I'm about to put the finishing touches on my Top Flite 60 P51D. I have a bit of a dilema though and need some help.

I have two servos controlling the ailerons and two controlling the flaps. Here is what I'm thinking as far as programming my 9C. Should I 'Y' the ailerons together and 'Y' the flaps together? Ailerons on channel 1 and flaps on channel 6? I'd like to assigned the flaps to either a 3 position switch as to have flaps up, half flaps and full flaps or to a slider switch on the side of the tx.

Thoughts?? Thanks,,

Cruz,
Here's what I would do. I would Y-harness the ailerons. Remember to KISS it (keep it simple silly). Less things to go wrong this way.

On the flaps. Unless the flaps are installed properly (basically they have be reversed installed on each side) you propably won't be able to use a Y-harness. This is because the flaps won't work properly when extended. So I would set them up on two seperate channels and mix them together in the radio. This way you can assign them to the 3-position switch.

Ken

Hey Ken,,,thanks for chiming in. A buddy of mine told me the flaps (horns) would have to be installed with the control horns facing in the same direction in relation to sitting in the plane. For example, both servo control horns facing out towards the same end of the wing in order for them to work properly if I 'Y' them????

Your thoughts??

Yes, that's right. The two wing sides need to be set up so the servos are opposite each other so that they will both move the same direction. If they are set up like this then you can use a Y-harness on them.

Ken

Nope. The servo in one wing would have to have the horn on the root side, the other servo would have the horn toward the tip. You can do it this way, or you can mount them with horns facing each other or away from each other. Then you either have to mix them from different channels, in which case you can reverse one of them through the Tx, or you can have the linkage come "off the top" on one side, and "off the bottom" on the other. Usually there's not enough room to do that on one side, and the linkage has to go through the trailing edge to work that way. With the 9C its easier to just hook each servo to a separate channel and mix them.

I've been playing with all these possibilities, as I am also working on a plane with flaps. I also have a 9C Tx.

While it's not the same plane, you can see from this diagram how flap servos need to be positioned if you are going to run the flaps from a Y-harness and a single channel. The positions of the flap servo can change, just as long as they are positioned opposite each other on each side of the plane.

BTW, this if off the Top Flite B-25 I just finished. I'm using this diagram because I knew I could find it quickly.

Hope this helps

Ken

Hodges, when you say it's easier to hook up each servo to a different channel are you making reference to the flaps or the ailerons? I'm using an 8 channel rx. I'm considering using channel 1 and 6 for the ailerons and using a 'Y' for the flaps on channel 7.

What do you think?

1 rt aileron
2 elevator
3 rudder
4 throttle
5 retracts
6 left aileron
7 flaps
8 battery

Cruz, most but not all planes tend to nose up when the flaps are lowered. If you can't have your right thumb on the stick to compensate then your plane may get into trouble rather quickly. I would program the flaps on the back slider switch on the right side of the radio so you can keep your thumb on the stick at the same time as you lower the flaps in case down elevator is needed. You can also slowly add the exact amount of flap and see how the plane reacts. On a switch the flaps would drop immediatly which means the plane could suddenly nose up. The slider switches and the ability to program what each switch does is why I bought my 9Cap.

FS,,,good point. Okay, you've convinced me. I'll put the flaps on the left slider.

There you go!!!

Do you agree I should 'Y' the flaps put them on channel 7 and have ailerons on 1 and 6?

I just use the Y cable for both the flaps and the ailerons. I make sure that the ailerons move in the opposite direction to each other. The flaps are the opposite in that they must both move up and down together.

Thanks,,

Was thinking I'll need an extra channel port for the Voltwatch (channel 6) so using a "y" would probably be best anyway.

If I might chime in here. Put one flap servo on channel 6 and the other one on 5 or 8. That way you can use the flap-elevator mix that's already in the 9c to trim the plane with flap deployment. I personally don't like flaps on sliders or knobs, because when I"m setting up on final, I usually don't have the thought power left to count clicks. I prefer a switch, either full flaps, or no flaps. Partial flaps are an option for full size planes to cater for different weights/weather, and minimize drag. RC, either you need them or don't. Full or nothing.

