R5’s Bad Motivator 2025 (Part 2)...... unfinished in 2026

13th  September 2025

The other fix I need to do is R5’s bad motivator system. I found a servo switch that I had bought for this , but thought that the RC transmitter route would work...... it didn't. Well, not using two transmitters at the same time.

......August 2026......

Didn't get round to sorting this, maybe one day.

Futaba: vintage M - series transmitter

With building WED-15, I often refer back to photos and even videos from the original behind the scenes. One thing that is always in my mind is the transmitter, a Futaba M-series transmitter, which were not only used for WED-15 but also for R5-D4.

John Stears - on the Star Wars set,
controlling the WED droid

I was fortunate enough to get a dual purchase of a 4 channel and a 6 channel, transmitters, a few years back (2016). Neither came with an antenna, but I was again lucky enough to find one, on eBay, for my display setup.

Futaba M-4 transmitter

Link to Blog post(s):

Post - purchase of M series transmitters

Post - vintage Futaba antenna purchase - eBay

Post - ribbon indicator- 3D printing part 1

Post - ribbon indicator part 2

I keep a search update on eBay, for similar transmitters as well as antennas, which always seem to be missing. Over the last few years the price of these transmitters has increased significantly!

I’ll be updating my display information to include the WED-15 image of John Stears.

New Transmitter - FlySky FS-ST8

Birmingham’s event was eventful, but also had a sad part, my second Volantex Exmiter EX7 transmitter died...???? 😢 Great.... right before Celebration in a two weeks.

I spoke with Chris as he had a flysky which I had looked at before but didn’t know anyone who had one to check it out.

I came across this FS-ST8 and liked the look, checked out a few YouTube reviews and all seemed good.

Got home and started searching for suitable ones and also non Royal Mail delivery (as they have unfortunately become less reliable) found one and decided to buy. It arrived within days.

Had a quick flick through the settings, so easy to operate. Has LED’s that can be changed, sounds for power on/off. It’s also quite lightweight and comfortable to hold.

Eximiter diagnostic

Checked the batteries, stripped it down the following day, tested it for continuity, but nothing after the switch, even swapped the switch as had a spare one.

Transmitters - Volantex Exmitter's

 

A few years back I needed a new transmitter...urgently!

It didn't need to be an all singing and dancing unit, as R5 doesn't dance 😄, it just had to have enough channels and not break the bank [cost a lot]. Some quick internet searching led me to this slim looking unit. Yes, I said slim. Why most transmitters HAVE to be so bulky is beyond me, but after using the Hitec Optic 6 this unit felt light and easier to hold & handle.

So I popped down into town to one of the only remaining model shops, and asked to buy the Ex7. The guy turned around and saw on the shelf that the only one he had was an Ex6 [though online, it had said a 7 was in stock]. I said OK as I needed it, but on the assistant reaching up to the box, he noticed that Volantex double mark their boxes with Ex6 & Ex7 on the reverse, and this box had the Ex7 box ticked.

GOUD-4's Ex6 Transmitter

I eventually found out what was causing the remote signal issue.

When I had bought the transmitter, I needed to open it up to switch over (via internal switch) from left to right spring loaded stick movement control. On opening up the casing I found that the antenna wire had been crushed by a screw and was broken.

Broken antenna wire, was crushed by screw

The seller sent me a new transmitter….. minus another receiver (unfortunately), but whilst waiting, I had attempted to fix the broken antenna by swapping it for another. It worked, but at the time I didn’t fully test it, extended use. Hence why the signal issues didn’t come apparent. So I had to swap over to use the new transmitter……and all’s working fine now. Tho I think the problem may lye with the battery pack…??

R5-D4’s Ex7 Transmitter

Whilst packing up at the end of R5’s last event @thegalleries , the dome motor started acting up?? It wouldn’t respond to the transmitter so i had to just shut it down. Over the next few days/weeks I tried to troubleshoot the problem by swapping over wires, using other channels to see if it would control the dome motors speed controller, which was possible. I even swapped out the stick assembly unit for another, but no success. I used a multimeter to also check contacts, these gave good readings. So I assumed that the fault was with the receiver, so ordered a new one. I was disappointed once installed that it wasn’t the problem at all.

So with no resolution, looks like I need to buy a new transmitter.

