Thunder Tiger GT5.2 User Manual

	3-axis
No.8089	Flybarless System

Introduction / Safety notes

GT5 is a high performance 3-axis gyro system designed for flying flybarless model helicopters. It is not a self-leveling training system for beginners and cannot be used in combination with flybared helicopters. If you are not experienced in flying model helicopters please contact your dealer or a local club for further assistance.

GT5 can be used with a broad variety of different receiver systems: Besides using it in combination with a conventional standard receiver system you can use GT5 in combination with different single line receiver systems and also directly connect Spektrum remote satellites to the unit. Please note that neither Spektrum nor we can guarantee for full range transmission and full functionality when using the system solely in combination with remote satellite receivers! This kind of application is not intended by Spektrum RC. Also because of the variety of electronic manufacturers and electronic systems on the market we can give no guarantee for failures and consequential damage, if a malfunction is not directly attributable to GT5.

GT5 has not been tested in combination with turbine powered helicopters. For this reason we can give no clearance for using the GT5 in such models. If you want to use it with turbines anyway, the usage will be on your own risk.

We remind you, that GT5 is made for use in RC helicopters and for this reason it´s not a toy. Flying a helicopter has to be realized always on special, approved places with the usual security precautions in order not to harm yourself or property of other persons.

Any liability due to the mentioned notes in the upper part is disclaimed by the manufacturer, THUNDER TIGER EUROPE and the seller.

Features

Very precise electric 3axis stabilization system OLED Display with Icon based User Interface

Wear resistant „Touch-Pad“ for easy handling without the need for additional hardware

Supports standard PPM receivers, Spektrum DSM2/DSMX & JR remote satellite receivers and singlewire connection of Futaba S-Bus, Graupner SUMD, BEASTX SRXL and PPM singlewire connection

Suitable for Futaba and JR Servo- & RC-plug systems Compact size and lightweight

High-quality Aluminum Case for optimal heat dissipation

Specifications

Display	96 x 64 pixels OLED
Input	Touch Pad
CPU	32-Bit High Speed Processor
Sensor-Speed	MEMS gyros with ± 1000°/sec for X-Y-Z axis
Tail servo pulse width	1500us/970us/760us
Tail control frequency	65Hz – 333Hz (571Hz with 760us)
Swash plate frequency	50Hz – 250Hz
Swash plate types	mCCPM and 90°, 120°, 135° (140°) eCCPM
Dimensions	29,5 x 32 x 16mm
Weight	15g without wiring
Operate Voltage	4.8V~8.4V

GT5.2 package contents

1-3 RC-Cable

GT5

Foam Pads

Manual

Note:

!helicopters. For some nitro powered helicopters or in general helicopters with a high vibration level the use of softer pads is recommended. But be

aware that soft pads may cause the unit to sway and thus cause malfunction of the GT-5 unit.The supplied foam pads are very hard but normally suited for all kinds of

Connectors

8Imp2 Standard receiver / Channel 5 output

7Term Standard receiver / PC

6Imp1 Standard receiver / Singlewire input

5Ail-r Aileron servo (right)

4Ele Elevator servo

3Ail-l Aileron servo left / Pitch servo (mCCPM)

2Tail Tail servo

1Throt Throttle servo / ESC

Pulse

+

GND-

Connectors for 2,4GHz Spektrum remote satellite receiver. One or two receivers can be used. Always use receivers of same type (DSM2 or DSMX)!

Note:

The connector No.7 (term) has pulse input/output on all 3 pins. Use the 1-3 cable to connect a standard receiver. Never connect a power source to connector No. 7!

Connection to receiver/satellites

Spektrum remote satellite receivers can be directly connected to the GT5. The GT5 is working as the main unit to which you just have to connect the servos. Also you can use GT5 with singlewire systems like Futaba S-Bus, Graupner SUMD, BEASTX SRXL or PPM singlewire. In this case you just have to connect the wire from the receiver to connection imp1 or imp2 (in case PPM singlewire is used). Because these technologies constantly evolve we cannot guarantee full compatibility. For this reason the operation is at your own risk.

