Futaba T14SG chat

[Braddock, VC]

Hi Malcolm, is it possible to set up a 3 position switch to independently operate two channels?

On my petrol motors I have a kill switch, I also use idle down for the landing phase currently use two switches to operate the functions but now want to add a gyro so my channels are/have run out.

The three position switch would work on ch 3 and 5, 1st position 3 off 5 on, 2nd position ch 3 to idle down, ch 5 still on, 3rd position ch 5 off (kill engine) ch 3 it doesn't matter where it is.

Currently my channels are 1 & 6 aileron, 2 & 7 elevator, 3 throttle, 4 Rudder, 5 opto switch for engine kill.

I want to keep my rate/epa switches on the rh side of the tx and put the gyro and throttle switches on the left.

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Edited By Braddock, VC on 17/03/2016 10:51:08

Edited By Braddock, VC on 17/03/2016 10:59:34

[Malcolm Holt]

What you are asking is perfectly possible but I don’t understand the problem. Idle down does not require a channel. It is built into the throttle function so you just go to the Idle Down menu and assign the switch of your choice. You can choose the on and off positions and you can also use the same switch that you are using on the Opto kill. Personally I wouldn’t recommend using the same switch for idle down and throttle cut as it would be all too easy to kill the engine accidentally. I always use a dial to activate the kill switch as it is almost impossible to move unintentionally.

You are currently using seven channels. How many channels are available on your receiver?

[Braddock, VC]

7ch. Basically it's to even up my set ups, at a certain age we all prefer to have a routine and by having all my models programmed more or less the same it prevents confusion in extremis as it were.

I hadn't thought about using a dial, it's really just a hangover from my ff9 and 10 cg and glo motors, I must broaden my outlook.

Many thanks for your input btw, I have bought your book, I just find it difficult to read preferring hard copy, but that's just me.

[Malcolm Holt]

With only seven channels you cannot operate two elevators, two ailerons, a rudder, a throttle, an opto switch and a gyro. If you want to add the gyro you could put both elevators on a Y-lead to free up a channel.

I share your feelings about hard copy but, for a specialist book with a very limited potential market, it is not a practical proposition. The e-book does have the added benefit that I update it for free each time Futaba release a new software version. You will also find that it is well worth familiarising yourself with the search feature. This is particularly useful on a reference book.

[Michael Black]

Hi Malcolm hope you are still monitoring this tread. I have a Cessna 337 twin engines front and back. When I had it on my10j I had a 3 way switch up was one engine I could start warm up and tune the engine, I could then putt the switch in the down position and start the other engine Rev it tune it etc with the first engine just ticking over. When the switch was in the middle both engines worked together of the throttle. I have looked at your book and you suggest using the "fuel" setting but I can't get it to work as well. Surly the 14g must do what the 10j could do can't it?

Mick

[Malcolm Holt]

Hello Mick. There are various ways of achieving what you want. I would still recommend using Throttle and Fuel Mix as the two functions to control the engines. This greatly simplifies setting up throttle cut, idle down etc. Follow the instructions in the book.

You could then use a switched throttle curve to inhibit the engine governed by throttle while you tune the second engine but this can have other implications depending on the fuel mix settings so I suggest you use a couple of Program Mixes. This is less elegant but also less likely to cause conflicts.

Activate a Program mix and assign the switch of your choice. Set it so that UP so ON and the MID and DOWN positions are OFF. Set the Master to H/W and then the throttle stick (J3?). Set slave to THROTTLE. On screen 1/2 set both values at the top to -100 and the Y offset to -100. When the switch is UP the mix will be ON and the throttle function will remain on tick-over regardless of the position of J3. Once The switch is moved to the middle or down position the mix is turned off and the throttle responds normally to J3.

Now set a second Program mix. Assign the same On/Off switch but with UP and MID positions giving OFF and DOWN giving ON. Again set the Master to J3 but set the slave to FUEL. On screen 1/2 again set both values at the top to -100 and the Y offset to -100. With the switch DOWN the engine controlled by the FUEL function will now be inhibited.

Personally I would use a dial rather than a three position switch to operate the mix. This is less likely to be activated accidentally in flight although I appreciate that a sudden reduction in power on one engine on a Cessna 337 is not as critical as on a conventional twin.

[Michael Black]

Thanks Malcolm il give that a go

Mick

[Robert Armstrong 2]

Due to an oversight (not reading the table thoroughly in the shop) I have acquired a T-FHSS rx. Unfortunately I have a 14sg, which does not support T-FHSS (which I had never heard of before). Since the 14 supports S-FHSS and telemetry via FAASTest, I would have thought that there might be a software upgrade for the 14SG to T-FHSS coming.

Any thoughts, or should I just try to get a refund and replace the RX? T-FHSS seems like a good idea, cheaper telemetry capable rx for Futaba, but the proliferation of Futaba protocols seems a bit silly.

