Captron HeliCommand 3A 3D RIGID Instructions Manual

Hide thumbs

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Quick Links

Download this manual

M-SERIES

INSTRUCTIONS

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for Captron HeliCommand 3A 3D RIGID

Page 1 M-SERIES INSTRUCTIONS...
Page 2 ►www.helicommand.com...
Page 3 Introduction Congratulations on your decision to purchase a HeliCommand. No other commercially produced system for model helicopters can stabilise the horizontal flight position in addition to the horizontal attitude. The HeliCommand was originally developed from a professional auto-pilot system for commercial helicopters employed in filming and surveying, and is based on several innovative technologies (international patents pending).
Page 4 HeliCommand 3A • Stabilises all horizontal control movements: inclination (tilt), speed, position • Auxiliary „pilot“ channel for adjusting stabilisation effect and switching between horizontal mode and position mode • Integral heading-lock (AVCS) gyro • Second auxiliary channel (“AUX channel”) for gyro gain and mode, optionally for automatic trim.
Page 5 HeliCommand RIGID Includes all the features of the HeliCommand 3A and 3D, plus: • RIGID mode for stabilising flybar-less rotor heads (2- or multi-bladed heads), highly effective in preventing ballooning and tuck-under at high speed and in gusty conditions. • Optimised pirouette stabilisation.
Page 6 Index LED Display Description of facilities Pilot channel Tail rotor gyro Automatic trim Fail-safe The upgrade versions of HeliCommand Survey - the essentials Installation Electrical earth On-board location Mounting the unit on the tail boom Notes regarding internal combustion engines Setting up Electric-powered helicopter Factory reset...
Page 7: Table Of Contents
Tips for flying Take-off and landing Hovering Control travels Effect of the opto-sensor In darkness, or when overflying optically smooth surfaces Indoor flying Checking the contrast Versions and applications HeliCommand 3A HeliCommand 3D and above 3D manoeuvres HeliCommand RIGID Notes For skilful pilots: differences in handling Range of applications Safety measures / We recommend...
Page 8 LED Display Power up: Power up phase, please donít move for 10 s; still no output of servo-signals. Normal operation: Color indicates the pilot channel position Off / conventional controls (glowing red) Horizontal mode (glowing orange- yellow) Position mode (glowing green) Flickering green: not enough contrast, only horizontal mode but no position mode...
Page 9 Description of facilities Basically, all versions (3A, 3D, Rigid) offers the following modes of operation: LED red stabilising functions switched off (= conventional) LED yellow = horizontal mode LED green = position mode Horizontal mode („yellow“): moves the helicopter to the horizontal attitude if you release the aileron (roll-axis) and elevator (pitch-axis) controls.
Page 10 Pilot channel We recommend that you use this auxiliary channel as it enables you to switch between the three modes, and also to set the desired stabilisation power. It is advisable to use a slider or a three-position switch with selectable output values for the pilot channel.
Page 11 Tail rotor gyro The HeliCommand features an integral gyro which can be operated in either normal or heading-lock mode (with AVCS). Use high-speed digital servos for best performance. Not suitable for “narrow-pulse”-servos. A second auxiliary channel (“AUX channel”) is used to adjust the gain setting, and to switch between heading-lock and normal mode.
Page 12 Automatic trim This is recommended, but is not absolutely essential. Auto-trim works independently of the auto-pilot, and makes life considerably easier for beginner and pro-pilot alike. To use it, your transmitter needs a momentary (self-centring) button or a toggle switch, assigned to an auxiliary channel. Many transmitters feature a Trainer switch which can be re-programmed for this purpose.
Page 13 The upgrade versions of HeliCommand HeliCommand 3D This version stabilises both the normal flight attitude and the inverted flight attitude. (In inverted flight this is limited to horizontal stabilisation („yellow“), because position holding („green“) requires a visual link between the CCD sensor and the ground.
Page 14 Survey - the essentials The unit is as simple as we could make it in terms of setting-up and flying. However, if you are a beginner to helicopters it is really essential to ask a friend with experience of flying these machines to help you at the initial test-flying stage, as the functions of a helicopter are very complex.
Page 15 Switching on When the HeliCommand is switched on, it carries out a self-test (LED flashes 8 x). During this period the helicopter must be standing horizontal and must be left untouched. LED flashes red continuously: error message (page 8) Take-off Don’t take the model off before the servos are responding to the controls! It is important to check the controls because the throttle servo or speed controller would respond to the transmitter even if all the other servos were...
