ELEV-8-v3 Radio-Configuration of a Futuba 10J + R3008SB Receiver

nomad

Hello,
i am new in the Elev-8 scene.
i have some questions about: Configure the Radio...
i have a Futuba 10 j
- Radio Mode 2: gas/Throttle left stick vertical, channel 3
- Box Model Typ : Acro

my settings are (from a older copter)
- sticks
1 channel 1 function AIL
2 channel 2 function ELE
3 channel 3 function THR
4 channel 4 function RUD

- slider (VR) unmapping

- switcher
A = 2switch unmapping
B = 2switch unmapping
C = 3switch channel 5 function up, middle, down
D = 2switch channel 6 function up, down
E = 3switch channel 8 function up, middle, down
F = 2switch unmapping
G = 2switch unmapping
F = unmapping on,off

- no REV on Radio
- no bind-procedures are needed
- no AUX ports but channels 1-8 (PWM)

which function have AUX1 ?

i read the instructions for the spektrum....

have somebody basic-settings for my radio or some tips and hints?.
regards
nomads

Publison

I would suggest going through the ELEV8 guides on the learn site:

http://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/elev-8

Section 6 in the assembly guide has some instructions.

Publison

The normal configuration for the ELEV8 controller board is:

channel 1 function THRO
channel 2 function ALE
channel 3 function ELEV
channel 4 function RUD
channel 5 function GEAR
channel 6 function AUX1

These are the defaults in the Ground Station software. They can be changed to map your current channels as you have them defined on your radio.

It might be easier the modify the Ground Station software rather than reprograming your transmitter. Once changes are made, you can upload the changes to the firmware on the ELEV8.

EDIT: Changed channel numbers.

nomad

hallo Publison
thanks for your answer.
therefore:
i will change the GroundStationSoftware as
channel 1 function AIL
channel 2 function ELE
channel 3 function THR
channel 4 function RUD
no switches.

is this ok on channel 4 = RUD + GEAR + AUX1 ?
or can i change GEAR and AUX1 on a 2switcher up Gear, down AUX1?
excuse what is the function of GEAR + AUX1 ?

i switch from tarot-xyz-m-FC to the parallax FC,
tarot is verry complicated, must have 8 channels with 3 switches.
cant learn the ESC....

excuse my bad english, i come from switzerland....

regards
nomad

Publison

nomad wrote: »

hallo Publison
thanks for your answer.
therefore:
i will change the GroundStationSoftware as
channel 1 function AIL
channel 2 function ELE
channel 3 function THR
channel 4 function RUD
no switches.

is this ok on channel 4 = RUD + GEAR + AUX1 ?
or can i change GEAR and AUX1 on a 2switcher up Gear, down AUX1?
excuse what is the function of GEAR + AUX1 ?

i switch from tarot-xyz-m-FC to the parallax FC,
tarot is verry complicated, must have 8 channels with 3 switches.
cant learn the ESC....

excuse my bad english, i come from switzerland....

regards
nomad

Sorry I cut and pasted without editing. See my edit above.

Gear = 5
AUX1 = 6

JasonDorie

The channels used on the Elev8 flight controller are throttle, aileron, elevator, rudder, and aux1. The aux1 channel is what chooses the flight mode (manual, stable, or assisted). It is best to map this to a 3-position switch if you have one. GroundStation allows you to choose which receiver channel is used for each input, and you can also do reversing there as well. Any remaining inputs are free for you to use however you like. (some people use them to control lights, a camera gimbal, or landing gear)

You could also just wire your receiver outputs to the correct inputs on the flight controller. In your case, receiver output #3 (throttle) would go to FC input #1 (default throttle input). Either solution will work just fine. I set it up the way I did because some people like to use a single servo wire to carry three channels from the receiver to the flight controller to reduce wiring. (You only need 1 power and 1 ground connection for the receiver - the rest of the power/ground wires can be left unconnected). This saves wire clutter and weight, but it means that it's harder to re-route wires if the channel order is different between your receiver and the flight controller, so I gave GroundStation the ability to configure the order.

