Setting up the Model
What this section covers:
Don't worry if you do not understand the terminology in the list
above. Each will be explained in detail as we progress through the
setup.
This manual is not intended to show you how to build a kit.
However there is enough information contained here to build one. If
you are working with an RTF (Ready to Fly) model, the following steps
will allow you to confirm that your model was assembled correctly.
If you have the motor installed. Disconnect two of the three wires
(it doesn't matter which ones). We will apply power to the
helicopter, and do not want any chance of the motor starting up. This
warning will be mentioned numerous times until we are ready for you
to do something that requires the motor.
You should already have the servos installed, and the wires
connected to the receiver as shown in Fig 6, and the wires secured to
the frame so that they will not be caught in any moving parts. If
not, then install the servos now. Refer to the TREX manuals, or your
particular model manual to place the servos in the proper
orientation. Use the same servo model for all three cyclic servos (Do
not mix servo brands or sizes for your cyclic servos). These are the
servos that will connect to and control the Swashplate.
If you have not installed the servos, I have found it easier to
remove the right side frame(s) (on the seV2 stacked frame model) so
that you can route the cables inside the frame and tie-wrap them down
out of the way.
If you have removed the head, you will want it put back on
temporarily until we have discovered the exact center of swashplate
travel (part of the first servo alignment process).
Now that the radio is configured for an initial setup, we turn our
attention to the model. The first thing we want to do is confirm we
have the servos wired correctly and they travel in the right
direction.
The servos should be plugged into the receiver in the following
channels.
CH1 – Aileron servo black wire towards the edge of
the receiver. (All connections will have the black wire connected
towards the edge of the receiver (see Fig 6 below). (Note: The TREX
manuals label the left side servo as Aileron, and the right side as
the Pitch servo. We don't know if this is a typo, but the accepted
name for CH1 right side servo is the Aileron servo.)
Fig
6
*Note: Some servo manufacturers use a different colors for the
wires. Most of them use the Black wire for Negative, Red (center
wire) for Positive, and a different color for the signal wire. Verify
the wire color codes with your servo manufacturer.
CH2 – Elevation Servo. This servo is center line with
the main shaft. Typically has a guide that prevents the swash plate
from rotating. On the EXI seV2 it mounts behind the main shaft. Some
models mount this servo in front of the main shaft.
CH3 – Throttle Speed, connects to the ESC. If the ESC
has a built in BEC (Battery Elimination Circuit), then the three
small wires go to the receiver Channel 3 to provide the main power
for the receiver, servos and gyro. If you are using an external BEC
or battery to power the receiver, then make sure that the ESC does
not also supply this power. You can cut and terminate/insulate the
center red wire from the ESC.
CH4 – Gyro / Rudder control. Typically the Gyro plugs
into CH4, and the rudder servo plugs into the Gyro. Most Gyros have a
sense/gain control line (single wire) that will connect to CH5 to
allow adjusting Gyro Gain settings from the radio. Older gyros only
provide adjustment of gain at the gyro itself. If you have one of
these older gyros, discard it, and purchase a gyro with a Gain Sense
wire.
CH5 – Gyro Gain / Sense line. If your gyro is
equipped with Sense / Gain control wire, then plug this into CH5.
This is often a single wire without another +/- pair, so be extra
careful not to damage this delicate connection.
CH6 – Pitch Servo. Typically this is the servo
mounted to the left side of the helicopter swash plate.
At this point you should have the servos installed, and wired
to the receiver, the servo horns are not attached to the servo, and
the servo linkages are not attached to the servo horns. The radio has
been setup for initial settings mode, and your motor wires have been
unplugged.
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Next - Binding the Transmitter