GOUD-4 project update

 So after the event at The Galleries, Bristol. There were a few things I wanted to sort out with G4.

These I’ll be covering on this Blog and the Mouse Droid forum, as GOUD-4’s Blog doesn’t seem to attract much interest/traffic. I’ll be transferring all of the build details over onto this Blog as a new ‘page’.

• Sound system set up.
• Panel activation….
• 3D new parts.

3D printing:

I needed a new bracket/holder for the new ESC (electronic speed controller). So I measured it up and drew up a suitable holder, which also incorporated the on/off switch.

Also drawn up a speaker bracket, just need to print it.

Sparkfun sound card bracket:

I drew up this bracket to hold the SD card reader sound card.

I already had a bracket holder for the voltage regulator.

Transmitter/receiver:

I eventually found out what was causing the remote signal issue.

See Transmitters - Volantex Exmitter's post for details.

Sound system:

I had started this a while back, but was pressed for time to complete. Now it’s time to finish what I started. Been waiting on a relay switch that can be activated via the transmitter, similar to how R5’s sound system is triggered. I’ve soldered up the connectors, I next need to fit all the components onto a board and find a spot to install it.

Top Panel opening:

I also have the top opening panel to sort out. The bracket is printed and the servo is fitted into it. Its then just a case of connecting it up to the receiver.

Sounds for Droid 2020 - 1.9 transmitter

Back in February:

I installed the volume control.

Another thing that has been sat on my workbench, that I needed to fit. I decided to take it out of the little box I made & secure it in place behind the octagon port, with its nut and washer.

The new 3D printed dial’s shaft needed to be cut down a bit as it protruded out too far.

April 2021

Today as part of R5’s system check, I powered him up and tested his functions. More on this in next Blog post.

The sound system & transmitter triggers worked great.

• Red surround digital voltage reader & voltage regulator = power to the adafruit sound board.
• Black surround digital voltage reader = power to the amplifier.
• Relay below it is triggered by the transmitter.
• Board below power switch = Adafruit sound board.
• Board below sound board = amplifier.

Cable management & Labels - servo leads

 Sorted out wiring up the new longer servo leads from the receiver to the Main feet speed controller, the one that will operate the sound activation board and the dome motor speed controller.

Labels are your friend!

The number of times I have been thankful for labeling what goes where and the control leads for the speed controller to the receiver has to be No.1

Above picture was the start of me labeling up these leads.

The sound relay switch & the dome motor control, labeled up.

3D printed RC receiver holder

 Started this little project a while back, as with the new electrical layout, I wanted a holder for my Volantex Exmitter RC Transmitter’s receiver unit that’s installed in R5.

The original idea had a bottom/base.... which it didn’t actually need, so was removed & an open slot added for a securing screw. I designed in matching angels and edge lips so the receiver can't 'pop' out the top.

After a few attempts, I was finally happy with the design.

This holder can now be found on my Thingiverse page.

Transmitter switch cover update.....3D printed

 What a nightmare trying to match up the thread for the new switch nut on the transmitter. After three attempts, I decided to go with one of my original ideas, which was to fit a switch cover/lock. So after a few iterations, I settled on this version.

I recessed the nut into the lower part of the bracket, making it easy to fit onto the threaded part of the switch. The locking part is pinned with a sel-lok pin through and is not too snug a fit onto the switch arm itself. This just means that the switch can't accidentally be triggered, not that it could be as it requires an amount of actual force to click it. But it looks good rather than just having the nut.

I'll post up on Thingiverse soon. So click follow and/or on Twitter for notification of it going live.

Tutorial - Remote Control Drive setup - Droid Builders UK

 The video tutorial I made for the Club, is now up online.

Dual Remote Control Drive setup Tutorial for Droid Builders Live,

is a 'how to' video showing how to connect up the speed controller,

transmitter and motors.

click on the link above to watch over on the Clubs You Tube Channel

#youtube #droidbuildersuk #ukr2d2buildersclub #speedcontroller #rctransmitter

Utility arm action 2019/2020

(3.4.19)
This post is over a year old now, thought I’d posted it. Is quite a good way of introducing the upgrade as part of the reactivation of them.

—-

R5's utility arm(s) have been out of action for a few years now. They were deactivated for events after a servo was damaged & the utility arm pivot point bracket got broken.

original pivot point brackets

I upgraded the pivot point into a more solid screwed together component.

