Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

[Tepid Pilot]

I just ordered an Eagle A3 L gyro.  I will be using it with a Tactic TTX 650 transmitter, which has three-way switches available.  I am interested in knowing how to setup the flight mode function selection to operate on one of those three-way switches.  Thank you.

TP
AMA 59376

[ryramZ]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

I don't know the Tactic but with everything else you just have to tell the tx what switch you are wanting to use for whatever channel the gyro is using. Again, not sure on Tactic but if I had to guess I'd say gyro will be on an aux channel or channel 6 or higher.

[Tepid Pilot]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Thanks for the reply!  On the Tactic the switches are all assignable.  I can use channel 5 or channel 6.  I guess what I'm asking is what values to assign each position of the three-way.  I'm thinking +100%, 0, and -100%.  Looks like I may just have to experiment.

Thanks again.

TP

[ryramZ]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Unless someone who knows chimes in it sounds like you'll just have to play with it once it arrives. It may be 0 +50 +100 or who knows. On my Futaba the three positions don't need adjusted. It was with Spektrum where I made a two position switch act like 3 via mix functions where values whether positive or negative made a difference. As long as you get a blue light and an off you'll be fine. I've yet to meet anyone who would fly on the red 3d mode.
On the A3 6 axis red does different things but on the a3l you are using it is only blue/normal, red/3d and off/off.
Ryan

[Tepid Pilot]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Unless someone who knows chimes in it sounds like you'll just have to play with it once it arrives. It may be 0 +50 +100 or who knows. On my Futaba the three positions don't need adjusted. It was with Spektrum where I made a two position switch act like 3 via mix functions where values whether positive or negative made a difference. As long as you get a blue light and an off you'll be fine. I've yet to meet anyone who would fly on the red 3d mode.
On the A3 6 axis red does different things but on the a3l you are using it is only blue/normal, red/3d and off/off.
Ryan

Good heavens!  What exactly does the 3D mode do, then? What is its function?

TP

[boomer108]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Greetings Tepid Pilot,

  Welcome to the forum I hope I can help you out. I have a Tactic 650 and I have my A3L set to the 3 way switch on the top left in channel 6. I set it so position 1 is the top position normal mode blue light and center position is the off position. Now the third or lower position I also set as position zero so I don't inedverdedly switch to 3d mode. 3d mode is for those who like to perform those types of maneuvers with 3d capable planes. Hope this helps.

Roy B.

[ryramZ]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Normal mode stabilizes around neutral control surface settings.
3d mode lets the last imputed position become neutral. Like helping hold a knife edge or hover.

[Tepid Pilot]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Greetings Tepid Pilot,

 Welcome to the forum I hope I can help you out. I have a Tactic 650 and I have my A3L set to the 3 way switch on the top left in channel 6. I set it so position 1 is the top position normal mode blue light and center position is the off position. Now the third or lower position I also set as position zero so I don't inedverdedly switch to 3d mode. 3d mode is for those who like to perform those types of maneuvers with 3d capable planes. Hope this helps.

Roy B.

Thanks, Roy!  Sounds like I don't need to mess with the servo travel adjustment, just the positions (0), (1) and (2).  Is this correct?

Normal mode stabilizes around neutral control surface settings.
3d mode lets the last imputed position become neutral. Like helping hold a knife edge or hover.

Thank again, Ryan.  Exactly what I needed to know.

At this point I am quite eager to receive my unit.  Looks like the rain will be letting up here, at least for a while.  Long enough to let me do some flying.

I haven't even been on this forum twenty-four hours and already it's one of the top two!

Pete

[boomer108]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

That's correct Pete . Just set your positions 1,0 and 2 the way you want them.

Roy B.

[Tepid Pilot]

RE: How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Got it done.  My A3 L is now installed in a 3D Hobby Shop 41" Edge 540 that I've been flying for about eight months.

Setup could not have been easier.  I connected the "mod" (flight mode) of the gyro to channel 5 on the Tactic TR 624 receiver and assigned channel 5 of the Tactic TTX 650 transmitter to three-way switch C.  Position (1) is gyro off, position (0) is "normal" mode, and position (2) is "3D" mode.  No channel 5 servo travel adjustments of any kind were needed or made.

Testing indicated reversal of the elevator and rudder gyro directions would be necessary.  This was easily accomplished by following the steps outlined in the manual.

Prior to flight testing the gain adjustments for both "normal" and "3D" modes were set to approximately 11 o'clock.  A range check, which I perform prior to the first flight of every airplane each day, was normal.  "3D" mode is enabled, although I don't intend to use it... yet.

On the first flight I put the airplane a couple of mistakes high and switched on the gyro.  After one procedure turn the wings started rocking back and forth slightly and rapidly, so I turned the gyro off, landed, and reset the gain modes to ten o'clock.  Subsequent flights with the A3 L engaged were very smooth, but there was almost no wind.  I noticed the airplane tracked straight and true through loops and cuban eights with almost no input from me.

Prior to the next series of test flights I set the "normal" mode gain to ten-thirty.  There was no reccurance of the small oscillations on the roll axis.  On this day the wind came up to a "breezy" in my face crosswind (probably 7-10mph) and the effect of the gyro was much more noticable.  The airplane tracked effortlessly straight and smooth and landing was made easier.

At twenty-nine bucks shipped my Eagle A3 L was money well spent.  I like it!

TP
AMA 59376

[Grossman56]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

I just set the gain for the 3D mode to zero (turn the little screw on the face of the A3L, inboard one) I'm assuming that this will cause it to do nothing or very little if I inadvertently switch it to 3D mode.  Haven't had the thrill of doing that yet, but one never knows what goes on in an old guys brain!  Once I have them set up right, I just leave them on, they work great!

Grossman56

[doctormike]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Has anyone , here used an A3-L in a delta wing jet? Instructions on this are minimal, at best. I understand that a 4 ch. receiver is all you need. Correct? Do you plug ail. to ail. and ail. to ele., while ignoring rudder? Or does the rudder have to be plugged in, for it to work? Where does Mod plug into a 4ch. rec.? I have tried and tried. It won't work. I am leaving the trans. on normal, as instructed. Thanks, Doc

[Pheonix]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Sorry Doc. I have not used an A3L on a delta wing. Motion has a video on how to do so, I think using the Freewing Mirage. This one may help you. I am mostly using Eagle Tree now because of PC programming attributes.

[XF-15DCC]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Thanks Tepid Pilot for this info. I have the Tactic 850 and was thinking about getting one of these to assist. Set up should be about the same. Once I started to get higher it was a bit breezy and I had a hard time keeping things safe and in control.

I need to get some more glue first.........

Kevin

[ryramZ]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Delta wing set up is easy. No mixing on the radio necessary. Use the gyro menu to set the wing type and of course the orientation as well as making doubly sure your gyro movements/corrections are correct.

[doctormike]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Delta wing set up is easy. No mixing on the radio necessary. Use the gyro menu to set the wing type and of course the orientation as well as making doubly sure your gyro movements/corrections are correct.

I did get'er done, on my Multiplex Funjet. No rudder. It was working O.K. 'till I pushed it up to about 90 mph. It started fishtailing, so I turned off the gyro, and brought it down. I turned the gain down from 10 o'clock to about 8:30. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it will be fine. See "A3-L setup for delta wing with 4ch Rx." Doc

[StormyDog1962]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

Let us know how that works out when you get a chance!

[ryramZ]

RE: Update - Was Easy How To Setup A3 L mode on 3-way Switch

On the Mirage at speeds there was definitely an oscillation. I reserved the gyro for slow flight, landings and such on windy days.

Ryan