Eagle eLogger V3 User Manual

Instruction Manual for the eLogger V3

Patent Pending

Document Version 1.9, Model # MPRV3-CONN-100, MPRV3-LEADS-100, and MPRV3-LEADS-150

Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your eLogger.

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 eLogger directly from Eagle Tree Systems, so we can send you important update information.

Key Features

Here are a few of the features of the eLogger:

• Logs pack current to +/- 100 amps (150 amps with MPRV3-LEADS-150) and voltage from about 5 volts to 70

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!

• Supports the PowerPanel LCD Display

• Accepts optional inexpensive sensors for three Temperatures, RPM (brushless, magnetic or optical), Airspeed,

Altitude, GPS, Servo Current, Throttle Movement, and more

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

• 4 times the logging space of the eLogger V2, and 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 7 (32 and 64 bit), Vista, 98SE, ME, Win2K and XP™

• Weighs about 0.7 oz (20 grams). Versions with Wire Leads weighs slightly more.

• 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 eLogger was designed for use in Unmanned Radio Controlled models. It is intended to be used exclusively in model planes, boats and cars. Using the eLogger for other purposes is not supported. Further, using the eLogger 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: eLogger (either with integrated connectors or with wire leads), Custom USB Cable, and CD-ROM.

Steps to Follow

Installation and use of the eLogger 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 eLogger in your model, as described in the eLogger 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 eLogger” section below.

5. Have fun!

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Installation of the eLogger

IMPORTANT: Never let the sensor/USB prongs of the eLogger touch bare battery pack leads, exposed parts of your ESC/BEC, or the motor casing!! Doing so could destroy the eLogger 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 eLogger.

Connecting the eLogger 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 eLogger is normally connected so that the connectors or leads marked “Batt” are connected to your battery pack, and the connectors or leads marked “ESC” are connected to your ESC’s power input. The red wires of the “wire lead” version of the eLogger 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 Batt and ESC connections, so that current is flowing “backwards” through the eLogger. The eLogger will still measure current correctly in this mode!

IMPORTANT: Do not leave your model’s power system connected to the eLogger 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 eLogger, 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.

IMPORTANT: When first using your Connector version eLogger, make sure that the mating connectors you are using are making good contact. One way to do this is to gently manipulate the connectors after they are all plugged in, to make sure there are no loose connections.

Measuring Temperature with the eLogger

Up to three optional temperature sensors can be connected to the eLogger.

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.

Plug the Futaba style connector of each temperature sensor into the eLogger as shown in Figure 1.

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

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

NOTE: see the Brushless or Optical RPM Sensor instruction manuals if you are using one of 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 eLogger 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 eLogger could be damaged.

Once these steps are complete, plug the Futaba style connector on the sensor into the eLogger 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

eLogger’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 eLogger’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 eLogger. The power wire of the Y cable between the sensor and the eLogger should be cut before connecting it to the eLogger. This is necessary to avoid connecting the power of the existing sensor connection to the eLogger’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

eLogger.

Installing a Secondary RPM Sensor

A second MODIFIED Brushless RPM sensor can be plugged into the eLogger’s THROTTLE input, for measuring RPM of multiple motors. NOTE: the Optical and Hall Effects RPM sensors CANNOT be used as secondary sensors, and will be damaged if plugged into any port other than the RPM port. Only the brushless RPM sensor can be used for secondary RPM.

To measure secondary RPM, the RPM sensor must be modified as follows:

• Carefully pry back the plastic tabs that hold the RED and BLACK pins in the RPM sensor connector, and remove the red and

black pins.

• Replace the red pin where the black pin was, so that the pin order in the connector is RED, OPEN, WHITE.

• The second RPM sensor plugs into the throttle port with the red wire toward the label side of the logger.

• The black pin (left detached from the connector above) connects to the upper “Tmp 3” pin, nearest the label.

NOTE: The second RPM channel is automatically set up with the same sensor type and gear ratio as the primary RPM. So, it’s important that the same type of sensor be used for primary and secondary RPM.

The secondary RPM sensor(s) are logged and displayed on the screens with the other parameters, as described below.

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Monitoring your Model’s Throttle Position with the eLogger

Connecting the Throttle Servo Y-Cable to your Throttle, and to the eLogger

IMPORTANT: Make sure you connect the battery pack to the eLogger only AFTER connecting the throttle Y cable to the eLogger (and all other connections).

servo positions by measuring the pulses coming from your receiver to the throttle servo, via the optional Y cable. The Y Cable has 3 connections. The “Futaba” male plug (at the “base of the Y”) connects to the eLogger as shown in Figure. The universal male and female plugs of the Y cable connect to your receiver’s throttle channel, and to your throttle servo, respectively. See Figure 2 for connections of the Y cable to your Receiver and Servo.

The eLogger logs

+ 7 hidden pages