Andy

That will work fine. I tend to forget the retracts eat up another channel. What Fastsky said about pitch changes is true, generally you get a pitch-up when partial flaps are dropped due to the increase in lift and chord angle change. Since you have a 9C, you can mix some down elevator when you drop your flaps to keep the pitch change to a minimum. It will take a bit of playing to get the amount right, but it's easier once flying to have the radio compensate for you rather than have to be ready on another switch.

Are you using a 2.4 module, is this why you have 8 instead of 9 channels on the Rx? I just got my 2.4 module and 8 channel Rx yesterday. I'll be able to put both ailerons and flaps on separate channels, as I don't have retracts.

I'm not using a 2.4 module still on the old school 72 type. I decided on going with the breakdown I listed on top. Thing is I still need a channel of space to hook up my voltwatch. I assuming I can 'Y" channel 8 as well. One side the battery and the the other the voltwatch?

Yes, you can use a Y-harness to hook up a Voltwatch to the battery slot. In fact, you use a Y-harness and hook up the Voltwatch on any channel of the receiver.

Ken

Hey Ken,,,

Thanks for chiming in. I'll do that then. Ahhh, so many servos, etc, etc, etc,,,so little channels.

Gotta love those little Y's.

a65l, If it works for you then thats great. I'll stick with the slider. Today at the field it got windy about half way through the flight. I just moved the slider to the half position instead of full for landing and it worked great. I have the slider matched to the specs for full deflection at full throw. So I don't have to worry about over doing it.

There have been many posts here on how to do that. You're using a 9C radio so there should be no need for any Y harnesses. I set up my UltraStick 40 with ailerons (dual servos), flaps (dual servos), crow and still had enough receiver ports left for a Voltwatch or a DSC cable.

Futaba's link to set up 3 position flaps (which you can later move to a slider):
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4387426/tm.htm

Another great thread with ALL the setups and programming:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6287016/tm.htm

Pipe,,,,hummm, let me look over those links...thanks.

I have decided to use the slider on the left for the flaps, but quickly ran out of rx ports.

Pipe, also if you have an idea on how I can setup everything with only an 8 channel rx,,,I'm all ears. Thus far, here's my setup:

1 right aileron
2 elevator
3 throttle
4 rudder
5 retracts
6 left aileron
7 flaps Y-harnessed together
8 battery Y-harnessed with a voltwatch

I like the idea of being able to slow down channel 5 for retracts. Is that possible?

Retracts are on switch (E)
Flaps are one slider (D)

Did you look at the post by Geardaddys about halfway down the page on the last link I provided? He doesn't use retracts but says his setup will work with a 7 or 8 channel RX. Bear in mind this setup is for a a quad flap UltraStick WITH crow. The secret to programming crow is using the Glider mode on the 9C. Here's the just of his setup:

Ok, let's take 'her from the top.. I'll go through the setup that I have.. I promise you that unless there is something wrong with your radio that you will be able to get your stick programed properly..

1. Make sure that you have your servo's plugged into the receiver as specified on page 70 of the 9C manual.. I take it that you have at least a 7-8 channel receiver..

Ch1. Rt. Aileron
Ch2. Elevator
Ch3. Throttle (airbrake)
Ch4. Rudder
Ch5. Rt. Flap
Ch6. Lft Flap
Ch7. Rt. Aileron

2. Go ahead and select a blank model on your radio that you know is set to the factory defaults. Also select Glider2Flap (Should be under "parameters"

I have my radio set up so that the switches A,B,C, and D are in their "normal" position (low rates, etc) in the down or towards me position. The top switches F, E, H, and G are in their normal position when they are down or towards the ground as you hold the radio..

Not sure if there is a preferred way to set this up, but here is how I have mine set..

Under the first set of menus (1/2) I have aileron dual rates assigned to switch D, Elevator to swithc A and rudder to switch B.

Under the Reverse menu, I had to reverse ABK, RUD, FL2, and FL1.

Under the AUX-Ch Select: CH5-VRA, CH6-VR-A (this gives you flaps on rotary switch A) I also have CH7-VRC, and CH8 - VR-B.. Not sure what those last two are for, and I think they don't do anything on my airplane, but that's how the radio is setup.

