I have put together the written info on the Align 3GX v2.1 I found so far. Mostly for my own memory. I shrunk this info to a Pocket Guide that I will printout (or read on my mobile) if I have to change the parameters through the 3GX unit out in the field.
I also found this site: http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/flybarless.html It explains flybarless and lists the current flybarless products.
I am struggling to understand what´s behind parameters like "Flight Condition Control" and how they affect the heli. I will try to assemble a "parameter explained" and started off by copying the pop-ups from the software (and maybe corrected some machine translation errors:)
This is how to do the setup through the 3GX unit. If you use the software there are text and pop-ups to explain the settings:
If available, ensure the following functions are disabled in the transmitter: Swash Ring, Linkage Compensation, Swash Mix, Mixing and Acceleration
The trim must be zero when using 3GX, and should not be adjusted at anytime. If the helicopter hovering tend one side, it means the swashplate doesn't keep horizontal when setting. Go to Flybarless System "Direct mode bypassing gyro, for mechanical travel and neutral point setup" to adjust the level of the swashplate and then re-complete the setup.
Should there be changes such as 3GX software update, pitch reconfiguration, or subtrim adjustments, the setup process must be repeated for the flybarless system.
Servo on right side of heli frame is AIL, middle is ELE, left side is PIT. Do not exchange AIL and PIT connections, otherwise some compensation feature may be reversed.
Confirm proper swashplate action with PIT, AIL, and ELE commands. Some people argue that ELE and AIL should have the same value.
If incorrect movements or servo has no movement, please check servo connection to 3GX as well as radio control system.
Version 2.1 note: Trottle Calibration needs to be performed regardless. Se "Trottle Calibration" at the end.
In this mode the 3GX unit works just like a Rx and output the servo signal from the Tx.
Pay extra attention to these setup steps. Incorrect neutral points will affect flight stability, and even lead to loss of control.
Press and hold the SET button while powering up the receiver. LED 1~5 (DIR~A.REV) begin to flash in sequence. Release the button before the flash sequence complete, the DIR green LED will light up indicating the 3GX has been bypassed for mechanical neutral and travel range setup.
Adjust the servo neutral point and main blade pitch.
Adjust the maximum collective pitch using the transmitter's swashplate mixing function (pitch swash AFR). Do not adjust individual servos endpoints through the servo ATV/AFR function. Should any changes made to the endpoints or subtrims on the transmitter in the future, the 3GX flybarless system initial setup must be performed again.
The recommended collective pitch range for various T-Rex helicopters is 10-14 degress depending on preferenses.
Set the right aileron and front elevator to 8 degrees.
Some helicopters have asymmetrical movements between left/right and forward/aft. Only right aileron and front elevator measurement is needed.
Aileron and elevator rates can be adjusted in 3GX panel or cyclic pitch rate adjustment under flight mode settings.
For the rest of the setup: The throttle stick position where main pitch is 0 degree must be maintained.
While keeping swashplate level and main pitch at zero degrees, press the SET button to register the neutral point and enter E.LIM setup mode. The E.LIM LED will lit up after DIR turns off.
With all channels stationary, move the transmitter elevator stick forward, and then back to center position. This completes the swashplate mixing type recognization process. The control unit will determine the CCPM mixing ratio or traditional mechanical mixing maximum elevator endpoints.
Press the SET button to enter E.REV setup mode. The E.REV LED will lit up after E.LIM turns off. This setup mode sets the elevator gyro direction
Tilt the helicopter forward and check if swashplate is tilting correctly toward the back.
If the swashplate is tilting at the wrong direction, move the transmitter elevator stick until STATUS LED changes color, and re-check the swashplate tilting direction.
Press the SET button to enter A.LIM setup mode. The A.LIM LED will lit up after E.REV turns off.
With all channels stationary, move the transmitter aileron stick to the right and then back to center position. This completes the aileron endpoint setup process. The control unit will determine the maximum aileron endpoints.
Press the SET button to enter A.REV setup mode. The A.REV LED will lit up after A.LIM turns off.
Tilt the helicopter right as shown in diagram, and check if swashplate is tilting correctly toward the left.
If the swashplate is tilting at the wrong direction, move the transmitter aileron stick until STATUS LED changes color, and re-check the swashplate tilting direction.
Press the SET button again, and the control unit will restart with all LED's flashing. This completes the flybarless portion of the setup process.
Push and hold the SET button for 2 second to enter the rudder gyro setup mode while 3GX is turned on.
Each setting value is labeled on the 3GX control unit with either green or red lettering, which corresponds to the STATUS LED color. Subsequent setup mode is entered by a single press of the SET button.
There is a direct correlation between servos' speed to gyro's performance. Faster servos are able to execute commands from the gyro at faster and higher precision. Due to the high performance gyro sensors used in the 3GX flybarless system, premium high speed digital rudder servos are mandatory for optimal tail performance.
Setup mode will exit if no activity is detected in 10 seconds.
3GX flybarless system is compatible with both the 760μs narrow frame rate servos, as well as the standard 1520μs frame rate servos. Proper frame rate must be selected based on your servo's specifications.
Push the transmitter rudder stick left or right to select the frame rate.
