DX4e binding issues

[Smythcounty]

I recently bought a DX4e to use as a buddy box with my DX5e. After connecting the two it wouldn't work. Tried multiple cables. Then I tried to bind the DX4e to my ar600 in my apprentice to test the radio and I get a flashing orange light on my receiver and then when I try to bind the radio the orange light pauses for a sec and when I release the trainer button to complete the bind the light goes away. If I rebind to my DX5e it works flawlessly and I get my steady orange connection light. The DX4e was an eBay item that was used with a helicopter. Any ideas? I'm stumped. Thanks.

[xmech2k]

Hi Smyth, well, being the internet, the whole picture doesn't always come across. When I think about it, I recall having problems binding with my Apprentice long ago as well. I think I wound up using a switch harness with a separate power supply for some reason, then it worked. Probably pilot error. (Me doing something dumb.) Though you say it binds fine again with the 5e. (Did it lose bind in the first process?)

Stupid question: Are you binding per the manual?

You said you tried multiple cables. Were they Spektrum cables?

Sorry if these are going really basic here, but it's your first post and I don't know how much RC experience you have.

[Smythcounty]

Thanks for your reply.
Yes I am binding as the manual states and it loses its bind to the 5e during this process. Sorry i didnt make myself clear about the cables. The multiple cables were for the buddy box connection. I used a mono 3.5mm connector and the units power up but the slave (4e) would not send any commands while holding down the trainer switch on the master(5e). So I thought I would bind the 4e to the apprentice to see if their was a problem with the transmitter. But I can't get it to bind. It was bound to an mcpx before I purchased it and the seller is adamant that is worked fine.

Thanks for keeping it basic. I have a little rc experience but am fairly new.

[flydiver]

Binding I can't help.

Buddy Boxing with Spektrum can be an issue. I don't know about the DX4e but the Dx5 is known to be cable fussy. I suggest you get a real Spektrum cable and try that. The 90* bend alone in them makes it worth it.

[xmech2k]

I buddy'd my Dx5e to my 6i, and now my 6i to my Dx8. I haven't had any issues. I use the Spektrum cable.

I know someone here had an issue with his Dx5e, where it appeared powered on, but the plane would get nothing from the tx. I think he found the power switch was kind of a double switch, one lighting the LED's, the other powering the tx, and half of it was bad. Something like that. No idea if the 4e uses the same switch. Maybe worth opening it and having a look? But then, when it powers on by itself with the buddy cable in that should bypass that. But if you're using something other than a Spektrum cable, now there's an unknown thrown into the mix.

[Smythcounty]

I using a reg mono plug that others suggested on the forum. I'll go ahead and order the spektrum plug just to double check. I'll take it apart and test the switch. Thanks

On the binding issue I've tried it as far as 15 feet away and get the same response the receiver. It's apparently acknowledging the signal during the binding process but not making the connection for some reason.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

On the binding problem. If you have the Tx too close to the Rx the bind often wont work. Move the Tx several feet away and try again.