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Aerial Photography and Video > Sharing channels with Helicommand and ?
 
 
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Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

I have a helicommand 3D installed and I'm out of channels to have a dedicated channel to autotrim. I was under the impression that I could share a channel with another function, but the issue I'm having is that the autotrim and the other function, whether it be cam trigger, gyro gain, etc is conflicting with the original function.

Maybe I'm not being clear, but say I want to use the gyro gain channel for a GY401.. I made a Y harness, but the % that I need to activate HH mode on the gyro is the same as what initiates the autotrim on HC.

Same thing happens on my camera trigger channel. I have a three position switch on that channel, so I could have it setup as (autotrim - all off - shutter trigger) but what happens is that the signal needed for autotrim is the same as the shutter trigger. I cannot use the -% values, only the +%.

My question is, if I were to get a servo reverser, could I plug that in after the Y harness between the autotrim channel, so that on one end of the travel, I get shutter release, and the other end is autotrim? Or is there another way to switch one of the functions to activate on a - value, instead of a positive? I'm using a X9303 my channels are listed below.

1- throttle
2- roll
3- pitch
4- yaw
5- gyro (401) gain
6- collective pitch
7- camera tilt
8- shutter release
9- autocommand pilot channel
?- autocommand autotrim channel
03-31-2008 01:41 AM
 
 
Disciple4123
Veteran
Location: Waynesboro, VA USA

The complex fix is, I believe, what you are describing. What I have done is used the shutter trigger (servo to the camera) and placed it's horn approx where it would serve the main function, and tilt back a little more under a TX mixer switch's influence(harmless to the camera) to hit autotrim. I've played around with that on HC, and other devices as well without issue. Now I can understand if you do not want to part with the neater IR based shutter hitter, that is understandable.

Eric
03-31-2008 02:41 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

Yes, I am very happy with my gentled focus shutter release and don't want to lose it. I'm really upset because I just got this 9303 a few weeks ago and I'm out of channels already!

I think I'll try a servo reverser, because both functions (gyro and shutter) are only operating at the top half of travel, if I can utilize the bottom half of the trigger and/or gyro gain with the reverser, I'll be a happy camper.

The autotrim function on the helicommand is really nice. I flew in some pretty high wind this weekend, and the helicommand held very well. On another note, I would also like to change my slider on the radio to operate in the helicommand in horizontal mode across the whole range instead of just one half. Is there a way to tell the slider to go from say 0% 50% 100% instead of -100% 0% 100%?
03-31-2008 03:10 AM
 
 
Disciple4123
Veteran
Location: Waynesboro, VA USA

Yes, you can program the slider under travel adjust settings to run half the course, that is the only way I have run it, using my left slider, toward me is off, away from me is full assist.

Normally the travel for your ninth channel is -100 0 100, try setting it to 0 50 100 (or -100 -50 0). I am away from the TX to be more specific, but you'll figure it out. Confirm with observation of the unit's color status when active.

Eric
03-31-2008 03:40 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
BigguyOz
Key Veteran
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

You mention a "focus shutter release". You are aware I hope that there is no point in a two stage shutter release for AP work? The only purpose of the half-press focus feature is to allow the camera operator to lock focus on a point which is not where the auto-focus would normally lock onto (eg a face at the side of the frame).

In the AP context, where there is generally no foreground object, there is no point in the focus half-press. In fact, when you do a full press, the camera takes a moment to focus first before firing the shutter.

I have experimented with the following cameras, bu swinging the camera onto a new subject and mashing the trigger, and not once did any of the cameras fail to focus first:- Canon A640, Olympus C-760, Olympus SP350, Samsung S800, Pentax A10

So maybe you can use part of that channel?

Tony Stott
Scenefromabove.com.au
Trex 450,
8m mast
AP hot air balloon
AP kites
03-31-2008 08:23 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

The name of the trigger is the Gentled Focus, which it does have a two step focus feature, but I'm not using it.
03-31-2008 01:35 PM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Subscribing. Interesting thread, I hope to do this soon too - very neat idea to use the 'other end' of the shutter channel to do the auto trimming! So I guess you just need a simple Y-lead coming from the shutter channel on the Rx?

Thanks


David
03-31-2008 02:09 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
_architorture_
Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

You'll need a Y lead, and some sort of servo reverser. I ordered this one: http://www.dionysusdesign.com/produ...08843289e525c26

I'll update this thread once I try it. I really hope it works, that way I'll have control for three more functions. (opposite side of helicommand pilot channel, shutter release, and gyro gain.)

