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Mode switch setup for Turnigy 9x

First thanks to tiger in the ardupirates thread at RC Groups who not only supplied me the files to reflash my radio back to standard, but included a model in the eeprom file with the mixes already setup. I just had to tweak the numbers a little and write a story.

I am an AC2 user so there may be some APM differences I have missed.

Some things in this tute may be a little obvious as I have tried to aim this one at novices. I figure some of you more advanced users will have upgraded this radio to ER9x firmware.

We will be using the 3 position F. MODE switch and either the 2 position GEAR or THRO HOLD switch in this example to be able to get all six flight modes for the APM/AC2.

Ch6 from the receiver will be used to supply the APM board. We are aiming to get pulse widths of 1165, 1295, 1425, 1555, 1685, and 1815. Remember that 1815 will put APM into hardware manual because it uses the ch8 input, so you may as well assign manual mode to that position when you setup your chosen flight modes in CLI. AC2 uses the ch5 input for mode control, so you can choose whatever you like.

Use the PWM(AC2) or RADIO(APM)  test in CLI to read the pulse width numbers for ch5 on AC2 and ch8 on APM.The pulse-width readout is now conveniently located on the Radio Calibration page of the Planner. I have used a servo programmer here as it is convenient for photos. Remember the inputs are ch5 for AC2 or ch8 for APM. Don't confuse receiver outputs with APM inputs.

Please don't just blindly copy my values as your radio may produce different pulse widths. The Turnigy is not as accurate as my 12fg and the pulse values seem to vary slightly every time I cycle power. Hey, it's a $55 radio :)

Remember to use the MENU key to exit the menu you are editing. The EXIT key does not save changes, ask me how many times I kicked myself.

1. Clear any flight mode mixing you may already have.

2. Start with end points at +- 100 and subtrim 0 for ch5 and 6.

2a. Use the ch6 output from the receiver for the APM/AC2 mode selection. Ch5 from the receiver is left unconnected.

3. Go to the AUX-CH menu and set ch5 to either THRO HOLD or GEAR. Choose whichever you find most convenient to use in conjunction with the F. MODE switch, you can come back later and swap if you’re not happy with your choice. You can also assign switches/dials to any other channels now if you like, but do not assign anything to ch6.

4. Put the F. MODE switch in position 2 and THRO HOLD/GEAR switch to the rear.

Go to the PROG.MIX menu and then setup MIX1 to look like this. Adjust the DNRATE value to get a pulse of 1555.

5. Leave F. MODE in position 2 and move the THRO HOLD/GEAR switch forward.

Adjust the UPRATE value to get a pulse of 1425, then hit Menu to save and backup to the PROG.MIX screen.

6. Put the F. MODE switch in position N and THRO HOLD/GEAR switch to the rear.

Setup MIX2 to look like this. Adjust the DNRATE value to get a pulse of 1685.

7. Leave F. MODE in position N and move the THRO HOLD/GEAR switch forward.

Adjust the UPRATE value to get a pulse of 1295, then hit Menu to save and backup to the PROG.MIX screen.

8. Put the F. MODE switch in position 1 and THRO HOLD/GEAR switch to the rear.

Setup MIX3 to look like this. Adjust the DNRATE value to get a pulse of 1815.

9. Leave F. MODE in position 1 and move the THRO HOLD/GEAR switch forward.

Adjust the UPRATE value to get a pulse of 1165, then hit Menu to save and backup to the PROG.MIX screen.

10. That’s it. If you flick through all 6 combinations, it should be pretty close to what the APM/AC2 expects to see.  I ended up with  1165, 1297, 1425, 1555, 1683 and 1814.

If something has gone wrong, you probably hit the EXIT key to back out of a menu instead of the MENU key. Remember EXIT doesn't save, stupid firmware.