The brackets needed to be opened up a bit more to allow free movement. With servo issues as well at the time and an event coming up, I decided to lock the arms safely in place.

UPDATE
I opened up the bracket holes and lightly sanded the arms pins that fit into them. They are now a lot easier to move.

Transmitter Ex7 switch upgrade - rotary to switch, part 2

Finished putting a groove in the new switch locking ‘cap’.
I used a grooving tip tool to scrape/shape the slot.

Got home and the posty had delivered the pack of resisters. So test soldered up the resistors & wires to the two switches and tested them with batteries in the transmitter. And the switch works, via the transmitters screen, still need to actually test via the reciever.

The above picture shows the resistors and wires soldered up to test it worked. Exposed wires will be insulated once completed.

My 'cap' fitted to the switch CH7 in picture above.

Transmitter Ex7 switch upgrade - rotary to switch, part 1

Most RC controllers have that one (or more) rotary dial ‘switch’ which for droid controlling, isn’t needed as such, so is just a waste of a switch. Yellow circled in next picture.

Searching up online and YouTube came up with ‘how to’ swap a dial switch for an actual on-off-on switch. Had already bought a switch ages ago, so next was to order a pair of resisters which replicate the potentiometer in the dial switch.

Whilst waiting for the resisters, I decided that rather than buy a pack of switch ‘caps’ or lock nuts, that holds the switch in place, I’d machine one up myself.
So lunchtime in work I found & machined up a piece of aluminium bar to almost the exact dimensions lol.

Just needs a slot added. Original is on the right.

Sounds for Droids - 2019 upgrade 1.0

How to build a sound module that can be triggered by a remote control transmitter.

The 12 channel remotes for controlling my R5’s sounds have, to my knowledge, never worked properly.
Think I’ve had three over the years plus the circuit board version that wasn’t what I thought it was, so was never used.

Holding the controller and the transmitter at the same time whilst trying to not draw attention to ones self at events (for the kids benefit of keeping the experience real) can be a bit of a handful.

I was all ready to bit the bullet and buy another one as my current sound setup has died. When Lee Towersey posted up a way to trigger sound directly from your transmitter switches using a relay!

Check out the video on Lee's You Tube channel here.

I only have one three way switch available although I could possibly upgrade an ‘on/off’ switch to be able to operate more sounds as mentioned in Lee’s video.

So I’ve ordered one duel relay to test out. Checkout Lee's channel for the links also to the relay.

Next is to get a new sound board.

Vintage Futaba 'Ripmax' M4 & M6 for R5-D4 - 1.2 - Crystal Hatch

I’v had to do a few more attempts trying to fine tune the fit for the clip part of the hatch.
And also the leg pins to locate the hatch for it to pivot.

I reduced the actual width of the hatch to give a bit more twist movement for fitting which has helped. More work in progress.

Vintage Futaba 'Ripmax' M4 & M6 for R5-D4 - 1.1 - Crystal Hatch

Back in 2016, I purchased two Futaba transmitter controllers, similar to the ones seen used on set of Star Wars to control R5-D4 at the Lars Homestead.

Click link for my original post:
Vintage Futaba 'Ripmax' M4 & M6 for R5-D4 - 1.0

These two controllers didn't come with antenna's and neither of them came with crystal hatch covers, as can be seen in this photo I found online.

So after much searching online, with no success, I decided to 3D draw one up.
I only had this image from a manual as to what the underside of the hatch looked like, but I did have the transmitter, so was able to get dimensions to start designing.

My first version, fitted, but the width was tight & the catch tab was too long, so version two, was modified as the picture below.

This fitted width wise, but I still needed to redesign the position of the catch tab a bit more. Below is version 2. I also added the text to match the first picture (not 100% accurate font).

Next post will have version 3.....

R5’s five year anniversary

Five years ago today (actually at 7pm GMT) R5 took his first steps, so to speak.

I powered him up and drove him around my driveway. Here’s the link to the short video taken by my Son. https://youtu.be/DyD8eECN9XQ

His dome didn’t have a motor or wheel to control it at this stage of the build. So can be seen, freely moving when he moves in the opposite direction.