If that works, the next thing I'd like to try is to tap into the trainer rocker switch to activate the autotrim.
03-31-2008 02:51 PM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Sorry I don't quite follow, why do you need the servo reverser? The way I see it, at 100% travel (or around there) you would trigger the shutter, and at -100% (or around there) you would trigger the auto-trim. Ah, I'm just using a servo to trigger the shutter, maybe that's the difference?

Cheers


David
03-31-2008 03:30 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
_architorture_
Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

you would think so, as would I, but unfortunately, any time I double up the channels with the autotrim, it will activate on the same side of the travel, so for example, HH on my 401 and autotrim activate together, or my trigger and autotrim activate together, etc, instead of at opposite ends +/-. Read my initial post, I tried to explain it well, but don't know if you can get the idea from my explanation.
03-31-2008 03:36 PM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Ah I follow you now sorry ... Hmmm. I will have a play once I've got autotrim set up on mine and let you know if I make any progress. The servo reverser idea sounds like it should work though

Thanks,


David
03-31-2008 03:39 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

I've got it working!

Unfortunately I'm using a Futaba FF9 so I can't give you settings to try on your JR Basically I used a programmable mix to 'add in' extra 'movement' on the shutter control channel, which pushed the output up into the auto-trim region - I did all the fiddling in real-time whilst watching the 'Diagnose' tab on the Helicommand software.

So now, press the shutter button - servo moves, no problem. Flick switch A (not whilst the shutter button is held down of course) and the output of the shutter servo channel increases (the servo arm moves *away* from the shutter button) and triggers the auto-trim function.

Wish I could be of more help! But it's certainly possible with my Futaba ....

Cheers


David

PS. I assume you have programmable mixers on your Tx?
04-01-2008 05:44 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
_architorture_
Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

Awesome! Congrats on getting it to work. The only reason that doesn't work for me is that I don't have a servo based shutter mechanism, so my %'s that trigger my shutter release are not able to be modified. I have that reverser on the way though, and I think that will work.
04-01-2008 06:42 PM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Thanks

Ahh I see ... hmm. When you say you're not able to modify the %'s, why is that? What %'s does the shutter release device require?

Cheers


David
04-01-2008 08:25 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
_architorture_
Heliman
Location: Tampa, Florida

I got it working! I got my reverser in the mail today and installed it. Works great, so basically I can do the same to my gyro gain channel later down the road if I need another channel to trigger a function.

I also wired the trainer switch to the autotrim, so on my 9303 I get a momentary lever and a nice beep confirmation when I autotrim. I also tapped off that same 3 way switch aux, and I hooked up a momentary push button switch to control the shutter and mounted it in place of my rudder d/r switch. So I have 2 "channels" running off that one aux channel.

I haven't flown with it yet, but it feels much better in my hands instead of using the 3 way switch that was controlling that aux channel and two functions (shutter - off - autotrim). The 3 way still functions as well as the additional switches.
04-04-2008 04:57 AM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Fantastic! Well done for getting it working! And well done for logically working out how you could get the functionality you needed with the components you had available


David
04-04-2008 11:06 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
borneobear
Senior Heliman
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sorry to ask a really stupid question, but if I'm going to use the internal gyro for my tail, what is the minimum number of channels to fly with the Helicommand?
My guess is 7?

Thanks,
borne
06-10-2008 01:11 PM
 
 
Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Yes you need at least 7 I think.

1 - Roll
2 - Pitch
3 - Throttle
4 - Yaw
5 - Helicommand stabiliser gain
6 - Collective
7 - Helicommand Autotrim

Camera tilt and camera shutter are extra (although I've combined the Autotrim channel with the camera shutter as I described above.

Cheers


David
06-10-2008 01:15 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
borneobear
Senior Heliman
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Thanks for the input David. Really needed that.

If I'm flying with 6 channels and I've got another 6 channel on my camera radio.
I wonder if I can put the Helicommand Autotrim on the camera Rx, and have the Helicommand stabiliser gain on the heli Rx?

That way I can use the system with my current set up.

Thanks again for any input.
borne
06-10-2008 01:49 PM
 
 
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Aerial Photography and Video > Sharing channels with Helicommand and ?
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