Eagle eLogger V2 User Manual

Instruction Manual for the USB MicroPower E-Logger

Patent Pending

Document Version 2.5, Model # MPR-CONN and MPR-LEADS

Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your MicroPower E-Logger.

Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If, after you read the manual (including the Troubleshooting sections!) you have further questions or problems, please visit our web support page for additional support options, at

http://www.eagletreesystems.com/Support/support.html. Note that the latest version of this manual is available in PDF form

from the Support page of our website.

Please also fill out the registration form at the end of this manual if you did not purchase your MicroPower directly from Eagle Tree Systems, so we can send you important update information.

Key Features

Here are a few of the features of the MicroPower:

• Logs pack current to +/- 100 amps and voltage from about 4.5 volts to 45 volts

• Current is measured with a true Hall Effects Sensor - NOT a resistance shunt like other units on the market!

• Great for bench monitoring of battery charging also!

• Accepts optional inexpensive sensors for Temperature, RPM (brushless, magnetic or optical), Airspeed, Altitude,

Servo Current, Throttle Movement, and more, available below

• All data is logged to permanent memory, which retains the data even when the power is removed

• Software computes Wattage, mAH, etc. for complete e-flight data.

• Fully Compatible with Windows Vista, 98SE, ME, Win2K and XP™

• Integrated USB with included cable (NOT a USB to serial port cable like other loggers)

• Supports simultaneous Temp and RPM sensors, or two Temps

• Weighs about 0.5 oz (17 grams). Version with Wire Leads weighs slightly more.

• Supports USB Live Mode, which lets you see what's happening in the model LIVE on the bench, on your PC

• Adjustable logging rate (1-10 samples/second) and lossless data compression for long log times

• Comes with our state of the art Windows virtual playback display and graphing

• Powerful Graphing software has advanced charting features, such as amps vs volts

• Internet Updatable firmware - as we add new features or (heaven forbid) have a firmware bug, the update is just a

download away! No need to ship hardware back and forth.

• Full support for English and Metric units

Intended Uses

The MicroPower was designed for use in Unmanned Radio Controlled models. Using the MicroPower for other purposes is not supported. Further, using the MicroPower in situations where its use or failure could result in loss of life, bodily injury or property damage is expressly prohibited.

Packing List

Your package should include the following: MicroPower (either with integrated connectors or with wire leads), Custom USB Cable, and CD-ROM.

Steps to Follow

Installation and use of the MicroPower E-Logger will be quite easy and enjoyable if you follow these few steps:

1. Read through the manual to understand the important warnings, determine what parameters you want to log, etc.

2. Install the MicroPower in your model, as described in the MicroPower Installation section below. Pay special attention to the polarity and plug-in location of the sensors, since some of the plugs will fit in more than one location!

3. Install and configure the Windows software as described in the Windows installation section below.

4. IMPORTANT: Bench and range test your model as described in the “Using the MicroPower” section below.

5. Have fun!

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Installation of the MicroPower

IMPORTANT: Never let the sensor/USB prongs of the MicroPower touch bare battery pack leads, exposed parts of your ESC/BEC, or the motor casing!! Doing so could destroy the MicroPower since these items may have high voltage present from your battery pack, and void the warranty.

The below instructions and diagram guide you through the installation of the MicroPower.

Connecting the MicroPower to Your Model’s Power System

WARNING: High Voltages can cause electric shock. Be extremely careful when working with high voltage packs! Work with high voltages at your own risk.

The MicroPower is normally connected so that the connectors or leads marked “Source” are connected to your battery pack, and the connectors or leads marked “Load” are connected to your ESC’s power input. The red wires of the “wire lead” version of the MicroPower must be connected to the positive side of the load and source (normally the red wires). For measuring current/voltage battery charging, it is ok to reverse the Source and Load connections, so that current is flowing “backwards” through the MicroPower. The MicroPower will still measure current correctly in this mode!

IMPORTANT: Do not leave your model’s power system connected to the MicroPower when the unit is not in use in the field. Always disconnect the battery from your model when it is in storage.

IMPORTANT: With the Integrated Connector version of the MicroPower, always ensure that the wiper prongs of all plugs are not bent or damaged before connecting! A bent or damaged wiper prong could potentially collapse or fold over during connection, and contact the other terminal of the connection, causing a short, or could result in an unreliable connection.

Measuring Temperature with the MicroPower

Up to two optional temperature sensors can be connected to the MicroPower. Note that the second temperature sensor plugs into the RPM port, so only one temperature can be measured when RPM is being measured.

The temperature sensors are typically installed by placing the wire loop around the your battery pack, ESC, BEC, or other location, and cinching it in place by pulling the two rubber stays snugly against the surface to be measured. Or, if you have the Micro temp sensor, it can be slid under heat shrink, taped on, or otherwise affixed.

NOTE: the secondary temperature channel has lower resolution than the primary channel, at lower temperatures. But, as temperature increases, the resolutions of the secondary channel and the primary channel become very close (about 1

degree Fahrenheit).

