Hyperion Emeter II Quick Manual

Emeter v2 Quick Guide 2.09 rev. Feb 9 2009

See http://media.hyperion.hk/dn/em2 for updates to documentation, PC software, and Firmware

Introduction

The Hyperion Emeter II can carry out an enormous range of functions related to Electric Powered models and
small vehicles, and has been designed with ease of use as a prime objective. On-screen help, a menu system
and friendly error messages all contribute to this objective while in the field or at the lab.

This Quick Guide describes the scope of Emeter II and how to make it work for you, in a sequence which
matches the on-screen menus. The Emeter’s own On-screen help is a subset of this information intended to
answer most questions at the field. The full Emeter II User Manual (Download from link above) goes into
greater depth with explanations of many of the issues surrounding Electric Power and Radio Control models.

The Emeter II System consists of two major components:

• The pocket sized case houses the display screen, an SD Card slot, buttons for menu navigation, a

potentiometer to drive pulse-width devices such as servos and motor controllers, an optical tachometer,
and an internal battery pack with onboard charger.

• A Remote Data Unit which, with its small size can be fitted to the power system (RC model, robot,

scooter, etc…) to log data. At the end of the logging period, the captured data can be copied to the
Emeter II for display, without the need for a Personal Computer.

In addition, the Emeter v2 comes with two cables in the box:

-- A Data Cable (aka “RDU Cable”, #HP-EM2-4PINCBL). It has a locking Molex 4-pin connector on one side
which fits the Emeter v2 at bottom-right port. The other side has 5-pin female connector (with one pin
“blanked”). This side fits the RDU so that the RDU can transfer files to Emeter, and communicate during Bench
testing or RDU setup. The same side also fits Hyperion TITAN series ESC, for programming via Emeter.

-- A Power Cable (#HP-EM2-PWRCBL) with 4.5mm plug on one side, and tinned wires on the other. The
Emeter contains a 5-cell 750mAh NiMH battery inside, and an INTERNAL CHARGER. You should never connect
a battery charger to this power input. Instead, simply use any 12V~15V DC power supply with 120mA or
higher capacity (such as a 13.8V DC power supply, Automotive battery, or discarded 12V “Wall PS” from some
old toy, router, etc). Please take time now to fit appropriate connectors to this cable, and plug in your
Emeter to a 12-15V power source for charging. See details below for charge rate and time.

Terminology

RDU – The Remote Data Unit contains data storage, and sensors for measuring voltage, current, height

(altitude from start point), ambient temperature and other data. In addition the RDU has input/output
connectivity to a receiver or pulse-width driver such that throttle position can be recorded or remote on/off of
logging controlled. The RDU can record peak currents up to 150A with stock wiring (up to 300A, 5 sec,
modified), with a maximum of 70V input. There are also optional sensors available for up to three external
temperatures and phase tachometer for brushless motors at this time, with other sensors planned for 2009.

Before using the RDU, it is necessary to solder on the connectors of your choice to the RED/BLACK wires
marked INPUT (Battery, DC PS) and LOAD (Motor, Charger, Discharger, etc) on RDU bottom. The connectors
must be high-quality and matched in size to the maximum currents you expect to draw. Although the RDU is
protected against accidental connection with polarity reversed, the ESC which is normally connected to the
LOAD side of the RDU, is likely not protected and will be destroyed by reversed polarity. So take great care with
connector polarity.

ESC

- Electronic Speed Controller is used to vary the speed of the model’s motors

BEC

- Battery Eliminator Circuitry, optionally included in the ESC, is used to power receiver/servos from main

power pack instead of a separate receiver pack

SD Card

– is a mass data storage device which may also be used for transfer of data between a PC and the

Emeter II, including:

• Emeter II and RDU firmware updates

• Files for On-line screen help

• Prop constants data

• Data logs

• Parameters for user-programmable servo or ESC drivers

An SD card is not included but is strongly suggested for complete functionality. Standard (or Mini/Micro in adapter) SD SDHC
cards up to 4Gb are supported. They must be formatted as FAT16 or FAT32.

Phase Tachometer

sensor – (option part # HP-EM2-TACHBL) has a single wire which should be connected to

any of the three wires into a brushless motor, and the 3 pin plug which fits the RDU socket labelled ‘RPM’.

External Temp 1,2,3

sensors – (option parts #HP-EM2-TMP1 and #HP-EM2-TMP23) Note that Temp#1 must

be purchased in order to add temps #2 and #3, as only TEMP#1 connects direct to RDU (2,3 connect via #1).

On Screen Help and Navigation

Features are accessed by selection from a multi-level menu. Button numbers are shown in quotes for example
‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’ and have an abbreviated description on the bottom row of the display. Button ‘A’ on the MAIN
menu will display Tips on RDU and Emeter II firmware version upgrades. Navigation through the menus is
achieved by pressing ‘D’ until the required menu item shows in larger characters. Once this occurs,

• press ‘B’ to display screen help relating to the selected function or

• press ‘C’ to go to the selected function.

There are two basic modes of operation – ‘Bench-Test’ mode in which the RDU and the Emeter II are connected
for use together, and ‘In-Action’ mode where the RDU is used alone. In Bench-Test mode, RDU is cabled to the
Emeter and data is recorded directly to the Emeter’s SD card, whereas In-Action mode stores the data in the
remote RDU from which it is later copied to the Emeter II SD card. After switching the Emeter II on, the
function which was in use at the previous switch off time will re-appear. In most cases, ‘A’ will cause a return to
the previous, higher menu item or screen. Certain actions may cause deletion of data which could be critical.
You will be warned if this is the case and requested to confirm the action.

