Ensure nothing blocks the servo driver module rotation, to avoid motor damage.
Clear obstacle at once if the rotating gimbal is blocked.
Tips:
Servo driver module is with two motor command input ports and one encoder private port.
HDMI-AV module converts HDMI video signal to AV video signal with a cable connecting to camera
HDMI port; also transforms TX signal into shutter control signal with a shutter control module.
The camera shutter control cable is pluggable, user can unplug it if nonuse the shutter control function.
In the Menu settings, the mandatory values are in red italic font while recommended values in blue. Flashing
image output may occur if not follow the recommended settings.
Configure your camera by the following settings to meet the requirements of Z15. Please read the related content
according to your camera.
Please set the Mode as
MF/AFC/AFS/AFF Select: Select
Select the Shutter-priority AE mode in the Menu and adjust the shutter speed to 200.
Please enable the AF when using the Auto Focus function.
Following diagram shows mounting gimbal to DJI Innovations S800 EVO. You may mount the gimbal to a landing
step4: Install the gimbal to a landing gear with mounting bracket; tighten up the screws (2.5*8 Head-cup
screw×8) with appropriate screw glue.
Notes:
Ensure to mount the side of servo driver module1 without ports to the aircraft nose direction.
Make sure the top and bottom plates of damping unit stay parallel when mounting, preventing the
damping units from stretched and distorted.
Keep overall balance when mounting, in order to make the center of gravity on the Z axis line.
The gimbal center of gravity has been set, whose position directly determine the gimbal performance.
Please do not adjust the gimbal center of gravity by yourself.
The gimbal is high-precision controlled. Do not remove any other screws in the gimbal, which may result
in bad performance or even damage.
gear prepared by yourself referring to the following diagram.
Do not unplug any cable attaching to the gimbal ports, or even change the mechanical structure.
Make sure the wiring is correct, otherwise may lead to gimbal abnormal work or even out of control.
step1: Connect the gimbal HDMI-AV module to camera HDMI port with a HDMI-AV connection cable.
step2: Connect the camera shutter control cable to the camera.
Notes:
When disconnect the cable between HDMI-AV module and camera, dismount the camera, and unplug the
HDMI-AV interface.
Connect the camera correctly, since the gimbal works with a HDMI-AV module for converting video signal format
and transforming TX signal into shutter control signal. Ensure the camera is setup first, and then carry out the
following procedures to connect the camera and gimbal.
Co nne ct to the power
source according to the
module’s v oltage and
current requirements.
step1: Carefully solder the corresponding Video Signal/GND cables to a wireless video transmission module
(Air End).
step2: Plug the gimbal video power cable lead into the GCU Video Signal Port.
Notes:
Make sure to connect the wireless video transmission module to the GCU prior to powering on.
The standard gimbal video power cable is recommended.
Make sure you solder the gimbal video power cable to the wireless video transmission module correctly.
As the cable carries power, ensure the cables are insulated or wrapped to prevent any type of
short circuit.
Disconnected
Video Signal Cable(AV)
GND Cable
Connect the wireless video transmission module to a power source as the GCU cannot supply power. Make sure
the power is a safe voltage for you own devices according to the wireless video transmission module’s
requirement.
Tips:
The following diagram shows how video signal transit when gimbal working.
If the video signal access fails, please check each step.
Camera
HDMI
Gimbal
HDMI-AV module
HDMI signal
GCU
G8
AV signal
Wireless video
transmission
module
Air end
HDMI-AV cable
8-Pins cable
Gimbal Video
Power Cable
Wireless video
transmission
module
Ground end
Wireless signal
Monitor
AV input
5.8G/2.4G/1.2G
Self-prepared by user
AV signal
AV signal
A wireless video transmission module is required for the video signal accessing remotely.
The gimbal will work in Orientation-locked Mode, if not connect to MODE.
Gimbal default works in FPV Mode after power on.
The gimbal will maintain the Working Mode from last moment, if the cable between MODE and RC
receiver is disconnecting while working.
Tips:
For 3-position switch, you may assign:
Position-1 to Non orientation-locked
Position-2 to FPV Mode (Reset)
Position-3 to Orientation-locked
Position-1 and Position-3 can be reverse assigned.
One 2-position switch can be assigned for any two of the working modes as you like.
HDMI Switch Set
Notes:
The camera HDIM will be on if AUX1 and RC receiver is disconnected.
Tx
123
3-Position
Switch
Tx
1
2-position
switch
2
Whichever 3-position switch selected as working mode switch, wire the right channel of receiver to MODE port. At
each switch position, use end-point fine tuning, set the channel AUX2(JR) /7(Futaba/Hitec) for the three Working
The Z15 supports to control the camera lens down or forward in Reset Mode. Please wire the right channel of
Notes:
This function can only work in FPV Mode (Reset).
