Hi, and welcome to the first walkthrough of the Skookum Robotics SK 720’s Setup Wizards.
In this instalment, we’ll cover the Initial Setup Wizard and mount the SK 720.
For walkthroughs of the other Setup Wizards, you can watch the other installments in our series.
Our Protos 500 has the SK 720 mounted under the main gear.
We’ve mounted the centre servo in front of the left and right servos, and our 120 degree swashplate is set up accordingly.
Our SK 720 has the servo bus mounted left, for easy access to the USB port and servo bus.
The initial setup wizard is launched from the Wizards menu, if it doesn’t open automatically.
Starting off, you don’t want to have your receiver or any of your servos plugged into your unit,
we’ll connect those later in the process.
Our first two steps ensure the proper setup in your transmitter.
You need to make sure that your Aileron, Elevator and Pitch are on separate channels.
On most radios, this is called “1-servo mode.”
As well, during setup you’ll want to centre all of your subtrims, set a straight line pitch curve, and be sure not to use any expo or dual rates.
Today I’m using a Spektrum radio system, so some steps will only pertain to that system.
You’ll find setup details for other transmitters in our transmitter specific videos.
Once your transmitter is set up, it’s time to connect the SK 720 to your PC.
You’ll want to determine your default settings, either Sport, Scale, or 3D depending on your flying style. We’re selecting Sport today.
Sport provides good baseline settings if you’re not flying 3D or Scale.
You’ll notice that the ‘Send Setup’ button on the interface is highlighted blue.
You’ll want to send changes to the unit every time this button is highlighted, if you don’t your settings won’t be properly saved.
Next we’re going to set up our swash servos. Select your servo type from the menu, and then set your servo’s speed.
You can stick with the default setting, like we are today, or use the speed specified by the servo’s manufacturer.
After the swash servos are set, specify the tail servo you’re using.
If your servo isn’t on the list, select ‘Custom.
If you’re using a custom setting, you’ll have to set the pulse, type, max frame rate and speed for your servo.
Now it’s time to mount the SK 720 on your heli and connect your receiver and servos.
You can unplug the unit from your PC if you need to,
and don’t forget to make sure that the helicopter’s motor is disabled.
Your SK 720 can be mounted with the servo bus facing forward, right, aft, or left on your heli.
You can also mount it closer to the tail boom, or even underneath the frame.
Make sure that the SK 720 is properly aligned, a unit that is misaligned by even a few degrees will have problems with tuning.
The SK 720 label always has to face up or down, the unit can’t be mounted to the side of you heli.
Never use zap straps to secure the unit, use a padded strap if you have to.
Our Spektrum satellite receiver gets connected to the SK 720 via the SAT RX port at the top of the unit label.
While we’re only using one receiver today, it’s best to use two receivers on larger helis for a more secure radio connection.
Next, we have our servo connections. The tail is connected first.
For our 120 degree swashplate, the centre servo is connected to SW-C, the right servo into SW-R, and the left into SW-L.
If you’re running a four-point swashplate, your fourth servo is connected to the SW-A port.
We’re not using a Power Bus today, so setup for that will be covered in its own video.
Once you’re connected again, select the type of receiver you’ve installed on your heli.
You’ll also want to set the low voltage alarm according to you’re heli’s power source.
If you’re running a BEC through your 2S Lipo battery, select the BEC option.
You only want to select the 2S lipo option if you’re running your servos and your SK 720 directly off the battery pack.
Setting the low voltage alarm isn’t essential, but we do recommend using it as a precautionary measure.
Now that you’ve got your receiver and transmitter set, you’ll want to bind them if you’re using a Spektrum or JR radio, like we are.
In the utility menu, select ‘Bind Sat Rx’s on Power Cycle.’
Once you’ve done this, disconnect your unit from your PC and it’s power source.
Reconnect the power source and turn on your transmitter while holding the ‘Bind’ button.
Remember, instructions for other transmitters can be found in the transmitter specific videos.
When your receiver and transmitter are finished binding, check that the transmitter is working properly.
Reconnect your unit to your computer without turning off your transmitter.
You should see percentage values for control inputs on the left hand side of the Setup interface.
Move the control sticks to make sure everything is working properly, and if the highlighted values change move on to the next step.
If they don’t, try binding your receiver and transmitter again.
Now that the SK 720 is receiving transmitter signals, the stick positions need to be calibrated.
If your servos stall during the next two steps, disconnect your BEC or battery.
To calibrate your transmitter, set your sticks to their absolute centres, then click ‘Set Stick centres’.
Repeat the process again, but with the control sticks set to their lower right extremes, clicking the ‘Set Stick Limits’ button.
In the next two steps, we’re going to make sure that the transmitter signals are being received correctly.
Move the elevator stick towards you, making sure that the highlighted field goes green and reaches 100% at the end of the stick’s travel.
Repeat this process for the Aileron and Rudder controls. If your controls aren’t being received properly, repeat steps 22 and 23.
You’ll repeat this check one more time, making sure that the collective and throttle controls are functioning properly.
Now that your controls are set up, we’re going to set and test the gyro itself.
When your unit is connected to the USB, you can see how the gyro motion fields in the setup software register
movement when you pick up your helicopter.
These fields show the movement, rather than the position of the helicopter.
In order to properly detect the helicopter’s position, you’ll need to enter the placement of your SK 720 into the setup software.
With our unit, I’ve faced the servo bus left, 90 degrees to the front of the heli.
Once this is entered correctly, we’ll check that the gyro is detecting position properly.
From the “View” Menu, you can select a display for each axis of movement.
Starting with the Pitch sensor, and moving to Yaw and Rudder, select each sensor display and make sure that the diagram in the centre of
the setup interface mimics your heli’s movement. If the diagram’s movement doesn’t correspond with your heli’s,
make sure you entered the proper orientation in step 27.
That’s the end of the initial setup wizard. If there’s anything that still doesn’t check out,
repeat the necessary steps or check the components on your heli.
Remember, for more troubleshooting you can always check the wiki at skookumrobotics.com.
Thanks for watching.