DX7 Tutorial

[Scottydog]

I just realized that helifreak has this section!! I have slowly and painstakenly tried to understand all of the workings of my DX7 with the manual that was provided.

It seems as though from reading in the forums that I still know very little about my transmitter and all of its programming capabilities.

Is there a tutorial of any kind on this transmitter that any one knows of, either written or video (like a Finless type)?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Jon

[mcnabbwr]

Try watching the Jermo's DX7 setup video under the Finless Tech area.

[Gino CP]

DX7 SETUP FOR BELT HELI

* Before setting up, bind your receiver to the transmitter. This is done by plugging the bind plug into the BATT socket in the receiver. Then plug the battery to the esc and/or bec. Then press the transmitter bind button at the back as you turn on the transmitter. Wait for the flashing receiver lights stabilize. When it has bound, the esc will arm. You can release the bind button. Turn off the transmitter and unplug the heli’s battery. Remove the bind plug from the receiver.

I. System Setup Mode

1. Enter the System Setup Menu by pressing Scroll Down and Select keys while turning on the transmitter.

2. Press UP or Down keys to navigate.

3. Go to [TYPE SELECT] and choose HELI for your model.

4. Go to [MODEL SELECT] and assign a model number for your heli. Use the Increase or Decrease keys to toggle between choices.

5. Go to [MODEL NAME] to assign a custom name. Use Increase or Decrease to select letter. Press Select key to move to next letter.

6. Then press the Down key to go to [SWASH TYPE] menu. Use Increase or Decrease key to toggle to 3 SERVOS 120º.

7. Next go to [INPUT SELECT] menu by toggling UP or Down keys. It should be
AUX2>AUX2 and GEAR>GEAR.

II. Function Mode

1. Enter the Function Mode menus by pressing Down and Select keys after turning on the transmitter.

2. Use the UP or Down keys to toggle between menus.

3. Go to [REVERSING SW] menu to set your servo reversing switches.

Ch1 : Throttle (esc)
CH2: Aileron (left cyclic servo)
CH3: Elevator (front or rear single cyclic servo)
CH4: Rudder (gyro)
CH5: Gear (gyro remote gain cable)
CH6: Aux1 (right cyclic servo)

*Note that this is for individual servo reversing. For collective cyclic reversing, go to [SWASH MIX] menu.

4. Go to [SWASH MIX] Menu. Use Select button to toggle between functions.

5. Initially set AILE, ELEV at 50%. – or + values changes the servo directions. Increase or decrease the value so that when you apply max aileron or elevator, you get a maximum pitch interaction (pitch movement from current blade position) of 6 deg. Set PIT value so that you get maximum (10-11 deg) + and - pitch without bottoming mechanically or have the servos buzzing. Again – or + values reverses the collective direction.

6. Leave EXP in INH.

7. Go to [TRAVEL ADJUST]. Use Select key to toggle between functions.

8. For THRO, set High (H) value just high enough so you get a max motor output (ESC led flashes) at max stick input. At times, this can be less than 100%. Set Low (L) value just low enough that the esc arms. At times, this is less than 100%. This provides best throttle resolution.

9. AILE, ELEV, and PIT. adjusts the cyclic servo maximum throw. Always adjust all three pairs of H and L in identical values. Values for AILE, ELEV, and PIT. must also be identical. This ensures no unneeded output interaction when controlling the cyclic action. You can adjust these to give you more or less cyclic angles. Max these out without having the servos buzzing. Recheck these settings after centering the servo arms at mid stick using the [SUB TRIM] menu.

10. Adjusting the RUDD endpoints, controls the piro rate not the servo throw. Remember that the servo receives a command signal rather than a proportional
signal. Adjust L and R piro rates so that you get the same piro rate turning left or right. IT is normal to exceed 100% for both values.

11. GEAR is used to adjust gyro gain. + value is hh mode. – value is rate mode. Set these initally at +72% and -28%. Readjust after a test hover.