To prevent damage of the servos it is recommended to not connect the servos and servo linkages unless you did perform initial setup. When using the BEC of an electronic speed controller to power the system make sure the motor can not start by accident. To prevent the controller from getting configured incorrectly due to wrong signal output it also is recommended to not connect the speed controller and use a separate receiver battery instead unless you did complete receiver setup and gain full control over GT5's throttle output!

Spektrum/JR Satellite Receiver or Futaba S-Bus

dsm dsm SatelliteReceiver

Channel 5 output: Example: Governor signal cable on nitro helis

and/or remote glow igniter.

S- bus Receiver

SERVO SERVO SERVO

SERVO

ESC / BEC

To avoid causing damage to the servos, do not connect the servos until after the servo set-up procedure has been carried out step 5 ! & 6. To begin with, simply connect the GT5 directly to a 4.8Volt Rx battery, or regulated 6Volt power supply, into the Ch1 (Throt) port.

On electric machines, make sure the ESC/BEC is set-up correctly before connection to the GT5.

Standard receiver	SERVO	(for Nitro)

	Throttle	ESC
Aileron
Rudder	Receiver
Gain
Pitch
Elevator
		SERVO
		SERVO
		SERVO
		SERVO
This pin could be connected to battery
Connecting battery / BEC
If you use the GT5 with an
electric helicopter and you
have a speed controller with
integrated BEC it's not		ESC
obligatory that you use an		BATTERY
external receiver battery.

Please pay special attention to the capability of your power supply as with flybarless helicopters the peak power consumption of the servos can be very high. With some BECs the voltage during hard flight may drop dramatically and cause total system failure resulting in crashing the helicopter. If the BEC allows to, using a buffering battery with equal voltage level is mandatory. Consult the manual of the ESC and ask the manufacturer for further assistance and capability of the BEC. If in doubt using a separate power supply is recommended.

Transmitter setup

The swash plate mixing is done by the GT5. In the transmitter you must choose as swash plate type „mechanical Mixing“ (mCCPM) or „1 servo for each function“. You MUST NOT choose a swash plate type like 120° or 140°. Make sure all servo throws (ATV) are set to -100 and +100 (standard configuration for all transmitters) and all servo centers and trims are set to 0 (in all flight modes!). For initial setup the pitch curve also has to be set from -100 to +100 (after the configuration of GT5 you can set different pitch curves in your transmitter).

When using GT5 in combination with a standard receiver you need, besides the 4 channels for the control functions and the channel for the throttle, a sixth channel that controls the tail gyro gain. For this you may use your transmitter's gyro menu or simply a dial or knob.

When using GT5 in combination with Spektrum remote satellites or a singlewire receiver it is possible to adjust tail gyro gain and also swash gyro gain. These can be controlled by two separate channels, one common channel or you also may do without gain adjustment at all. Whatever you decide to, make sure the transmitter is prepared for it.

As throttle signal is only passed through the unit in singlewire application respectively is directly connected to the receiver, throttle is the only parameter, that has not be treated specially. So adjust your throttle curves however you like. Please note that for performing function assignment when using a singlewire receiver it may be necessary to deactivate the throttle channel, e.g. by using the autorotation switch.

Display

4

Receiver menu

d) Failsafe

After the setup of receiver type and control functions is

a) Receiver type

1

complete, choose “Failsafe” in “Receiver” menu and

Directly select the first menu item which is receiver type

increase the number to 5.

selection. It will automatically scan for connected

Failsafe is later used when no signal from the receiver

receivers and preselect the detected receiver type. It

Pitch

is received. For security reason it is important that this

4

should only be necessary to confirm the type by double

Aileron

item is properly set, especially to prevent the electric

Elevator

tapping the touchpad.

motor from starting unwanted or to prevent blocking of

Receiver types in detail are:

the throttle servo. When using Spektrum remote

Rudder

5

(1) Standard receiver

– this is any receiver

which 5

satellite receivers that are directly connected to the

channels are connected by multiple wires to imp1, term

GT5, failsafe additionally will determine the positions

and imp2 connectors.

