alright guys. question #2 from the newbie.

i got the plane (tiger trainer MKII) put together (it came about 99% done), batteries charged and i wanted to test the controls. Everything worked fine after a couple adjustments except for the throttle. I worked the throttle on the transmitter and nothing happens.

However, i did notice that when i turned the power on to the plane (or i guess im actually turning on the reciever right?), the throttle servo moved to what i assume is the default position. So, I turned the power off, then manually moved the throttle a bit to see if it would do the same thing again. Yep, i turned the power back on and the throttle servo moved right back to the same position; which by the way looks like it would be about 1/3 open throttle...

Anyway, any ideas about whats going on with my throttle control? Is this normal?

thanks,
Jeremy

OH, and just a side question. About how long should i expect the batteries to last on the transmitter and reciever?

Do you have the ATV in your TX adjusted?? They may be at zero in your radio. Is the servo in slot channel #3. Any binding of the cable? Just a couple of quick ideas.

thanks for the help GB. help me out a little more...what is the ATV? I am absolutely new to this. i litterally just decided to fly this thing last night HAHAHA!!!

as for the connection, it came prewired. the schmatic shows its going into the #3 slot, and it must be since the other 3 channels work the appropriate control surfaces. And there doesnt look to be any binding in the connection or the wiring. Im of the thought that it may be a TX issue.

Thanks again...



oh, just FYI, the TX is a airtronics VG400 4 channel. Do i need to reverse the servo? I had to do that to the elevators to make them operate in the direction i want them to (pull back on the stick = elevators up).

It's an old term that may be called End Point Adjustment in your newer radio. It's where you adjust the amount of throw for the servos. Some people will just call it servo travel too. I'm having a brain fart and can't remember what the words would be for the ATV. Sorry, I'm sure someone else will remember what it stands for. Today it is termed EPA in most radios. I think JR was the last one to use the term ATV?

okay okay. i think i know what youre talking about. I would think that the servo would still do some kinda movement, but should i mess with the "end point adjustments" a bit to see if that changes anything?

ive also attached some photos of the carb intake (in the default position in mentioned above), the servo and the reciever box.

thanks!

ATVstands for Adjustable travel Volume. Now referred to as End point adjustment. Make sure you are putting your radio on first and then your Receiver, and shut your receiver first and then turn off your radio!

thanks for the tip. although i am a man, i have learned that doing things before reading instructions usually ends up in more frustration. so i was previously aware of the sequence.

what would reversing the sequence of turning on and off the TX and RX units do anyway???

thanks,
Jeremy

If you have the Transmitter off with the when the airplane (reciever) is powered. the control surfaces will start moving
on their own and can cause damage to the servos by overdriving them, or cause damage to the plane itself, also if the engine
is running it can throttle up and run away, I dropped a transmitter one time and the battery cover fell off when I was on the
flight line, battery fell out when I picked it up. funny to see a guy chasing after a plane when it was acting up.

hey grey beard. thanks for the help man. i played with the end point adjustments. got her workin!

if i take the adjustment for the low end all the way down, will it kill the motor if i bring the power all the way back?  if so, what's the preference.

if its not set up to kill the motor by pulling the power all the way back, how do you kill the engine?  do you just cover the intake with your finger, pinch the fuel line or what?

thanks again, you guys are great!

You haven't said what radio you have. I use an old Futaba 9-C and I'm sure it is a bit different then what you have. When we didn't have computer radios we set up throttle with the stick all the way down and that would kill the engine. The trim was also all the way down. When starting we would move the trim up about half way up and that opened the carb enough to start and idle, usually higher idle then needed. We set the trim to idle then flew the plane. When landed we just closed the trim switch. That would close the throttle and kill the engine. There were other ways to do it but that is pretty simple. I don't want to confuse you with how to set up the throttle at this point. I will tell you to get an instructor that can show you these little things hands on. It just makes life simpler and we all like simple.

I posted the transmitter in post #3. Its a airtronics VG400 4 channel. im assuming its antiquated unit.

i guess im doing pretty well with my theory of setting this thing up. i set it up just as you had described.

i have the lower throttle end point adjustment set all the way down with the trim all the way down. it seemed i could open the throttle just enough for starting and idling by using the trim lever. so now it should idle when i pull throttle all the way back, then i can shut her down by simply closing the throttle plate completely with the trim lever.

like you said, pretty simple that way.

thanks!