft, but he does it out in the open, as he uses a bit pcb to control a plane, so there will be less rfi etc.

If the chip is 1mm squared, then ARRRRGH!

[hogjowlz]

Originally posted by shocon2k
I don't think you will get that much of an increase in range by boosting the battery count.

already been done. on a zipzap controller. most clones dont need more range.