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.

How to setup the mode switch mixing for Turnigy 9x with ER9x

First thanks to Olivier whose post in my Futaba tute  helped me get my head around ER9x mixing.

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

This tutorial was created using eePe v247 and ER9x r349.

I am going to assume that if you have managed to load ER9x, then you must be familiar with eePe and basic ER9x programming.

We will be using the 3 position flight mode switch and the 2 AIL D/R switch in this example to be able to get all six flight modes for the APM/AC2. 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.

Use the PWM 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.

You can use eePe to setup initial mixing but Remember to backup your eeprom first.

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 :)

1. Clear any flight mode mixing you may already have, otherwise you will go round in circles chasing numbers due to the switch interaction. I wasted many hours by trying to jump straight into mixing.

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

3. Setup these mixes on ch5. Don’t get overly concerned about the numbers for ID0 & ID2, they just get us in the ballpark.

4. Put the flight mode switch in position 1. Adjust the weight of the ID1 mix to get a pulse of 1490. This is the key to not chasing your tail later, it is also not the normal centre pulse width but is right in the middle of the range we are trying to setup.

5. Leave flight mode in position 1 and put AIL D/R switch in position 0. Add the mix shown here (make sure it is !AIL) and adjust the weight to get a 1425 pulse.

6. Leave flight mode in position 1 and put AIL D/R switch in position 1. Add the mix shown here (make sure it is AIL) and adjust the weight to get a 1555 pulse.

7. Put the flight mode switch in position N and AIL D/R in position 0.  Adjust the ID0 weight to get an 1165 pulse.

8. Put the flight mode switch in position 2 and AIL D/R in position 1.  Adjust the ID2 weight to get an 1815 pulse.

9. 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, 1298, 1423, 1556, 1681 and 1813.

How to setup the mode switch for APM/AC2

This tutorial was created using the Futaba 12fg, but keep reading and it may give you some ideas on your radio. If you already have your particular radio figured out, write a tute like this and maybe we can get a collection of them added to the APM/AC2 wiki's.

You will need two spare switches, a 2 position and a 3 position to be able to get all six flight modes for the APM/AC2. We are aiming to get pulse widths of 1165, 1295, 1425, 1555, 1685, and 1815.

If you have a device which can measure pulse width, it is much more convenient than watching numbers scroll on the cli. The pulse-width readout is now conveniently located on the Radio Calibration page of the Planner. Some servo testers can measure what is coming out of the receiver.

1. Start with end points at 100 and subtrim 0 on the gear ch.

2. Go to the AFR screen #2 and set the function to Gear.

3. Put Gear switch in middle the position. Now backup to AFR screen #1 and set the offset to get a pulse of 1490. This is not the normal centre pulse width but is right in the middle of the range we are trying to setup. This could be done with subtrim on other radios.

4. Go to the Prog Mixes screen, pick a mix and set it to Offset, then activate it to get to the next step.

5. You should now be in the setting screens for your chosen mix. Go to screen #5 to assign a switch to use as your secondary mode switch and remember to activate it. I chose SF as it was a 2 position switch.

6. Go to Mix screen #1 and set the function to Gear.

7. Set the secondary mode switch to the rear and Gear switch to centre and adjust Offset Off for a 1425 pulse.

8. Set the secondary mode switch forward and adjust Offset On for a 1555 pulse.

9. Go back to AFR screen #1 and make sure you are still in the Gear function. Put both switches to the rear and adjust Rate B for an 1165 pulse. This can be done with gear endpoints on other radios.

10. Flick both switches all the way forward and adjust Rate A for an 1815 pulse.

11. 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, 1296, 1426, 1555, 1684 and 1814.

Here is the file for my complete model. I would suggest using it as a guide only because my switch assignments may not suit you.

ACM%20HEXA