12. AUX2 is unused for now. The channel is unavailable in the AR6100. The switch, however can be assigned to a function like throttle hold. This frees up the use of the Rudder D/R switch for other functions like dual piro rates.

13. Go to [SUB TRIM] menu.

14. Adjust AILE subtrim to center the left cyclic servo in mid throttle stick.

15. Adjust ELEV subtrim to center the front or rear single cyclic servo at mid stick.

16. Adjust PIT. Subtrim to center the right cyclic servo.

17. Adjust the RUDD subtrim if servo arm drifts in hh mode during tests.

18. Leave [AUTO D/R EXP] in default settings for now.

19. Go to [D/R & EXP] menu. Use Select keys to toggle between functions. Use Increase or decrease to change channel and change values.

20. Expos if used changes command sensitivity. + values makes command less sensitive. Lower value down to a negative value increases sensitivity. More sensitivity makes the heli twitchy. Full stick, however always yields the maximum programmed servo throw.

21. AILE and ELEV expos affect the cyclic. RUDD affects the piro or turn rate.

22. D/R adjusts the maximum servo arm travel of the affected functions. Reducing AILE and ELEV rates for example reduces the maximum swash plate angles. These can be toggled in flight using the marked D/R switches. Leave these at 100% for now for both on and off switch positions of the various D/R switches.

23. Note that you have two switch positions for both expo and dual rates. Toggle the
actual physical switches when setting values for each switch position. It will be indicated in POS-1 or POS-0.

24.Go to [PITCH CURVE] HOLD. Use Select key to move between throttle positions. Use Increase or Decrease keys to change values. This menu sets the main blade pitch range when the Throttle hold switch is turned on. This gives you maximum positive and negative pitch. This is useful for setting blade pitch using a pitch gauge. Mid stick is zero degrees.

25. Note that 0 to 50% gives you negative pitch. 50% to 100% gives you positive pitch. 0% is maximum negative pitch. For most helis this is -10 deg.

26. In HOLD position, set pitch range as 0-INH-50%-INH-100%.

27. Go to [PITCH CURVE] ST-2. This is for 3D. Set this for maximum head speed and fast collective response for flipping, tic tocs, etc. The S-curve is ideal for this.

28. Set ST-2 at 0-15%-50%-85%-100%. This is an S-curve. Pitch rapidly changes around the mid stick for fast vertical transitions.

29. Go to [PITCH CURVE] ST-1. Let’s keep this linear. Set it at 0-INH-50%-INH-100%. This give a smooth and predictable collective response. This is good for sport flying and mild aerobatics.

30. Go to [PITCH CURVE] NORM. Let’s dial out negative pitch or at least most of it for proper spool up. You can put a few degrees of negative pitch if desired. I prefer zero on spool up. Set this at 50%-50%-50%-INH-100%. This gives zero degrees pitch up until mid stick. Then pitch increase above it.

31. Go to [THRO CURVE] ST-2. You can keep this flat for max head speed. Or use a conservative v-curve for moderate speed. I use 100%-INH-80-INH-100%.

32. Go to [THRO CURVE] ST-1. Set this so that you get a comfortable hovering speed. I set this at 100%-INH-60-INH-100%.

33. Go to [THRO CURVE] NORM. Keep this linear unless you have an unusual motor response. Set this at 0-INH-50%-INH-100%.

34. Go to [THRO HOLD]. Use Select key to toggle between throttle hold value and desired activating switch. Set throttle value at -5.%. It is a negative value to ensure that the throttle is zero in case the esc setting drifts. Choose your desired switch. I selected SW: RUDD D/R simply because I am used to that position. You can use AUX2 if you wish to use the RUDD D/R for dual piro rate control.

35. After all settings are final, bind your receiver to the transmitter once more while keeping the transmitter sticks in your desired failsafe settings. This does away with the cyclic servos being crooked and buzzing while the receiver arms.

