Spektrum BEASTX AR7210BX User Manual
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Spektrum BEASTX AR7210BX User Manual

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AR7210BX User Guide
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  • Page 1 AR7210BX User Guide...
  • Page 2 IMPORTANT: When using the Spektrum AR7210BX with larger helicopters (500- size and larger): It is necessary that you connect a DSMX remote receiver (not included) to the Spektrum AR7210BX before binding. See “Receiver Installation” for more information. CAUTION: DO NOT use DSM2 remote receivers with the Spektrum AR7210BX.
  • Page 3 As a result, the system is constantly aware of how the drive system will be used. The Spektrum AR7210BX features an RPM Governor system that uses this advantage to control the motor RPM. Contrary to conventional motor control systems that only monitor motor speed, the Spektrum AR7210BX can react sooner to speed changes.
  • Page 4 Program Guide Preflight Safety Precautions and Checklist • Read all safety precautions and literature prior to use of this product. • Always ensure the receiver and transmitter are properly bound before flight. • Always ensure batteries are fully charged and have proper capacity for the flight time you intend. • Always exit programming mode before flying. • Always use the included mounting tape and ensure it is properly mounted and in good condition before each flight. • Power your transmitter on first and then the receiver. • Always allow the Spektrum AR7210BX to initialize before flight. • Confirm the cyclic and tail rotor servos do not bind at the full range of the throw. • Perform a control test, ensuring controls move in correct directions. Swashplate— Swashplate— Direct Cyclic Feed Forward Cyclic Gain Tail Dynamic Setup Button Menu Point...

  • Page 5: Specifications

    • Receiver battery pack (number of cells, capacity, cell type, state of charge) • The ESC’s BEC capability to deliver current to the receiver when load is placed on the servos. This is the number one cause of power interruptions in electric helicopters. The Spektrum AR7210BX has a minimum operational voltage of 3.5 volts. Test the power system according to these guidelines: Recommended Power System Test Guidelines Perform the following test with a voltmeter.
  • Page 6 When using a DSMX remote receiver—Use double-sided foam tape to mount the remote receiver so that the antenna is perpendicular to the longer main receiver antenna. The remote receiver antenna must be at least 2 inches away from the main receiver’s antenna. The Spektrum AR7210BX is compatible with all DSM2 and DSMX transmitters, even when using the optional DSMX remote receiver. Spektrum AR7210BX installed...

  • Page 7: Receiver Installation

    A poor servo-rotor blade combination will cause several issues including oscillation while hovering and unwanted reaction in fast forward flight. Connect all servos to the Spektrum AR7210BX. Refer to the diagram below for your particular helicopter’s cyclic servos.

  • Page 8: Smartsafe Failsafe

    Y-Harnesses and Servo Extensions Do not use amplified Y-harnesses or amplified servo extensions with Spektrum equipment. Use only standard non-amplified Y-harnesses and servo extensions. When converting existing models to Spektrum devices, replace all amplified Y-harnesses and servo extensions. SmartSafe Failsafe ™...
  • Page 9 (throttle low). 4. Follow the procedures of your specific transmitter to enter Bind Mode. The system will connect within a few seconds. Once connected, the H LED will turn off and the Spektrum AR7210BX will start the initialization process. 5. Remove the bind plug from the BIND/DAT port on the receiver and store the bind plug in a convenient place.
  • Page 10 Accessing Menu Levels From flight-ready mode (A through N LEDs off) you can access two different Menu Levels — Setup Menu and Parameter Menu. You can only access one Menu Level at a time. Setup Menu—Access all basic settings for helicopter setup. To access the Setup Menu: Press and hold the setup button until LED A stops flashing and lights up solid.