Page 16 Installation...
Page 17 Electrical earth An electrical connection must be created as an earth between the tail boom, the motor crankcase and the helicopter chassis. Note that carbon is a conductive material! Belt drives inside the tail boom are particularly dangerous, as they act as a high voltagte generator. Cables running along the tail boom may conduct sparks to receiver and servos.
Page 18 Mounting the unit on the tail rotor servo In case of a vertical mounted tail servo, you can stick the HeliCommand to the tail rotor servo case (with foam tape) without using the mount- ing bracket. Alternatively, for maximum distance to ground and espe- cially with small models, it makes sense to install the unit as high as possible.
Page 19 Horizontal attitude Set the unit as close to vertical as possible, i.e. parallel to the main rotor shaft! The electronic compensation means that an angled installation would only be noticeable when the pilot gives a tail rotor command. Miniature helicopters with particularly large blade pitch angles invariably hover with a more pronounced tilt;...
Page 20 Connections All modern radio control systems include helicopter mixers which ensure that the servos move as required, for example, the superimposed servo movements required for a three-point swashplate linkage. However, when the HeliCommand is used, the mixing must be carried out using the unit’s integral mi- xer.
Page 21 • The RC module (with cable distributor) supplied in the set must be connected between the receiver and the servos. It can be attached to the receiver using Velcro or double-sided tape. • (*) If the swashplate moves downward for increase of coll. pitch, swap the connections of right and left servo(s).
Page 22 Setting up When you have installed the system, or made changes at the transmitter, the He- liCommand must be set up (only once) to match the model and transmitter, unless you wish to leave everything at the default settings: e.g. Robbe-Futaba transmitter, Spirit LI model helicopter, or a similar type with the same servo directions and with round side of HeliCommand facing to the right.
Page 23 The HeliCommand now “knows” the signals which correspond to the “neutral and stationary” command. The calibration can easily be repeated. Recommended each time the transmitter trims have been moved substantially. Otherwise, leave the trims alone once the unit has “learned” the settings. Servo positions are not influenced by the calibration process (only if you make changes to the unit’s internal mixer, servo centre might be affected and need new trim).
Page 24 The set-up steps 1) Learning the stick direction • In set-up mode the LED will flash green at regular intervals. Check that any electric power system is disconnected. • Hold SET button pressed in, and move the transmitter controls to their full travel (in any order) with the button pressed in: Right-aileron, elevator forward (push), right yaw (tail rotor stick), then neutral again;...
Page 25 4) Servo direction, “tail rotor” (If external gyro is used, skip this step.) The LED must flash four times (press SET button briefly if necessary). Select correct direction of tail rotor servo by moving the aileron stick to either side: with tail rotor stick to the right, the nose should move to the right, the tail rotor must “blow”...
Page 26 Setting up the HeliCommand RIGID Before using the system in a flybar-less helicopter please note that it is essential to activate RIGID mode (using the PC). The attitude-maintenance stabilisation (“head gyro”) maintains an angle of inclination once set, and prevents the model from ballooning up into wind - to the extent of the helicopter’s control system‘s power to provide the corrective action.
Page 27 Rigid-stabilisation includes the following options: (also see PC software for further details) [OFF] mode Equals the HeliCommand 3D. Not suitable for flybar-less helicopters! [FIX] mode Activates the RIGID function permanently, in addition to Hor.- and Pos.-mode as defined by Pilot channel. In this mode, the sensitivity / gain can not be redu- ced during flight using the Pilot channel.
Page 28 First flight Before first flight check the controls incl. allsensor directions • Neutral setting, directional sense of all stick and servo movements. • Pilot channel: check by LED (see pages 10 and 27). • All three sensor directions. Any sensor working in the wrong direction would cause the helicopter to crash.
Page 29 Internal-combustion helicopters: vibration test Severe vibration or body resonance can cause serious problems with the correct operation of the sensor; three checks are therefore necessary: 1) Feel weather the case of the HeliCommand unit is vibrating. 2) Before take-off, switch to “yellow” mode and observe whether the swashplate stays level at all rotational speeds.
