Futaba DIGITAL PROPORTIONAL RADIO CONTROL PCM PULSE CODE MODULATION SYSTEM INSTRUCTION MANUAL FP-8SGAP PCM 8 CHANNELS, FOR F3A AIRCRAFT D60354
Thank you for purchasing a Futaba digital proportional radio control set. Please read this manual carefully before using your set.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX FOR TRIMMER PANEL FUNCTIONS GENERAL INFORMATION Switch or Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contents and Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Basic Transmitter Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Batteries and Charging Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . Tachometer/Timer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiver and Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•FEATURES The FP-8SGAP was specially developed to use PCM (pulse code modulation) for FAI RC aerobatics F3A aircraft. It is an extremely noise and dead-point resistant digital proportional RC set with a microprocessor in the transmitter and the receiver. Please read this manual before using your set. TRANSMITTER FP-T8SGAP • RF module system. The frequency band can be changed with one touch. • DSC (Direct Servo Controller) allows operation of the servos without turning on the transmitter.
RECEIVER FP-R118GP •The receiver of this set is a miniature PCM receiver in which the highest reliability has been pursued. It is the first R/C receiver in the world to incorporate the newest computer technology. • Miniature PCM receiver with high speed single microprocessor. Resistance to adjacent band and spark noise interference has been increased by one full order of magnitude. • Microprocessor servo hold function eliminates erroneous operation when a "dead point" area is entered.
•CONTENTS AND RATINGS Ratings and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
•GLOSSARY OF TERMS NOTE: Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the terms and abbreviations below. They will be used throughout the instructions and are important in understanding the operation and potential of your system. PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) Pulse Code Modulation utilizes a precise digital code to convey information from the transmitter encoder to the receiver.
PROGRAMMED MIXING Unidirectional mixing of any two channels desired is possible using the pin board and jumper connectors on the transmitter back panel. Either channel may be designated as "master" or "slave" DSC (Direct Servo Control) Operation of the entire system with the transmitter switch in OFF position is possible using the DSC cord. This is useful for checking and adjusting control movements on the ground while someone else is flying on your frequency.
Monitor Lamps IMPORTANT: In all instructions on control functions. Items designated by a number inside a circle (For example 10 ) are transmitter controls normally accessable and operated in flight. Items designated by a number within a box (For example 10 ) are adjustment functions not operated while in flight.
Slantable stick adjusting screws The angle of the stick levers can be changed. Aileron MODE I Rudder Elevator Fig. 5-A Fig. 3 Turn with a Phillips screwdriver. The spring strength can be adjusted as desired by removing the transmitter back cover and turning the adjusting screw of each stick. Adjust the spring strength for the best stick feel. Turn this screw with a Phillips screw-driver. Phillips screwdriver The open gimbal stick angle can be adjusted from about 3° to the inside to 4.
Fail safe set button • This pushbutton is used when setting the Fail Safe servo positions (FS instructions Page 25). Mini stand • Use this stand as shown in Figure when laying the transmitter down. This makes operation easier and protects the RF module and transmitter back. The 4 rubber feet supplied can also be installed using the transmitter back screws. Fig. 9 Fig. 7 Back Cover • Removal of this cover exposes the trimmer panel. Remove as shown in Fig. 10.
•BATTERIES AND CHARGING INSTRUCTIONS TX (transmitter) AC-120V Make this Battery charger FBC-8B (2) connection when using the DSC. LED DSC cord Antenna RX (receiver) Charging socket and DCS connector Receiver Female Install the accessory Male DSC.CHG cord (connector with tab) Female Female to the side of the aircraft fuselage to DSC.CHG CHG Adaptor use the charging/DSC socket. cord Female Female Female Female Male NR-4J Male Fig.
