INSTRUCTION MANUAL 04/2021 PowErBox CompEtition Sr2
Dear PowerBox customer, It is now ten years ago to the month that the first Competition SRS was introduced. At that time it represented a milestone in the redundant deployment of receivers using our new type of bus technology. The unrestricted output assignment, servo matching and linking to early telemetry systems were unique features, and remained so for a long time. Technology has continued to develop, and modellers’ requirements have become more exacting.
Each gyro axis can also be finely adjusted individually from the transmitter using separate channels. If an initial test-flight shows up a need to fine-tune the iGyro to meet individual requirements, a whole series of Expert settings cover every possible need. The servo matching feature is now displayed in graphic form on the screen, and the PowerBox Competition SR2 also allows the servo response to be adjusted using five curve points. A new development is automatic servo matching.
FEATURES + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 22 channels High-performance battery backer with high continuous load capacity 2.
1.INITIAL INSTALLATION: GENERAL SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS When installing the unit it is important to keep to the standard sequence described below, and adhere to the subsequent setup stages, as this ensures that your installation of the Competition SR2 will be swift and problem-free.
The switch should be mounted in the fuselage side. As with previous units, a wooden doubler should be glued to the inside of the switch aperture - especially if the fuselage is made of GRP - in order to avoid subjecting the switch to powerful vibration. The set includes a template for the switch aperture. An exposed switch is often undesirable in scale models, and for such applications we offer an alternative switch in the shape of the MagSensor.
mission. If a GPS III is connected to the FastTrack input, the Competition also delivers GPS data to the transmitter. • Jeti EX-BUS One output of the receivers you intend to use must be set to EX-BUS. The frame rate should be set to 10ms, and the Failsafe function must be OFF. If you intend to use only one receiver, then it must be connected to RX1 to transmit telemetry data. If a GPS III is connected to the FastTrack input, the Competition also delivers GPS data to the transmitter.
If a GPS III is connected to the FastTrack input, the Competition also delivers GPS data to the transmitter. • Graupner Hott Set one output of both receivers to SUMD-OF16. For example, if the receiver is a GR16/24, this will be output 8. Connect these outputs to the RX1 and RX2 inputs of the PowerBox. If a GPS III is connected to the FastTrack input, the Competition also delivers GPS data to the transmitter.
The TFT screen now displays the following image: Analogue battery voltage display, with recorded minimum value. The momentary value is indicated by the red line, while the grey line indicates the minimum voltage which occurred during the flight. The scale of the analogue display is automatically adjusted to suit the battery type you have selected. The supplementary digital display indicates the exact value. The two analogue markers show the current being drawn from the right and left battery.
4. MAIN MENU To access the menu you need to hold the SET button pressed in for about 2 - 3 seconds, after which you can select the desired menu using buttons I and II. Within the individual menus the selected menu point is always displayed in red. Press the SET button once you have selected a menu point. You can now alter the values and settings using buttons I and II. The “Rotary Menu” shown above contains the following sub-menus: • iGyro Here you will find all the settings relating to the iGyro.
• Input The transmitter channels are assigned to the iGyro or sequencer here. • General This menu is used to alter fundamental settings such as the language or frame rate. • Assistent Always use the Setup Assistant when you are preparing a new model for its first flight. This is where the transmitter input channels are determined, the model type selected, and the servos assigned to the outputs.
• Regulator output Here you can select your preferred output voltage: you can choose between 6.0V, 7.4V, 7.8V and unregulated output. We recommend the 7.8V option even for HV servos, as this setting ensures that your servos operate with constant torque and transit speed for a long period after switching on. The higher voltage of the batteries, which is only present for a brief period after charging, is reduced to a level which the battery can maintain for longer.
On the other hand it is possible to retro-fit an iGyroSAT without having to re-program the battery backer. All assignments are already complete, and even the servo matching is maintained. Note: When setting up the PowerBox Competition SR2 for the first time, please keep to this sequence: Setup Assistant (basic setup) –> Sequencer Assistant –> manual output assignment of all other functions.
