9xr Pro Taranis Gimbals

OpenRCForums user Myckey has a nice pair of posts on upgrading the 9xr Pro with Taranis gimbals.
I'm preparing to try it.  I'll make a video and take some pictures.  Prepping for that, here's the steps as I understand them.

Wiring

The goal of this step is to modify the wiring so that the gimbal has two sets of three wires going into each 3-pin plug.  One set of wires is for the X axis and one set of wires is for the Y axis.

• release the six gimbal wires from the multipin plug.
• release the wires to both pairs of the 3-pin plugs.
• attach each set of 3 wires from the gimbal to the 3-pin plugs.

When this step is completed, you have a 3-wire set for the X axis and a 3-wire set for the Y axis.

Hardware

We need to modify each gimbal to fit in the 9xr gimbal hole.  Each of the four corners of the gimbal has an "ear" with two holes.  A bit of trimming will allow the Taranis gimbals to fit securely into the 9xr gimbal mounting plate.

• sand or dremel the outside of the ear, removing the outside hole.  leave some material around the inside hole, as we will enlarge that.
• open the case and remove the old gimbals. note that you will disconnect two wire harnesses for each gimbal.  leave the gimbal faceplace attached.
• push the new gimbals to the faceplate so that the gimbal holes line up with the 9xr gimbal posts.  It's a friction fit.
• check the alignment of the holes.  each gimbal hole should be about 1mm offset from the 9xr post.
• turn the 9xr over and see if there's a gap between the gimbal and the faceplate.
• if there's a gap, sand or dremel the gimbal around the mounting hole so that the gimbal will sit flush to the faceplate.
• Enlarge the holes in the faceplate only using a 3mm or 1/8'' drill bit.  Drill from the top of the 9xr.
• Attach the gimbal to the faceplate using a slightly longer screw (TBD: length?) of the same diameter (TBD: diameter?).
• The gimbal should fit flush against the faceplate.

Reassembly

Inspect the fitting, attach the wires, test the harness connections,  and close up the case!

• connect the shorter wire harness to the inner 9xr gimbal connection.
• connect the longer wire harness to the outer 9xr gimbal connection.
• attach a battery and test the gimbals as described in the next step.
• close up the case.

Testing

Two things can go wrong with the wiring.  The X and Y axis can be swapped (i.e. moving the stick up and down shows motion in the horizontal direction), and the X and Y axes can be reversed (i.e. left stick motion show right motion in the radio).

• go to the calibration menu.
• if the X and Y axes are swapped, swap the two connectors.
• if either the X or Y coordinates are reversed, swap the two outer wires of that connector.

Myckey's instructions are here.  A lot of people have wanted better 9xr gimbals, so a big shoutout to him for figuring this out in such a superb way!

• Part 1: Wiring
• Part 2: Hardware

blogodex = {"toc" : ["9xr Pro", "9xr"], "idx" : ["Taranis", "gimbals", "9xr gimbal upgrade"]};

Turnigy 9/XR with FrSky Telemetry, Shopping List

Here's a complete shopping list.  (update: this post used to have "telemetry" and "no telemetry" options, but FrSky discontinued their non-telemetry line.  I've updated the post to remove links to the discontinued non-telemetry items.  Note that even if you get the telemetry-enabled units, they work just fine without using the telemetry.)

First, you need the "no module" version of the transmitter.  Get the "Mode 2" (left hand throttle) unless you know otherwise.

• Turnigy 9XR Transmitter Mode 2 (No Module)
• Turnigy 9XR Transmitter Mode 1 (No Module)

Here's two good LiFe batteries.  The 2100 has a bigger capacity, but IMO the 1500 is fine for many hours and a better value.  That's the one I've used before.  You can also use just about any 3S battery if you've got a spare, so you can consider this "optional but recommended."  I've been using a 3S 500 mAh and it's been great.

• HobbyKing 1500mAH LiFe 3S 9.9v Transmitter pack
• ZIPPY Flightmax 2100mAh 3S1P 30C LiFePo4 Pack

Here's the telemetry module with one receiver, and extra receivers.  The module comes with one receiver.  Get enough receivers so you have one installed on each model.

• FrSky DF 2.4Ghz Combo Pack for JR w/ Module & RX
• FrSky D8R-II PLUS 2.4Ghz 8CH Receiver with Telemetry

Note: everything below is optional.

Here's the telemetry display screen.  It plugs into your module. You need to figure out a way to attach it to your transmitter.  Most people attach it to the transmitter handle.

• FrSky FLD-02 Telemetry Display Screen

Here's a better whip antenna and a patch antenna.  The higher the dB, the better range, and the more directional.  Neither of these are very expensive, so they're probably worth it if you're doing FPV or autopilot stuff.

• FrSky 2.4G V8 Series 5db module Antenna
• 2.4Ghz 7DB Antenna for FrSky Modules (And compatible Radios/Modules)

Here's the Voltage sensor.  It's the only sensor that doesn't need the sensor hub.  It's the sensor that makes the most sense (haha!) to get.

• FrSky Lipo Voltage Sensor FLVS-01

Here's the sensor hub and some other sensors.

• FrSky FSH-01 Telemetry Sensor Hub
• FrSky FAS-100 Telemetry Amperage Sensor
• FrSky FVAS-01 Telemetry Variometer Sensor
• FrSky GPS-01 Telemetry GPS Module
• more here.

[shopping note:  all the above links have an affiliate code which gives me a small credit when you use them, at no cost to you.  Some people are bothered by the concept of affiliate codes... if you are one of them, please feel free to remove the affiliate code!]