Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

[retiredflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I just figured out the settings for my Spektrum Dx9 and the remote gain. I ended up leaving the onboard gain set to about 10 o'clock. This gave me a good variation of gain from my adjustable knob on the radio. It actually mirrors the onboard gain adjustment with the relative position being what I would have put the onboard one at.

UPDATE: After installing the gyro into the plane vs. moving it outside during initial adjustment, I too found that moving the on-board gain to maximum worked the best. If it was set below 12 o'clock the remote knob on my radio had very little effect. After I maxed it out however, I now had full control with the radio.

[Alpha]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I maximized the travel on the Remote Gain channel, and turned the onboard Gain dial to maximum. This greatly improved the graduated sensitivity of my Hitec radio's rotary knob.

[retiredflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I'm glad other folks have questions about using the remote gain feature. I won't be able to get to the gyro after final installation so I need to utilize this feature. I just don't know where to place the gain screws on the gyro unit to start. Do I leave them at 12 where they started, or at 0, or does it matter as once you hook up a cable to the slot on the gyro for remote gain, it overrides the screw anyway.
I haven't figured out how to program my knob switch on my Dx9 yet either. It's got a nice knob on the top of the radio that would be perfect for adjusting the gain. I can program the knob to go from -100 to +100.
I guess the only way to test it out is trial and error and physically move the gyro after increasing the knob and see if the gyro is more responsive, and vice versa.
The instructions are not very specific on how this works.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey Boomer, yeah I chucked the 3M tape a while ago and got Du-bro Doubled sided tape Cat No 634.  This stuff is STICKY!  I had the 3M stuff come loose before, which is not a big deal if its the receiver, but a whole different ball game if its the gyro.
Speaking of weird Waco day, mine had an 'interesting' day as well.  She was flying fine, then decided to act weird, flip flopping the ailerons.  Got her slowed down and into a head wind and plopped her down on the ground, rolled on her back but this was getting to be common place with her before the gyro.
Turns out that a cabane had broke (one that I've glued together before, dang cheap plastic pieces!!) and one point on the upper wing/strut connection (that has also been glued together before) so her upper wing was probably doing some strange things.  Anyway, got her glued back together and I also reinforced the joints with foam tack as it seems to make a super strong, cast-like bond.  She's ready to bounce back up again.
I hope you saw that post about the master gain that you can hook up to the radio.  I'm thinking that all I have to do is get the gyro turned all the way up and then assign a control knob to the master gain and I'll never have to worry about adjusting the screw on the gyro, no drilling holes!! Plus I can control the amount of gyro to dial it in while in the air, gotta like it!

Grossman56

[boomer108]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey great to hear Boomer, they DO fly better with a gyro!  I had mine up in the breeze a couple of times and what's so impressive is when I go to land, even in a cross wind, those wings are beautifully level, I definitely love my Waco now.  Great little bird for aerobatics!  Now she's what I would call an 'honest' bird.  Let me know how the drilling goes, I'm going to attempt the same thing, been busy for the last little bit.

Grossman56

Hey G Man!
   Had the Waco out Friday. Something went wrong on a low pass over the runway. The wings started wiggle real bad so I turned off the gyro right away and at the same time was approaching the tree line so I started a right turn to clear and lost altitude and could not correct back to level and cartwheeled into the grass. On inspection I noticed a broken aeilron clevis and the gyro came loose from the double sided tape. I don't know if one or both came loose before or after the crash. The Waco is repairable but make sure your gyro is staying put with the tape. I think I will get some outdoor double sided tape and see if that keeps it in place. Good flying G Man! 

Roy B.

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I checked it out a few minutes ago and it really works. I have my 2-D switch set at about 1100 and used the remote master gain on a slide to increase rate and it worked. I have all set up this way, but never used. Now I am going to use it, as this is what it is for. Happy flying.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I've got a message in to Ryan, I'll let you know what he says.  I've got to get some spare cables before I can try it

Grossman56

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have it set up this way but have not tried it yet.  Let me know how this works for you.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey Guys, I'm probably not telling anyone who actually reads the manual any thing new here, but I was looking at the specs for the A3L and it says that you can use a remote gain on it!
I'm thinking, "How do I do this?"
Simple, says the manual, it goes into the s bus terminal and out to an empty channel, then assign it to a knob and it becomes your master gain control.  So, all you have to do is crank the manual gain (screw) control on the Gyro and use the master gain control knob on the radio.
So Boomer, don't go drilling holes just yet, this would be a great solution to those cramped places where a gyro would go.
Call me Old Guy once again, but I'm going to read the manuals a little closer from now on
(Assuming they're not in Chinglish  LOL)

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey great to hear Boomer, they DO fly better with a gyro!  I had mine up in the breeze a couple of times and what's so impressive is when I go to land, even in a cross wind, those wings are beautifully level, I definitely love my Waco now.  Great little bird for aerobatics!  Now she's what I would call an 'honest' bird.  Let me know how the drilling goes, I'm going to attempt the same thing, been busy for the last little bit.

