Installation Manual For DFC Series Autopilots TRUTRAK FLIGHT SYSTEMS 1500 S. Old Missouri Road Springdale, AR 72764 Ph. 479-751-0250 Fax 479-751-3397 www.trutrakflightsystems.
INSTALLATION MANUAL FOR DFC-Series Autopilots TABLE OF CONTENTS Mechanical Considerations................................................................................................. 1 Pitot and Static Connections............................................................................................... 2 Magnetic Considerations .................................................................................................... 2 RFI/EMI ............................................................
Mechanical Considerations The installation information in this section is extremely important and must be clearly understood by the installer. Improper servo installation or failure to observe and diagnose installation problems prior to flight can result in extremely serious consequences, including loss of ability to control the aircraft. If there are any questions on the part of the installer it is mandatory to resolve these questions prior to flight of the aircraft.
Pitot and Static Connections All multi-servo TruTrak autopilots require connections to the pitot and static lines. The preferred method of this connection would be tee fittings near the aircraft’s altimeter. The static line for the autopilot requires due care in its construction, as excessive lag or insufficient static orifices can cause the autopilot to oscillate (hunt) in pitch.
Electrical Wiring All TruTrak DFC series (DFC-200, DFC-200AS, DFC-250, DFC-250AS, DFC-300, DFC-300AS) autopilots have consistent wiring requirements. Therefore, this manual covers all such units, with special notations covering any differences between the units. The DFC-200 programmer is mechanically identical to the DFC-250 and differs only in its internal circuitry and software.
Autopilot Rear Connections to P101 (Continued) P101 Pin 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Function Notes Analog +/- 150 mV differential signals from Glideslope receiver. Pin 24 more GS DOWN positive than pin 23 indicates GS needle above center. GS UP Primary Serial Input. Baud rate selectable 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600 baud. Automatically decodes NMEA-0183, Garmin Aviation Format, or Apollo/UPSAT Moving-Map or GPSS format. Provides directional reference to the autopilot.
Power 430/530 up and turn it on while holding down the ENT key. Release the ENT key when the display activates. After the data base pages, the first page displayed is the MAIN ARINC 429 CONFIG page. While in Configuration mode, pages can be selected by ensuring the cursor is off and rotating the small right knob. To change data on the displayed Configuration Page, press the small right knob (CRSR) to turn on the cursor. Turn the large right knob to change between data fields.
UPSAT GX-50/60/65 + SL30 connections to TruTrak autopilot GX 50/60/65 5 or 22 SL30 Signal Name (UPSAT) Signal Name (TruTrak) P101 on TruTrak Autopilot 14 CDI +L CDI LEFT 21 13 CDI +R CDI RIGHT 22 30 GSI +UP GS UP 24 31 GSI +DOWN GS DOWN 23 33 ILS ENERGIZE Localizer Mode 29 Use pin 5 – TxD1 – if GX has no GPSS Primary Serial Input 25 Use pin 22 – TxD2 – if GX has GPSS GX-50/60/65 setup instructions: Power the GX-50/60/65 up and turn it on while holding down the leftmost and righ
Initial Checkout Once wiring is completed the autopilot should be tested in the aircraft while on the ground. The first step is to enter the setup modes on the autopilot and set all parameters to their correct values. Apply power to the autopilot programmer. Its initial screen should be displayed, along with the words PWR UP in the lower-right of the display. After approximately ten seconds, the autopilot is ready to be set up for operation, indicating AP OFF on the display.
The next step in the check-out procedure is to verify that all servos run, and in the correct direction. Power up the autopilot and wait approximately ten seconds for AP OFF to be displayed in the lower right portion of the screen. Then press and release the ON OFF button to engage the autopilot. At this point, the selected heading will be underlined on the bottom left of the display, while the selected vertical speed (“SVS”) will be shown on the bottom right.
Having verified the correct direction of response to the tilt sensor, secure the yaw damper module to the bulkhead. Re-engage the yaw damper and adjust the leveling potentiometer (which protrudes from the face of the yaw damper module) to stop the movement of the servo. The aircraft should be on a level surface (with its “ball” centered) for this adjustment.
Having set the autopilot for its proper roll response, it is time to move to the pitch axis adjustments. Press and hold the ALT button until VRT ACTIVITY is shown on the display, along with an underlined value. In the same manner as was done for the roll axis, use the knob to find a setting which results in the appropriate response. Again, too high a value will be jittery or oscillatory and too low a setting will be sluggish and unresponsive.
DFC-300 systems require adjustment of the yaw damper parameters. With the autopilot disengaged, level the aircraft and handfly the aircraft in still air. Press MODE to engage the yaw damper (the lower-left part of the display will indicate YD ON). Then press and hold MODE to enter the setup screen. Cycle through the settings already done until YD LEVELING and YD ACTIVITY show on the display.
INSTALLATION NOTES: 1. USE #20 AWG FOR POWER AND GROUND WIRES TO SERVOS (PINS 1 AND 9 ON 9-PIN CONNECTORS J201 AND J301) AND WIRE TO AUTOPILOT MASTER AND SINGLE-POINT GROUND. ALL OTHER WIRING #20 TO #24 AWG. 2. INSTRUMENT LAMP DIMMER CONTROL IS OPTIONAL. 12V SYSTEMS: CONNECT J101 PIN 4 TO DIMMER CONTROL AND J101 PIN 18 TO GROUND. 28V SYSTEMS: CONNECT J101 PIN 18 TO DIMMER CONTROL ( J101 PIN 4 NO CONNECT ). 3.
INSTALLATION NOTES: 1. .. 2. 3. USE #20 AWG FOR POWER AND GROUND WIRES TO SERVOS (PINS 1 AND 9 ON 9-PIN CONNECTORS J201, J301 AND J401) AND WIRE TO AUTOPILOT MASTER AND SINGLE-POINT GROUND. ALL OTHER WIRING #20 TO #24 AWG. 4. PITCH SERVO ONLY: REVERSAL OF SERVO DIRECTION CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED AS NECESSARY BY INSTALLING OR REMOVING A JUMPER BETWEEN PINS 1 AND 2 OF THE 37-PIN CONNECTOR ( CUSTOMER'S J101 MATING PROGRAMMER P101 ). INSTRUMENT LAMP DIMMER CONTROL IS OPTIONAL.
TruTrak Flight Systems, Inc. 1500 S. Old Missouri Rd. Springdale AR 72764 (479) 751-0250 FAX (479) 751-3397 www.trutrakflightsystems.
