FUTABA 8UHP (non Super) Setup

Courtesy of Marty

Setting up the Throttle Jockey with the 8UHP non-super

·       Make sure that during all phases of TJ setup that the receiver battery has sufficient voltage. On the bench, lower than 3.56 volts will compromise TJ setup.

·       Before installing the TJ, set up your heli normally with the pitch and throttle curves you would use under normal circumstances. (I suggest a linear pitch curve with the throttle curve set to hold constant RPM throughout the range). This will ensure that should the sensor fail and the TJ revert to transmitter throttle curves that the heli still behaves normally until a landing can be affected. Also ensure that this setup allows the heli to hover at your desired stick position (1/2 or ¾ as preferred). The engine should be run in and correct mixtures set.

·       For the above setup, ensure that the throttle linkage is set up so that throttle ATV’s are equal (low and high stick position) and as close to 100/100 as possible. This ensures maximum number of steps for the TJ to use within the throttle’s range to give the most accurate control possible.

·       Set the idle in the throttle hold menu as desired.

·       For a PCM setup, set throttle fail safe as desired (recommended position is idle).

·       Install the TJ, ensure that all the plugs are installed as per the printed card on the TJ.

·       During installation, rotate the fan and check the red LED on the TJ. At each pass of the magnet (magnetic sensor) or reflective surface (optical sensor) the red LED should glow. If it does not, adjust sensor position to achieve a reliable reading at every rotation.

·       In this instance, the TJ will be set up on the Aux channel 7. This is controlled by the 3-position switch (switch C with a TX in mode 1 configuration -mode 2 TX’s may have the switch on the other side).

·       Switch on the TX and move the throttle trim to its lowest position. Also ensure that the ATV’s on channel 7 are set to 100/100.

·       Switch on the RX. Within the first two seconds move switch C rapidly up and down until the green LED flashes rapidly. This puts the TJ in calibration mode.

·       Move the throttle from absolute minimum to absolute maximum a few times to calibrate the TJ.

·       Flip switch C a few times to exit the calibration mode. The green LED should extinguish.

·       Whilst still on the bench, do the following check:

1.       Set switch C to the center position and move the throttle from idle to full. The green LED should stay off the whole way. This is because the middle position of switch C disables the TJ and in this position you are therefore flying the heli in the ungoverned mode.

2.                 Move the throttle back to idle and flip switch C to the lower position. Advance the throttle and at the point where the throttle curve hits 20% the green LED should come on indicating that the TJ is in governing mode from that throttle position and up.

3.                 Repeat step 2 with switch C in the upper position.

4.                 While the throttle is above 20% (green LED on) flip the throttlehold switch to on. The green LED should extinguish and the throttle should return to your throttlehold setting (idle).

5.                 Return to normal mode and advance the throttle again. Switch off the TX and the throttle should move to the fail-safe position.

·       Move the heli to a safe location for TJ RPM setup.

·       Start the heli and adjust throttle trim to achieve a satisfactory idle.

·       Open the 8UHP normal mode and bring up the channel 7 ATV page.

·       Move switch C to the lower position, and the corresponding ATV level will be flashing. Set this number to around 40.

·       Stand clear of the heli and slowly spool it up. You will notice a point where the heli’s RPM increases quickly and plateaus. This is occurring because the RPM has reached the governing threshold and the TJ is bringing up RPM to the target level.

·       Bring the throttle up a little more to ensure that the unit is truly in governing range, the RPM should remain constant.

·       REDUCE THE THROTTLE BACK TO IDLE This is important, because if you flip switch C to the top position now before the other ATV is set, the RPM could increase to the point where the heli will lift off while you have your head down concentrating on setting the TX.

·       Now flip switch C to the top position. Repeat the RPM setting procedure to set the desired RPM for this switch position.

·       For a typical setup using a stock Raptor 30 V2 with throttle ATV’s at 100/100, channel 7 ATV’s required were:

Low switch position       40      which gave 1600 RPM

Top switch position        49      which gave 1700 RPM

·       Individual setups and numbers may vary, so it is best to start with a low channel 7 ATV and work UP. This ensures that the RPM is not too high whilst commencing the ATV setting process.

·       Final adjustments:

1.                 Because the heli had been setup without the governor in the initial instance, the desired stick position for hover should remain the same. However for minor adjustments, move the hover pitch knob as required to fine-tune the hover stick position (the hover pitch function must be enabled in the advanced menu).

2.                 During flight-testing, perform a vertical climb from the hover by progressively applying throttle up to full throttle. The RPM should remain constant through out the climb. If the engine bogs down at the top end, this may mean that the pitch is set too high for the power of the engine and that the governor is at the full throttle stop. In this instance reduce top end pitch via the pitch curve. This is unlikely if the heli has been setup correctly without the governor in the initial instance.

Whilst the above is fairly long winded, in practice it is easy and logical to achieve and once set the TJ will do a great job.

 Happy flying.