polarit

Hello Forum

Who is using Multiplex M-LINK for their jets?

The reason for the question is that i am working on interfacing the ECU data to multiplex's telemetry channel
Since i only have Gaspar ECU's, i am only working on that protocol right now.

here :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N48TfV8lMus

While testing i am sending RPM, EGT and servo position to the TX.
For myself i would like RPMEGT and fuel level in percent, with a alarm at say 20% fuel level.
The fuel level should ideally be monitored with a flowmeter, instead of interpolating from pump voltage, or throttle position.


What would you like, Nice2have, need2have ?

/regards
Kenneth Due

gerhard

I think in a few weeks a interface for Projet and Jetcat ECU´s will be available. Thomas Ernstberger, the man behind PROJET told me, that the first prototyp´s are ready and will be tested at the moment.

gerhard

thunderceptor

I'm using Rx-16 DR M-link on both of my two models, good to know that Jetcat interface is coming!

JohnMac

I have all my jets on M-Link. I have converted 1 of mu M4000;s and I also have the REP 16.
I am using the downlink system for some of my simple and not so simpler electric models, but I would love a jet system.
What else would I like to have? Airspeed please. AOA indicator would be awesome, but difficult to achive. Audio putput of course.

polarit

Ah yes - the airspeed and AOA indicator - many wants that function at the moment,  for myself i belive a airspeed pressure sensor should be enough.
airspeed and/or AOA is reasonable easy to implement - even the hardware to do so, with differential pressure sensors.
but how will you calibrate the stuff - each installation will yield different values.

another problem is that the TX doesn't have provisions for speech - at least not in the present firmware.
And to implement speed and AOA via the display in the TX would be a no-no, because you don't have time to monitor some value in the display while on final. (at least i don't)

What could be done is a extra channel from the RX to the module, with this you set a critical airspeed in the module, and if under this, the TX will warn you with a tone.
But the tone will be the same for all warnings, batt low, rpm low, egt high, speed low, or whatever will be programmed in.

JohnMac

So far as airspeed is concerned I would be happy with IAS as TAS is probably not a practicle possibility. You would need a wind tunnel to get the system calibrated.
But personally I don't care. In fact if you measured the airspeed in cubits, of flocks of geese, I still don't care. What matters in the end will be realised by practicle tests whilst flying. I would be interested in finding the IAS at the point the aircraft stalls, first clean and then with gear and flaps down. Then I would want to set an alarm at a suitable margin above that speed. Again, what a suitable margin is, would be discovered by practicle tests.
As for the tone, I have not had the time to look into this part of the system yet. However, I believe the Multiplex variometer produces a progressive tone and something along similar lines could be ideal. In fact the tone is a series of pulses that get more rapid as the glider climbs and eventually you have a continuous tone. I could imagine a stall warning system that started to pulse at a higher speed threshold, and the tone then increases as the speed decays, becoming a steady tone at the lower speed threshold.

polarit

Hi John

Yes that was what i thought at first, i have been flying gliders a lot, so i was hoping the sound would be something similar to the vario

However- afaik - the TX will beep HIGH-LOW for rising, and LOW-LOW for sinking, and increasing rate of beeping for larger values
Iam getting a vario for mine within a month, so i could test it - if it wasn't winter here
But yes, the speed sensor should be able to connect to the vario-slot - that is something i should look into

But first i need to finalize the basic version without external sensors.
Then configuration software for windows.
later on the list is a fuel gauge, with flowsensor
and then the speed sensor....

JohnMac

Well there is clearlya gap in the market for this kind of product. Multiplex say they will provide any data required to help 3rd party developers bring on new sensors.
Good luck with it and I will watch with interest.
John

polarit

yes, that is true, I got the data from multiplex
Gaspar was very helpfull in decoding the ECU data.


The basic software is just about ready now, on to hardware, needs to be a LOT smaller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leho8BlIuHM

polarit

It's getting close :
the weather here is snowing, and frezing, so no flight testing....
Once the flight testing is done, it will be released.

It will be offered in two versions :with or without flowsensor (fuelgauge)
If there is enough that wants it, it can be made into a JetCat version

I am not going into advertising, so no prices in the forum



Flowsensor

JohnMac

Yep you can definately put me down for one with the flow meter capability. Please PM me when they are ready.
Thanks,
John

polarit

Hi John
Iwill try to remember, but - as the mad professor - i have zero memory
i will of course post the testflights here

polarit

The 'device' is now ready for sale
how much is too much advertising ?
if i mention my website, with a paypal button on it - will that be too much ?