2

3

that are taken in the event of the radio link failure (this

1) The three bold bars show sensor movement – Aileron, Elevator and

(2)and(3)

Spektrum

DSM

remote

satellite

receivers

implies that time is set larger than 0. If time is set to 0,

the last valid stick positions will be held in case of

Rudder.

connected to the white plugs in the side of GT5. Be very

signal loss).

2) GT5 will scan receiver type when initial. It will show receiver type,

careful on correct selection of the type used. If DSMX

if it shows " -- " means there is no receiver or wrong receiver type.

satellites

are used,

select DSMX satellite. If DSM2

Move the sticks on the transmitter to the desired

failsafe positions (especially throttle to 0) and double

3) Voltage display Upper value: Voltage actually

satellites are used, select DSM2 satellite. It does not

tap the touchpad. You will read „No exit“. Scroll up so

Lower value: Lowest voltage(break-in)during flight

depend on the mode in which the satellites are bound!

you read „Yes“ and confirm the positions by double

4) The numbers show channel information for each function. When sticks in

So if you run a

DSMX

satellite in DSM2 mode,

tapping the touchpad. Now failsafe is set properly and

the transmitter are centered, the channels should be 0

nevertheless select DSMX satellite. Also you must not

you can „Exit“ the „Receiver“ menu and proceed to the

5) The two numbers show swash gyro gain and tail gyro gain in percent.

mix different types of satellites. If you do not follow

next step in „Setup“ section which „Swash plate“

These values never can get below 50 and above 150.

these instructions,

a link

failure during subsequent

menu.

operation is very likely!

Installation

(4) Futaba SBus digital one-wire connection at port imp1

GT5 can either be

(by now only SBus1 is supported).

5

Swash plate setup

mounted flat on the

(5) Graupner HOTT SUMD digital one-wire connection at

top or bottom of the

a) Update frequency

port imp1. When using SUM0 mode select SPPM signal

heli (eg. on the gyro

Select Update frequency (in Hz) for the swash plate

(7) and connect to imp2.

platform) or vertical

servos according to the specifications of the servo

(preferably on the side

(6) SRXL digital one-wire connection

at

port imp1

for

manufacturer. If analog servos are used, never set the

of the frame of the

frequency higher than

65Hz (some very old servos

BEASTX or Multiplex receivers with SRXL data output.

helicopter).

even only work with 50Hz correctly!). With analog

It is only necessary that the pin connector and the cables must be aligned

(7) SPPM – one wire connection sending in a chain of PPM

servos a higher setting leads directly to the destruction

with or against the flight direction. The plugs of the cables must not show

of the electronics. Modern digital servos in most cases

servo signals. This protocol is used by Graupner HOTT

laterally out from the GT5. In addition, the edges of the housing of GT5 must

can easily be used with frequencies of about 120 Hz.

SUM0 mode or JETI receivers. Note that these receivers

always be aligned parallel to the three axes of the helicopter.

High-quality digital servo with

brushless or

brushed

must be connected to imp2 input!

motor can usually be used with much higher

Initial Set-up

frequencies. Note that setting a too high frequency can

cause strong heating of servo motor and/or servo

For the moment it is recommended to disconnect all servos. Only receiver

b) Spektrum binding

electronics and result in the destruction of the servos.

and power source should be connected. When using the BEC of your electric

Furthermore, the information provided by the servo

When using Spektrum remote satellite receivers you

speed controller to power the unit, it is recommended to disconnect the

manufacturer are usually maximum values. Depending

now will have to bind the receivers first. Scroll down

motor from the controller to prevent the motor from starting by accident.

