Spartan Vortex User Manual page 2

base and the original dated sales receipt must be provided; we will not
replace items in advance. Spartan RC retains the exclusive right to repair
or replace the product or offer a full refund of the purchase price at its
sole discretion. In no event shall Spartan RC be liable for any incidental,
special, indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse
or inability to use the product or from defects in the product.
Important: Register your product via the Spartan website within 30 days
of the original purchase to qualify for 3 years free service and discounted
crash replacements. The original dated sales receipt is required for all
claims. Terms & Conditions apply. Check website for qualifying products.
A A – B P
PPENDIX EST RACTICES
Set the head driving linkages whilst the "Setup::Swash::Trim(x)" menu is
active. During trim adjustments the collective and cyclic controls are
overridden to zero thus providing the right conditions for setting the
correct swashplate and head geometry.
Step 2: The swashplate
must be accurately
perpendicular to the main
shaft. Use suitable levelling
tool. Adjust linkage lengths
to set.
Image courtesy
of AleeS
A B – B P
PPENDIX EST RACTICES
Set the tail rotor linkages whilst the "Setup::Tail::Servo Trim" menu is
active. This menu overrides the rudder control to zero thus providing the
right conditions for setting the correct tail geometry. The servo arm
should be at a 90° angle with the pushrod as illustrated. The linkage
length should be adjusted so the tail rotor pitch is set to 0°.
90°
Small Electric
Helicopters
(250, 450 and 500)
Ball link 7.5mm
from servo shaft
for the larger electric
and all nitro helicopters.
Alternatively you may
choose to place the ball
link at a distance that
allows the servo to have
a combined travel of
around 80° from the low
endpoint to the high
endpoint.
For best results set the tail rotor pitch to approximately 8° when the
collective stick is at hover point. This is not a strict requirement but it can
improve certain aspects of the tail performance.
A C- S M
PPENDING ENSOR OUNTING
The correct operation, performance and stability of your Vortex can be
greatly affected by the way it is mounted on the airframe. For products
with a remote gyro sensor the advice below applies to the sensor unit
instead. In such cases the Flight Computer has no particular mounting
orientation requirements.
Use the supplied adhesive foam pads to mount the unit to the helicopter
frame. Replacement mounting pads are available from your Spartan
Vortex retailer.
 The unit can be mounted upright, inverted, facing left or facing right.
However the cables must always exit towards the front or back of the
airframe.
F M R S
OR AIN OTOR ETUP
Step 3: The main blades
should have an accurate
0° pitch. Adjust swash to
blade linkages to set.
Step 1: The driving arm of
the swashplate linkage must
form a 90° angle with the
linkage. Use trim menus to
adjust.
F T R S
OR AIL OTOR ETUP
Follow the advice in
helicopter's assembly
regarding the placement of the
ball link onto the tail servo horn.
When such advice
provided or has resulted in poor
tail performance we recommend
placing the ball link at 7.5mm in
the case of small
helicopters and 13.5 - 16.5mm
90°
Larger Electric and
All Nitro Helicopters
13.5 - 16.5mm
from servo shaft
 It is essential that the unit is aligned as accurately as possibly with the
pitch, roll and yaw axis of the aircraft. Always mount it to a rigid flat
surface.
 Do not allow the unit's case to touch other objects.
 Avoid fixing the cables to the helicopter for the first 5cm (2 inches) from
the unit end to reduce transmission of vibrations through the cables.
 Avoid mounting the unit in direct proximity to large electric motors.
WARNING!
• Inspect the condition of the adhesive pad as part of your regular pre-
flight checks.
• Do not mount the unit in locations where it may be subjected to high
levels of oily smoke, fuel, or other liquids.
• Do not allow the remote sensor cable to touch any sharp edges of the
helicopter airframe.
• Do not fit cable braid over the remote sensor cable.
• Do not put any tension on the remote sensor cable. It can damage the
wires and result to an in flight failure.
A D - F
PPENDIX
Status Light
Steady blue
Blue 1 flash
Blue 2 flashes
Blue 3 flashes
Blue slow
flashing
Blue rapid
flashing
Steady violet for
few seconds
Red slow
flashing
Red momentary
flash
Red rapid
flashing
Violet slowly
pulsating
Fw Violet rapid
Ldr flashing
the
manual A E - S
PPENDIX
For systems without a remote sensor the light codes descried below will
appear on the unit itself instead.
is not
Status Light
Alternating
Blue/Red
electric
Steady blue
Steady red
Violet 1, 2 or 3*
flashes, then
repeat
Red 1, 2 or 3*
Flashes, then
repeat
Fw Violet rapid
Ldr flashing
* The number of flashes indicates the sensor that is reporting the error.
L D
IABILITY
Because Spartan RC and their distributors have no control over the
installation and use of this product, no liability may be assumed nor will
any liability be accepted for any damages resulting from the use of this
product. Under
consequential or incidental damages. By the act of installing this product,
the buyer accepts all resulting liability.
C
OPYRIGHT AND
The documentation, electronic design and firmware are the Copyright of
Spartan RC. The firmware is licensed for use only on products
manufactured by Spartan RC. Reproduction and distribution of this
document for non-commercial use is allowed. Reproduction must remain
intact, as a complete whole, and including this notice.
2
C S
LIGHT OMPUTER TATUS
Description
Normal operation – Nothing to report.
The aileron stick is not at neutral.
The elevator stick is not at neutral.
The rudder stick is not at neutral.
Trim flight active.
The throttle level is in the auto-abort trigger
range (7.5% to 15%).
The Vortex is saving data such as changes to
the configuration parameters to its internal
memory.
The Vortex is waiting for signal from the
receiver. Usually seen before the receiver has
linked to the transmitter.
The Vortex changed over to the other satellite
receiver.
The Vortex is scanning both satellite receivers
but neither is receiving a transmission.
The input voltage is too low for the Vortex to
operate correctly.
Firmware update mode.
S L
ENSOR TATUS IGHT
Description
The sensor is calibrating. Do not move the heli.
Sensor calibration ok.
The sensor was moved during calibration. The
calibration quality may be bad and drift may
occur in flight.
The sensor self-test failed. It may indicate a
fault but it can also be triggered if the sensor is
abruptly moved during calibration.
The sensor is reporting that it is operating
outside its design specification. It may indicate
a sensor fault but can also be triggered by
extreme shock in case of a crash.
Firmware update mode.
ISCLAIMER
no circumstances will
L
ICENCE
L
IGHT
the buyer be entitled to