AP2000i questions

[Cryofix]

My very first attempt at this and I wish to get it correct.

First: am I correct in assuming that the AP 2000i takes over as your full adjustments from your TX, meaning; 0 out all ATV(endpoints), all subtrim, shut off swash mixing and leave it off, only adjust aileron, ele, pitch on TX only if you dont get correct movement on the swash other than pitch up down, then make all your usuall adjustments to the AP2000i as far as trim and endpoints in regards to centering and leveling the swash?

Second: can I call somone to ask questions too :D

[MarkWebber]

You are correct that you'll want to do all your adjustments via the AP2000i.

Secondly, you can call me. I'll be more than glad to help :D
440-474-4205

If you don't happen to get me, leave a message and I'll get back to you asap.

[Cryofix]

Thanks Mark!

If I get some free time today Ill try and catch up with ya

[MLaBoyteaux]

When I switched my heli's to the AP-2000, on the first one I was anal about trying to get the AP-2000 to level the swash while leaving the trims on my radio centered.

By the time I installed my third one, I simply used the sub-trims on the elevator and aileron channels on the transmitter to get the swash to look about level then went out and flew the heli and fine tuned it with the basic trims.

I hope this doesn't add to the confusion, but sometimes simple is better!

[MarkWebber]

I hope this doesn't add to the confusion, but sometimes simple is better!


Mark is right on with that one.

[Cryofix]

I did manage to get that far, but my subtrims are up in the 50+ range is that ok? I was told rule of thumb is keep them under 25.

[xircom]

oh,

how about the values for the Dual Rates and EXP functions for softening the movements around neutral ?

And for the Swashplate mixing, for example Elev to Aileron , would that be lost ?

And above would be usable when AP2000 not on (or 0% gain) ?

Thanks,

[MarkWebber]

Any rates or mixes you have set up in your tx will be processed by the AP2000i the same as any other tx signal. And they will continue to work that way with stabilization on or off.

[xircom]

but above says "assuming that the AP 2000i takes over as your full adjustments from your TX, meaning; 0 out all ATV(endpoints), all subtrim, shut off swash mixing and leave it off,"

and

You are correct that you'll want to do all your adjustments via the AP2000i.

do I miss something ?

[MarkWebber]

xircom

His quote about AP2000i taking over refers to trims and servo travel. Also, CCPM mixing will be done by the AP2000i which is why you will set your TX swashplate type to SW1 or single servo mechanical.

Any mixes or expo will still function as the AP2000i cannot know whether you are moving two controls at once or a tx mix is doing it. Does that make sense to you?

[xircom]

oh yes, makes sense to me now - thanks !

[xircom]

now I've got the problem, that I cannot get the servo horn 90deg with only using the AP2000i (Servo 3) trim function, +50% and -50% is not enough. Is above just for the trim or also the subtrim ? Thanks a lot !

[oscillator]

Hey Mark Webber,

Noticed the AP2000i is currently out of stock. Any idea when you will have more? I have a Logo 10 on the way and need an AP2000i set up for it (cables, sensor, etc).

Also, any update on when the Spartan sensor will be available?

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[MarkWebber]

Hi Mark

Should be mid to late January.


Also, any update on when the Spartan sensor will be available?

Can't answer that one...Angelos' department :D

[xircom]

had first flight this morning, amazing - worked like a champ ! I think if the sabilization is on always, it's going to be difficult to crash again, even windy... thanks Angelos and Mark !!!

[MarkWebber]

had first flight this morning, amazing - worked like a champ

Great! :D

I think if the sabilization is on always, it's going to be difficult to crash again, even windy

That's why I like to keep mine on at all times.

[aramsdell]

Mark W.

I am flying in Southern Maine. It seems a lot of my flying involves ascending/ descending through trees and/or near buildings in some cases. If I have to take off from a driveway and up through some 60 ' Oak trees what effect does that have on an AP 2000i. Would I have it on then or after clearing the trees? When landing? Some of the good shots are while still below the tops of the trees for close-in Resi work.

[MarkWebber]

I think there's a shot in my gallery on rr showing me flying by some large Spruce trees in my yard.

What I do in that situation is calibrate on the ground, take off with gain at 30% or so, get above the obsticle and do a quick recalibration. Reverse if necessary to get a shot below the obsticle.

[rerazor]

When you re-calibrate do you put the gain back to 0% first or just leave it at 30% etc..

[dreslism]

When you re-calibrate do you put the gain back to 0% first or just leave it at 30% etc..

Try it on the ground, it will only calibrate when the gain is OFF.

[Tonystott]

Well, I bit the bullet and fitted the AP2000i to my Trex 450XL AP ship. I was worried that the package of AP2000i, FMA IR sensor and cables weighed 67 grams, but in refitting all the electrics, the heli finished up weighing "only" 1161 grams, which is about what it was beforehand Weird...

Anyway, the installation was totally trouble-free, and no cabling needed refitting, while the set-up on the stabilisr LCD was also straightforward. The only adjustment required was to endpoints on the Tx, and the heli was ready to fly.

I would like to thank Keith (sorry, don't know where he originally posted this) for the set-up for my JR 9303, which worked flawlessly.

I'm using an AP2000i on a Maxi-Joker 2 with a JR 9303. I elected to use the gear switch to turn my GY401 heading hold function on and off. I use the AUX2 switch in conjunction with the right slider lever (AUX3) to control the AP2000i.

The way it works is as follows:
With the AUX2 switch in the forward or "0" position, I can control the sensitivity of the Spartan to between 30% and 87% by moving the slider through its range.
With the AUX2 switch in the middle or "1" position the range is from "OFF" to 75% depending on the position of the slider.
With the AUX2 switch in the aft or "2" position, the range is from "CAL" to 46% depending on the position of the slider.

If I want to calibrate the unit, I can take off with the slider full aft and the AUX2 switch forward. I have 30% sensitivity. When (and if) I reach a stable hover, I move the Aux2 switch to the aft position for one second and then return it to the forward position to resume 30% sensitivity or just move the slider forward as the mood strikes me. I use the AUX 2 switch to select the range of sensitivity I want and the slider to fine tune it. Seems to work quite well.

To set the radio up, I did the following:
1. In the "DeviceSEL" menu, map AUX2 to the AUX2 SW and AUX3 to the AUX3 LEV.

2. In the "TRVL ADJ. menu, I set the travel of AUX3 to +50% and -129%

3. In the "PROG.Mix1" menu (I will attempt to attach a picture) AUX2 - AUX3 SW SELECT I set the curve with "Point-0" to -100, "Point-3" to +18 and "Point-6" to +71. EXP is OFF.

4. Go to the MONITOR menu and observe how AUX3 moves in conjunction with the AUX2 switch and slider combination. This will illustrate the results. With the 9303 and AP2000i ON - observe the changes in sensitivity as you move the switch and slider combination.

5. Adjust Travel and curve points to your personal preference.

Hope this helps.

Keith

It was probably too gusty for a test flight, but we went ahead anyway, and the Spartan did a great job, and while it got blown 20 yards downwind when the sticks were let go, it remained horizontal. Awesome!

The guys from the heliport next door came out to watch (we cleared the test fllight first :)), and then allowed us a perve up close at the skycrane waiting there for fight-fighting duties. What a machine!