  • Page 11: Factory Reset

    When the last menu point of each Menu Level is reached, quickly press the setup button to exit the menu. The Spektrum AR7210BX will also automatically exit the menu after 4 minutes of inactivity. The Spektrum AR7210BX will not automatically exit at points D, G, I and J to allow time for mechanical helicopter adjustments.
  • Page 12 Factory Setting Press the setup button to save the selection and move to Menu Point C. To see a complete Spektrum servo reference chart, refer to the servo chart on spektrumrc.com. C Tail Servo Center Position/Pulse Length Almost all tail servos work with 1520µs (micro seconds). There are a few tail servos available that use a different center position pulse length.
  • Page 13 D Tail Servo Frequency CAUTION: If you do not know the maximum frequency for your selected tail servo, do not exceed 50Hz. Exceeding the maximum frequency for the tail servo can lead to servo failure. For best performance, always use a high-quality tail servo capable of at least 270Hz. Depending on the selection chosen in Menu Point C, you may not be able to select a frequency above 333Hz. Status-LED User Defined (requires PC software) Purple Solid 50 Hz* Red Flashing 165Hz Red Solid 270Hz...
  • Page 14 F Setting the Tail Sensor Direction 1. Move the helicopter nose to the right. The tail rotor blades will move in the same direction as left rudder input. If the tail rotor blades move in the wrong direction, reverse the sensor direction. 2.
  • Page 15 1. Select the electronic swashplate mixer required for your helicopter or choose “mechanical” if the helicopter uses a mechanical mixer. The Spektrum AR7210BX supports 90°, 120° and 135–140° swashplates. You can also use any swashplate geometry by selecting User Defined (PC software required).
  • Page 16 Status-LED Normal Reverse Reverse Purple Solid Normal* Normal* Reverse* Red Solid Normal Reverse Normal Blue Solid Normal Normal Normal Factory Setting IMPORTANT: Menu Point I does not have a time limit. If the servos are still not reacting properly after using servo reverse, make sure the servos are connected to the proper receiver channels.
  • Page 17 For later flights, you can adjust your pitch curves as desired. Setup Menu Point K serves to teach Spektrum AR7210BX the maximum pitch range and the endpoints of the throttle stick. IMPORTANT: At this point, verify that the demanded collective pitch direction on the transmitter is in the correct direction for the model. Otherwise use your transmitter’s servo...
  • Page 18 L Adjusting the Cyclic Swashplate Limit Menu Point L adjusts the maximum possible tilting of the swashplate for aileron and elevator. The deflection is limited in a circular path, similar to a cyclic ring function, preventing swashplate binding at full aileron and elevator travel. 1.
  • Page 19 In order to use the Spektrum AR7210BX Governor, the system must be able to detect the motor speed with the help of a RPM sensor that must be attached to the sensor input of Spektrum AR7210BX. For models with nitro/gas engines, usually sensors are used that determine the speed signal magnetically or optically.
  • Page 20 RPM as periodic low-high signal. Unfortunately it is impossible to try and enumerate all types. Consult your dealer about whether a particular sensor can be used in conjunction with Spektrum AR7210BX. Electric Drive System with External Phase Sensor Connect the motor wires of the phase sensor with any two phases of the electric motor.
  • Page 21 (magnet or similar) passes the sensor. When the signal generator is within the detection range of the sensor, the Status-LED lights up Blue. If the Status-LED on the Spektrum AR7210BX does not light up as described: • double check the wiring • verify the sensor’s power wires are of correct polarity...
  • Page 22 ESC. The Spektrum AR7210BX RPM Governor can operate correctly, the motor speed should increase as linearly as possible when the stick is moved and there should be no range where the motor speed does not change.
  • Page 23 “dead zone.” In both cases, move the throttle stick just as high as the motor will start in the next step, so that Spektrum AR7210BX can determine the effective throttle range correctly.
  • Page 24 RPM you want the helicopter to maintain. When setting an RPM higher than zero, the Spektrum AR7210BX will speed up the rotor smoothly and ensure that the rotor RPM is kept constant throughout the flight. To practice autorotation landings, you can keep the...
  • Page 25 100% 100% Normal flight mode Idle up 1 • Motor off • RPM Governor • Throttle is 0% over enabled • 1680 RPM = 42% the entire range throttle Status-LED OFF Status-LED 100% 100% Idle up 2 Autorotation • RPM Governor • RPM Governor on enabled standby...
  • Page 26 RPM Governor is switched. The Spektrum AR7210BX will be set to autorotation bail out mode if the RPM Governor is switched on and the throttle channel is brought below 25%. When throttle is...
  • Page 27 Throttle curve Governor (throttle channel) channel Idle up 1 • RPM Governor on 100% 100% • 1800 RPM = 52.5% • Throttle must stay above 25%. 52.5% V-curve used as backup, in case the governor gets deactivated in this flight mode Status-LED Throttle curve Governor...
  • Page 28 Spektrum AR7210BX will always see the same throttle value and so the preset RPM will stay the same. So at least two flight phases are necessary: (1) that the throttle curve goes only up to the middle and in which the motor can be controlled by hand, i.e.
  • Page 29 Throttle Position Rotor RPM* Status-LED Purple Solid 100% 3000 2760 2520 2280 2040 1800 Red Solid 1560 1320 1080 Manual control/ Blue Solid Autorotation Manual control *The list is not exhaustive. Intermediate values result accordingly. When the transmitter setup is finished and the Status LED lights up in the colors as described when switching between the different flight modes, switch to motor off position on the transmitter.
  • Page 30 F G H Divider for Main Gear Ratio The RPM Governor of the Spektrum AR7210BX calculates with the rotor head speed of the helicopter. So (as shown at Menu Point D) you can set the desired head speed very easily and the Spektrum AR7210BX will try to maintain this head speed.
  • Page 31 To proceed to the each menu point press the button. After Menu Point H the initial setup is finished and the button press will lead back to operation mode. Menu Point G Menu Point H Main gear ratio - X.YZ : 1 Status-LED Status-LED Menu Point F...
  • Page 32 If you want this, you must activate the RPM Governor before switching to your second flight mode! The First Flight After powering on the receiver, wait for the Spektrum AR7210BX to initialize completely (Short movement of swashplate servos and Status LED is Solid Blue Solid Purple).
