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Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Sat 26. Sep 2026 19:42:47
by mojonaut
I am trying to get this unit to bind to a Gen1 Spektrum DX8 with no success. This was a working flyable machine but has stood idle for a few years.
The DX8 is on DSM2 only and the Spirit is using a satellite receiver.
The bind process appears to complete, steady orange light on the satellite and the Spirit briefly moves the cyclic servos on startup but will accept no control inputs from the the DX8.
Does anyone know if a usb lead was provided with these early units as I'd like to check to see whether it is set internally for DSM2? I don't remember having one.
All that was in the box apart from jump leads and sticky pads (I'm the original owner btw) was a bluetooth module with two JR style flying leads.
Thanks.
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Sat 26. Sep 2026 20:19:15
by delta peak
The USB Interface cable is normally included.
With the BT module you could check via Smartphone.
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Sun 27. Sep 2026 14:44:10
by mojonaut
delta peak wrote: Sat 26. Sep 2026 20:19:15
The USB Interface cable is normally included.
With the BT module you could check via Smartphone.
Hi, thanks
I've had some progress.
I've downloaded the 'Spirit Settings' Android App from Google Play.
Managed to pair the phone with the bluetooth adapter, but get a connection error each time.
I'm picking up power (red/brown) lead from the RUD channel as I'm using a BEC.
The other lead is (red/orange) on the SYS channel with orange on the outer (signal pin).
I don't know if this is a software compatibility issue or something else. It does briefly say 'receiving data' but then just drops back to 'connection error'.
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Sun 27. Sep 2026 18:11:01
by delta peak
Based on your explanation, I assume the red/orange cable is plugged wrong. The orange cable has to point to the label.
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Tue 29. Sep 2026 11:22:06
by mojonaut
delta peak wrote: Sun 27. Sep 2026 18:11:01
Based on your explanation, I assume the red/orange cable is plugged wrong. The orange cable has to point to the label.
Yes it is on the SYS channel with the orange on the signal pin.
I've removed all servo's one by one and it still behaves the same.
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Tue 29. Sep 2026 16:10:22
by delta peak
That is odd. Do you remember if module ever connected to spirit?
Re: Help with early Spirit fbl unit with 500 size heli
Posted: Wed 30. Sep 2026 9:14:49
by Mattes61
Hello,
I’m afraid the module isn’t working correctly—is it a Wi-Fi module or a Bluetooth-Module? On my Wi-Fi module, there’s a blue LED that stays on steadily rather than flashing. It’s possible the module doesn’t have the right driver; it might need to be updated to match the software version on the Spirit unit. If you no longer have the USB module, order one—that way, you can at least access the Spirit and check your settings.
The USB module used to be included as standard, while the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi modules were optional extras available for purchase.
Best regards