36. Fine tune after your test flight.

37. Go fly your heli! Congratulations.

[Cym]

Very,very well explained on the Dx 7, thank-you, I'm a newbee, much appreciated.
Have a MT e325SE & T-Rex 425 SE V2, another person set me up, different throt curves & handling, still on hover tail in with training gear :)
Thanks again.
Ed

[Gino CP]

Glad I could help. Remember the values are not absolute. Use this as a guide to understand what is going on. Tune your heli according to your needs and results.

[helihathnofury]

What are the gyro settings on a DX6i with a Esky HH gyro on a Belt please?

Mike

[Gino CP]

Typically gain is set from 63%-75%. The actual value depends on your heli's response.

[diverjack]

Gino.......I'm gonna save that and print it out! Excellent explanation on the DX7 setup. Best I've seen yet! :) Good job, bud!

[Gino CP]

You are welcome. I wrote that because most of the time I see setup sheets. It has little meaning if you want to understand what's going on. And I see a lot of inquiries on how to go about it. So, here you go.

[Augman37]

You are welcome. I wrote that because most of the time I see setup sheets. It has little meaning if you want to understand what's going on. And I see a lot of inquiries on how to go about it. So, here you go.

I agree. Thank you very much for spending the time and doing a great job. Helped me a lot!!

[CHOPPER PATROL]

GINO CP or others; Why in system setup mode on step 7 do we set GEAR>GEAR instead of GEAR>GYRO. I do use the GEAR for my gyro and have it set as you have suggested but don't understand. If I had this set to GYRO maybe I would get a gyro setting in my function mode rather than adjusting the gyro in the travel adjust setting at gear. Am I misunderstanding something here? TIA

[Gino CP]

The Gyro menu allows you to assign gyro setting according to flight modes (normal, idle 1, and idle 2). Using Gear makes manual gyro setting (HH or rate) in every mode. I want it manual so the Gear method works for me.

[CHOPPER PATROL]

Thanks Gino CP, I think I understand now. If I wanted to separately adjust the gyro for each mode than I would use the setting GEAR>GYRO. Have I interpreted this right? Thanks so much, I really appreciate your setup guide as it explains the settings and why. I really like to understand the "why" part.

CHOPPER PATROL

[Gino CP]

Yes, that is right.

[CHOPPER PATROL]

Gino CP, there are alot of people that like flat throttle curves/settings, why do you like "V" curves as you've suggested. I have tried both and can't decide. I do some mild 3D. I also wonder which is better for efficiency? Hope I'm not bothering you, really appreciate your input. TIA

[Gino CP]

It's only because I feel no difference between my v curve (90% mid point) and flat 100% curve. I figure I get more throttle resolution by using the minimum value that gives maximum punch. It just removes the dead band. A v curve is not a must, it's just my preference.

[CHOPPER PATROL]

I had thought the V curve could eliminate the heli bogging down if in fact this is a problem for some.

[Gino CP]

v curves or any curve for that matter should be adjusted to optimize power according to your preference. Some use it to minimize bog. Some use it to dial down the hovering head speed. Some use it to make the system efficient. Bottomline, use it so the heli behaves like you want it.

[CHOPPER PATROL]

Thanks for your advise!

[Pinecone]

The flat curve allows you store up energy in the blades when at low pitch, to give you more pop when hitting extremely high pitch. But the motor will still bog if you hold the high pitch.

[CHOPPER PATROL]

The flat curve allows you store up energy in the blades when at low pitch, to give you more pop when hitting extremely high pitch. But the motor will still bog if you hold the high pitch.

Please no offense to Gino CP :), I wasn't too crazy about ST1 at bottom 60% so I did increase it to 70%, and realize this will all be a personal preference and heli setup. I have on order a JGF 500 for the 450 and am interested in the results I get from it.

I also like Pinecone's input on the built up energy in the blades when at low pitch. This also has some merit to it, and I will compare both setups to see which one suits my flying style right now. Thanks to all for the advise and suggestions, they are much appreciated. :happyd