•TACHOMETER/TIMER OPERATION LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY Switches the range when used as a tachometer. LOW - 100 to 30,000 rpm. HIGH -100to60,000 rpm Do not press the keys too quickly. Press them at a speed of about once per second. | Selects the tachometer/timer mode. Tachometer/timer power switch.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Tachometer Set the tachometer/times POWER switch to ON. appears on the display. Next, press the MODE SEL key switch at the upper-right corner three times. The display changes to and the tachometer mode is selected. Hold the sensor about 20 to 30 cm from the rotating propeller (two blade). The propeller speed is displayed on the LCD. Make all speed measurements outdoors under natural lighting.
Note do not expose the liquid crystal display to direct sunlight for a long time. Selects the tachometer/ timer mode. Switches the range when used as a tachometer. This switch alarm time. Tachometer/timer wer switch. po- sets the Memorize, start, stop, and clear switch. is displayed at the mode selected at the MODE SEL K E Y S W . Fig. 17 2 UP TIMER Set the tachometer/timer POWER switch to ON. is displayed. Next, press the MODE.SEL key switch at the upper right-hand corner one time.
•RECEIVER AND SERVOS 8SGAP 4 Servos Receiver, Servo Switch, and Battery Connections Aileron servo Elevator servo Throttle servo Rudder servo Landing gear servo Landing gear servo Flap servo Spoiler servo Pitch control servo Power switch SWH-5 (R4-SWJ) Fig. 19 Charging plug NR-4J Pay careful attention to the polarity of the connector. Fig. 18 PCM RECEIVER FP-R118GP Antenna wire Crystal Fig. 20 •This LED comes on when the receiver operated erroneously.
•FP-S130 AND FP-S130G EXPLODED VIEWS Fig. 23 Fig. 22 No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. PartName Upper case Middle case Bottom case Ball bearing Potentiometer VR drive plate Motor Motor pinion 1st gear 2nd gear 3rd gear Final gear 2nd shaft Intermediate shaft Spacer washer 0.3T Seal ring 0-ring Servo horn D Horn mouting screw S130 printed wiring board Lead wire packing S1303PB-WRB-300 Screw O-nng Case mounting screw S130Nameplate Part No.
•SPLINED HORNS Fig. 24 The following splined horns are optional. HORN A HORN B This horn permits shifting of the servo neutral position at the servo horn. Setting and shifting the neutral position a) Angle divisions HORN C b) HORN D HORN E HORN F Effect Baseline A Fig. 27 Fig. 26 Fig. 25 1) The splined horn has 25 segments. The amount of change per segment is; 360-25=14.4° 2) The minimum adjustable angle is determined by the number of arms or number of the holes.
•BASIC LINKAGES AND INSTALLATION The FP-8SGAP has a servo reversing switch and ATV (Adjustable Travel Volume) for each channel. Mount the servos without regard to their direction. Select and link servo horns somewhat larger than those specified by the model manufacturer. • Install the servos securely. Tighten the mounting screws until the rubber grommets are slightly compressed. Note: If the screws are too tight, the vibration dampening effect of the grommets will be lost. • Use extension cords as needed.
•USING ATV (ADJUSTABLE TRAVEL VOLUME) GENERAL - ATV (Adjustable Travel Volume) allows independent adjustment of servo maximum throw in each direction (without affecting the neutral position). This is also sometimes referred to as "separate endpoint adjustment". ATV is very convenient when for example: a model requires more DOWN elevator deflection than UP for equal inside and outside loops (with equal control stick deflection).
CHANNEL SELECT SWITCH • This switch 48 selects the channel when setting FS and HOLD functions. It also acts as the channel select switch for SERVO TEST function. When switch 49 is set to RESET, the Channel Select switch is used to designate the function (ATV, FS, BFS memory, or ALL) to be cleared by Buttons 46 and 47 . Note that the positions on switch 48 have a different meaning when the Function Select Switch is set on RESET.