You will now see further screen displays which vary according to the data you have already entered. The following illustrations show the aileron channel as an example, based on the above data: The left-hand picture shows the empty display. Now move the aileron stick at the transmitter: the PowerBox checks the input: in this example four channels should move. The right-hand picture shows which channels have been detected, and the outputs to which you should connect the servos.
You need to assign a channel with +/-100% travel to a rotary control at the transmitter. Even if you have not connected an iGyroSAT, this action is recommended as it will make it easier to retro-fit the gyro. If you have selected a thrust vector function, you will see a second query regarding the sensitivity of the thrust vector control system. This is the method the Assistant uses to set up the basis for a simple but effective method of adjusting gyro gain in flight.
This is accomplished by moving the model in the directions shown in the graphic display: first move the tail of the model up and down two or three times. You will see that the elevators follow this movement every time - the direction of effect is not important at this stage. At the end of the movement hold the model’s tail up and wait until the elevators return to neutral (centre).
In this menu the system learns the aileron, elevator and rudder sticks as you hold each stick in the direction shown on the screen, and press the SET button. The Setup Assistant is now finished, but you can still assign additional outputs manually, carry out the Door Sequencer Assistant, or match multiple servos. . Note: In contrast to earlier versions of the PowerBox Assistant, it is now possible to repeat the Setup Assistant at any time.
• Reversing the output If you simply wish to reverse the output without adjusting any individual point, just use the SET button to select Reverse output. • Manual Matching Select this menu point if you want to adjust the travel of the selected servo manually using five points. The Competition SR2 switches to this display: The procedure is very simple: use buttons I and II to select the point on the curve which you wish to change, then press the SET button.
• Auto matching The Auto matching function is a completely new development, and this is the first PowerBox product to include it. Its purpose is to match the travels of up to three mechanically interconnected servos accurately over five points, which it accomplishes in just a few seconds. How does auto matching work? The Competition SR2 is fitted with the latest generation of micro-controller which is capable of measuring the current drawn from both batteries extremely quickly and precisely.
Now select Auto Matching. At this moment all the Competition SR2’s other outputs are switched off, and you will see this message: Now connect the second and - if present - the third servo to the appropriate outputs, and complete the mechanical linkages. Now use buttons I and II to move the cursor to the sockets to which the servos are connected, and press the SET button. These outputs now turn grey as auxiliaries.
A matching process for three servos takes about 30 - 40 seconds. You can follow the current consumption directly on the screen. When the matching is finished, use the transmitter stick to run the servos to all five points. A quiet buzz from the servos in one or other position is normal. If the buzzing stops when you touch the control surface lightly with your finger, then this shows that the matching process has worked accurately. Minor corrections can be carried out at any time under Manual Matching.
This means: the Assistant renames the doors in accordance with your own data, and this makes it simpler to make adjustments later. More on this below. Regarding the individual menu points: • Sequenzer Select the sequencer you want to set up: Sequencer A or Sequencer B. • Function Here you select the function which is to be adjusted. Each of the two sequencers A and B provides facilities for six individually variable functions.
After this, the Assistant assembles these positions in accordance with your selected mode (1-2-3 - see next page) in a timed sequence. We recommend that you always use the Setup Assistant – it will save you a great deal of adjustment work, and any non-standard movements can subsequently be added at any time using Manual Setup. a) Setup Assistant The Setup Assistant is only available for Sequencer A, and is specifically designed to cater for retractable undercarriage sequences.
• Number of wheel doors Enter the number of doors. If all the wheel doors are to be operated by a single valve, enter a 1 at Number of front doors, and leave the Number of rear doors vacant. • Pause between undercarriage and doors Extend: The time the system waits after extending the undercarriage before the wheel doors close. Applies to modes 2 and 3 only. Retract: The time the system waits after retracting the undercarriage before the wheel doors close. Applies to all modes.
Note: it is important to keep to the standard sequence when installing the Competition SR2 for the first time: Setup Assistant (basic setup) –> Sequencer Assistant –> manual output assignment of all other functions. If you ignore this, the Sequencer Assistant could overwrite Direct functions which are already assigned. When the positions are being established you will see that the wheel doors and the undercarriage itself always follow the cursor position, and slowly approach the set position.
b) Manual Setup You will find an overall view of the sequence for the selected function in the main Sequencer menu. The upper line shows the sequence in the forward direction (extension), the lower line the reverse sequence (retraction). In Manual Setup you can set seven travel points in time and position for each function; forward and reverse processes are individually variable. The current position and time are shown in the bottom line of the screen.