  • Page 33 Dials and Tail Gyro Gain To adjust the dials: Only use the original Spektrum AR7210BX adjustment tool to prevent damage to the dials. Do not turn the dials past their end points or damage will occur. Dial 1: Swashplate—Cyclic Gain Turn Dial 1 clockwise to increase the swashplate gain.
  • Page 34 Rate Mode Blue Solid Heading Lock Mode The color of the Status LED indicates the selected mode when the Spektrum AR7210BX is ready for operation. When the gain channel is centered, LED A = 0% gain. The maximum adjustable tail gain is 100% in both modes (LED N = 100%).
  • Page 35 NOTICE: Never use transmitter trims with the Spektrum AR7210BX. The Spektrum AR7210BX will interpret the trim as a control command, NOT as servo trim. There is one exception: The rudder servo can be trimmed on the remote control when the tail gyro is operated in Normal-Rate mode.
  • Page 36 Rudder Servo If the tail gyro is operated in Normal-Rate mode, the rudder servo must often be trimmed precisely so that the tail rotor produces just enough thrust to counteract the rotor torque in hovering flight. Otherwise the helicopter would constantly drift into one or another direction on its vertical axis as the gyro only dampens sudden movements but does not control the tail rotor‘s absolute position.
  • Page 37 Status-LED Control Behavior User Defined Purple Solid Normal Red Flashing Sport* Red Solid Blue Flashing Extreme Blue Solid Transmitter Factory Setting If you select one of the preset Control Behaviors, it is not recommended that you use Exponential and/or Dual Rates in your transmitter. However, slightly increasing servo travel in your transmitter should not cause any problems with the Control Behaviors. The option “User Defined”...
  • Page 38 Start with Rate Consistency set to low or very low and maximize the tail gain in your transmitter. Increase the Rate Consistency in the Spektrum AR7210BX until the desired result is achieved. Pirouettes are inconsistent in fast forward flight or in Rate Consistency Too Low crosswind conditions.
  • Page 39 E Stick Deadband Stick deadband is the range around the very center of the stick where the Spektrum AR7210BX will not react. Depending on the calibration of the transmitter, the sticks may not be in the exact same center position each time they return to center. This can cause unwanted rotation on the axis of stick movement and unwanted servo movement even when the heli is standing still on the ground.
  • Page 40 F Tail—RevoMIX The Spektrum AR7210BX can pre-compensate for torque variations on the tail before any noticeable change. RevoMIX relieves the tail control loop and improves tail performance on helicopters with insufficient tail authority and/or high powered electric helicopters. To see the compensation direction: Move the collective pitch, roll and elevator stick at any time.
  • Page 41 G Cyclic Response Menu Point G adjusts how aggressively the Spektrum AR7210BX responds to cyclic commands (roll and pitch). Adjusting the cyclic response can reduce the linear control feeling of flybarless systems and make the helicopter response feel more or less aggressive.
  • Page 42 Status-LED Pitch Boost User Defined Purple Solid Off* Red Flashing Red Solid Medium Blue Flashing High Blue Solid Very High Factory setting The option “User Defined” allows you to define your own settings using the optional PC Software. Press the setup button once to move to Parameter Menu Point I. I RPM Governor —...
  • Page 43 J RPM Governor — Initial Spool Up Rate When activating the RPM Governor this will not apply full throttle immediately but will increase the rotor head speed slowly until the desired preset head speed is reached. At Menu Point J you can determine how quickly this soft start occurs when the RPM Governor is activated initially.
  • Page 44 K RPM Governor — Quick Change Rate If the RPM Governor is enabled and you increase the preset rotor head speed there will not be an abrupt change but the system will increase the rotor RPM with a given spool up rate that can be set at Menu Point K.
  • Page 45 Operating Principles of SAFE Technology ® When SAFE technology is used in this manual, reference is made to leveling the model, ® regardless of a particular operating mode (e.g. “Bail out rescue mode,” “3D - Mode” or “Flight trainer mode”). SAFE technology can be enabled or disabled via Parameter Menu Point L by selecting one ®...
  • Page 46 ® collective pitch inputs by accident. 3D - Mode In 3D - Mode, the Spektrum AR7210BX recognizes the current orientation of the heli (normal or inverted) and always rotates the helicopter to the nearest horizontal position when SAFE ® technology is activated. This operation mode is well suited for practicing basic 3D - aerobatic maneuvers such as hovering or back flips.
  • Page 47 3D - Mode with Collective Pitch Control 3D - Mode with collective pitch control provides the same functionality as the “3D - Mode.” In addition, here SAFE technology takes over the collective pitch function. When reaching ® horizontal position SAFE technology gives a positive or negative pitch input, so that the ®...
  • Page 48 Nitro Governor instead of controlling the RPM Governor by throttle channel. Teaching the additional channels is done in the “Channel Assignment Menu”: 1. Press and hold the push button on the Spektrum AR7210BX unit and power it on. Menu LED A will flash instantly, the Status LED will either be...
  • Page 49 ® by using the switch on the transmitter whose channel was assigned as actuator for SAFE ® technology in Receiver setup menu. When the Spektrum AR7210BX is ready for operation check whether activation of SAFE technology works as expected: ®...
  • Page 50 Menu-LEDs each time after initialization procedure and always when the gain changes. Here the Status LED lights up Blue. When you flip the switch and the channel is deflected to the other direction, the Spektrum AR7210BX will keep the current tail gyro gain and activate SAFE technology. Here the Status LED lights up...
  • Page 51 ® control. If the heli is tilted to one side, Spektrum AR7210BX permanently steers the swashplate opposed to the inclination. In the region around horizontal position the swashplate will always stay nearly horizontal to the ground.
  • Page 52 ® As SAFE technology actively gives control commands to the control loop of Spektrum ® AR7210BX, the swashplate may tilt to one side if the helicopter is not placed perfectly level on the ground. This may cause the helicopter to tilt and crash when trying to take off or when the motor is switched off and the main rotor is running out.
  • Page 53 If the helicopter is not aligned horizontally as desired with active SAFE technology, i.e drifts ® to one side in hovering, the artificial horizon can be readjusted. This is done at Parameter Menu Point A which also serves as servo trim function. If you activate SAFE technology ®...