When this function is on, if the working mode switch from other modes to FPV Mode (Reset), the gimbal
will force the camera lens to face forward or down depending on AUX2 Switch.
The camera orientation is forward while non-connection or disconnection.
Tips:
When the AUX2 is connected to Futaba S-Bus channel it is used as the S-Bus channel input.
Tx
1
2-position
switch
2
receiver to AUX2 port. You may assign: Position-1 to DOWN; Position-2 to FORWARD; or reverse the assignment.
step1: Make sure the driver is installed correctly, which has been installed before you use WKM,ACE ONE or
ACE WAYPOINT.
step2: Please download the assistant software installer from DJI Innovations website.
step3: Double click the assistant software installer file and follow the steps to finish installation.
step4: Run the assistant software.
step5: Please upgrade the firmware or configure the parameters according to the assistant software indication if
necessary.
Check Before Flight
Notes:
The gimbal is installed firmly to landing gear, and camera mounted correctly and stably.
All cables are in correct connection, without anyone in backwards.
The gimbal video power cable is in good soldered condition if wireless video transmission module used.
Correct TX settings.
Camera shutter control module is correctly mounted.
Correct camera setups.
Correct connection between GCU and RC receiver.
Normal connection between GCU and flight control system.
Upgrade Flight control System MC Firmware.
Tips:
The gimbal LED flashing red quickly when the camera and gimbal connection fails.
The gimbal LED stays solid green when the camera and gimbal is successful connection.
Please turn to the
step1: Ensure the batteries are fully charged for transmitter, GCU and all the other devices on your aircraft.
step2: Make sure all connections and wirings are in good condition.
step3: Switch on the TX.
step4: Make sure to adjust the Roll axis of gimbal to be level.
step5: Power on the gimbal and wait for self-testing. The Roll axis will rotate first, and then the yaw and pitch
axes will rotate quickly at the same time.
step6: After self-testing, the camera lens will point to aircraft nose direction, that is, the three axes of gimbal
should be in the condition as the above diagram shows.
step7: The gimbal goes into initialization, at this time the three axes will rotate very slowly.
step8: The gimbal is at a standstill after initialization, and ready for usage.
step9: Toggle the Working Modes switch on your transmitter, and make sure it is working properly.
Switch the Working Modes to Non orientation-locked, FPV Mode (Reset), Orientation-locked
respectively, and then try to push your sticks lightly in Roll, Tilt and Pan to feel if your gimbal moves to
the corresponding direction. If not, go back to the Gimbal Working mode Switch Set to correct your
settings.
Notes:
If the gimbal is abnormal (unlike the diagram shows) after initializing, please turn to the
For safety reasons, please pay serious attention to all of the following items:
Ensure nothing blocks the servo drive module’s total range of movement, to avoid motor damage.
Before powering on, spin the gimbal by hand through the complete rotational axes to ensure nothing is
blocking the mechanical movement of the gimbal.
Be sure to mount the side of servo drive module1 with ports facing towards the aircraft’s tail.
The gimbal’s center of gravity balance has been preset from the factory. The gimbal balance is
directly correlated with the gimbal performance. Please do not adjust the gimbal’s center of gravity
by yourself.
The gimbal is a sophisticated, highly technological device. Do not remove any other screws in the
gimbal which would result in poor performance or even damage.
Do not unplug any cables attached to the gimbal ports or change the mechanical structure.
Make sure all wiring is correct, otherwise it may lead to abnormal operation or the gimbal may start to
operate out of control.
Make sure to connect the wireless video transmission module to the GCU prior to powering on the
system.
The camera’s HDMI resolution should be set to 1080i, otherwise the HDMI-AV/HD module may not
work normally.
The factory gimbal video power cable is recommended.
Make sure you solder the gimbal video power cable to the wireless video transmission module
correctly. Ensure the cables are insulated and protected to prevent and type of short circuit.
Pay close attention to the S800 EVO’s voltage and be sure it is within the defined limits (6S) when
using one battery for both the S800 EVO and power supply for the gimbal.
Prevent the gimbal from ever touching the contact points of a power cable; otherwise it may lead to a
short circuit of the gimbal and cause complete failure.
Make sure to adjust the roll axis of the gimbal to be level when the camera is attached before
This is the example connection. Prepare one 14-channel TX/RC receiver for aircraft and gimbal control.
Setup the Aileron, Elevator, Throttle,Rudder channels on TX for aircraft roll, elevator, throttle, rudder control,
and TX AUX2 for aircraft control modes(Please refer to the
Choose three 3-position switches for ROLL, TILT, and PAN rotation control. Switch center position is 0
velocity and end positions are maximum velocity.
Flight Control System User Manual
).
Choose one 3-position switch/channel as Z15 Working Modes switch (MODE).
Choose one 2-position switch/channel as camera shutter control switch (SHUT), and one as HDMI switch
(AUX1).
Connect the receiver to GCU and Flight control System MC correctly.