on the ambient conditions such as temperature,

until you read the menu item “Bind” and select it. The

vibration level or supply voltage, it may happen that in

LEDs of the satellites will then start to flash quickly and

practice the servos can be operated only with a much

1

Starting GT5

you can initiate the binding process of the transmitter.

lower frequency. When in doubt, always set a lower

After successful binding, the LEDs of the satellites must

Servo update frequency. Although a low Servo update

After powering up you will at first see the receiver

remain illuminated when the transmitter is turned on. If

frequency reduces the

performance of the control

this is not the case,

it is

necessary

to

repeat

the

scan. If GT5 does not detect any receiver or shows

system, because this will then work slower, the servos

process.

“not equal”, this is not of importance for the moment.

are also less

stressed. We

expressly point

out

that

It may be necessary to program the correct receiver

c) Function assignment

setting a frequency higher than 50Hz is at your own

type first.

risk.

In the receiver submenu you have two

options

to

Then you will see gyro initialization, during this time

choose from. You can start with the default function

“Do not” move the unit as GT5 tries to calibrate zero

Note:

assignment (“Def.”), then no further steps are required

positions of the gyro sensors (it is not important that

GT5 can not provide all the frequencies within

the heli is standing level to the ground, only it mustn't

to put the system into operation. When scrolling down

the specified range. It will then automatically

one item and selecting “CH Sel” you will have to assign

! jump to the next possible value up or down.

be moved).

each transmitter channel individually to one function.

Finally you will see the main screen of GT5 as already

b) Servo sub trim

- Default assignment

shown above. To interact with the unit touch with your

Next three steps in list will concern trimming of the

finger to the touchpad on left side of the housing. A

Spektrum

Futaba SBus

HOTT

SRXL

SPPM

servos connected to

ail-r, ele and ail-l. Adjust the

small cursor will appear on the left side of the display

Throttle

Aileron

servos so that servo horns are perpendicular to the

in the area of your finger.

Aileron

Elevator

linkages, swash plate is leveled and the rotor blades

Elevator

Throttle

have 0° of pitch.

Rudder

Rudder

2

Entering programming menu

Swash gain

Swash gain

c) Swash type/Servo adjustment

Collective pitch

Collective pitch

Choose the correct swash plate mixing type. When

If you move the cursor upwards to the ACE-RC Logo

Tail gyro gain

Tail gyro gain

your helicopter's swash plate

is mixed mechanically

- Channel Selection

choose mCCPM (4). In this case the swash angle is not

and hold it there for 3 seconds, you will enter the

of interest.

When choosing “Ch Sel” you can assign functions step

programming menu of GT5. To select a menu entry

This option contains of two parts! After selecting the

by step by simply moving the desired stick/adjusting

or confirm a value tap the touchpad with your finger

appropriate

swash type you will see four options for

the channel on the transmitter. For correct assignment

twice. To move

up/down

in the menu or to

adjustment

of servo

directions. Move the

collective

you have

to

make

sure that each stick/function

is

increase/decrease values slide with the finger

pitch stick up and down and check, if the swash plate

controlling exactly one channel, otherwise the detection

upwards or downwards on the touchpad.

also is moving up and down or if the servos are moving

can't work correctly. So for the throttle stick you have

Programming menu

is divided into

two

main sections: “control”

and

in different directions. In this case scroll up to the next

to lock the throttle output by using autorotation switch

“setup” section. These two sections are indicated by the black and white

option and try again. Repeat this until you have found

or similar, as at first you will have to assign collective

bar on the very left side. When entering programming menu you will be

the correct servo directions. Then check cyclic input: If

pitch function:

located in control section at PID control menu which will be used very

inputs move servos into

opposite direction, do not

After selection of “Ch Sel” you see a line in the middle

often in later usage. For initial setup the more interesting part is setup

reverse the servo directions anymore. Only reverse the

of the display and you can read “Pitch” on the bottom.