Page 30 Trimming If the automatic trim is not used, then it is better to set the trims initially with the stabilisation switched off. After this, and always when the transmitter trim positions have been changed significantly, the transmitter neutral setting should be re-calibrated using the SET button (see page 22).
Page 31 Only in case of rapid temperature change, small trim adjust-ment may be necessary - or the HeliCommand can be forced to readjust itself by switching off and on again. With automatic trim Simply press the auto-trim button on the transmitter, regardless of the stabilisation mode you are using.
Page 32: Tips For Flying
Tips for flying Take-off and landing You can switch the stabilisation on before take-off or during the flight. Important: never set the gain higher than the optimum value established during the test-flying schedule. Hovering The effect of position mode is strongest when the helicopter is flying close to the ground.
Page 33: Effect Of The Opto-Sensor
Effect of the opto-sensor Position mode works entirely without a visible horizon; that is why it also operates properly close to trees etc. If you are a beginner to helicopters it is best to restrict your flying to normal ground surfaces (grass, gravel etc.) This should ensure that maximum stabilising effect is always available.
Page 34: Versions And Applications
Versions and applications HeliCommand 3A This basic Version is not suitable for aerobatics and 3D manoeuvres (no inverted flight is allowed, or the unit would have to be re-powered before using the stabilisation again). The HeliCommand 3D and RIGID are designed specifically for this type of flying! HeliCommand 3D and above For brief 3D flying (inverted flight or single turn-around manoeuvres) the “yellow”...
Page 35: Notes
Notes • Over tall grass, loose foliage etc. it is always better in the interests of safety to fly fairly high, because objects moving about in the rotor downdraught may adversely affect position mode, or switch to the horizontal “yellow” mode. •...
Page 36: Safety Measures / We Recommend
Safety measures The terms “auto-pilot” or „stabiliser“ do not mean that the model flies completely automatically! As with any conventional model helicopter flying, great care and practice are required when using this product. No auto-pilot is capable of eliminating the dangers of operational errors. It could even be argued that the risks are greater with such an aid, because the ease of control could allow a pilot to become careless, or sway less trained pi- lots into flying in situations where they cannot regain control if a technical fault...
Page 37: Liability Exclusion / Guarantee
Liability exclusion Specialised knowledge and expertise are required in order to install, set up and operate the HeliCommand and the helicopter itself. Errors and negligence can result in accidents, which may cause serious personal injury, damage to property or traffic accidents. Since the manufacturer and retailer are unable to ensure that you handle the product correctly and competently, we can do no more than expressly point out these hazards.
Page 38: Fault-Finding
Fault-finding Servos do not move → see page 8 „LED indicators“ Digital servos show a slight noise → no problem, see the FAQ on the Website Jitter or oscillation in position mode, especially when close to the ground • Reduce gain of position mode (on PILOT channel or better via PC on „Position sens.gain“) •...
Page 39 Automatic trim not working accurately • Have you moved the transmitter trims? → See page 30. Either re-calibrate the trim or avoid touching the transmitter trims. • Pitch-minimum correctly calibrated (SET-button)? → without given pitch, the auto trim is disabled •...
Page 40: Specification / Set Contents
Specification Operating voltage: 4,8 ... 6 Volt (4 ... 5 NiXx) Current drain: 55mA (at 5V) Dimensions: 55 x 35 x 22,5 mm Weight incl. cables: Temperature range: -5° ... +50°C; +23° ... +122°F in ‚OFF‘ mode: -10° ... + 50° C; +14° ... +122°F Swashplate linkage types: CCPM (separate servo functions, H1, single servo) ECCPM: Tri-Link H3(120°), H3(140°), H3(90°), Four-Link H4(90°), 4(90+45°) Max.
Page 41: Accessories / Service / Imprint
(for HeliCommand with 3-pin socket) - containing micro controller - incl. mounting bracket, hook-and-loop tape, cable ties and foam tape to change HeliCommand main unit • Version update and upgrade: CAPTRON Electronic GmbH Service CAPTRON Electronic GmbH Johann-G.-Gutenberg-Str. 7 82140 Olching...
Page 42 Notes:...
Page 43 Hiermit erklärt die robbe Modellsport GmbH & Co. KG, dass sich dieses Gerät in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderugen und anderen rele- vanten Vorschriften der entsprechenden CE Richtlinien befindet. Die Original- Konformitätserklärung finden Sie im Internet unter www.robbe.com, bei der jeweiligen Gerätebeschreibung durch Aufruf des Logo-Buttons „Conform“.
Page 44 Version 2.2 www.helicommand.com...