JR 12X + AR7100R + Switchglo

[Danal Estes]

Goals:

1. Fit within 12x and AR7100R constraints
2. No hot starts from Flight Mode switch (Idle 1 or 2)
3. RPM regulation set by Flight Mode switch (independent for each FM)
4. RPM regulation can be disabled via switch for diagnostics and curve setups
5. RPM regulation limits for each mode set are easily calculated and adjusted (no byzantine math!)

Note: For DX7 mixers, see http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=94078

[Danal Estes]

Radio Setup:


Transmitter

• Hold ENTER while powering up
• [DEV SELECT]
• Ensure Gear set to Gear and is ACT (default unless you’ve previously changed it)
• Note: This assumes you are controlling gyro gain with either the Aux2 switch (endpoints on Aux2 channel) or the Gyro menus. Either one will work fine.

• Power up normally
• Press LIST to access menus

• [REV. SW]
• Set channel 5 (Gear) to REV.

• [TRAVEL ADJUST]
• Ensure GEAR set to +100 and -100 (default unless you’ve previously changed it)

Notes for all mixers below:

• Servo hold doesn't matter during setup. Pick YES just because it is the default.
• To enable a mixer the very first time:
  Scroll over to INH, click, and scroll to NORMAL MIX, click
• Move the GEAR switch to move the little > mark when setting GAIN

Mixers:

• [PROG.MIX1]
• GEAR->GEAR
• GAIN: (+)-35% (Set to amount subtracted from 100 to yield desired gain. Example: -35=65%)
• GAIN: (-)+10% (Always, needed to enable Switchglow with switch down in FM Normal)
• Scroll to the box below "NORM" and click to turn the box "ON"
• OFFSET: 0

• [PROG.MIX2]
• GEAR->GEAR
• GAIN: (+)-25% (Set to amount subtracted from 100 to yield desired gain. Example: -25=75%)
• GAIN: (-)-100% (Always, needed to desable RPM limit with gear switch down in FM 1 or 2)
• Scroll to the box below "ST-1" and click to turn the box "ON"
• OFFSET: 0

• [PROG.MIX3]
• GEAR->GEAR
• GAIN: (+)-24% (Set to amount subtracted from 100 to yield desired gain.)
• GAIN: (-)-100% (Always, needed to desable RPM limit with gear switch down in FM 1 or 2)
• Scroll to the box below "ST-2" and click to turn the box "ON"
• OFFSET: 0

The notes above mention specific % gains for the RPM limiter... of course, you really set these with a tach, for your setup. Meanwhile, these ARE the numbers I'm currently flying on a T700 with stock gearing.


Receiver

Plug SwitchGlo into Channel 5 (GEAR). Note that SGs come in two flavors, a "5V" and "8V"; you specify when you order. On an 7100R, there are two GEAR slots... plug the SG into the appropriate one, by voltage.
__________________

[Danal Estes]

Operation:

Startup

1. Power on TX with all switches “back/away”.
2. Power on Heli
3. IMPORTANT!! WAIT 3 SECONDS. Otherwise, the governor could go into calibration mode! You really should wait for the Gyro to init anyway… so, WAIT 3 (or more) SECONDS
4. Flip Gear switch toward you – you should hear Switchglo
5. Start!
6. Note: If Switchglow “times out” after 10 seconds, flip gear switch again.
7. Once started & engine warmed up, Flip Gear switch away from you.
8. Go fly and have fun!

Flying

1. All flight modes, Normal, FM 1 and 2 available as usual.
2. If desired to disable RPM limiter in any flight mode, flip gear switch toward you.
3. In normal only, this will disable RPM limiter and turn on the Switchglow; this hurts nothing… and the Switchglow will go off after 10 seconds.

Calibrating RPM Limiter

1. Inhibit MIX1 by pressing CLR key while on [PROG.MIX1] page.
2. Note that the 12x will keep your settings; later when you re-enable this mix, they’ll all be there!
3. Ensure your Normal Throttle curve has 0% and 100% points.
4. Calibrate RPM limiter as per manual (using GEAR switch)
5. Re-Enable MIX1.

[Danal Estes]

Caution:

DO NOT use the RPM Limiter during break-in of your engine! It can "hide" behaviors that you should be seeing as the engine leans out and similar. Therefore, DO NOT use the above mixes (or any other form of limiter) until you have a good, working, fully broken in setup that flies on throttle curves.

[Danal Estes]

As I said, those are the numbers I'm flying in the mixers. Here are my throttle curves (which are pretty basic):

• NORM:
• TRIM 55
• EXP OFF
• POINT-L 0 0
• POINT-1 25 42
• POINT-2 50 52
• POINT-H 100 70

Note that this NORM curve MUST be change to POINT-H 100 100 to correctly calibrate the RPM limiter (along with disabling MIX1).

• ST-1:
• EXP OFF
• POINT-L 0 90
• POINT-1 25 65
• POINT-2 50 60
• POINT-3 25 65
• POINT-H 100 90

This will let you verify limiter operation in ST1. Click the GEAR switch, RPM should increase.

• ST-2:
• EXP OFF
• POINT-L 0 100
• POINT-1 25 100
• POINT-2 50 100
• POINT-3 25 100
• POINT-H 100 100

Same thing with verifying proper operation of limiter.

ST-2 being 100 out at all points also lets you set your high needle (on a 3 needle engine like a YS) by clicking the limiter off FOR A FEW SECONDS.


My hold is set to +10 or 11. This will vary with your engine and throttle linkage.

[gwk]

Thanks Danal! I'm anxious to try it out. I need to break in my engine first though. Thanks again!

[Danal Estes]

Just edited post #3 (Operation). I had all the GEAR switch positions backward for a 12x.

[TIMELORD]

do you have a solution to my problem with switchglo pro
tx is a jr12x rx is a spectrum 7100r using a multigov pro gear chanel 5v used for gyro aux 2 used for speed on multigov this leves only 8v gear chanel and 8v throtle chanel


help

[Danal Estes]

Originally Posted by TIMELORD

do you have a solution to my problem with switchglo pro
tx is a jr12x rx is a spectrum 7100r using a multigov pro gear chanel 5v used for gyro aux 2 used for speed on multigov this leves only 8v gear chanel and 8v throtle chanel


help

This thread is about using the RPM limiter in the 7100R, which is internally wired to channel 5 (gear), and also using a Switchglo plugged into channel 5.

You state: "Multigov Pro on Aux2" and "Gyro on Gear" in your response. This implies you are not using the RPM limiter in the 7100R. Therefore, this thread does not apply.

One option for using a switchglo with the setup you describe is to share the switchglo with your Gyro on the gear channel. Instructions for doing this are on the switchglo web site.

[spike5150]

I had an idea for using the 7100R with Switchglo Pro and not needing a mix (with a 9303 or presumably a 12X). It does not fullfill all of Danal's objectives, but is simple.

Since the 7100R can limit RPM with gear channel endpoints above and below 0, you can set the ST1&2 enpoints one way and the NRM endpoint the other (or set to 100 if you don't want limiting in NRM). You can use the GOV menu to tie the operation to the flight mode switch. Then to activate switchglo, you just toggle the flight mode switch and it will come on in NRM mode. It will never come on in ST1 or 2.

I have bench tested this a little bit, but let me know if I have missed something here.