section which will be traversed from bottom to upper end. So move to the

control input for aileron or elevator function by using

Now move the throttle stick to full deflection and then

menu above which is symbolized by a wrench and enter this by tapping

thereverse

function

of

the

transmitter

for

the

back to initial position. You

should

see a

small line

the touchpad twice.

corresponding channel! In this way you

can

also

moving away from center line showing the stick position

reverse the pitch function, if pitch stick is adjusting the

and then

the line moving back. When

reaching the

blade pitch

in the wrong

direction. If you're ready

center line again, pitch function should get assigned and

3

confirm the directions by double tapping the touchpad

General settings

aileron is

next. So now move aileron

stick

to full

and proceed to the next step.

deflection and back again to assign aileron. Then follow

The menu symbolized by the wrench is “General settings” menu. This

elevator and rudder. When you proceed to assignment

d) Virtual rotation

menu is divided into “Device settings”, “Servo settings” and “Sensor

of throttle function you now may

unlock

your

settings”. When entering “General settings” menu again double tab the

autorotation switch to gain back control over throttle

If the helicopter is equipped with a multi-blade rotor

touchpad to directly proceed with “Device settings”, which is the first menu

channel. Now

you can move throttle stick again to

head, which requires an electronic swash plate

entry in the list.

assign the throttle channel. It is of no harm if now also

phasing, you can set this here at the point Virtual

The first item at device settings menu is “Orientation of the

pitch channel does

get moved as

this

was already

rotation. Make this setting only, when servo directions

and swash

plate geometry have been set correctly

unit”. As mentioned above you can install the unit flat or

assigned before!

above and the swash plate itself responds correctly to

vertical. Now you have to select how the unit is mounted.

Lastly you have to assign the two gain channels, swash

commands.

Again

double

tab

the

touchpad to

select

the

item

gain (“G SW”) and tail gyro gain (“G TL”). Here you

To find the correct value, align the rotor head so that

“Orientation”. In the center of the screen a pictogram will be

have several options:

one rotor blade is parallel to the tail boom. Control only

shown indicating the momentary selected orientation of the

- you can

assign both

channels as

before by

using

the elevator function, the blade should not move.

unit. By sliding the finger up or down you can switch between

individual

channels

of

the

transmitter,

e.g.

using

However,

both options, the pictogram will show a horizontal or vertical

different

switches

or

gyro

menus

to

adjust

these

if you move the aileron stick, the blade must initiate a

standing unit. When you have chosen the correct type, again

channels.

turn to the right. Adjust the Virtual rotation until this is

double tab the touchpad and the selection will be saved and

- you can assign both functions to one channel so you

the case. To cross-check, you can also align a rotor

you will get back to the menu item selection.

only have one gain for everything

blade at a right angle to the tail boom. The blade then

For now the other available items are of no interest, so we

- you can skip one or both gain function assignments. To

should not move when you apply the aileron function,

will skip them and directly scroll down until we reach the

do so you simply have to double tap the touchpad of the

but moving

the elevator

function should

move the

“Exit” item. Select this item by double tabbing and you will

GT5. Then the specific

gain

function will be fixed

to

blade so that the helicopter would rotate forwards or

jump back one menu level to selection of “General settings”

100% and can't be adjusted by transmitter.

backwards.

items.

- If you skip the assignment of swash gain additionally

Here again we are not interested in adjusting other items, so

you will be prompted to adjust the “AUX” channel which

e) Servo throw

again

scroll down to

“Exit” and leave

“General

settings”

is an additional servo output you can connect at imp2

The rotor head should create 0° of blade pitch angle

menu by double tapping the “Exit” item.

connector. If you also

don't

want to use/assign this

when activating this

function. Pitch stick

is locked.

function anyway, again double tab the touchpad to skip

Next menu item we have to adjust is in the “Receiver” menu. So now scroll up

Make sure that the transmitter's stick output actually is

this assignment.

to the next item which shows the outline of a receiver an enter it by double

set to 100% for the measurement process (check

tapping the touchpad.

1