FBL Gyro Spirit Pro Problem
- Thread starter Heliman450
- Start date
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi holtneil, I must be getting the hang of this hobby. That's what I was going to do tomorrow, try changing the connections around on the aileron/pitch servos. I'm still a bit puzzled about why if it turns out to be the problem as the servo responds to the Tx and when I change the travel adjustment it reduces the number (albeit to -8% from -118% and also to +8% from +118% when the servo is reversed). I also went into the servo arm levelling and all servos moved up and down as expected. I'll let you know how it goes.
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi all, thanks to the feedback from holtneil I'm progressing well. I checked out the Tx before going to my workshop and was able to resolve the problem by inhibiting the 'Pitch Trim' lever on the side of the Tx using the 'DeviceSEL' function in the System Menu of my DSX9. I was able to see the effect in the 'Monitor' feature and to see the solution before connecting with the heli.
This morning, when going into the Spirit Settings programme the Pitch display in the Diagnostic tab was -103%, so I was able to bring it up to -100% by changing the travel adjustment for the low value to 97% and the high value to 102%. This was mentioned (but not described) in the Spirit user instructions. I fully understand that they are catering for a wide range of potential transmitters so it's impossible for them to cover all.
What I like about the system most up to now is that I can read through the user instructions and go back in time and time again, if required, to increase the number of programmed settings gradually. It isn't necessary to go right through and do everything in one go. At least it works for less experienced hobbyists, too
A low battery voltage to the BEC stopped me this afternoon so I bought a second one on the way home together with part #ALI-H70118 (swashplate levelling tool) for the T-Rex 550. I'll charge up my first battery this evening and return to the task tomorrow.
Bye for now.
This morning, when going into the Spirit Settings programme the Pitch display in the Diagnostic tab was -103%, so I was able to bring it up to -100% by changing the travel adjustment for the low value to 97% and the high value to 102%. This was mentioned (but not described) in the Spirit user instructions. I fully understand that they are catering for a wide range of potential transmitters so it's impossible for them to cover all.
What I like about the system most up to now is that I can read through the user instructions and go back in time and time again, if required, to increase the number of programmed settings gradually. It isn't necessary to go right through and do everything in one go. At least it works for less experienced hobbyists, too
A low battery voltage to the BEC stopped me this afternoon so I bought a second one on the way home together with part #ALI-H70118 (swashplate levelling tool) for the T-Rex 550. I'll charge up my first battery this evening and return to the task tomorrow.
Bye for now.
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holtneil
Active Member
Hi Heliman450 I am so glad its working out well , with new FBL systems it take time to build up a trouble shooting back ground , your be the spirit pro man by the time your set up and we will come to you for help , if I get stuck with mine I will ask you as I have a DX9 as well
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
I should be so lucky! Who knows? We'll see.
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi all, a quick update.....................
Not sure why I'm having so much hassle with this Spirit Pro. All comments I've seen mention how simple it is to set up. Now it's stubbornly refusing to change the directions of the swashplate despite me doing everything according to the instructions and even adding in a few tricks of my own. I've opened up a query with the Spirit support people but of course, first of all, they are asking me all the questions, which are "no brainers" like "move the cyclic stick up and the swashplate should tip forwards, did you do that?". Errrrrrm, yes, I know which way the swashplate should move.
In their defence, my contact is offering to step through whilst I do the actions, but I need the heli with me as I have no internet connection at my workshop.
I'll let you know what went wrong with the process.
Not sure why I'm having so much hassle with this Spirit Pro. All comments I've seen mention how simple it is to set up. Now it's stubbornly refusing to change the directions of the swashplate despite me doing everything according to the instructions and even adding in a few tricks of my own. I've opened up a query with the Spirit support people but of course, first of all, they are asking me all the questions, which are "no brainers" like "move the cyclic stick up and the swashplate should tip forwards, did you do that?". Errrrrrm, yes, I know which way the swashplate should move.
In their defence, my contact is offering to step through whilst I do the actions, but I need the heli with me as I have no internet connection at my workshop.
I'll let you know what went wrong with the process.
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Oh dear! The best laid plans of mice and men...................