Under the "Parameter" menu.. Type>Glid(2Flap), Module>PPM, ATL>ON

Ok, now for the more exciting stuff.. Advanced menu:

PROG.MIX1 (I have this set up on spring load switch F to act as throttle cut)

MAS>OFST
SLV> 3:ARBK
LINK> Off
SW> F
Posi> Down
Rate> +25
(Side note: I didn't understand at first that when you select a Prog. Mix the first page is rather unhelpful.. after selecting P.Mix 1, hit your down arrow (select (cursor)) and you will find the page with the Mix, master , slave, link, switch and Position)

PROG.MIX2. ( I have this setup for high and low idle.. although I have it defaulted to "null" right now because I don't really use it like I thought that I would, also I've reassigned this switch for knife edge couple issues)

MIX>ON
MAS>OFST
SLV> 3:ARBK
Link>OFF
SW>E
Posi>Null
Rate> +15

PROG. MIX3. (set up to add elevator to compensate for flap deployment or retraction, this could be fine tuned, but works very well at reducing any 'balooning') I have it assigned to a switch, but it is defaulted ON so it is always on..

MIX>ON
MAS> 6:FLP1
SLV> 2:ELEV
LINK> OFF
SW> G
POSI> NULL
RATE> L, 0 H -30 (move your rotary dial A to move the cursor from L to H)
OFFSET. 0

PROG MIX4. (I have this setup for rudder/elevator knife edge coupling... I'm still tweaking the numbers, but these may be a good start for you.. Also on switch E, which now that I remember is why I'm not using HIGH/LOW Idle on that switch)

MIX>OFF
MAS> 4:RUDD
SLV> 2:ELEV
LINK> OFF
TRIM> OFF
SW>E
POSI> DOWN
RATE> +45 -45
OFFSET> 0

PROG. MIX5. (again a knife edge roll coupling thing.. needs more tweaking but a good start)

MIX>OFF
MAS> 4Rudd
SLV> 1:Aile
Link> ON
TRIM>OFF
SW>E
POSI>DOWN
RATE> -45 -45
OFSET> 0

Under "FLAP TRIM" advanced menu:

MIX>ACT
RATE>100

Under "Ail-Diff" advanced menu:

Mix>ACT
Rate:> +100 on all four..

Under Butterfly:

Mix>OFF (notice that for most of these where I have MIX OFF, it changes to ON on your radio when you move the appropriate switch..)
RATE-AIL1> +100
ELEV> -60
FLAP> +100
Ail2> +100
DELAY-ELE> 0
PRESET> 15

Under ELEV-FLAP for your elevator to flap mix..

FLP1/2> UP +50
Down +50
Ail1/2 > up 0
down 0
RANGE> 0
SW> G
POSI> Center&dn

- this enables switch g for your flap/elevator mix in the down and center position..

Under V-Tail..

nothing.. leave this alone..

Under FLAP to Aile.. advanced menu.. This will give you full span flaps! I have not played with this yet, but it works on the ground!

MIX>OFF
RATE> -100
OFFSET> 0
SW> C
POSI> UP

note that now when you move switch C to the full up position, the MIX>OFF should change to ON...

Under AILE-FLP: This gives you the full span ailerons..

MIX>OFF
FLP1> -70 -63
FLP2> -70 -63
SW>C
POSI> Center

under START OFS and SPEED OFS..

don't do anything!!!

under SW/MODE

ARBK-FUNC>Stk
OFSET-SW> G
TRIM> NORM
B.FLY-SW> H
TRIM>Norm

This puts your crow/airbrake/butterfly.. etc on switch H.. You can engage the switch but the butterfly won't deploy until you pull the throttle back.. nice feature for go arounds..




Ok that's it! If this still doesn't work maybe I can get a copy of the actual program onto your campac card if you want.. you are smarter than the radio just don't let it get the best of you!! Let me know if this works!!

John..




PS> I skipped the section on EXPO/Dual rates/ END POINT/ SubTrim/ and Trim because I'm sure you will figure those out.. plus my numbers will probably not be exactly what you need anyway..

I see, thanks!