New RC Transmitter - Exmitter EX7 + mini review

25.10.18
So, at Optimus Bristol, I had a slight accident with my Optics 6 Sport transmitter. Basically I managed to cross the battery contacts whilst swapping old/new ones over. It turned on but no signal to R5. So the rest of the event, he was shut down for display only.

Really gutted about this as the controller had been really good and it was a gift from a fellow builder friend Colin. Not to mention the additional extra's I'd addded to make it more user friendly.

Never mind.
My next headache then was getting a NEW transmitter, installing and testing/setting it up all before my next event at MCM London. This might not seam like a big deal, but shop  availability isn't good and transmitter choice is limited for me unfortunatly. Due to more financial restrictions, this expense was the last thing I needed.

I did find on tho and picked it up from the shop on the Monday lunchtime.
(Would just like to say thanks to Rob for the loan offer of his spare transmitter until I was mobile again). Got the transmitter home Monday night and got to testing and setting up the transmitter/reciever.

It's a Volantex Exmitter EX7. Link (this is an example, product link)

It has a 7 channel reviever.

I wanted to first check it would work ok, so Monday night was just a plug everything in and power up. Then (due to limited free time), Wednesday evening I was able to continue setting up and adjusting the settings.

This post was written before MCM London, so once the transmitter has had it's first outting, I'll write up a report and add it below afterwards.


Swapped over the left stick mask and the stick 'pads'.

***********************

REVIEW:
Setting up was quite straight forward, once I had the control sticks sussed. Reversing was also really simple to do and the instructions are really easy to follow. The transmitter itself is very light, and after it's first outting at MCM London, there was no wrist ach, which was the reason for the hand strap I fitted to the Optic 6 unit. The sub-trim was easy to set up, again, thanks to the instructions and the fact that once you get the button order, it becomes second nature.
I've not added anything to the other controls yet.

I did have one moment when setting up where the reciever seemed to loose connection with the transmitter??? I was sat right next to R5 and the reciever was in an odd position.....

Nothing bad happened, as I had already set the fail safe positions to zero. This ensure that R5 doesn't carry on in whatever he was doing if the signal is lost.
This is one of the safety features all droids should have in their settings!

The transmitter now has a few event's to it's name and even though it uses four AA batteries, these have lasted well and from the on screen monitor, are still going strong!
I can say this unit gets the thumbs up from me.

Optic 6 Transmitter - modified with a hand strap

When holding the transmitter down by my side, was giving me cramp in my hand from trying to grip the transmitter & steering R5 with my thumb. I do this to hide it whilst walking around at event's, so as not to spoil the illusion of who's controlling him.

I do have a neck strap attached to the transmitter, that I loop and wrap around my wrist, but this is only a safety thing so I don't drop it if it get's knocked. It doesn't offer any support to actually holding the transmitter.

So I looked on eBay for a strap of some sort.
I found two types, one that would clip onto the centre neck point and loop round your wrist or a SLR camera hand strap. The first one would just the same as what I had already, so I bought the SLR hand strap.

I already had some strap fixing loops from a previous project, my droid callers. So I dug out my nuts and bolts box and found two washers for inside the casing.

 Just need to re-fit the two grey side covers.

Then it was just a case of drilling one hole, as there was already a switch hole not being used in just the right spot. Fitting the nut/washer/locking split nut through these holes and adjusting so the rear case will close.

It feels a lot better tho the proof will be this Sunday

at R5's next event Optimus Comic Con in my home City of Bristol.

Optic 6 Transmitter - 3D printed stick lock

After last Sunday's event, it reminded me that I needed to sort out some sort of hand grip/strap for the controller. As when 'parading' etc, you only need the one hand/thumb to steer R5 with. So I hold the controller down by my side when walking, I this helps with the illusion of R5 being real.

One thing tho is that the dome (left stick) is then exposed to potentially being knocked, causing the dome to 'randomly' rotate, when you just want him facing forward.

Internet searching for grip/strap, led me to 3D printing ideas, but I only found transmitter stick lock/protection covers. So I drew up my own, to help guide the stick left/right.

Then I drew up a 'lock' to clip into the groove and lock onto the stick. It looks solid, but I made a hollowed out version.

Only have a pic of the 3D CAD version of it.

I designed it to slot into the groove, fitting so that it couldn't slide left or right. The the upper section is a snug fit so that it can't fall off.

I've not sprayed this piece up yet, may do it in R5 red.....