Eagle Tree Car Data Recorder - Manual (Page 2)

Copyright © 2003 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
Page 2
If you decide not to log servo positions, you can still power the Recorder from your receiver battery by connecting one
of the Y cables from a spare receiver channel to the Recorder (or use your own 2-3 wire connector).
If you want to power the Recorder from a separate battery, meaning that you want complete electrical isolation between the Recorder
and your receiver, you can power the Recorder with a small separate battery as described in the Installing Battery Backup Harness
section below.
The Recorder includes two custom, heavy duty ‘Y’ cables with Universal connectors which install in line between your throttle and
steering servos and your radio receiver. Connection of the ‘Y’ cables is simple: connect the center (male) keyed connector of the
‘Y’ to one of the 2 keyed slots servo slots in the recorder (see Figure 1), connect the remaining male connector one of the channels on
your receiver, and connect the female ‘Y’ connector to the servo which you previously connected to that channel of the receiver.
Note: It doesn’t matter which of the 2 keyed recorder slots you plug your ‘Y’ cables into – the Recorder Application will
automatically detect which servos are connected where during application setup.
WARNING: Do not connect ‘Y’ cables to any other location on the recorder. Doing so may damage the recorder or other
components.
Note: the Recorder, which draws only around 35 mA of current, draws power from the ‘Y’ cables. All standard receivers we are
aware of hardwire the power and ground wires from the battery to the power and ground wires of the servos, so the Recorder is in
reality directly connected to the battery.
Note: The ‘Y’ cables included should be electrically compatible with most of the currently available receivers, such as Futaba™,
JR™, Tower™, and HiTec™.
The pinout of the ‘Y” cables is as follows: Black = ground, Red = power, White = servo signal
WARNING: It is your responsibility to make sure that your receiver and servos are pin compatible with the Y cables before
connecting. Serious damage could result to your receiver, servo or recorder if they are not compatible. If your equipment is
not pin compatible, you should obtain the appropriate connector adapter from your hobby shop.
Installing the RPM Sensor and Magnets
Installing the 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 Car
support page at
http://www.eagletreesystems.com for pictures of example installations.
First, find a suitable location on your Car’s drivetrain to attach one or two small magnets and
RPM sensor. Typically, on nitro motors the flywheel is an ideal location. On electric cars
the driveshaft or one of the axles is the best place. This will of course vary with make and
model of Car. 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
Installing the Temperature Sensor(s)
One temperature sensor is included with the Recorder – an additional
sensor can be ordered separately. The temperature sensors are typically
installed by placing the black wire loop around the cylinder head, and
cinching it in place by pulling the two rubber stays snugly against the
engine. Normally the highest temperatures are experienced near the base
of the engine, but experience will dictate where your particular engine
best reads heat. Other mounting arrangements are possible, such as
obtaining a metal washer with a tab, carefully bending the tab around the
sensor portion of the wire loop, and installing the washer under your
glow plug, or installing the sensor under a dedicated tapped screw in the
cylinder head. Note that since various mounting locations and brands of
temperature devices on the market will read differently, the most
important aspect of temperature measurement is learning how your
engine reads under various conditions, and adjusting based on relative
temperature readings. Plug the Futaba style connector from the sensor
into the recorder as shown in Figure 1.