Sickness in my immediate family has stopped me getting back to the issue as I'd planned. Nothing serious, but enough to stop all creative thought. I'm currently unable to come with anything different than I've already tried, so as you can all imagine that's a major hurdle to overcome. Always some light at the end of the tunnel and it's looking almost certain that I can return tomorrow (Thursday) to at least begin the process starting now with another read through the instructions to make sure that they're fresh in my mind.
Fingers crossed!
Sickness in my immediate family has stopped me getting back to the issue as I'd planned. Nothing serious, but enough to stop all creative thought. I'm currently unable to come with anything different than I've already tried, so as you can all imagine that's a major hurdle to overcome. Always some light at the end of the tunnel and it's looking almost certain that I can return tomorrow (Thursday) to at least begin the process starting now with another read through the instructions to make sure that they're fresh in my mind.
Fingers crossed!
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Thanks Tony, two family members actually, M-in-L (96) and wife (somewhat younger!!!), both suffering with very bad cold/flu symptoms. They just need to know someone's around for them if needed. Not a lot I can do to fix it.
Over to the gyro............... I'm not sure what it is. Could be the combination of Tx/Rx/Gyro not being their own stuff. I believe they are the Jeti makers so there could be some issues with the software. I finally got the binding done without any help from the user manual or the software (it did the binding without the software).
One possibility I thought of is that the "Diagnostic" tab shows there are two servos receiving signals in the neutral position (tail and pitch). The text says that this is indicated by the values being shown as bold and I can hear the servos buzzing most of the time but they stop occasionally when I move the sticks a little and let them go. This indicates wear on the potentiometers according to the script. Maybe there's a failsafe in there somewhere preventing the setting up. I'm going to give it one more try before admitting defeat and taking it to the guy I bought the gyro from.
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
At long last! It is finally working as expected. Unfortunately, I must say that I can't say why. I just removed all servo wires and put them back (all in the same places) and then the swashplate was opposite to that expected using cyclic. I reversed aileron and elevator servos in the Tx and now it's working perfectly. Next job is to run through the setup wizard and check the final settings. The heli is on the dining room table so no problem when I need to be available as nurse for my ailing missus. Result! 
P.S. The only thing different on reflection was that I wasn't in the software................. Hmmmmmm?
P.S. The only thing different on reflection was that I wasn't in the software................. Hmmmmmm?
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Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi holtneil, what combination of Tx/Rx is he using with the Spirit? I'm using a Spektrum DSMX Rx with a JR ProPo DSX9 Tx. I can only think that to do the binding and the servo direction changes in the transmitter requires one to exit the software to do it. Mine didn't work whilst connected to the laptop using the software. I'm keeping fingers crossed that I can go through the setup wizard without problem now (hopefully in 20mins
).
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi all, I'm pleased to say that I managed to get the basic settings done as per the setup wizard. Actually, I went through three times to make sure 
. First time I got a warning about my battery being low so changed it over and then went through without too much trouble in about 20mins. Third time was really just a test to practice a bit more and have a look around.
One thing, which isn't explained is why some cyclic geometry settings are negative (mine is -6.0 deg). There's only a message pops up when the cursor passes over the up/down arrows to make the adjustment. Mine was achieved with 230 somethings (there are no units shown only a range up to 250, I forget the lowest value right now).
According to the setup wizard, I'm ready to fly now. I checked out the pitch and needed to shorten the links by 1.0 turn (blade 1) and 1.5 turns (blade 2). Now I've got zero at 50% collective and +10.1/-9.5 (max/min).
I'm going to read up the advanced setup features and put down a summary of my whole experience with the setup process.
What do I like about the experience? There's no pressure to do stuff within a certain time limit that I can tell. It's possible to do it in parts and build up the settings although after some practice it's best to go through completely just to make sure.
What don't I like? When setting up the initial connection to the DSMX receiver the instructions about LED indications were total nonsense. To achieve the binding with my JR ProPo DSX9, I had to exit the software. The same was true for the servo direction changes in the transmitter. There was nothing in the instructions to say that extra windows appear to save the initial Rx setting. Also there's nothing at all describing the setup wizard in the instructions. I took a series of screenshots and will look them through and include some appropriate wording to supplement them. Of course, all for family consumption
Bye for now!
