Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

[Mizer67]

No. None of my A3-L's have lost its memory between power downs. What do you have the "mode" and master gain plugged into?

Nothing except the capacitor as I don't have a spare slot on the receiver. I don't use them.

I plugged the capacitor it comes with into the mode slot. I have it there in another plane and it didn't cause the same issue, but I'll try removing it and see if that makes any difference.

Update: Looks like removing the capacitor that comes with the V2 from either the Mode slot or Sbus/Gain slot resolves the issue. Immediately after plugging it into either slot during the next power down/up, the issue returns. The instructions say: "You just need to plug it (the capacitor) into any open slot on the receiver or gyro". That appears to be erroneous, at least in this singular case with the F-22.

I'll have to see if I can Y it into the receiver if I want to keep it...which I would like, to buffer any current issues.

[xviper]

Question: Has anyone experienced a HobbyEagle A3L V2 losing the retained settings from programming after powering down/removing the battery after each flight?

I have one I purchased from MRC that does this. Customer Service sent me a replacement that does the exact same thing. I have two others that work fine in other aircraft. This one is installed in a FW F-22.

No. None of my A3-L's have lost its memory between power downs. What do you have the "mode" and master gain plugged into?

[Mizer67]

Question: Has anyone experienced a HobbyEagle A3L V2 losing the retained settings from programming after powering down/removing the battery after each flight?

I have one I purchased from MRC that does this. Customer Service sent me a replacement that does the exact same thing. I have two others that work fine in other aircraft. This one is installed in a FW F-22.

[xviper]

You don't have to have a 2-way switch to turn a gyro ON/OFF. A 3-way switch will do - you just don't stop in the middle position. If you do, nothing happens. In a Spektrum TX, the gyro is turned ON/OFF by seeing -100 and +100. The middle position on a 3-way switch is just "0". For ON/OFF, "0" doesn't mean anything to a HobbyEagle.
Today's gyros don't really care where they are located on a plane. I have planes where the already installed gyro is located almost in the nose cone. They don't even have to be installed dead center of the longitudinal mid-line nor do they need to be dead center of the cross section of the fuselage. It can be in the belly of the plane, on the floor or even just under the ceiling.
My AL37 has the A3-L and it's not at the CG point. It stabilizes the plane to eliminate that wing rock in cross winds.

[T-CAT]

I have several friends flying the AL37 with a gyro and they all think it is worth while. I can even tell the difference whether it is active and inactive just by watching it. Have fun with the AL37!

[PELOTARI]

She's pretty well trimmed out at this point, so initializing should not be an issue. I've gotten to the point where I'm looking for a more relaxing flying experience when I go up, and want to be less affected by 90 degree crosswinds, etc. if at all possible. We're on the same page regarding a "Safety" option. Looks like I'm in the market for another RX with 8 channels instead of 7 (Flash- TX does have an 8th "AUX" switch). Thanks again for your Two Cents- will update in the next few days depending on what's available, RX-wise.

[T-CAT]

It's going into an AL37 airliner (Motion RC) and it's going to be used only for stabilization purposes only- 3D to be shut down completely. The CG is waaay behind everything (mid-wing). I would not be as worried if I had a spare two-way switch on the TX- which I don't- to shut it off in flight if things get hairy. Still working on THAT potential problem as well. Appreciate your ongoing input.

I don't think Normal stabilization mode will be an issue using that gyro on the AL37 with it a bit forward of the CG.

However, there is no doubt that having a Gyro "OFF" switch programmed on thee TX is absolutely critical, and I wouldn't use a gyro without one. That is just my opinion, though. You want a way out if things go wrong, and that switch is the lifeline.

Also, having the gyro OFF for the first flight or first several flights is what you'll want to do to trim the aircraft to fly straight and level without needed pressure on the gimbal sticks. Then, once the aircraft is properly trimmed, the aircraft can then be powered off following the last flight and once powered back on, let the aircraft remain untouched on the ground to initialize the gyro to allow it to remember the TX stick neutral position with the trims the way you have them set. The gyro will remember them during initialization, and the gyro will then be ready to be activated on subsequent flights in the air with a safe altitude margin to test the gyro, see if less or more gain is needed, etc.