OPERATION NOTES

EMETER BASIC SETUP

Function Screen/Mode Cables/Wiring

1.1 Internal battery Charging 12-15 volt supply with the supplied 4.5mm plug

The Emeter II will automatically charge while connected to 12-15V PS whether the unit is in use, or switched off.
The Emeter can be used while connected to 12-15V power source (i.e. during bench testing can be left connected)
Charging will occur at 85 ma and take 9 - 12 hours at this rate from a fully discharged state.
The battery will last between 18 and 50 hours, depending on use of screen backlight, connection to RDU and other factors.
Main menu shows internal battery charge state indicator. Reconnect to 12-15V PS before this falls to 0%. The date and time
will need to be reset if the internal battery is allowed to go flat.

1.2 Set Date/Time MAIN>EMETER SETUP

Press ‘D’ (next) to move to date or time lines.
Press ‘B’ or ‘C’ to decrease or increase the fields as required. Hold button down for accelerated change.
These fields are used to add a timestamp to log files or snapshots (see 4.1 – 4.3).

EMETER BASIC SETUP continued

Function Screen/Mode

1.3 Screen Backlight MAIN>EMETER SETUP

Press ‘D’ to move to LCD Light line and pick
‘Off’ for no backlight
‘On’ for constant backlight
‘Auto’ for backlight on for 10 seconds duration whenever a button is pushed Default setting is ‘Auto’.

1.4 Contrast MAIN>EMETER SETUP

Press ‘D’ to move to Contrast and pick a number between 15 and 30 for desired effect.

1.5 Button Beeps MAIN>EMETER SETUP

Press ‘D’ to move to Beeps and pick ‘On’ or ‘Off’ for a ‘click’ or ‘beep’ each time a button is pressed . Default setting is ‘On’.

1.6 Height & Temperatures MAIN>EMETER SETUP

System holds figures in Metres and Celsius and will convert and display Feet and Fahrenheit if so specified here.

INSTANTANEOUS READINGS (and Tacho Setup)

Function Screen/Mode Cables/Wiring

2.1 Tacho - configure Optical Tach READINGS>TACHO>push ‘C’ > CONFIG TACHO None

Set Tacho Source as Emeter by pressing ‘B’ or ‘C’. Press ‘D’ and set blades as 1 to 6.
Without the RDU connected, the source will be set to Emeter automatically.

-- Set Tacho averaging:

On averages rpm over 2 secs if < 9,000 rpm. Averages rpm over 1 sec if > 9,000 rpm
Off averages over 1 sec always. Press ‘A’ to save tacho configuration

2.2

Tacho: configure Phase Sen.
Tach

READINGS>TACHO>push ‘C’ > CONFIG TACHO

*The RDU Tacho is for brushless motors and ESC only *

RDU + RDU cable +
Phase Tach

With the Emeter II, RDU and the phase sensor pick-up lead connected, the source can be selected as either

• Emeter II for the optical tacho or

• RDU for the phase sensor tacho

For RDU, the number of Motor Magnets must be set or erroneous results will occur. Set Gearbox ratio (“1” for direct drive)

2.3 Determine Motor Magnet Count READINGS>TACHO push ‘C’ > CONFIG TACHO

RDU + RDU cable +
Phase Tach

Run the motor at steady speed with Emeter II close to spinning prop.
Vary no. of magnets until the RDU and Emeter II Opto rpm figures match and Save configuration.

2.4

Tacho - Read RPM optical READINGS>TACHO None

Hold top of Emeter II about 10 cm from rotating prop. Wait until readings steady. Avoid fluorescent lights
Press ‘D’ to hold reading (see sect 4.1). Press ‘C’ to save reading to SNAPSHOT 1-8 (see section 4.3)
Press ‘B’ to set prop constants, if known and show motor output power (see section 5)

2.5

Tacho – Read phase sensor RPM READINGS>TACHO or

READINGS>ANALYSER

RDU + RDU cable
+ rpm sensor cable

Connect rpm sensor lead to RDU RPM socket and to any of the 3 wires of brushless motor. * Do not use on brushed motors *

2.6 Read Volts Bench-Test READINGS>ANALYSER RDU + RDU cable

0 to 70 volts, 2 dec. places

2.7 Read Amps Bench-Test READINGS>ANALYSER RDU + RDU cable

0 to 150 amps peak, 1 dec. place. BATTERY shows voltage, max. and min. and ma-h energy input and output (charge &
discharge)

2.8 Watts into ESC/Motor READINGS>ANALYSER RDU + RDU cable

0 - 10000 watts, calculated as the product of Volts * Amps

2.9 Motor/ESC Efficiency READINGS>ANALYSER RDU + RDU cable

Displays efficiency if Prop Constants in place and less than 100%. Press ‘D’ to hold values on screen. Press ‘C’ to save values
in SNAPSHOT 1–8

2.10 Motor Output Power & Thrust READINGS>TACHO None

Display power in Watts and BHP and thrust in grams if propeller constants exist for the given prop.

2.11 Height READINGS>ANALYSER RDU + RDU cable

The height sensor is fitted in the RDU and is set to zero metres when power is connected to the RDU. Position in model may
affect readings. See Emeter II manual for more.