And don't worry about your english - it's MUCH better than my German.

nomad

Hello
@ Publison
thanks for your answer and your corrections.

@ JasonDorie
thanks for your answer.
today i make tests
best regards
nomad

nomad

hello

today i have change my RadioSettings as:
- 1) Radio stick changings
- channel 1 AIL
- channel 2 ELE
- channel 3 THR
- channel 4 RUD

- 2) Radio switch changings
- on instructions Step 21:
Gear Channel Control 3-Position Switch == Flight-Mode
- channel 5 3-position-switch (GEAR) AUX1
up = manual
middle = stable
down = assisted

- channel 6 2-position-switch (AUX1) GEAR =
up = off
down = on
function: ev. LEDS on/off

questions(1):
are the changings correct ?

on the groundStation -> RadioSettings
what for function have AUX2 and AUX3 ? (channel 7 and 8)
no AUX1 ?

can i change the channels from the groundStation as above (my settings)
or its better to take the settings of the groundStations ?

question (2):
is the receiver powered from the FlightController?

thanks for tips and hints
regards
nomad

nomad

hello,
some of my questions are obsolete, look the last thread.
in the meantime, i calibrate the Radio-SetUp in the GroundStation-Software:

Radio Setup
connections

receiver function FC
channel 3 THR --> port 1 Throttle
channel 1 AIL --> port 2 Aileron
channel 2 ELE --> port 3 Elevator
channel 4 RUD --> port 4 Rudder

switcher
channel 5 3waySwitch port 5 Gear
- modi up = manual, middle = stable, down = assisted

channel 6 2waySwitch port 6 AUX1
- up = off, down = on

Radio Setup
- 1) Calibrate
- as per instructions on the GroundStation-Window
- Upload Changes OK

- testing sticks:

- THR: channel 3 leftStick: neutral = +41, Up +1023, Down -1023
- RUD: channel 4 leftStick: neutral = + 4, Left -1023, Right +1024
- ELE: channel 2 rightStick: neutral = + 4, Up +1024, Down -1024 with REV
- AIL: channel 1 rightStick: neutral = +11, Left -1023, Right +1043

testing switches
switch channel 5 "C" 3way GEAR
- up manual = -1021
- middle stable = 0
- down - = +1021
no "assisted"-Mode

switch channel 6 "D" 2way AUX1
- up = -1021
- down = +1021

i think, i have 2 problems:
-1) the sticks should on neutral = 0
-2) FlightMode on GEAR : i have only manual and stableMode, no assisted-Mode

are the values of the stick-movements OK ?

Thanks for tips, tricks and hints
regards
nomad

JasonDorie

The sticks at neutral should be zero, but +/- 10 is very little and nothing to worry about. Make sure all your radio trims are zeroed, but the numbers you are showing are fine and shouldn't cause you any problems. The "assisted" mode is in the new version of the firmware and GroundStation, available for download here: https://github.com/parallaxinc/Flight-Controller/releases The only difference between "assisted" and "stable" is the altitude hold.

nomad

hello JasonDorie,
Thanks for your answer.
i have a look at github, and see, that many stuff are for Linux
it's verry fine, i have ubuntu-boxes here, look my pic.

in the moment, i work with win7, and i want the "assisted"-flight-mode for my,
experiments.
which package must i download ?
and what are the steps for install the stuff under windows?

thanks for a tip.
best regards
nomad

nomad

hello
@JasonDorie

PS. about the packages
- on win7: install: GroundStation-1.0.2, Firmware: 1.0.2
- on Linux: Ubuntu-14.04 LTS
- i have the simple-ide_1-0-1-rc1_amd64.deb (its running all ok)
- new install via *.deb

- i think for the "assisted"-FlightMode
packages:
- win7 :
parallax-groundstation-1.0.4-amd64.exe
- is this with the new firmware ?

-ubuntu:
parallax-groundstation-1.0.4-amd64.deb

have you some tips?

best regards
nomad

Publison

I would stay with the Ver 1.0.2 Ground Station and Firmware. It is the official release supported by Parallax:

https://www.parallax.com/downloads/elev-8-flight-controller-firmware

I have tried 1.0.4, but had some problems with Wireless Telemetry, so I went back to 1.0.2.

