Futaba 4PL Setup, Tips, Tricks & Help

[WAM]

New 4PL with dual Crawlmasters and FXR's. Both motors now set to zero timing. Two things I'd like to improve. The neutral dead area seems very long. I have hotwire ordered which I understand might help. Anything else?

And the low speed control is sudden and twitchy. I thought I'd try expo but need some info. The escs are on CH2 and CH4. If I set expo on the Throttle-2 page, will that only affect the front motor? I didn't see an expo setting for CH4.

Anything else I can do to smooth this thing out for low speed crawling?

 

[reden]

You have the ability to go to 120% on the rear which is the same as adjusting the front down...

Thats how it is set at the moment."thumbsup"
I'm a bit spoiled with Graupner aircraft radios where one can program almost anything.:mrgreen:

 

[Harley]

New 4PL with dual Crawlmasters and FXR's. Both motors now set to zero timing. Two things I'd like to improve. The neutral dead area seems very long. I have hotwire ordered which I understand might help. Anything else?

And the low speed control is sudden and twitchy. I thought I'd try expo but need some info. The escs are on CH2 and CH4. If I set expo on the Throttle-2 page, will that only affect the front motor? I didn't see an expo setting for CH4.

Anything else I can do to smooth this thing out for low speed crawling?

Have you calibrated both ESC's yet? Yes you should be able to program in EXPO and have it effect both ESC's. I do not run any EXPO on mine though so I am trying to remember for sure.

 

[Harley]

Thats how it is set at the moment."thumbsup"
I'm a bit spoiled with Graupner aircraft radios where one can program almost anything.:mrgreen:

On the 4PK you can do it but even when the radio has the capabilities I do not suggest that you do it. You don't want to have to adjust both especially when on course. You are just asking to screw yourself up. It's NOT a good idea.

 

[WAM]

Have you calibrated both ESC's yet? Yes you should be able to program in EXPO and have it effect both ESC's. I do not run any EXPO on mine though so I am trying to remember for sure.

Yes both ESC's calibrated. When first hooked up my motors ran backwards. Reversing on Throttle-1 page only fixed the front motor. I had to also reverse CH4. That's what lead me to believe I had to adjust expo on both channels separately. But I don't see a way to do that.

 

[reden]

On the 4PK you can do it but even when the radio has the capabilities I do not suggest that you do it. You don't want to have to adjust both especially when on course. You are just asking to screw yourself up. It's NOT a good idea.

Thanks.
Seems KISS is true as always.

 

[Harley]

Thanks.
Seems KISS is true as always.

Indeed "thumbsup"

 

[reden]

Some thinking about my aircraft radio switches while flying.

The 4PL SW2 could be positioned between DL1 and antenna (next to it) but in the form of three position toggle switch.
Easy to get to with index finger and if the correct switch is used, (3 position typical from JR) the clicks would be quite positve.
Unlike the feel of SW2 on the 4PL. :x
The feel of SW2 I think could be improved quite a lot as it's difficult to operate with either thumb and does not give a positive feel.

 

[Harley]

Some thinking about my aircraft radio switches while flying.

The 4PL SW2 could be positioned between DL1 and antenna (next to it) but in the form of three position toggle switch.
Easy to get to with index finger and if the correct switch is used, (3 position typical from JR) the clicks would be quite positve.
Unlike the feel of SW2 on the 4PL. :x
The feel of SW2 I think could be improved quite a lot as it's difficult to operate with either thumb and does not give a positive feel.

The SW2 is only meant to be used as a 2P switch which is many times needed. For a more positive feel many people add a small piece of material onto it. The tip of a standard body post works great.

The design of it is recessed so that it is not hit by accident. While not as ideal for us in some circumstances it does it's job. The more drive time you get the more you get used to it.

 

[reden]

The SW2 is only meant to be used as a 2P switch which is many times needed. For a more positive feel many people add a small piece of material onto it. The tip of a standard body post works great.

