AP2000 setup - trims

[dviry]

Hello fellow pilots,

need some expert help setting up my AP2000. I've installed it in my Mini-Titan, having the following issues:
- first I've just installed it as my CCPM mixer (no stab). Hovering kept drifting strong to the RIGHT and FORWARD. So in order to keep the swashplate level, I had to maximize all 3 trims (1-3) in the unit. Now it hovers much better (but I wonder why I had to maximize them! I am sure that has negative effect somewhere...). Note that before, everything was mechanically aligned and I never had any trims (or ATVs) in my TX
- enabling the stab, I actually felt it only above 60% gain, and even at 100% it wouldn't have that "snap straight" feeling that everyone has been talking about. I had to use the TX to trim it, but I still couldn't achieve a hands-free hover (could be the surroundings I am flying, I'll need to try that in an open field). In fact, before I've installed this unit my MT would hover hands-free for 15secs! I can't even get that anymore (with or without stab)

I am still not using any ATVs on the TX (AP2000 documentation says to leave those to default), TX CCPM is off, CG is fine, using firmware 1.10, I have NOT "calibrated" it (since I can configure my TX only for 2 states - OFF or ON) - which in theory shouldn't be needed anyhow....

What truely puzzles me the most is the fact that the swashplate wasn't level anymore after moving to AP's CCPM mixing and that I had to use so much trims to get it somehow level (I don't want to change the linkages...)

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[MarkWebber]

Oh, I have ideas...you're not going to like 'em;)

I've noticed that the servo centers in the AP2000i do not always match the tx centers for some reason. Seems more prevelent with JR's that I've setup.
Anyhow, you'll have the best results if you redo you setup with all the trims, tx and AP2000i, at center to get the mechanical setup optimized.
This will get your heli back to flying as it was before.

Regarding the stabilization, w/o the calibration feature (not avail. on firmware v1.10) you'll need to tip the sensor slightly left to minimize the amount of trim you'll need when stabilization is active.

You shouldn't need 60% gain to notice the feeling of stabilization. I can feel 30% under normal circumstances.
Please confirm:
Tx endpoints set to 100%
Cyclic throws back to previous travel (about 7 degrees?)
Sensor has clear view. Not to close to canopy/mechanics.

[dviry]

Interesting, so every TX sends different center values? Mine is the DX6 (yes, I know, I do plan to upgrade) I would have expected those binary values to be the same (but then again, what do I know, I just work in IT :oops:)
I guess I'll have to re-do my head setup and get everything centered - I was just trying to avoid it in case I'd have to restore to the original setup...

My firmware 1.10 does have an SCAL feature in the menu (currently set to OFF) - isn't that the calibration feature? Is there somewhere a list of the changes between firmwares (can't seem to find that on the spartanrc website)? What does 1.11 add (i.e., is it worth upgrading?)

I wasn't too concerned about the stabilization, mainly because I haven't tried it in an open field yet (lot's of near-by trees where I usually fly so I figured it's would not be correct) and was first trying to get the CCPM mixing working correctly, but:
- TX endpoints unchanged (100% all directions)
- by "Cyclic throws back to previous travel (about 7 degrees?)" you mean whether the heli keeps straight? I seem to have noticed that only above 70% gain, and even then not really drastic (i.e., compared to other reviews from people it would easily fly onto the ground if I don't correct it). Not sure thought about how to check for the 7 degrees (you mean with a pitch gauge?)
- now that you mention sensor location I have been trying to avoid putting it on the tail (this way I can easily remove the whole tail assembly without unplugging any of the cables), so for now I have it just behind the elevator servo (where people usually put their gyro - mine is on the bottom). To me it looks like it has clear view in all four directions... Maybe not enough? Could that be an issue as well? Actually, is there a way to check this? I've noticed the AP2000 advanced menu has an option to show those IR readings, any guidelines on how to check those (what would be the optimal value range without interference?)

THANKS for your time! :thumbup:

[MarkWebber]

I would have expected those binary values to be the same
I agree. The first time I ran into this, I was suprised as well.:thinking Was a 9303, that introduced me to this phenomenon.

Hmmmm....Don't know why I thought is was 1.11 that introduced the calibration routine. My bad...in my defence, it's been quite a while.

Frankly, I can not remember what v1.11 added.

I do mean how much cyclic pitch you have since switching. If your swashplate is going full travel, you should be good w/o checking with a pitch guage.

You can have a look in the engineering menu at ADC1 and ADC2. Center value is 512. It's not unusual for the readings to be off center a bit depending on the location you are testing in. The reading will reflect the values of opposite paired eyes. However, it may give you an idea if a porition of the field of view is obstructed. It might be just as easy to check again in a more open flying area. Though, I do still get good response in conjested areas.