(I use Windows 7 Pro).

JasonDorie

GroundStation 1.1.1 (+ firmware 1.1.0) is the most recent version (on the top of the releases page I linked you to).

I'm always using / flying the latest version and haven't had any trouble with it, but it's pretty simple to go back to an earlier one if you have any issues.

Publison

I'll have to push for Official releases, as Parallax has to support them.

While the new (unofficial )releases are quite good, they may not be the right choice for a first timer.

nomad

hello
@Publison

thanks for your answers:
- 1) the firmware 1.0.2 haven't the flightMode: assisted.
that's why i make the step to GroundStation Version 1.1.1 and Firmware 1.1.0
if i have troubles, i go back...

@JasonDore
thanks for your answer.

today i first install on ubuntu 14.04 only Groundstation 1.1.1. via *.deb (standallone)
then under win7 i install the the newest Groundstation + the newest Firmware.

- Firmware 1.1.0:
i make following steps (under win):
i have with Flight-Controller-1.1.1.zip the source-code:

then unpacked the zip-file:
- 1) open SC:
- 2) in the source-code
- open folder Firmware-C (version 1.1.0. i hope so)

- load elev8-main.side into ide:
if loading ok
- click on Load EEPROM & Run:
- if all ok: then i have the new Firmware into the FC.

i hope this is correct?
i think then i have the assisted FlightMode ?

PS:
in the meantime i do following stuff:

INSTALLING ON LINUX:
- 1) sudo dpkg -i parallax-goundstation-1.1.1-amd64.deb
- 2) no failures all ok
- 3) unter Applications: -> Programming -> ParallaxGroundStation version 1.1.1
- on click: it's running standallone OK

INSTALLING ON WIN7
- 1) under win7:
- 1) install GroundStation-1.1.1
- new folder with 80204-Parallax-GroundStation-v1.1.1.exe
- 2) running exe:
- on Desktop: Parallax GroundStation
- RUN ok v1.1.1

- 3) install newest Firmware: 1.1.0
- as:
- have with Flight-Controller-1.1.1.zip the source-code:
- then unpacked the zip-file:
- 1) open SC:
- 2) under Flight-Controller-1.1.1
- open folder Firmware-C

- 3) load elev8-main.side into ide:
- loading ok
- click on Load EEPROM & Run:
- all ok: then i have the new Firmware into the FC.
- 4) testing New Groundstation 1.1.1 with Firmware 1.1.0
and the FlightController-device:
- via usb -> connected ok
- have Firmware 1.1.0 on the Device
- testing Device -> Moving FC in 3D its Move correctly
- ALL OK

on the afternoon:
- i make a new Calibrations of my Radio sticks + switches with the new firmware.


best regards
nomad

nomad

hello
now with Version 1.1.1. + Firmware 1.1.0.
on win7:

- 1) RadioCalibrations:
- some Differences:
- my Futuba have Mode 2 (leftStick up/down is Throttle)
- Result :
some Troubles at end of calibrations:
- Results:
- Sticks:
- THR: RadioChannel 3, GroundStationChannel 1 (REV) leftStick: neutral = 0, Up +784, Down -859
- RUD: RadioChannel 4, GroundStationChannel 4 leftStick: neutral = +42, Left -781, Right +857
- ELE: RadioChannel 2, GroundStationChannel 3 (REV) rightStick: neutral = -32, Up +784, Down -856
- AIL: RadioChannel 1, GroundStationChannel 1 rightStick: neutral = +40, Left -781, Right +859

- Switches:
switch channel 5 "C" 3way GEAR
-up manual = -1023
-middle stable = 0
-down assisted = +1023

switch channel 6 "D" 2way AUX1
-up = -1021
-down = +1023

i think the stickvalues are too low.
and the calibration-process have ev. a issue (wrong positions of the sticks after calibrations)


then i go to my linuxBox
starting RadioCalibrations:
Difference: No Text show
-> Both sticks Up-Right, switches maxVal
-> Both sticks Down-Left, switches minVal
-> no numbers....

