Ember2 Will Not Bind

[gmagic911x]

I just purchased an Ember2 and after numerous attempts, the receiver will not bind with my E-Flite MLP4DSM transmitter. The transmitter goes through the beeping and blinking light procedure, but the light on the receiver continues to blink and will not respond to the transmitter. I've tried everything I've seen at various web sites with no success: too close, retry, unplug battery, etc. etc. I'm able to re-bind to my E-Flite mCX helicopter with no problem. All of the batteries are good. I'm ready to return the Ember2 as defective, but as a last resort I'm posting this thread to see if I've overlooked something.

[firemanbill]

Hey there and welcome to WattFlyer. I'm not familiar with that Tx so can;t say for sure but is it DSM2 or the original DSM1?

The Ember requires a DSM2 Tx to bind with. That may be the issue.

[gmagic911x]

Thanks! The transmitter is a DSM2.

[firemanbill]

hmmm. Are you trying to bind near a wireless router? I have to step out of my garage sometimes to bind since my bench is right on the other side of the wall from my router.

Maybe try getting away from any wireless signals. Might help.

[gmagic911x]

To make sure, I went outside, still won't bind.

[firemanbill]

well I'm out of suggestions

Maybe someone else can pipe in with some help.

[dbcisco]

Do you have the manual for the TX? I had no problem getting my LP5DSM to bind with my mCX (same receiver as ember). I did have to go through a re-bind procedure to get it back on the stock TX. I think I had to turn the heli on first, then the LP5DSM to get it to bind. Worth a shot, but hold the plane down incase it goes crazy.

[dbcisco]

Just looked at your TX. It is the stock TX. There should be instructions on the back of the TX (or in the manual) for re-binding:

"Binding is the process of programming the receiver to recognize the GUID
(Globally Unique Identifier) code of a single specific transmitter. If you ever
find it is necessary to replace the transmitter or the receiver/5-in-1 unit
for your model, it will be necessary for you to ‘bind’ the new transmitter
or receiver/5-in-1 to your existing transmitter or receiver/5-in-1 for proper
operation.
The following steps outline the binding process:
• Make sure the flight battery is disconnected from the 5-in-1 unit and the
transmitter is turned off.
• Plug the flight battery into the 5-in-1 unit. After 5 seconds the LED on the
5-in1 unit will begin flashing.
• PUSH directly down on the left-hand stick while switching the transmitter
on (you will feel a ‘click’ when you push in on the end of the stick).
• If you entered bind mode correctly, you will hear a series of beeps from
the transmitter and see the LED on the transmitter blink.
• You will see a solid LED approximately 5-10 seconds later on the
receiver/5-in-1. You should now be bound to the transmitter, and have full
control and function."

[dbcisco]

The ember rebind instructions are at the bottom of page 3 to top of page 4 in the ember manual here.

[Rabbitcreekok]

If none of that works, call Horizon at 1-877-504-0233 which is product support and ask them. They have always been helpful to me and if you need to return the Ember, they will be the folks to talk to anyway.

[gmagic911x]

This is a brand new unit, so I have the manual and the instructions on the back of the tx. Even tried new tx batteries with no change. I'm going to take it back to where I bought it and let him deal with Horizon.

[dbcisco]

From the Ember manual:
"Binding Process
Your ParkZone 2.4GHz radio system uses a unique binding operation
to link your transmitter with your receiver. Please note that your radio
system has been bound for you already. Should you need to replace
a transmitter or your aircraft, you will need to perform the binding
process as detailed below:
1. Make sure your transmitter is powered off and the battery has been
removed from your Ember.
2. With the transmitter powered off, push down on the throttle stick
(left stick) and then turn the transmitter power on. Release the
throttle stick.
3. You will hear a series of beeps from the transmitter. Plug the
battery into the airplane at this time.
4. A series of 3 beeps will be heard while
the radio is attempting to bind.
Move the right stick in any direction
at this time to complete the
binding process. You are then
ready to fly."
(Step four is different from my mCX binding above)

[kirch]

Also don't have the transmitter too close to the receiver when binding (i.e. right beside the plane). Too strong a signal seems to prevent binding properly.

