FUTABA 8UHP (non Super) Setup
Courtesy of Marty
Setting up the Throttle
Jockey with the 8UHP non-super
·
Make sure that during all phases of TJ
setup that the receiver battery has sufficient voltage. On the bench,
lower than 3.56 volts will compromise TJ setup.
·
Before installing the TJ, set up your
heli normally with the pitch and throttle curves you would use under
normal circumstances. (I suggest a linear pitch curve with the throttle
curve set to hold constant RPM throughout the range). This will ensure
that should the sensor fail and the TJ revert to transmitter throttle
curves that the heli still behaves normally until a landing can be
affected. Also ensure that this setup allows the heli to hover at your
desired stick position (1/2 or ¾ as preferred). The engine should be run
in and correct mixtures set.
·
For the above setup, ensure that the
throttle linkage is set up so that throttle ATV’s are equal (low and
high stick position) and as close to 100/100 as possible. This ensures
maximum number of steps for the TJ to use within the throttle’s range to
give the most accurate control possible.
·
Set the idle in the throttle hold menu
as desired.
·
For a PCM setup, set throttle fail
safe as desired (recommended position is idle).
·
Install the TJ, ensure that all the
plugs are installed as per the printed card on the TJ.
·
During installation, rotate the fan
and check the red LED on the TJ. At each pass of the magnet (magnetic
sensor) or reflective surface (optical sensor) the red LED should glow.
If it does not, adjust sensor position to achieve a reliable reading at
every rotation.
·
In this instance, the TJ will be set
up on the Aux channel 7. This is controlled by the 3-position switch
(switch C with a TX in mode 1 configuration -mode 2 TX’s may have the
switch on the other side).
·
Switch on the TX and move the throttle
trim to its lowest position. Also ensure that the ATV’s on channel 7 are
set to 100/100.
·
Switch on the RX. Within the first two
seconds move switch C rapidly up and down until the green LED flashes
rapidly. This puts the TJ in calibration mode.
·
Move the throttle from absolute
minimum to absolute maximum a few times to calibrate the TJ.
·
Flip switch C a few times to exit the
calibration mode. The green LED should extinguish.
·
Whilst still on the bench, do the
following check:
1. Set switch C to the center
position and move the throttle from idle to full. The green LED should
stay off the whole way. This is because the middle position of switch C
disables the TJ and in this position you are therefore flying the heli
in the ungoverned mode.
2.
Move the throttle back to idle and
flip switch C to the lower position. Advance the throttle and at the
point where the throttle curve hits 20% the green LED should come on
indicating that the TJ is in governing mode from that throttle position
and up.
3.
Repeat step 2 with switch C in the
upper position.
4. While
the throttle is above 20% (green LED on) flip the throttlehold switch to
on. The green LED should extinguish and the throttle should return to
your throttlehold setting (idle).
5. Return
to normal mode and advance the throttle again. Switch off the TX and the
throttle should move to the fail-safe position.
·
Move the heli to a safe location for
TJ RPM setup.
·
Start the heli and adjust throttle
trim to achieve a satisfactory idle.
·
Open the 8UHP normal mode and bring up
the channel 7 ATV page.
·
Move switch C to the lower position,
and the corresponding ATV level will be flashing. Set this number to
around 40.
·
Stand clear of the heli and slowly
spool it up. You will notice a point where the heli’s RPM increases
quickly and plateaus. This is occurring because the RPM has reached the
governing threshold and the TJ is bringing up RPM to the target level.
·
Bring the throttle up a little more to
ensure that the unit is truly in governing range, the RPM should remain
constant.
·
REDUCE THE THROTTLE BACK TO IDLE
This is important, because if you flip switch C to the top position now
before the other ATV is set, the RPM could increase to the point where
the heli will lift off while you have your head down concentrating on
setting the TX.
·
Now flip switch C to the top position.
Repeat the RPM setting procedure to set the desired RPM for this switch
position.
·
For a typical setup using a stock
Raptor 30 V2 with throttle ATV’s at 100/100, channel 7 ATV’s required
were:
Low switch position 40 which gave
1600 RPM
Top switch position 49 which gave
1700 RPM
·
Individual setups and numbers may
vary, so it is best to start with a low channel 7 ATV and work UP. This
ensures that the RPM is not too high whilst commencing the ATV setting
process.
·
Final adjustments:
1. Because
the heli had been setup without the governor in the initial instance,
the desired stick position for hover should remain the same. However for
minor adjustments, move the hover pitch knob as required to fine-tune
the hover stick position (the hover pitch function must be enabled in
the advanced menu).
2. During
flight-testing, perform a vertical climb from the hover by progressively
applying throttle up to full throttle. The RPM should remain constant
through out the climb. If the engine bogs down at the top end, this may
mean that the pitch is set too high for the power of the engine and that
the governor is at the full throttle stop. In this instance reduce top
end pitch via the pitch curve. This is unlikely if the heli has been
setup correctly without the governor in the initial instance.
Whilst the above is
fairly long winded, in practice it is easy and logical to achieve and
once set the TJ will do a great job.
Happy flying.