Ap2000i and 410 - Experts Please ???

[KarbonBird]

I have plugged the 410 gyro into Servo 4 of the AP and used the trim4 to make the adjustment on the gain. Something is very strange now - the heli has an intermittent wag that makes it go around in a circle at 1/8 circle increments.

Have to keep the rudder stick well to one side to stop this happening. I have cranked the 410s gain up to the max (50%) and also tried lower % but the same thing happens.

I have also tried the gain of the Ap2000 itself in the "OFF" position, calibrated - full range tested up to 80% but same thing happens so the AP 2000i gain does not appear to influence the 410 functionality.

Radio is a JR 9X II (9309)

Anyone experienced a similar occurrence? Just wondering what factors influence the performance of the 410 if an AP 2000i is installed and it is used to manage the 410 gain.

[MarkWebber]

Did you use a servo to verify your rx gain setting before moving to the AP2000i?

When I've moved my 401's over, I only had to use 15-18% on Trim4 in the AP2000i to duplicate the settings I previously had in my 9C gyro gain(65%or so).

Also, what kind of heli and what swashplate setting are you using in the AP2000i?

[KarbonBird]

Did you use a servo to verify your rx gain setting before moving to the AP2000i?

When I've moved my 401's over, I only had to use 15-18% on Trim4 in the AP2000i to duplicate the settings I previously had in my 9C gyro gain(65%or so).

Also, what kind of heli and what swashplate setting are you using in the AP2000i?

Ok - this is helpful.... will start low, say 10 and work up from there. I have found that 1% on the AP = 2% actual gain on the gyro.

120 Deg 3 servo.

[KarbonBird]

Just had another idea - could a faulty LiPo be causing the gyro to malfunction. I have been using some very puffy (test!!) batts to hover in the driveway. The batteries still charge OK so I have been using them for simple stuff like bench testing etc. I know I really should throw them out but I reasoned that they could still be of some use until they finally die completely.

Perhaps there is not enough/fluctuating power reaching the electronics which may cause the glitch/wag?

[crewchief]

Perhaps there is not enough/fluctuating power reaching the electronics which may cause the glitch/wag?
It could be a combination of your ESC trying to indicate that you have a low voltage level by making the tail wag, and a faulty gyro setting causing it to precess...

[MarkWebber]

I've had weak voltage cause unusual gyro/electronics responses. What is your AP2000i LCD indicating for lowest voltage seen during flight? If you're getting much below 4V, you're flirting with disaster. I nearly found out the hard way with my Raptor 50 when the NiMH was going out on me.

[KarbonBird]

Update...

Have rewired the AP and gyro.
Removed and reinstalled the whole tail assembly and checked belt
Checked gyro travel (in non-HH mode)
Checked that gyro gain (Servi 4 on AP) is working
Still produces a serious wag and tail is floppy.

Question then - I have been running with the AP2000i in the OFF position (setup by the TX). Would running the AP in the OFF position still allow control of the gyro gain (on trim 4?)

[MarkWebber]

The "OFF" on the menu only indicates that stabilization in inactive. The rest of the mixing functions are always active.

If the gyro was working fine prior to the AP2000i install and you're using swashplate type SR-3, I can't imagine what is changed to cause the wagging. I've made the switch on all 3 of my heli's for gyro gain with no troubles.