for this i must moving the sticks until its the correct position.
- upload changes-button clicked
after this, make tests

- THR: RadioChannel 3, GroundStationChannel 1 (REV) leftStick: neutral = +57, Up +1029, Down -1013
- RUD: RadioChannel 4, GroundStationChannel 4 leftStick: neutral = + 6, Left -1023, Right +1014
- ELE: RadioChannel 2, GroundStationChannel 3 (REV) rightStick: neutral = - 6, Up +1023, Down -1013
- AIL: RadioChannel 1, GroundStationChannel 1 rightStick: neutral = + 1, Left -1023, Right +1024

testing switches
switch channel 5 "C" 3way GEAR
- up manual = -1023
- middle stable = 0
- down assisted = +1023

switch channel 6 "D" 2way AUX1
- up = -1021
- down = +1023

i find this values are better,
in status testing sticks: the 3d-quad moves correctly

i think for me is this result on the linuxBox OK

as attached: RadioSetUp-2-0109.png

what are thinking about this ?

and a another question:
under linux i go into SystemSetup: are this values ok?
as attached: SystemSetup-1-0109.png

thanks for tips and hints :-)
best regards
nomad

JasonDorie

Were you using the same radio for both tests? It looks like you might have had a low-rate switch (like dual-rates) enabled when you calibrated with Windows, but had it disabled when you calibrated on Linux. The logic is the same across the different versions of the software, so there's no way the Windows version got different ranges than the Linux version if you used the same radio and receiver.

Other than that, everything looks ok. You might have a little sub-trim or channel-trim applied on the throttle channel, but that won't affect the flight controller when it's calibrated.

You should not enable the low-rate mode when calibrating - the Elev8 software is watching your radio values to find the smallest and largest values it gets for each channel, and scaling everything internally to use those ranges. Calibrate with the full channel range enabled, and do not change the dual-rate switches when moving all the controls during the calibration. They aren't "inputs" by themselves - they just affect the range of other inputs, which isn't wanted.

Does that make sense?

nomad

Hello

Thanks for your answers.
- 1) The same Radio for both Tests.
- 2) i make a test with my radio
- no REV
- all servos midPoint == 0
- Trim sticks == 0
- no Mix of sticks

i make in the last days no changes on my Radio.

- 3) make a Test with win7 and the Software
- all sticks ok the same values as with linux, switches ok

what you mean with :

You should not enable the low-rate mode when calibrating...

mean you my picture from System-Setup "Low Throttle" ?
the value is ev. a mistake from me clicking :-)
but no upload Changes-Button
have you the correct value for this?

i think perhaps:
a little difference of the software and eventually firmware on win7 and linux ?
-> if i calibrate yesterday the radio under linux
- no yellow text shows: ??, but Radio-Calibration is OK

my first ESC-Calibrations as per Step25 under Win7:
- 1) my first try:
- connected to lipo:
- esc beeps
- confirm no propeller -> ok
- take the step 3:
- click on ThrottleCalibration Button
- with text, disconnect the lipo
- second click on button:
- nothing happened, no further text
- failure (i think that)

after another trys. the same bad thing.
then i change to linux.
the same procedure as on win7.
failure: nothing happened, only engine3 with esc. run a verry short time ???
second try: GroundStation: No ELEV-8 found -> stop

after this, i make a new trial on windows7:
the same procedere as every year :-))
and behold, suddenly:
step 3: correct
step 4: correct with the correct beeps
step 5: correct with another correct beeps
step 6: i take this, after waiting 10 sec
testing all engines and ESC = Moving and Directions OK

i think, the troubles are my mistake, no failures of the FC.
and i think, the ESC-Calibrations are successful.
a EngineTest on linux OK, connected, Engines working, direction is OK

what you thinking about this ??

before i make the next steps (Gyro- and ACC-Calibrations)
i build my Copter, this weekend and the next days
and for this, i will open a new thread.

thanks for tips and tricks.
excuse my long speech

best regards and a nice weekend
nomad