For example, if rudder is pushed to the left (or right) and STATUS LED turns green, the frame rate is set to 1520μs. To set it to 760μs, the rudder stick need to be pushed from the center to the opposing end 3 times for the STATUS LED to turn red, indicating frame rate set to 760μs.
Press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds to enter the setup mode, then press the SET button to select DS/AS setup mode, as indicated by the lighting of DS/AS LED.
Use the transmitter's rudder stick to select either digital servo DS mode (STATUS LED is green) or analog servo AS mode (STATUS LED is red).
First check how the rudder responds to Tx. Move the transmitter rudder stick left/right, and check for the correct direction of the rudder servo. If needed, servo reverse is done from the transmitter's REV (reverse) function.
For tail pitch adjustment, center the rudder servo by either setting the 3GX flybarless to normal rate mode (non-heading lock), or press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds. With the rudder servo centered and servo horn at 90 degrees, adjust the linkage length until tail pitch slider is centered on the tail output shaft.
Lift up the helicopter by hand, and turn it to the left (yaw). Check if the rudder servo is applying correct compensation to the right.
If reversed, set the NOR/REV setting as follow: Press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds to enter the setup mode, then press the SET button to select NOR/REV setup mode, as indicated by the lighting of NOR/REV LED. Using the transmitter's rudder stick, select either NOR (STATUS LED is green),or REV (STATUS LED is red).
Press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds to enter the setup mode, then press the SET button to select LIMIT setup mode.
Push the transmitter rudder stick left until tail pitch slider reaches the end, then center the rudder stick and wait 2 seconds for the STATUS LED to flash red. This completes the rudder endpoint limit adjustment for the left side.
Push the rudder stick right until tail pitch slider reaches the end, then center the rudder stick and wait 2 seconds for the STATUS LED to flash red. This completes the rudder endpoint limit adjustment for the right side.
Press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds to enter the setup mode, then press the SET button to select DELAY setup mode.
The choice of small or large helicopter is done by moving the transmitter rudder stick left or right while observing the color of STATUS LED. For example, T-REX 500/550/600/700 the STATUS LED will be green. T-REX 250/450 the STATUS LED will be red.
The amount of rudder stick moved from center is the DELAY amount. When DELAY LED begins to flash, delay is at 0%. When rudder stick is pushed to the end, delay is at 100%.
To achieve consistent gyro gain on left and right, 3GX has built in anti-torque compensation function. User need to confirm if 3GX is mounted right side up or upside down.
Right side up: Installed with3GX label facing up, anti-torque compensation set to positive (green status LED).
Upside down: Installed with 3GX label facing down, anti-torque compensation set to negative (red status LED).
Using the rudder stick to select either positive anti-torque compensation (green STATUS LED) for right side up mounting, or negative anti-torque compensation (red STATUS LED)for upside down installation.
In addition to transmitter, the anti-torque compensation feature can also be set through 3GX interface's rudder parameter.
Confirm the rudder settings by pushing the SET button.
For radio with built in gyro gain settings, gain can be adjusted directly. For example, 50%-100% setting on the radio translates to 0% - 100% gain in the heading lock mode; 50%-0% setting on the radio translates to 0%-100% gain in the normal (non-heading) lock mode.
Actual gain value differs amongst servos and helicopters. The goal is to find the maximum gain without tail hunting. This can only be done through actual flight tests.
The recommended starting point for transmitter's gyro gain setting should be 70~80% for hovering, 60~70% for idle-up. Value should be tuned under actual flight conditions by increasing to the maximum gain without tail hunting.
Note: time out from Flight mode settings after 10 seconds
After entering setting mode, the STATUS LED will flash specific number of times to indicate specific settings.
During setting process, LED 1 to 5 indicate the rate of setting; flashing LED represents 10%, while steady lit LED represents 20%. For example, if LED 1 and LED2 are steady lit with LED3 flashing, the set rate is 2*20+10=50%.
1. Status led flashes once to adjust aileron roll rate and elevator flip rate
2. Press SET and status led flashes twice to adjust elevator travel limit
3. Press SET and status led flashes 3 times to adjust aileron travel limit
4. Press SET and status led flashes 4 times to set swashplate dampening
The more dampening effect, the smoother helicopter flies, but feels less direct. The rate of dampening should be adjusted to suit pilot’s preferences.
5. Press SET and status led flashes 5 times to adjust the swashplate acceleration
Setting swashplate acceleration may increase the burst amp draw of servos. Therefore, BEC output capability should be confirmed to handle burst current when setting collective pitch acceleration, otherwise insufficient current supply may result in flight accidents. We recommend direct power supply if acceleration is higher than 50%.
3GX needs to know the maximum and minimum positions of the throttle and mechanical travel range, you have to set this function whether you use it or not.
Note: Swashplate setup must be completed prior to performing throttle calibration procedure.
1. Reset throttle curve and pitch curve to default 0-50-100.
2. Confirm the transmitter is powered up, and throttle stick is at lowest position.
3. Press and hold the SET button while powering up the receiver until all 1~5 LED lights up. Release the SET button and GOV red LED will light up.
4. Push the throttle stick on transmitter to the maximum top, and in a few moments LED will go off and system power cycles, indicating the completion of setup process.