Before any flying occurs, it is crucial to ensure the gyro is correcting the control surfaces in the proper direction. Mistakes happen though, and many people have accidently had the gyro correcting movement incorrectly on one or more of the flight control surfaces, but they did not have an "OFF" switch to get them clear of the situation instantly.

[PELOTARI]

It's going into an AL37 airliner (Motion RC) and it's going to be used only for stabilization purposes only- 3D to be shut down completely. The CG is waaay behind everything (mid-wing). I would not be as worried if I had a spare two-way switch on the TX- which I don't- to shut it off in flight if things get hairy. Still working on THAT potential problem as well. Appreciate your ongoing input.

[T-CAT]

And while I'm at it...
I only saw a passing reference as to positioning of the gyro relative to the CG in the forum. There's no way in Hades I can get the gyro anywhere the CG (as it is I'm using 12" extensions from a "control box" to the gyro to the RX). I would need to place it forward of the CG by roughly a foot as it stands. Any thoughts? 😏

What aircraft are you using it in and which of the three available "Modes" of the gyro do you plan to use?

If you are just using the gyro for general stabilization (aka "Normal Mode"), then having the gyro placed a bit forward of the CG isn't absolutely critical. I have flown many of these gyros in jets with them secured a bit forward of the CG (such as in the rear of the battery compartment), and using it only in Normal mode and it has worked flawlessly. In a perfect world, it would be ideal to have a gyro on the aircrafts CG as intended in the manual.

However, if you plan to use the gyros "3D Flight Mode", then I'd imagine it would be more critical to secure your gyro exactly on or very close to the aircrafts CG due to how that flight mode works and what it is intended to do.

I never used the 3D Flight Mode, only the Normal and Off modes, so your mileage may vary.

[PELOTARI]

And while I'm at it...
I only saw a passing reference as to positioning of the gyro relative to the CG in the forum. There's no way in Hades I can get the gyro anywhere the CG (as it is I'm using 12" extensions from a "control box" to the gyro to the RX). I would need to place it forward of the CG by roughly a foot as it stands. Any thoughts? 😏

[T-CAT]

You're welcome!

[PELOTARI]

Thanks, T-Cat ! 🛩

[T-CAT]

Today's Silly Question:
What's the orientation of the lead plugs on the A3L? I see the signal/pos/neg icons on top of the case, but does it mean neg is towards the back/bottom? Is it correct in pix? Thanks in advance!

Your picture shows the correct wire polarity .

[PELOTARI]

Today's Silly Question:
What's the orientation of the lead plugs on the A3L? I see the signal/pos/neg icons on top of the case, but does it mean neg is towards the back/bottom? Is it correct in pix? Thanks in advance!

[Elbee]

D101, Much like the 1:1 you NEED to add power (speed maintenance) AND some opposite rudder if you are at low speed to hold a lateral turn. Just keep power ON in turns and also to compensate for additional drag caused by gear-down, flaps down, ordinance, etc. Best, LB

[xviper]

F4d Freewing, would the A3L be a help on this heavy flying F4 that likes to fall out of the sky on final turn.
Snap roll w cg forward. ????? Thoughts ?¿???

A device like this won't defy the laws of physics. When you go into a turn on final, it's up to the pilot to apply enough power to prevent the plane from going below its stall speed. If you do your turns like that, a gyro will not help you.

[david101]

F4d Freewing, would the A3L be a help on this heavy flying F4 that likes to fall out of the sky on final turn.
Snap roll w cg forward. ????? Thoughts ?¿???

[\o/woohoo]

Perfect. Thank you.

[xviper]

Yes, it just needs to feed into the RX in some way. Most convenient is the bind/ artery port since it’s usually empty, but it can be “Y’d into any port.

[\o/woohoo]

I have flown all my jets and warbirds with the A3L without the cap. No issues at all (knock on wood).

I think it also may be rx brand related (or protocol). I run flysky. Love it. Never an issue and extremely affordable. I can buy me a jetti right now but why? My i10 does everything i need.

Anyway so I'll just keep flying without the cap since i never had any issues. If i suspect anything I'll pop one on. They go on the rx right? Or it doesnt matter?