Grossman56

[boomer108]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey G Man!
  I Maiden my Waco today she flew great with the A3L installed. Winds were 7-10 gain set at 12:30. She will definitely take more wind with no problem. I going to try the gain set at the 1:00 position like you suggested and see how it goes. Now to work on that access hole for the gain adjustment. Thanks again for your help. Good flying.

Roy B.


  

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I've got her around 12, but you could go more I'm thinking, one o'clock.

Grossman56

[boomer108]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey G Man,
  I was thinking the same thing. Amazing how great minds think alike. I have the gain set a 12:30,what's your sweet spot?

Roy B.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Hey, great to hear Roy.  I had no problems with her.  I actually robbed the A3L out of Pandora 2 as I wasn't flying her and put it in the Waco as an experiment, thinking that I probably wouldn't be able to get one in but, may as well try.
As it turned out, through trial and error, I found the sweet spot and it works very well.  The only drag about it is that you can't get to the adjustment screw if wan to increase or decrease.
I'm thinking I might tap a small hole through the fuse to the screw, but I haven't really decided yet.

Grossman56

[boomer108]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Your welcome Roy, and good luck, its 94 and windy here today, so no chance of trying it out, but I'll be up bright and early tomorrow, if the wind is going to be calm, its in the early AM that its most likely.  Also, now since I have Old Crow repaired and ready to go out again, I'd like to get her up in the skies as well.  Just be sure that the corrections are working in the right direction!!!!


Grossman56  

Hey G Man!
  I received my A3L from Motion and put it in today like you showed me. Slick! Everything is moving the right way and ready to fly. I'll let you know how it goes this week. Thanks again.
Roy B.

[Rcfiddy1]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have the super 2 but have not used it yet.  I really cannot think of what the issue might be.  Alpha at MRC is real good at trouble shooting these kind of issues.  Perhaps you should give him a call for help.  I am partial to Eagle Tree though they cost more.  I used these mostly in my jets and have no had one problem with them as the PC programming is very good.  The A3L is well worth the money for small planes and warbirds.  For my expensive planes, I only trust Eagle Tree.  Pick up one ad see what  you think.  When you say "run way check", what do you mean.  I never use gyros on take off unless it is touch and go.

I have a Eagle Tree Vector FC in my Quadcopter. Was thinking of going that route but tried the A3L. Seems I should have just got another Eagletree. Ive spent almost as much now to rebuild this warbird.

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have the super 2 but have not used it yet. I really cannot think of what the issue might be. Alpha at MRC is real good at trouble shooting these kind of issues. Perhaps you should give him a call for help. I am partial to Eagle Tree though they cost more. I used these mostly in my jets and have no had one problem with them as the PC programming is very good. The A3L is well worth the money for small planes and warbirds. For my expensive planes, I only trust Eagle Tree. Pick up one ad see what you think. When you say "run way check", what do you mean. I never use gyros on take off unless it is touch and go.

[Rcfiddy1]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I ran into an issue with the super 2. On the bench everything checks out fine. But when I took off and got airborne around 15 feet off ground the control surfaces all went to extremes causing a quick nose down into the ground. Total loss of a brand new FW Old crow. It was setup as per manual, gyro was calibrated, sticks were centered all checks done. After spending the cash to rebuild it I tried again and this time it did it during a runway check. Needless to say I didn't fly and took out the gyro. Any suggestions?

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Your welcome Roy, and good luck, its 94 and windy here today, so no chance of trying it out, but I'll be up bright and early tomorrow, if the wind is going to be calm, its in the early AM that its most likely.  Also, now since I have Old Crow repaired and ready to go out again, I'd like to get her up in the skies as well.  Just be sure that the corrections are working in the right direction!!!!


Grossman56  

[boomer108]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Thanks G man. Looks like you figured it out. A3L here I come. Thanks again and good flying!

Roy B.