FUTABA G501 Instruction Manual

Thank you for buying a Futaba FP-G501 piezoelectric rate
gyro.
The FP-G501 is used with model helicopters and fixed wing
aircraft when wanting to suppress changes in the aircraft's atti-
tude by changes in air currents, engine torque, etc.
The FP-G501 features a very fast response speed and high
gyro sensitivity made possible by using a piezoelectric ceramic
element as the angle sensor. In the past a rotating motion was
used which resulted in a wide dynamic range that allowed con-
stant control of the rotating speed which was much slower per-
• Minimizes changes in an aircraft's attitude by wind, etc.
The especially high frequency response of the piezoelectric
gyro allows an increase in gyro sensitivity. The original ability of
a gyro to suppress changes in an aircraft's attitude due to wind
and engine torque changes and other unexpected phenomena
has been increased substantially.

• Angular acceleration commands used.

To take advantage of the wide dynamic range of the piezoelec-
tric gyro, angular acceleration commands are used. The trans-
mitter stick operating angle becomes the aircraft command for
angular acceleration and the aircraft rotating speed is propor-
tional to the stick operating angle that is obtained while main-
taining stabilization performance. This is the greatest merit of
the piezoelectric rate gyro over conventional gyros. Fixed rota-
tion of the aircraft can be commanded by the transmitter stick
operating angle.
• Piezoelectric gyro drift cancellation.
Deviation of the gyro from the direction to be maintained (neu-
tral) is called drift. When the power is turned on, the FP-G501
senses this drift and automatically compensates it during gyro
operation. Therefore, do not move the aircraft for four to five
seconds after turning on the power.
• FP-S9203 high response servo.
To take advantage of the excellent response of the FP-G501
and to extract the ultimate performance of the piezoelectric
gyro, a FP-S9203 coreless servo has been designed for this
purpose.
• Sensor vibrationproofing.
A special suspension is built into the gyro to vibration-proof the
formance. To obtain full performance from this rate gyro and
also for safety, please read this manual before use. After read-
ing this manual, please retain it for future use. Also read the
instruction manual supplied with the digital proportional radio
control set, model kit, and engine.
NOTE: The FP-G501 should be used with the FP-S9203
to obtain maxima performance. If used with another servo,
the FP-G501 may not operate satisfactorily, or yield maxi-
mum performance.
D60510
IMPORTANT:
For safe use, read the items indicated by the following cau-
tion mark especially carefully.
"All, or part. of this manual may not be reproduced without prior permission.
"The contents of this manual are subject to change without prior notice
"This manual has been carefully written, but if you find anything that you do not
understand or that is incorrect, please contact Futaba.
"Futaba is not responsible for use of this gyro by the user.
"Futaba" is a registered trade mark.
sensor element itself. The sensor is protected against un-
wanted vibrations around the sensor shaft while maintaining
high response.
• Simple sensitivity adjustment.
High side and low side sensitivity can be easily adjusted from 0
to 100% each by means of control box trimmers.
The sensitivity can also be adjusted from the transmitter.
(Terminology)
Piezoelectric gyro
Whereas the conventional gyro uses a rotating body to sense
angular acceleration, the piezoelectric gyro uses a piezoelectric
ceramic element. When rotation angular acceleration is applied
while the piezoelectric ceramic element is vibrating, force propor-
tional to the rotation angular acceleration is generated in the di-
rection perpendicular to the direction of vibration. The piezoelec-
tric element is flexed by this force and the angularacceleration is
sensed by extracting the change of this vibration as an electric
signal. The gyro is called a piezoelectric gyro because of this
principle. An amplifier processes the sensed signal, together with
the control signal from the transmitter, and controls the servo.
Gyro
Servo
Accessories
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CONTENTS

1.FEATURES

2. SET CONTENTS

3. MOUNTING AND CONNECTIONS
4. SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT
5. ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
6. USAGE PRECAUTIONS
7. RATINGS
8. REPAIR SERVICE
I ;Caution
Single set
FP-G501
Small screwdriver (for adjustment)
Double-sided tape (for gyro mounting)
mark
Set w/servo
FP-S9203