  • Page 54: Menu Overview

    Menu Overview SETUP MENU Purple Purple Blue Red/ Blue (Menu-LED is steady ON ) Flashing Flashing Solid Flashing Solid Solid Blue horizontal vertical hor. inv. vert. inv. horizontal vertical hor. inv. vert. inv. Mounting orientation socket, front socket, front socket, front socket, front socket, back socket, back...
  • Page 55 Adjustment Options Overview Menu LEDs: Amount of tail gain = 0% to = 100% SAFE® technology gain = “off” to = 100% Button: only shown after powering up or when adjusting the gain —to enter Setup menu press down several seconds until LED is steady on —to enter Parameter menu Status-LED...

  • Page 56: Limited Warranty

    Limited Warranty What this Warranty Covers Horizon Hobby, LLC, (Horizon) warrants to the original purchaser that the product purchased (the “Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase. What is Not Covered This warranty is not transferable and does not cover (i) cosmetic damage, (ii) damage due to acts of God, accident, misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or due to improper use, installation, operation or maintenance, (iii) modification of or to any part of the Product, (iv) attempted service by anyone other than a Horizon Hobby authorized service center, (v) Product...
  • Page 57 distributor or Horizon directly. This will enable Horizon to better answer your questions and service you in the event that you may need any assistance. For questions or assistance, please visit our website at www.horizonhobby.com, submit a Product Support Inquiry, or call the toll free telephone number referenced in the Warranty and Service Contact Information section to speak with a Product Support representative.

  • Page 58: Warranty And Service Contact Information

    Warranty and Service Contact Information Country of Horizon Hobby Contact Information Address Purchase Horizon Service Center servicecenter.horizonhobby. (Repairs and Repair com/RequestForm/ Requests) 4105 Fieldstone Rd United States Horizon Product Support www.quickbase.com/db/ Champaign, Illinois of America (Product Technical bghj7ey8c?a=GenNewRecord 61822 USA Assistance) 888-959-2306 sales@horizonhobby.com...
  • Page 59 © 2015 Horizon Hobby, LLC. DSM, DSM2, DSMX and SmartSafe are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. BEASTX and StudioX are registered trademarks of Markus Schaack and are used with permission. The Spektrum AR7210BX employs technology exclusively licensed to Horizon Hobby, LLC.

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