Plug the Futaba style connector from the temperature sensor into the MicroPower as shown in Figure 1. If a second temperature sensor is used, this sensor plugs into the RPM slot, with the same polarity as the first temperature sensor.

Note: the Temperature Sensor lead can be easily extended with a standard servo extension cable.

Measuring RPM with the MicroPower, Using the Hall RPM Sensor with Magnets

NOTE: see the Optical or Brushless RPM Sensor instruction manuals if you are using the those sensors.

Installing the optional Hall RPM sensor and magnets is the most challenging part of installation, but is relatively easy once a good mounting location is determined. Refer to our website’s Flight support page at

http://www.eagletreesystems.com for pictures of example installations.

To install our magnets, first find a suitable location on your motor or drivetrain to attach either one or two small magnets and RPM sensor. Typically, the prop washer or prop hub are ideal locations for planes, and the car’s axle shaft is good for car installation. This will of course vary with the construction of the model. Make sure the magnets are mounted on some structure that doesn’t “flop around,” as the magnets could hit the sensor in this case. The RPM sensor must be mounted so that it does not move around, and is within 1-2 mm of the two magnets as they spin. On typical plane installations, there’s usually a place where the back of the sensor can be glued to a flat surface under or over the hub which has the magnets mounted. The RPM sensor kit includes four magnets. That provides you with up to 3 spares.

Installing Magnets

Once you have determined where to install the magnets, decide whether you will drill a hole so that the magnets will mount flush with the surface, or if you will just glue the magnets to the surface. Though somewhat more difficult and permanent, mounting the magnet flush with the surface is the best long term approach, since the mounting will be much more rugged, and the risk of imbalance due to not mounting the magnets exactly 180 degrees apart is reduced. In fact, if the magnet is mounted flush in another metal material, it is quite possible that no shaft imbalance will occur if you only mount one of the magnets total.

To flush mount the magnets, drill a hole just slightly larger than the diameter of the magnet size you choose, and of the same depth as that magnet. If you decide to surface mount the magnets, thoroughly clean this area and lightly scuff it to improve adhesion. Glue the magnets with the side marked with a red line facing inward (hidden), using epoxy, or other strong, suitable glue. It’s important that the red line on the magnets faces away from the sensor once the sensor is installed. The magnets should be glued 180 degrees apart to keep the shaft in balance.

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WARNING: make sure that the magnets are glued sufficiently so that they will not detach and create a hazard, and always wear safety glasses when your motor is running! It is also a good idea to put a piece of heatshrink tubing or electrical tape around the magnets, to further secure them.

Using Existing Magnets

Note: if your motor already has magnets mounted for some other purpose, there’s a good chance you can use them. Take one of the magnets

included with the RPM sensor kit, and put that magnet up against the previously mounted magnet. If the red line of the MicroPower magnet faces down so that the sensor can be mounted facing the side of the magnet with no red line, mount the sensor with the printed side toward the magnet. If the side of the magnet with the red line is visible when on top of the previous magnet, the polarity is reversed. This should work correctly if you install our sensor backwards (printed side of sensor away from magnets).

Installing the RPM Sensor

Once the magnets are glued and completely dry, temporarily position the RPM sensor so that the side of the sensor with printing (or a colored dot) is facing the side of the magnets WITHOUT the red line. The sensor now needs to be glued so that it is held rigidly into position. Before gluing,

put a small spacer (1-2 mm thick) between the sensor and one of the magnets to ensure proper spacing.

If desired, a small piece of brass tubing can be glued or heatshrunk to the back of the sensor to ease mounting and increase stability.

After the sensor is glued and completely dry, remove the small spacer and rotate the drive train or propeller to ensure complete freedom of movement. Also make sure that the sensor won’t vibrate and come in contact with the magnets during operation. If this happens, the sensor will be destroyed, and the MicroPower could be damaged.

Once these steps are complete, plug the Futaba style connector on the sensor into the MicroPower as shown in figure 1. Note that a standard Futaba style servo extension cable can be used to lengthen the RPM sensor wire if needed.

Using Existing RPM Sensors

Several of our customers have been able to use existing RPM sensors, such as governors or turbine sensors, with our products. The following steps must be followed:

1) Determine the “pinout” of the existing sensor. Compatible sensors will have Power, Ground, and Signal connections. The MicroPower’s RPM pinout, from left to right, is: Power (black wire), Ground (red wire), Signal (white wire).

2) Devise a “Y” cable to connect your existing sensor to it’\s connection, and also to the MicroPower’s RPM connection. NOTE: Power for the sensor should come only from the connection the sensor is normally plugged into. So, only Gound and Signal wires should be routed from the existing sensor to the MicroPower. The power wire of the Y cable between the sensor and the MicroPower should be cut before connecting it to the MicroPower. This is necessary to avoid connecting the power of the existing sensor connection to the MicroPower’s power connection.

3) Thoroughly test the system to make sure the sensor still works with whatever it was originally connected to, after Y’ing to the MicroPower.

Installing and Using the Windows™ Application

Installing the Windows Application

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