. First time I got a warning about my battery being low so changed it over and then went through without too much trouble in about 20mins. Third time was really just a test to practice a bit more and have a look around.One thing, which isn't explained is why some cyclic geometry settings are negative (mine is -6.0 deg). There's only a message pops up when the cursor passes over the up/down arrows to make the adjustment. Mine was achieved with 230 somethings (there are no units shown only a range up to 250, I forget the lowest value right now).
According to the setup wizard, I'm ready to fly now. I checked out the pitch and needed to shorten the links by 1.0 turn (blade 1) and 1.5 turns (blade 2). Now I've got zero at 50% collective and +10.1/-9.5 (max/min).
I'm going to read up the advanced setup features and put down a summary of my whole experience with the setup process.
What do I like about the experience? There's no pressure to do stuff within a certain time limit that I can tell. It's possible to do it in parts and build up the settings although after some practice it's best to go through completely just to make sure.
What don't I like? When setting up the initial connection to the DSMX receiver the instructions about LED indications were total nonsense. To achieve the binding with my JR ProPo DSX9, I had to exit the software. The same was true for the servo direction changes in the transmitter. There was nothing in the instructions to say that extra windows appear to save the initial Rx setting. Also there's nothing at all describing the setup wizard in the instructions. I took a series of screenshots and will look them through and include some appropriate wording to supplement them. Of course, all for family consumption
Bye for now!
Tony
Staff member
What matters is this thing is getting closer to seeing the air. Glad you got it figured out, even if you are not sure what you did. I remember things back when I was a kit breaking or not working. I would take them apart, see nothing wrong, put them back together again and it would work fine. Not sure what I did, but I guess it didn't matter lol. Good luck.
Oh, and we need video of the maiden! But you already knew this hahahaha.
Oh, and we need video of the maiden! But you already knew this hahahaha.
Heliman450
Well-Known Member
Hi holtneil, thanks for the offer of the contact. Ask him to join the Forum and we can all benefit from his knowledge.
I think the main reason for the differences is my JR ProPo transmitter. It would be good to hear from anybody who has also noticed a difference in the LED indications, particularly during the initial setting up of the Rx. That was the most testing when I was basically just stumbling around for ages.
Smoggie
Well-Known Member
Heliman,
I have a Spirit Pro working with Spektrum sats so might be able to help.
Sounds like you are basically following the correct steps. After setting 'receiver type' to Spektrum DSM2/Xyou bind the Spirit in much the same way as a standard Spektrum receiver i.e. you plug in the bind plug and power cycle the Spirit. That should see it start up in bind mode (sats flashing).
If it doesnt here's a few things to try.
Power cycle quickly as Neil suggested
. Try the bind plug in both the 'SYS' and 'ELE/PIT/AIL' ports.. (the instructions say to use the latter for DSMX but try both just for testing)
. Try with only one sat connected, if no luck try one sat on either port (just for testing)
. Try it with servos and ESC plugs removed, only the BEC power connected.
I have a Spirit Pro working with Spektrum sats so might be able to help.
Sounds like you are basically following the correct steps. After setting 'receiver type' to Spektrum DSM2/Xyou bind the Spirit in much the same way as a standard Spektrum receiver i.e. you plug in the bind plug and power cycle the Spirit. That should see it start up in bind mode (sats flashing).
If it doesnt here's a few things to try.
Power cycle quickly as Neil suggested
. Try the bind plug in both the 'SYS' and 'ELE/PIT/AIL' ports.. (the instructions say to use the latter for DSMX but try both just for testing)
. Try with only one sat connected, if no luck try one sat on either port (just for testing)
. Try it with servos and ESC plugs removed, only the BEC power connected.
Smoggie
Well-Known Member
Sorry, i now see that I'm too late to the party and that you got it figured out by yourself, that's great. The one other thing I meant to mention is that the Spirit software only saves settings if you go the the 'Backup' tab and hit 'save'. if you dont do that any changes you make will be lost. This might have explained your problem if you weren't hitting save after selecting DSM2/X in the receiver type.
Good luck with the maiden with your new controller, they fly great.
Good luck with the maiden with your new controller, they fly great.