Flight modes (idle up) and AP

[oscillator]

Does anyone make use of different flight modes for AP? I've heard of some people using a 100% max throttle curve mode for when the battery is going flat. Any other uses?

On the DX7 (and prob other radios) you can control mixes and even AUX outputs based on flight mode. One application I am considering is my AP2000i gain. I can set the AUX2 output based on flight mode. This would allow me to switch between ON, OFF, and CAL by using the flight mode switch. Of course I would have to set all 3 throttle and pitch curves the same for this to be effective.

So what are others doing with the flightmode switch in AP?

[MarkWebber]

I use it to have different curves for different loads.

[GGoodrum]

With the a123-based packs, I've found you can pretty much run them "empty", but they start to dump power pretty quick. What I do is gear the setup for a couple of hundred RPM higher than I normally would and then leave IDLE 2 set to 100%. I then dial down IDLE 1 to the RPM I want to run at. When I get the first "hint" that power is starting to drop off, I kick it to IDLE 2 which gets me a bit extra in order to get down safely. Actually, I usually use the timer and don't run them to exhaustion, but a couple of times this has worked well.

In thinking about this I don't use the NORMAL mode at all, so I could use it for the desired normal RPM, and then set IDLE 1 to be the same but with the AP-2000i enabled. Interesting.

-- Gary

[oscillator]

Hi Gary,

are you running a linear throttle curve or a flat (constant) throttle and using governor mode on the ESC?


In thinking about this I don't use the NORMAL mode at all, so I could use it for the desired normal RPM, and then set IDLE 1 to be the same but with the AP-2000i enabled. Interesting.

Problem is you still need a CAL position. Setting AUX2 to be controlled by Fmode will give you 3 outputs determined by the endpoints and the subtrim and corresponding to Normal, Idle 1, and Idle 2.

A better approach might be to let the AUX2 switch control AUX2 and have a Pmix that is enabled by Fmode. It is possible to turn the mix on only in Normal, or only on Idle 1 and Idle 2, or only Idle 2.

SO....Normal would be "normal" and no stabilization. Flipping the AUX2 switch would perform the CAL. Going to Idle 1 or Idle 2 would turn stabilization on, and you could have different throttle curves for Idle 1 and Idle 2. I like it!

[GGoodrum]

Yes, I think you are onto something. I'm going ot look into this today. :)

-- Gary

[j_kookboy]

Waiting for your tests. :noteworthy