Eagle Tree Systems Computer Monitor User Manual

User Manual for the PowerPanel LCD Display Expander

Document Version 1.7

Thank you for your purchase of the PowerPanel - a tiny, lightweight Watt Meter for your model! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your PowerPanel LCD Display. Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If, after you read the manual (including the Troubleshooting sections!) you have further questions or problems, see the Support page on http://www.eagletreesystems.com for additional information, or email us at support@eagletreesystems.com.

Key Features

Here are a few of the features of the PowerPanel:

• Ultra-thin LCD display connects to the MicroPower with the included 11" (28cm) data cable.

• Live Display of Amps, Volts, mAH, Temperatures, Wattage, and RPM (more coming soon, by simply download our latest

Windows program).

• Cumulative mAH display serves as a “gas gauge” for your battery pack. By knowing how much has been used, you can know approximately how much is left!

• Up to 4 parameters can be displayed per “virtual page” on the PowerPanel. Each parameter has a programmable label.

• Multiple “virtual pages” of data are supported, with programmable ways of switching between the pages.

• Supports display of both Live data and Max values, with programmable ways of switching between Live and Max.

• Supports “hot plugging” into the MicroPower after your session.

• So light, it can easily be attached to the side of your model for live/max display all the time!

• System supports both Metric and English units.

Supported Products

The PowerPanel works with the eLogger V1 through V3. To use the PowerPanel with the eLogger, you must update to Windows Application version 3.64 or higher. This is described in the “Windows Application and Firmware Update” section below.

Steps to Follow

Installation and use of your PowerPanel will be quite easy and enjoyable if you follow these few steps:

1. Read through the manual to understand the warnings, determine the installation and setup sequence, etc.

2. Upgrade the Windows Application and Firmware for your MicroPower, if you purchased your MicroPower before the PowerPanel was available. This is described in the “Windows Application and Firmware Update” section below.

3. Connect the PowerPanel to the MicroPower. You should now see live data on the PowerPanel!

4. If desired, reconfigure the parameters displayed on the PowerPanel as described in the “Configuring the PowerPanel with the Application” section below.

5. Have fun!

Intended Uses

The PowerPanel is designed for use in Unmanned Radio Controlled models. Using the PowerPanel for other purposes is not supported. Further, using the PowerPanel 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: the PowerPanel LCD Expander, and a printed version of this manual. Please check the support page of our website for the latest version of this manual, in case changes have been made since it was printed.

NOTE: the PowerPanel is covered with protective clear shrinkwrap. Do not remove the shrinkwrap!

Windows Application and Firmware Update

To use the PowerPanel with the MicroPower, you must update to Windows Application version 3.64 or higher. To update, download the latest

application from the support page of our website.

After downloading and installing the Application, the firmware of your MicroPower may need to be updated. Firmware version 4.45 or greater is required for the PowerPanel to work correctly. To upgrade your MicroPower firmware, choose “Tools, Firmware Control” and click the Update button.

Page 2

Connecting the PowerPanel to the eLogger V3

The PowerPanel plugs into the “LCD/TX” port of your eLogger V3, as shown in Figure 1A.

Connecting the PowerPanel to Your eLogger V1/V2

Connect the PowerPanel to the eLogger V1 or V2 AUX (or LCD) connector, as shown in Figure 1. Note that the top row of pins is the correct row, and note that the red wire of the PowerPanel should face outwardly.

Configuring the PowerPanel with the Application

After you have completed the connection step above, the PowerPanel should be preconfigured to show Amps, Volts, mAH, and Temperature. No further configuration is required if these are the only parameters you care about!

NOTE: The PowerPanel can be “hot plugged and unplugged” to the MicroPower even when the MicroPower is powered by your battery pack.

Once the PowerPanel is installed, you can change what is displayed on the PowerPanel, change when the PowerPanel shows Live vs Max data, and change when the PowerPanel switches between multiple display pages.

Launching the PowerPanel Display Setup Utility

To configure the PowerPanel, connect the MicroPower to USB, and choose “Tools, Configure PowerPanel Display” in the application. The PowerPanel Setup Utility should then appear.

Using the PowerPanel Display Setup Utility

Figure 2 shows the main page of the Utility. The Utility main page is divided into the following sections:

Select Data Parameter to Configure on the PowerPanel: This section contains the tools to select what, how and where parameters are displayed on the LCD pages.

To select and configure a parameter, choose the parameter to be configured in the “Choose a Parameter you want to configure…” window. A “o” next to an item indicates that this item is already selected for display, and choosing it will allow you to edit the item. After selecting the parameter, click the “Enable this parameter…” checkbox to enable the parameter to be displayed/configured, or uncheck it to remove it from the list.

Once the parameter is enabled, choose where the parameter will be displayed by choosing the location in the “Select Display Location” window. You can choose both the display page, and the location on that display page, for the parameter.

Up to 4 parameters can be displayed on each page. Normally, page 1 would be filled with 4 parameters of your choice, and if you need to display more than 4 parameters, the remaining parameters would be programmed to display on page 2, etc. Or, you can have one parameter per page, or any other combination!

A “o” next to the location chosen means it is already in use by this or another parameter. Choosing a location that is in use already will cause the parameter using it to be disabled.

The window labeled “Enter the label to display..” indicates the 3 digit label that will be displayed beside this parameter on the LCD. You can change this 3 digit label to be whatever you want. For example, if Temperature Sensor 1 was attached to your ESC, you might label the Temperature Sensor 1 parameter “ESC.”

NOTE: If the data for each parameter grows large, such as a large RPM, the middle character in the 3 digit label will be eliminated to show all the numeric digits in the parameter. For example, “RPM 0” would become “RM 40342” in this case.

Figure 2

+ 2 hidden pages