Keep it at least a few feet away.

But it looks like that was already tried.

[gmagic911x]

I tried dbcisco's instructions with no success. After talking with the Horizon dealer where purchased, it was decided that I would call Horizon Product Support tomorrow. I'll post the results.

[Elfi Flyer]

gmagic911x:

Sorry to hear of your problems with binding an Ember 2 to your transmitter. Has to be frustrating. From what I have experienced to date, Horizon Hobbies has good customer support.

I, to, am not familiar with your transmitter. I recently (as in 4 weeks ago) bought an Ember 2, and the Spectrum DX6i transmitter. I wanted the much smoother servo action of the servos and longer range when using this transmitter. Had no problem binding to the transmitter. However, on the fourth flight, as dusk, the wing tip lights I installed proved too weak, as did my eye sight, and I lost the model high up over the trees some wheres. Have yet to find it.

Hope you can get your problem solved easier than I have yet to do.

[gmagic911x]

Ouch! I've lost some free flights, but thankfully not a RC. Horizon has concluded the receiver is defective and a replacement is being mailed to me. Thanks to every one for their help.

[Elfi Flyer]

Well, there is joy at the Aerodrome tonight. Ember 2 was finally located and returned to the hangar. After spending 4 nights out on its own, in both rain and dry conditions, to say nothing of the variable breezes, Ember 2 is finally back home. Having given up on finding it (her?), after having searched the trees (using binoculars) and wandering through people's backyards, front yards, gardens, and gazing at roofs, one of my neighbors located her (it?), floating in their swimming pool!! Needless to say, there is some rust on the motor shaft, small wire Z-bends, and the tires look/feel a little weird. So the question remains, and will shortly be answered, .....with my Ember 2 remain bound, bind again, or just plain go "pffffssst!' when a new battery in installed. Both the elevator and rudder were at maximum deflection, so the servos probably went to full extension when the Lipo gave out. Should be interesting.

Still glad to have Ember 2 back in the fold, even if it never flys again.

[dbcisco]

It my be a good idea to wash the pool chemicals off her with some alcohol.
Then give the Ember2 a rinse with rubbing alcohol, too. Works a trick on circuit boards that have gotten contaminated with flood water.

[gmagic911x]

The prodigal son...........my recent Ebay ad may be of interest to you.

Parkzone Receiver/ESC DSM2 Vapor - eBay (item 160360011201 end time Sep-09-09 14:10:22 PDT)

[dbcisco]

Now I am probably watching this with a thousand others.

[Elfi Flyer]

Incredible! Three days in the swimming pool and Ember 2 returns with nothing worse than a slight tan (actually some minor rust). Many thanks, dbcisco, for the tip on using rubbing alcohol to clean up some of the parts. I dabbed some on the "brick", lightly wiped down the wings. A drop of light weight machine oil on the motor shaft, some manual (and delicate) rotation of the servo gear wheels, then a fresh battery and the moment of truth. Ember 2 buzzed and "fizzed" just a bit, then began flashing her (it?) red light. I had to rebind to the Spektrum 6DXi, and then all started working just fine. Even made an adjustment to the rudder control horn connection, to ease the resistance on the rudder servo a bit. Hope to fly her tonight. Also set up Ember 2 #2 which arrived yesterday. Amazing how easy it is to bind the plane to the same transmitter, different model number. Then, went back and fired up Ember 2 #1 again, just to see if it needed to be "bound" again. It didn't,.... motor and servos all working fine. OK, so now I have two of the little buggers. As someone once said: "Take two, they're small!". Really glad to have Ember 2 #1 back in the fold. Special lights on order for Ember 2 #2. I definitely want to be able to see the plane when it flies at dusk!

Now, where did I put those bifocals???