The design of it is recessed so that it is not hit by accident. While not as ideal for us in some circumstances it does it's job. The more drive time you get the more you get used to it.

Just some thoughts comming from a RC glider back ground.:ror:

While prorgamming 2ESC, I did the same with SW2 as what I could do with DT4. Front and rear dig.
With the body post mod to SW2 it would be possible to opperate SW2 with either thumbs.
SW2 just might find allure to some drivers if they could change it to short reach 3 pos toggle switch. Steering thumb would be wost usefull then for flicking the switch.

 

[WAM]

Just got my XR10/4PL/dual Crawlmasters/FXR's running this weekend. Followed Post#1 diagram.

Works but bottom end is not smooth and minimum speed is too fast. When I went to dial in negative expo, I set it at -50 on "thottle-2" page but it appears to only have affected the front motor. When I look over at CH4 menu, I don't see an expo option for the rear motor.

ESC's are calibrated, but I haven't been able to get Hotwire working yet, so can only set up button-pushes.

 

[Harley]

Just got my XR10/4PL/dual Crawlmasters/FXR's running this weekend. Followed Post#1 diagram.

Works but bottom end is not smooth and minimum speed is too fast. When I went to dial in negative expo, I set it at -50 on "thottle-2" page but it appears to only have affected the front motor. When I look over at CH4 menu, I don't see an expo option for the rear motor.

ESC's are calibrated, but I haven't been able to get Hotwire working yet, so can only set up button-pushes.

You need to turn MXMD to active.

 

[reden]

Hallo Harley,
In the above picture you show the BEC(CC 10A BEC) going itno the RX.
Would this be ok if the Steering servo (Savox SA-1283SG) draws high current?
How would one have to wire the BEC to get it otherwise and how should I wire it if the servo is running at 8.5V (HD DS8325HV servo)?
I'm asking this due to the grounding of all the black wires into the RX and if the servo is running of the BEC.
Kind regards
Rudolf

 

[Harley]

Hallo Harley,
In the above picture you show the BEC(CC 10A BEC) going itno the RX.
Would this be ok if the Steering servo (Savox SA-1283SG) draws high current?
How would one have to wire the BEC to get it otherwise and how should I wire it if the servo is running at 8.5V (HD DS8325HV servo)?
I'm asking this due to the grounding of all the black wires into the RX and if the servo is running of the BEC.
Kind regards
Rudolf

8.5v is pretty high and I am not aware of the Savox specs. I don't have a diagram drawn for a bypassed BEC but there are several floating around in the electronics section.

Basically you need to send the red and black from the BEC To the servo , then send the yellow (or white) from the servo to the RX. You will need to leave the red wire from at least one ESC plugged into the RX.

 

[reden]

Both servos gives about 31kg.cm torque at 6V but the HD can go to 8.5V, thus the HV abreviation at the end.
I'm just curious on how the Futaba system will react to the servo not being grounded into the RX.
I just had loads of problems with this type of setup on another brands system and dont want to hurt the new Futaba.

 

[Harley]

It's hard to say how it will react. Many servos act differently and it's not all based on the radio system.

 

[reden]

Thanks,
Will post results when I'm done with it.

 

[nvradtec]

Battery pack question

The cute strawberry blonde UPS lady visited me this morning with my new 4PL,
I've been seeing postings about using lipo battery packs which brings up
some questions

are they worth it and can someone recommend a few good ones

Thanks guys

 

[Harley]

The cute strawberry blonde UPS lady visited me this morning with my new 4PL,
I've been seeing postings about using lipo battery packs which brings up
some questions

are they worth it and can someone recommend a few good ones

Thanks guys

DO NOT USE LIPO. You can use LiFE packs though. It was talked about in this thread a bit. Search for 4PK LiFE pack when shopping.

 

[Harley]

Oh and pics or you're a liar

The cute strawberry blonde UPS lady