Discussion How to set autorotaion mode ?

[TooLyr]

HI,

I've tried to set the autorotation function to work properly with no succes.
I've installed the latest firmware, CC says that now the autorotation works in heli fixed endpoints also.
Even with this firmware I couldn't make the auto mode to work proprely, it start with soft start every time now matter what value I use in the hold in my tx.
How do you set it right ? What is the right way to check that I can bail out without soft start ?

Thanks,
Roei

[Clintstone]

The information below can be found in this thread:

When Castle will finally fix the autorotation feature???


Auto-Rotation Setup Described by Steve Rogers

Setting Up The Auto Rotation Function
Setting up the Auto Rotation Mode allows a small window in Throttle Hold where the motor is not powered but the Controler has not seen “Zero” thus allowing you to use the Head Speed Change Rate to give a faster controllable spool up for a faster recovery when bailing out of an auto.
• Caution – For safety please disenguage the motor & pinion from the main gear when setting the Tx. settings in Throttle Hold.
Using the Castle Link under the Throttle Tab select the Auto-Rotation Enable Tab. As an initial setting 8 or a Custom of 10 can be used for the Head Speed Change Rate


In your Tx. go to the Throttle Hold Screen. Depending on the Tx. you may have to activate the screen. When it is activated the value of the Throttle Hold position will possibly be a negative value. Move this value to a positive setting of at least 25. No go to the Normal Throttle Curve screen & set all values a zero. We will use this a a safety & controller initializing switch. With the motor disenguaged from the driven, throttle hold off and Throttle Hold Screen open on the Tx. intialize the controller. Now switch in to Stunt or Idle 1 and give the motor time to ramp up. Once it is up to speed flip into throttle hold and In the Throttle Hold Screen slowly decrease the value pausing breifly between each point until you hear the motor loose power & begin to slow. Before the motor stops flip out of throttle hold and the motor should ramp back to its preset speed. Verify the settings a few times by going in & out of throttle hold. You can adjust the rate at which the the head speed will be regained by the Head Speed Change Rate but use caution & work the setting up slowly to suit your self & the models capability.
Reenguage the mtor to the main gear & verify once again the throttle hold setting. It is also recommended in the first few flights to try the Auto-Rotation function starting from a safe altitude until you learn the best setting for you & the model.

[kyalamikid]

Clint, this seems to exclude the use of this feature in setrpm mode, unless I am mistaken? That is unless I set up normal for an Autorotate program and use a head speed of 100rpm or something?

[Clintstone]

Originally Posted by kyalamikid

Clint, this seems to exclude the use of this feature in setrpm mode, unless I am mistaken? That is unless I set up normal for an Autorotate program and use a head speed of 100rpm or something?

****BEFORE ADJUSTING DISENGAUGE PINION FROM MAIN GEAR****
I use set RPM mode

I first go in and I calibrate my throttle, I set my normal to 0-50-100.

I bring my end points in to the center and I go to full throttle on the TX and I plug in my battery to the ESC. After the initial beeps I move the High endpoint value up until the ESC beeps again and I add 2 points. I then bring the throttle down and I expand the low endpoint setting until the controller beeps and arms. Calibration is finish...unplug ESC.


Now that the Throttle is calibrated I set up my Throttle curves as follows for set RPM mode:

Normal: 0-0-0
Idle 1 :70-70-70
Idle 2 :100-100-100

I adjust my HS by changing the HS value with the Castle Link. The first HS should be set at the lowest HS desired ( not 0 ) Idle 1 will point at the second HS entered ( for throttle inputs from 50%-99%) Idle 2 will point at the HS set in the third position ( for throttle inputs above 99%).
With this setup you can go from normal ( 0 ) to Idle1 or 2 with soft start.


Now for the auto-rotation, make sure the feature is enabled in the Castle Link and change the Head Speed Change Rate to a value of 12 (**Make sure the motor pinion is still disengaged from the main gear). Make sure to have a 0 flat line in normal. Go in to Throttle Hold in the TX and bump the throttle value to 15. With the TX in normal (and the pinion disengaged) plug in the battery...once the ESC arms flip into Throttle Hold...the motor will soft start to your lowest HS...reduce the Hold Throttle value until the motor power cuts and the motor stops. If you flip into Idle 1 at this time and flip out of Throttle Hold the motor should start fast on a linear throttle curve, if you hit hold again and flip into normal and then out of Hold the motor will not start the ESC see 0 and goes to soft start...flipping into Idle 1 from normal should result in a soft start.

In practical flying ( after setting up the ESC and TX for autos and verifying the setup) you are flying in Idle 1 or 2 and hit hold...to bail out you just flip out of hold...if you land you must go from idle 1 or 2 into normal and then flip out of hold ( ESC sees 0) once in normal with hold off flipping into idle 1 or 2 will soft start.

I hope this helps...

[kyalamikid]

Yowzer Clint... you are the man, I will give this a try, thank you.

[MrE]

This should be a sticky!

[MrE]

Im setting up a new heli with a Phoenix HV 85 running the new firmware.

Ive been away from heli's for a few years - and never ran gov mode before - so forgive my stupid mistakes in advance please

Im trying to set up Set RPM mode with the autorotation feature active and Im having some problems.

I followed the directions above to set the throttle end points and got the gov mode working fine.

Then, I activated the autorotation mode and it seems to work properly with a couple of exceptions.

Once I activate throttle hold, I cant get back to a soft start. Even when I go back to Normal mode (0,0,0 curve) and release throttle hold, I get the fast start when I go back to Idle 1 or 2. The only way to get a soft start is to power down and start over.

Also, sometimes I hit throttle hold and the motor wont start again untill I flip switches several times.

Im sure Im doing something wrong but have no idea what.

Set up is a Futaba 9C super, Berg 7, Medusa 36-70-750 (4 poles), regular HV 85, 5S lipo.

I have the set rpm values very low 800, 850, 900, but the Link software says they are fine for this motor and voltage and gearing - Raptor E550 at 11.1/1. Those rpms are just for testing on the bench with no blades.

Thanks in advance for any help I can get!

[MrE]

Clintstone fixed me up. Seems to be an issue with my radio.

When I calibrate the throttle using the above proceedure, I get a value of 111 to arm the esc on the low end. That works fine to arm the esc but for some reason it isnt enough to re-arm the esc after a power up and throttle hold.

The fix was to lower the low throttle end point further than would normally be needed to a value of 133.

With that setting I can go in and out of throttle hold and the auto rotation feature works perfectly and I can get back to a soft start by going back to zero throttle position in normal.

I have not found out why my radio is doing this but I'll report if I figure it out.
Thanks again Clint!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrE]

Oh - an additional problem was that I had throttle CUT and throttle HOLD on the same switch and active at the same time. Disabling throttle cut fixed the intermitent part of the problem.

[Clintstone]

MrE it was my pleasure ans I am glad it worked out.