•2ND ATV (CONVENTIONAL) 2ND ATV is available on the aileron and elevator channels. This is the conventional type ATV and is set using trimmers [34], [35]. [36], and [37] on the transmitter back panel. Servo movement can be adjusted from 0 to 100%. These adjustments are retained even if the transmitter battery reaches a full discharge state (Memory ATV settings are not.). When the ATV trimmer is turned clockwise, the steering angle increases.
•USING DUAL RATE (AILERON, ELEVATOR, AND RUDDER) Dual rate functions allow the flyer to alter the maximum servo travel (and therefore control sensitivity) during flight by using the appropriate rate switch. At D/R OFF, servo deflection is maximum in both directions (unless limited by ATV set- tings). At D/R ON, servo deflection is reduced by a percentage set with the D/R trimmers. Dual rate adjustments always effect both directions of servo travel.
•RUDDER AUTO DUAL RATE •This function automatically switches rudder D/R to ON as the throttle lever is moved from LOW to HIGH position. This allows a smaller rudder throw for precise inputs during rolling maneuvers (at HIGH throttle) and increased throw (at LOW throttle) during stall turns, taxing, etc. Safety Switch [31]1 is set to ACT. Adjust desired Rudder travel in D/R ON using Trimmer [21]. Throttle Position Trimmer 8 can be used to set the throttle stick position at which D/R is turned ON and OFF.
•SUGGESTIONS ON ATV, D/R, AND VTR POINTS TO REMEMBER (ATV, D/R, VTR) •Servo maximum deflection is always determined by ATV. If no ATV is set, maximum travel is governed by the servo itself and is approximately 45 degrees in each direction from neutral. •When Dual Rate is ON, servo travel in each direction is reduced by the same percentage (adjustable using D/R trimmers). For example, in Fig. 43 one direction has been limited using ATV. Both sides are reduced 20% when D/R is ON.
•USING ATL (ADJUSTABLE THROTTLE LIMIT) HIGH Servo movement by throttle lever SLOW Servo movement by throttle trim lever. (30% of total travel) The Throttle Trim Lever 19 affects the servo position only when the throttle control stick is in the LOW (IDLE) position. HIGH throttle position remains unchanged. Adjustment of the throttle linkage is therefore very convenient. Use a servo horn that allows slightly more throw than needed. Set the maximum opening at HIGH throttle using Memory ATV (Page 18).
•FS (FAIL SAFE) AND HOLD FUNCTIONS HOW TO USE FS (FAIL SAFE) (THROTTLE CHANNEL AS AN EXAMPLE.) Set Function Select Switch 49 to FS SELECT. Set transmitter and receiver power switches to ON and check servo movements. While switching the Channel Select Switch 48 from 1 to 8 in order, set the channel (s) to be used with FAIL SAFE by pressing Button 46 and those to be used with HOLD by pressing Button 47 . (In this example, set CH3 to FS with Button 46.
•SERVO TEST FUNCTIONS • The operation of the servos can be checked by setting the transmitter and receiver power switches to ON. •When switch 49 is switched to TEST-A, the servos move half-side first and then, come back to neutral and repeat the other-half from channel 1 to channel 8. (Channel select switch (R) 48 to TEST-ALL position at this time.) The servos set by the channel select switch do not operate. (If set to 5, the landing gear servo does not operate.
•AIRCRAFT WITH VARIABLE PITCH PROP ADVANTAGES OF VARIABLE PITCH PROPELLER The variable pitch propeller offers such advantages as: 1. The desired speed and p u l l can be adjusted. 2. Speed matched to the engine is obtained. 3. Low noise. 4. Air braking effect by zero pitch. 5. Idling is unnecessary. Linkage Fig. 50 Pitch control servo High pitch- Low pitch High pitch Low pitch Matching of the variable pitch propeller to the digital proportional RC set is essential.
