new guy questions on setting up E Flite AS3X and SAFE on P-51D 1.5m

[davegee]

Hi All: I've been in rc for several years but this is my first time using the AS3X and SAFE technology modes. Unfortunately, I live out in the hinterlands and there is no one I know to help me in person, so I'm hoping someone can set me straight before I try maidening this nice plane.

Basically, I've stumbled through the directions and I think I have setting it up binding in SAFE mode, and then I have done a bind without SAFE mode active so it is in AS3X mode all the time. I think I have all the control throws, CG is spot on, and it is getting ready for a maiden in a few days when the wind calms down.

I guess my biggest question is: how do I designate a switch to go into SAFE mode and then back out again to AS3X mode? I have a DX18 transmitter, and have been trying to program the three position E switch to mainly stay in AS3X mode, but if I get in trouble, possibly a quick switch to SAFE to get it stabilized, and then back to AS3X mode again. I went by the manual instructions, but I think I'm off somewhere, maybe in channel assign or something.

As I said, this is my first time with this technology, in the past I have done maiden flights just on using the sticks alone.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Davegee

[ICM]

If I understand your post, you first bound your P-51 for Safe Select enabled and then rebound for AS3x only. If so, by rebinding you cancelled out Safe Select. Rebind for Safe Select enabled. Assign switch E to an unused channel 5-9 making sure the channel has 100% travel up and down, for example Aux2, and follow the manual. AS3x is always on whether you switch Safe on or off..

[Gilatrout]

ICM has you covered.

The only thing I would add is you will know when you are in safe mode because when you move the plane the control surface will move.

For example holding the plane and rolling the model to the side, you should see the opposite aileron come up to counter the roll.

Flipping the switch out our safe mode should cause aileron to center immediately.

Then assign a voice alert to the switch states so you can easily remember which position is safe vs as3x
As3x is not enabled until you advance the throttle over 25% so you won't see or hear anything happen in the servos. Safe mode, when enabled, is always on.

[xviper]

how do I designate a switch to go into SAFE mode and then back out again to AS3X mode?

If I read your post correctly, this is the gist of what you are asking. First, you must bind it so that SAFE is available to you. I recall it's something like put in bind plug, power up plane, wait a few seconds, then pull the bind plug out, then power up the TX in BIND mode.
Once you've done that, there is a section on another page that talks about assigning a switch. It goes something like this (but please read it to get ALL the details) ........................ Once it's bound and everything is powered up, make sure you have all the rates at high (100%), throttle cut NOT activated (so be very careful of the prop), then you move both sticks to the lowest inside positions as you flip the desired switch 4 times (or 5 - please read the manual) fully in rapid succession. Then you see the control surfaces do that twitching thing. CAREFULLY release both sticks to their normal resting position -- ie, throttle stick stays DOWN but goes to neutral (L/R wise). Right stick goes to neutral (centered).
I use a 3 position switch (the one just in front of the gear switch as it's free). In one extreme position, you have SAFE. In the other 2 positions, you have just AS3X, so it doesn't matter which of those positions you choose. Check as follows: For SAFE, tilt the plane in any off-level position and the control surfaces will stay deflected. For AS3X only, the throttle must be blipped to at least 1/4 to 1/3 to make AS3X work. Now, when you tilt the plane quickly, you see will the control surfaces respond to correct the movement but will go back to neutral even if you leave the plane tilted. If you don't like the positions of the switch, you can reverse that switch in the servo reverse menu. Check in the monitor when you flip the switch to see which channel it's using.

[davegee]

Hi X Viper: thanks so much for this good information! I did read the manual line by line (at least I think I did!) about assigning a switch. I thought I had it working just as you were describing, but when I was out at the field today, it didn't seem to be working. I'm going to keep working on it; I can smell success coming on it soon!

[davegee]

If I understand your post, you first bound your P-51 for Safe Select enabled and then rebound for AS3x only. If so, by rebinding you cancelled out Safe Select. Rebind for Safe Select enabled. Assign switch E to an unused channel 5-9 making sure the channel has 100% travel up and down, for example Aux2, and follow the manual. AS3x is always on whether you switch Safe on or off..

Thanks, ICM. I will try that!

[davegee]

ICM has you covered.

The only thing I would add is you will know when you are in safe mode because when you move the plane the control surface will move.

For example holding the plane and rolling the model to the side, you should see the opposite aileron come up to counter the roll.

Flipping the switch out our safe mode should cause aileron to center immediately.

Then assign a voice alert to the switch states so you can easily remember which position is safe vs as3x
As3x is not enabled until you advance the throttle over 25% so you won't see or hear anything happen in the servos. Safe mode, when enabled, is always on.

Thanks, Gilatrout! Good info there!

[davegee]

Thanks, Gilatrout! Good info there!

Thanks for the great info, guys. I think I'm finally coming "up to speed" on the setting up and use of the SAFE and AS3X modes. I recently got a Timber plane from a friend that has it, and I have now flown the P-51 a few times using the SAFE and AS3X. I have a switch set to AUX 2 so I can change in-between these modes when I wish. I'm pretty much using SAFE as an emergency mode if I get it out of control, perhaps it will save the plane long enough for me to get my act together again The AS3X model seems to work pretty well "behind the scenes" for dampening out excursions from the intended flight path due to winds, turbulence, etc.