[Tim Flyer]

Agreed so many protocols seems silly to me too. I do like the 14SG but the silliest thing on it in my view is the ridiculously fragile antenna. On my second one in a year despite trying to be careful! They could do easily made a rubber enclosed version or one that doesn't protrude.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Phil Francis]

Futaba wouldn't make £17 every time if they done that!

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Eric Hartley]

Hi

Have done exactly the same thing- ie bought a T-FHSS rx! guess I'm just stuck with it.

[Robert Armstrong 2]

 

Posted by Percy Verance on 12/10/2016 15:14:31:

Or else place it inside the case completely........

Like this perhaps......

Looks like a vulnerable place for the Aux2 switch though

 

Edited By Robert Armstrong 2 on 13/10/2016 10:14:44

[Steve Bell 3]

Looking at buying a fx22 transmitter. Which I believe shares it's software with the 14SG . Does anybody know if software version is pre the new eu legislation. The tx has version 3.1 installed.

Thanks in advance for any assistance

Regards Steve

[Craig Carr]

Hello Malcolm, hope you still look at this thread

I have a model with dedicated flaps which I have set up on a 3 position switch (1. flaps up, 2 an intermediate position and 3 fully deployed to 90degree)

For the intermediate position only I would like to add 2mm compensating up elevator to help correct a trim change.

Im struggling to achieve this on my 14SG, I know it can be done, just cant get it to work. the model has split elevator with a dedicated servo for each half.

Craig

[Malcolm Holt]

Hello Craig,

There are various ways of doing this. The following assumes that you are using Airplane Model Type and that both elevators are controlled by the elevator function either via a Y-lead or with Elevator assigned to both channels in the Function Menu.

Go to Airbrake on screen 2/2 of the Model Menu. Scroll to screen 2/2. Change ACT from INH to ACT (it will then turn to ON). Scroll immediately right to - - and assign the same 3-position switch that you are using to control the flaps. Tap RTN when ON/OFF becomes highlighted and, on the next screen, set the values to OFF, ON, OFF reading from top to bottom. This activates the Airbrake mix when the switch is in the mid position.

Now return to screen 1/2 of the airbrake menu. At the bottom of the screen enter a value (e.g. +15) next to ELE. Check the movement of the elevator when you move the flap switch to the mid position. If it moves in the wrong direction simply change it to a minus value. Finally adjust the value by trial and error to achieve the correct amount of movement.

[Craig Carr]

Hello Malcolm

That's great and thank you for the prompt reply. I'll give that a try.

Craig

[Terence Moore]

Looking for help in connecting up landing lights to flaps. The flaps are on a three position switch as up/10%/30% and I want to connect landing lights to come on only when flaps are either 10% or 30%, the 10% deflection being the servo's neutral position.

[Denis Watkins]

We used to use a micro switch at the servo arm level, but nowadays put an electronic off\ on switch on a Y lead with the flap servo

[Malcolm Holt]

The latest edition of my 14SG Programming Guide, which covers the new features introduced in the V 7.0 upgrade, is now available. Anyone who has bought the book over the last few days should already have the latest version. You can check this by going to the first page, immediately after the front cover. It should read - April 2017 Edition (Software V 7.0).

If you bought the book prior to this, the latest version is available to you as a free update by selecting “Sync and check for new items” on your Kindle/Kindle App. If you have added notes, highlights or bookmarks you need to make sure that “Annotation Back Up” is turned on or you will lose them. If you do not add notes or highlights then selecting “Automatic Updates” should ensure that you automatically receive the latest version whenever I make amendments.

The appendices include step-by-step instructions to illustrate some typical setups and also some tricks which extend the advertised scope of the radio. Clearly the number of potential setups is huge but please send me a personal message if there is anything else you would like to see included. (Sorry – fixed wing only).

[Craig Carr]

Hello Malcolm,

Many thnaks for the programming code above.

Apologies I never got back to let you know, but, my elevators are split and on independent channels (2 and 8). Whats the best approach in this case and what modifications do I need to do to the programming you mentioned above.

Many thanks

Craig

[Malcolm Holt]

Hello Craig,

My previous reply covered that possibility (see end of first paragraph). As long as you have Elevator assigned as the function for both channels 2 and 8 the Airbrake mix will work exactly as described with no modifications.

[Terence Moore]

Help and advice wanted. I am changing over from glo to electric powered models, but whereas I can have the glo engine "ticking over" on approach, with the electric motor, closing the throttle stops the propeller, and i am losing any "braking effect" thus the approach becomes a glide ,power off and faster than with the prop turning. i have set up the ESC correctly, what should i set up on the Tx to replicate the glo without compromising safety. i.e. I dont want the motor turning over whenm arming the model????

[Barnstormer 52]

Hi Terry

I would think the answer is assigning another switch or slider to the throttle channel in addition to the throttle stick and set the throttle to the desired % age at full throw of the slider (safer than a switch) - I think you can do this but I expect someone else will know better. The left one for your left index finger if mode 2.

Best regards

Geoff