Pitch 11 (maximum) Pitch control high side trimmer Pitch zero does not have an air braking affect. If the engine is running at a speed of 3000 ~ 4000 rpm, the air braking effect will not appear if the propeller diameter is too small. Adjust the throttle so the pitch is positive and the engine idles when switch II is set to the OFF position. Since lever 8 is also operative in this state, optimum pitch adjustment is possible.
•THROTTLE POSITION TRIMMER Throttle -> pitch control mixing This is the start position setting trimmer when M rudder auto dual and N air brake are used. Throttle stick • (B) Throttle -> pitch control mixing The pitch control servo mixing point can be set to an arbitrary point between throttle lever 3 maximum slow and medium slow. When the throttle lever is moved from SLOW to HIGH, the mixing function is turned on. When the throttle lever is moved from HIGH to SLOW, the mixing function is turned off.
•ELEVATOR/FLAP MIXING ELEVATOR -> FLAP MIXING • Switch 10 : ACT • Switch 18 : T R I M Fig. 58 • Elevator -> Flap (2 -> 6) mixing is unidirectional with elevator (CH2) acting as the Master channel. This function can be helpful in looping, square cornered, and circular acrobatic maneuvers. Set up the function as follows: Set Safety Switch 10 to ACT and Flap Switch 18 t o T R I M . Set Control Switch 12 to ON and adjust Trimmer [9] to give DOWN flaps with UP elevator stick movement.
•AIRCRAFT WITH FLAPS AND SPOILERS(AIRBRAKE) Connect the Flap servo to CH6 and the Spoiler servo to CH7 on the Receiver. Set Switch [32] to ON. Fig. 62 Set Control Switch 10 to ON and adjust the flaps as shown in Fig. 62 with Trimmer 2 0 . Adjust the spoiler servo travel with Memory ATV Trimmers [46] and [47]. (See Page 17) When used in this manner, flaps and spoilers will be deployed simultaneously to the pre-set positions when Switch 10 is set to ON. This acts as an airbrake.
•SNAP ROLL SWITCH (TIMER IS OPTIONAL) •When this function is used, snap rolls can be performed by pushing the Snap Switch 13 . Snap roll directions can be set using Control Switches 34 and 35 . Set Safety Switch 29 on the trimmer panel to ACT. Monitor Lamp D will blink. A snap roll in the direction set by switches 34 and 35 can now be performed by pushing Control Switch 13 to ON. The aircraft will continue to roll as long as the switch is held ON unless the optional timer function is installed.
EXAMPLE 1. Fig. 69. AILERON -> RUDDER MIXING • This function is sometimes referred to as"CAR" (Coupled Ailerons and Rudder) and is useful on sailplanes and certain scale models where aileron and rudder must be used together for coordinated turns. Fig. 69 Connector 4 designates the Master channel and is set vertically at the CH1 (Aileron) position. Connector 13 designates the Slave channel and is set vertically at the CH4 (Rudder) position. Set Switch 30 to P.
•MUTUAL (BI-DIRECTIONAL) MIXING (FLPRON, ELEVN, V-TAIL, DIFF) Aileron + flap (FLPRON), aileron + elevator (ELEVN), rudder + elevator (V.TAIL), and aileron differential (DIF) mixing can be selected with a switch. FLPRON (AILERON + FLAP) •This function allows the use of flaps on aircraft with full length "strip" ailerons. • Use a separate servo on each aileron and connect as shown in Fig. 61 . NOTE: Always connect the servo on the Right Aileron to CH1 (Aileron). The Left servo to CH6 (Flap).
ELEVN (AILERON + ELEVATOR) • This type of mixing can be used with tailless and delta wing aircraft and flying discs. • Install and connect the servos as shown in Fig. 75. Always connect the Right side servo to CH1 (Aileron). • Aileron differential can be adjusted with Trimmer 15. Connect tochannel 2 (elevator). -Connect to channel 1 (aileron). Fig. 76 Use channel 1 (aileron servo) at the right rudder. Pig. 75 Fig. 77 V.