polarit

Not much answer

Anyway , the module is described at  http://sw.skummel.dk

polarit

Hi John

Your friendly local postman should have a package for you today or tomorrow

JohnMac

Hi Kenneth,
I am looking forward to receiving it.
Regards,

John

JohnMac

Hi Kenneth,
The interface from you arrived this morning witth the flowmeter. There are instructions for the flowmeter but not for the interface. Is there somewhere I can download them?
BTW my Variometer arrived yesterday but I id not get a cahnce to try it yet. I will let you know how it works.
Regards,

John

polarit

Hi John

Yes, the manual is on the website :
http://sw.skummel.dk/interface.doc

the software for configuration :
http://sw.skummel.dk/EcuToolv1.1.zip


Itested the module with my own MPX variometer, they DO work together
Next is the speed sensor (in Danish called a fart sensor , and has nothing to do, with sensing obnoxios gasses)
Ihave interfaced a eagle tree microsensor to the RoyalPro, and can now monitor speed.

/kenneth

JohnMac

Hi Kenneth,
I have an Eagle Tree System that I have used for some time. It would be very useful to interface their Airspeed sensor (which works perfectly well BTW) with M Link. Thanks for the info. I will have a read later this evening.
Regads,

John

polarit

Hi John - and the rest of the world
After a bout with pnumonea i am up and trying to get things done

I have been working with a eagletree speed sensor to get speed readings in the display of the Royal Pro
got it working today ........
this video shows the function : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zYZOllmLW4
Sorry about the lousy quality video, i could do better if i had three arms
The reference speed can be seen changed at 0:48
The sensitivity of the alarm can be set with the windows config tool.
update speed is 1/10 sec. for speed, and 1/4 for ref.speed and sound.
This module will be tank and speed only, and can be used for prop/petrol/methanol planes as well.

it this what you want john ?

JohnMac

Hi Kenneth,
Glad to hear that you are feeling better.
Yes that does sound excellent. I think you are going the right way here. I managed to fit the flow sensor to the bandit after all yesterday, but I have had no chance to test it yet. I have prgrammed 3000ml for the tank capacity and this is shown on the screen of the RE Tx. I suppose as the flow sensor see fuel flow this will count down. We had lots of rain yesterday so no chance to try the engine running. Maybe today if the SWMBO lets me have an hour off, but I am all out of brownie points.

polarit

Poor you, I guess I am more lucky than that.

My SO (significant other) supports my modeling adventures in almost every way.
She went together with the wife of my flying buddy, and they bought each of us a cougar2000 for this Christmas
I got a MPX Blizzard for wedding anniversary last time, a Rainbow Phoenix before that, and a Hyperion Mustang before that

She didn't even bat a eyelid when i told her i bought my first turbine (a lambert) some years back.
OTOH. the tries to persuade modeling wifes that their husbands must not go over to the "dark side"
- meaning when turbines enter the hobby room the prices don't stop going up.

i don't need any brownie points (most of the time)


BTW - did you put the flowmeter on the LP or HP side of the pump ?
Pictures will be appreciated

JohnMac

Hi Kenneth, I have put it in the HP side. I will try it out first chance I can and get some pictures.
Regards,

John

polarit

For all you JetCat owners out there :
I have a jetcat P-60 on the way for my Boomerang Nano - this means that there should be a JetCat telemetry module within a month or so.


In the meantime, the speed & tank sensor will soon be ready.
It uses a add-on module from eagle-tree.
Can show : tank level in %, tank level in mL, ml/sec, IAS, Vref, Vmax, and Vref difference from IAS

The difference can be output as sound in a variometer slot so there is no need to monitor the transmitter.
Vref is set by a servo channel.
Tank Volume, Tank Alarm Level, Vne, Sensitivity of difference (from 1 kmh = 1m/s to 100 kmh = 1 m/s), and all slot positions can be configured via windows software.

Vmax is reset at power-off, so it is possible to see the maximum attained speed during a flight, before turning rx off.

Speed sensor : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zYZOllmLW4
Tank sensor : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMq17UGdy6k

I don't have a handle on price yet.

polarit

Hi Forum
The JetCat Sensor-Module are in progress

I am looking at which parameters to transfer ?

- RPM of turbine, with alarm for over or under speed
- RPM of Prop (only turboprop models), with alarm for overspeed
- EGT, with alarm for over or under temp
- State and OffState
- Throttle Position
- Fuelflow
- Fuel level, with alarm for lov fuel level
- ECU Battery voltage, with alarm for low batt voltage

If speed sensor is attached :
- Speed,,with alarm for overspeed
- Max Speed
- Avg. Speed

I need to hook up with a local about sniffing the data from his turboprop engine (martin how far along are you with the tucano ?)
Until then i have no idea if the ECU actually sends data for prop RPM ?

comments will be apreciated.....

pictures, progress, etc on http://sw.skummel.dk