This is shown in the example above, where the three right-hand points on the upper line are at the same position. As a basic rule the time can only be entered between the two points at left and right. If you want to shorten the entire sequence, you must move all the points. It is possible to test the sequence without leaving the menu: move the cursor to TEST at bottom right; this action transfers control to the retract switch on the transmitter.
Press the SET button to select the output. On the next screen you can now define the output: • Function type Three different function types are available: -Direkt Selecting a Direct channel assigns a transmitter channel directly to the selected output without modification (except for servo matching). For example, if you assign Direct 5 to output V, then output V responds to channel 5 at your transmitter. -Gyro outputs Once the Setup Assistant is complete, you can assign the gyro channels to the outputs.
This means: you should move all channels to the desired position at the transmitter before you set an output to Failsafe. The usual way to check the setting is to move the throttle channel to the half-way point, then switch the transmitter off: the throttle servo must now immediately move to the Idle position. If you are using a CORE system, the Failsafe settings are adopted from the transmitter; this overwrites any Failsafe settings which you select at the PowerBox Competition SR2. 10.
For example, aileron, elevator and rudder can be assigned three different Gain channels, which can then be adjusted individually in a single test-flight. To assign a channel, use buttons I and II to select the function, then press the SET button. You now have two options for choosing the channel: - Use buttons I and II - Simply move the transmitter stick: the channel is automatically detected.
• Range Two ranges are available, each of which can be adjusted separately for each axis: range A and range B. Range A applies to values of the gain control (or gain switch, once set up) between 0% and +100%, while range B runs from 0% to -100%. At 0% the iGyro is completely disabled. This enables you to set up two ranges: one range with Attitude Assist and a second without Attitude Assist. You can select either range in flight by means of a switch.
The airspeed factor should be increased if the model displays good gyro response at low to medium speed, but tends to oscillate at high speeds. Over the years the default value of 4 has proved ideal for all kinds of model. • Learning the installed orientation In this menu the unit learns the installed orientation of the iGyroSAT.
• Learning the transmitter stick end-points This setting is very important, and should always be carried out if you alter the centre or end-points of the aileron, elevator or rudder gyro functions. Follow the instructions on the screen to learn the stick end-points. Please note that you must select the stick you wish to learn, and hold it at its end-point while you press the SET button. 12.
Once you have completed these steps, turn the gyro gain control (or controls, if your model has a vector control system) to maximum, and check the direction of effect of the gyro. The intelligent iGyro learning process effectively prevents the need for corrections here - unless you have made an error when learning the sticks or the installed orientation. If this should happen, simply repeat the appropriate point in the iGyro menu.
13. SPECIFICATION Operating voltage Power supply Current drain, operating Current drain, stand-by Maximum current capacity Drop-out voltage Output voltage Signal input RC systems supported Receiver redundancy Channels Servo outputs, total Servo signal resolution Signal repeat rate Gyro modes Gyro sensor type Number of sensor axes Telemetry systems supported Dimensions Weight Weight, Sensor-Switch Temperature range 4.
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16. ACCESSORIES - PowerBox iGyro SAT Order No.: 3610 - GPS III Order No.: 3525 www.powerbox-systems.
17. SERVICE NOTE We make every effort to provide a good service to our customers, and have now established a Support Forum which covers all queries relating to our products. This helps us considerably, as we no longer have to answer frequently asked questions again and again. At the same time it gives you the opportunity to obtain assistance all round the clock, and even at weekends. The answers come from the PowerBox team, which guarantees that the answers are correct.
The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse polarity, excessive vibration, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits. The same applies to defects due to severe wear. We accept no liability for transit damage or loss of your shipment. If you wish to make a claim under guarantee, please send the device to the following address, together with proof of purchase and a description of the defect: 19.
04/2021 PowerBox-Systems GmbH Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5 86609 Donauwörth Germany +49-906-99 99 9-200 +49-906-99 99 9-209 www.powerbox-systems.
