Gyros and Ancilliary Avionics

GYROs

Futaba GY-501 Gyro System with 9205 servo

This was Futaba's flagship gyro. With the LCD display on the controlbox the setup was clearer. However, this was a complicated gyro and took some time and care to set up correctly.
The 501 has been replaced by the 401 and 502 gyros. More info as it becomes available
My Futaba 8UHP setup info (before I forget)
Gyro gain on Channel 5 with initial 50% gain in both N and AVCS modes.
Servo travel limit @ 100%, all other values at factory default.
CH5 switch 'F' selects between Normal and AVCS mode.
P-MIX-2 is used to slave CH5 to CH5. Switch E turns it on. This will throw the gyro into Normal mode when Idle-Up-2 is engaged. With REVO enabled in all flight modes, Normal is all 0's, Idle-Up-1 is all 0's and Idle-Up-2 is +10%/0%/-10%/0%/+10%. So switching into Idle-Up-2 overrides switch 'F' ,puts the gyro into normal mode and activates the Revo mixing. CH8 Throttle Needle is all 0% in Normal, all 50% in Idle-Up. ATVs on Ch7 and 8 are at 100%. Ch7 is reversed.
P-MIX-2 settings are: Master=GYR; Slave=GYR; 0%/-100%; LINK ON; OFST -100%; SW-E DOWN.

Telebee Piezo Heading Hold

This is a great little heading hold gyro.
At under U$ 100 it gives an awesome amount of bang for the buck.
Also works in normal mode.
The instructions that come with it SUCK! A little common sense and trial fitting will go a long way.
Attention:
There have been reports of Telebee gyro failure. Upon post mortem the most common problem was a loose sensor ckt board in the cube shaped sensor. The plastic of that cube is also extremely brittle and can crack after a few flights. To remedy this and to increase reliability and performance of the gyro open the cube, stuff some thin foam around the circuit board and use heatshrink or tape to wrap the cube.
Note:
The CSM360 interface and software can be used to adjust the internal parameters of the gyro. Things like servo endpoints, gains, dampening and heading hold range are some of the parameters. Which brings up an interesting point. The Telebee software seems to beidentical to the CSM software. Copyrights and patents may be infringed here. Stay tuned for the legal saga.
Basic Setup for the CSM and Telebee Gyros.
CSM Gyro Software Version 1.1
CSM / Telebee Cable Diagram
Alternate CSM / Telebee Cable Diagram

CSM ICG360/540 Gyro System

Piezo Gyro with two modes of operation. Normal mode operates like standart piezo gyro with performance equal to JR, Futaba and Arcamax. In Heading Hold mode the gyro tries to keep the tail on a constant heading no matter the external influence. Wind, backwards flight and 3D aerobatic manouvers nonwithstanding the gyro continues to hold the same heading. This is a major step forward in gyro technology and allows for novices to effectively eliminate tail movement as a concern during hover practice. While some minor drift problems plaqued the 360 gyro in the beginning, this has been rectified by the 540 model. The incredible performance in heading hold make this unit a must buy for novices and experts alike. Also available is the computer interface for about U$ 30 that allows you to reprogram the gyro for your particular heli/servo/tailblade setup. It requires a 286 with 640k and VGA graphics so there is a use for that old notebook computer after all. For do it yourselfers, the software and cable schematic are available below.
The 540 gyro has an internal setup program that allows parameters like servotravel, reverse/forward, speed etc to be set without the software and cable. For full programability and tweaking they are still required.
Current price as set by Horizon Imports is about U$ 250 for the 540. Used 360 are at a premium and can command an equal price.
Basic Setup for the CSM and Telebee Gyros.
CSM Gyro Software Version 1.1
CSM / Telebee Cable Diagram
Alternate CSM / Telebee Cable Diagram

Ancilliary Avionics

Futaba GV-1 Governor System

I ordered one and will give a review after I flight test it.
My Futaba 8UHP settings (before I forget those too)
The GV-1 is setup to turn OFF at low throttle, this means Throttle Hold and full low stick in Normal flight mode will turn it off. I also used P-MIX-1 for Idle-Up swich rpm selection.
Programmed rotor speeds are S-1 1500rpm, S-2 1700rpm and S-3 OFF.
I use CH7 Switch 'C' to select between the two speeds: Up=high (1700), mid=low (1500) and down=off.
I wanted to switch to high rpm in Idle-Up 1&2 so I used up my last P-MIX. Master Ch7; slave Ch7; -100%/0%; LINK ON; OFST 0%; SW-E UP. ATV on channel 7 at 100%, Ch7 is reversed.
This gets interesting, The P-MIX-1 is active when IDLE-Up is Normal and forces low rpm when CH7 switch 'C' is set UP-High rpm. So Idle-up-normal is low rpm, switch to Idle-Up-1 or -2 and rpm increases to High. Throw CH7 switch 'C' to Middle (low rpm) and the GV-1 is disabled in Idle-Up-normal and Idle-up-1 and -2 now have low rpm. With CH7 switch 'C' set down, the governor is OFF in all flight modes.
When Idle-Up-1 or -2 are used, the P-Mix is off and rpm selection is per Ch7 switch 'C': high=1600, low=1450 and off.
Installed the sensor and wiring, had to do some surgery on my Futura fan shroud.

Flight report
So far I had absolutely no trouble with the GV-1. Everything works as advertised although the instruction book could use some elaboration on several key points. I already had my throttle curves setup as perfectly as 5 points can allow but the GV outperforms them in several key areas. Overspeed in decents and chantelles is gone, climbout is consistant. During aerobatics such as rolls and loops the headspeed stays constant without having to use P-Mixes for cycllic to throttle. Installation and programing were fairly simple BUT I had to modify the fanshroud on my Futura for the sensor to fit. Also there is no 46 engine mounting bracket, only 30 and 60 size. Gimme a break, another 2cent aluminum piece would not bankrupt Futaba. The one major problem I had was interference from the sensor wire. I ran mine alongside the tailboom mounted rudder servo wire and got intermittent glitches on the rudder only. I moved the two wires about 2 inches apart and the glitches stopped. I also taped over the adjustment holes on the GV brain to prevent FOD and oil from messing it up. So far i really like this unit although it is a bit overpriced at U$190. Get yours from the UK for under U$150 and it's just barely justifyable to the finance commitee. I bought another sensor for my Bell 222 and plan on transfering the GV brain between the Futura and it. If you are a novice I recommend setting your throttle curves the oldfashioned way first and spend the money on fuel. Also the engine has to run right before the GV is used because the governor will mask engine trouble and this could result in costly damage. I always fly a minute or two without engaging the GV to check the engine mixture on the first flight. On that note, I can't tell anymore when the tank is about to run dry as the GV adjusts the engine speed. This was emberrassing the first two times I flamed out. Thank the CSM sim for auto practice.