Eagle Tree eLogger V2 Multi-Expander User Manual
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Copyright © 2007 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
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of your battery pack from being connected only to the MicroPower, but not the ESC, when the positive side of the pack is connected to both
the ESC and the MicroPower, causing the MicroPower to sink high voltage through the throttle monitor connection of the multi-expander,
and damaging the MicroPower and other equipment.
IMPORTANT: For the throttle logging to work correctly, the ground (black) wire of the throttle servo must be connected electrically to the
ground (black) wire of the battery pack. Some BECs or ESCs isolate battery ground from BEC ground. Or, sometimes a separate battery
pack is used to power the receiver. In these cases, it is not possible to log throttle movements, unless a connection is made between the two
grounds. One way to do this is to remove the black pin of the Y-Cable (the end that connects to the Expander), and connect that pin to one
of the ground pins of the MicroPower. See Figure 1 for locations of the two alternate pin connections. Normally the end pin on the bottom
row (USB Connection) is used, but during calibration, the 2
nd
pin of the upper row must be used, since the USB plug has to be connected
during calibration. This connection will create a closed circuit between your receiver’s ground and the battery pack’s ground. NOTE
THAT THIS BYPASSES ANY ISOLATION BUILT INTO THE ESC BETWEEN THE BATTERY GROUND AND THE BEC
GROUND. We are aware of no issues with connecting a wire between battery ground and receiver ground in these cases, but proceed with
caution (at your own risk) as there is the unlikely possibility that your hardware may be damaged by such a connection, and make sure you
do an antenna down range check after making this change.
Configuring and Calibrating the Throttle Function of the Expander with the Windows Application
If you have not already done so, set up the Recorder software as described in your instruction manual.
IMPORTANT: for throttle monitoring to calibrate and work correctly, you must choose the “Brushless RPM Sensor” option. To do this, click on
“Tools, Calibrate Motor RPM”, select the “Brushless Motor RPM Sensor” option, and enter the number of Poles and the gear ratio, as described below.
After selecting the “Brushless RPM Sensor” option, please remove the USB cable from the eLogger, and then reconnect it. This allows the eLogger to
“reboot” and correctly detect the Multi-Expander.
NOTE: If you do not plan to use the brushless RPM sensor feature of the Multi-Expander, you can just enter any value for the number of poles and gear ratio.
You do not need to connect the brushless RPM sensor wires to your motor to use the throttle monitor function, as long as the Brushless RPM Sensor option is
selected in the software.
Calibrating Throttle Movement
It is not absolutely necessary to calibrate the throttle function. The advantages of calibration are that the throttle gauge and graphs will range from zero
(closed throttle) to approximately 210 (maximum throttle), as you move your throttle between its extremes. If you do not calibrate, the throttle gauge and
graphs will still show throttle movement, but the graph could be inverted if you have the throttle servo reversed, and will not go from zero to 210.
To calibrate the throttle with your model, first connect the Expander to the MicroPower, connect the Expander to your Receiver’s Throttle output via the Y
cable, and connect the MicroPower to your PC via the USB cable. Then, click “Tools, Calibrate Throttle.” The Calibrate Throttle Wizard will then explain
the calibration procedure.
Logging Throttle Movement
To log throttle movement, just click “Tools, Choose Parameters to Log in the Recorder” and check the “Throttle Movement” box.
Displaying Throttle Movement in the Windows Application
To display the Throttle Movement Gauge, click “Tools, Choose Instruments to Display on the PC Screen” and check the “Throttle Gauge” box.
Graphing Throttle Movement
To graph throttle movement, click “Graph Data/2D Chart,” select either the Left Y Axis or Right Y Axis, and select “Throttle” for graphing.
Connecting Temperature Sensors to the Expander
One or two temperature sensors can connect to the Expander. These connect vertically, with only two pins, as shown in Figure 1. Note that Display,
Logging and Graphing of temperature is described in the MicroPower instruction manual. The only difference is that two temperature sensors can be used
simultaneously, even when logging RPM.
Troubleshooting
Below is a list of problems that may be encountered, and steps to remedy them. If your particular issue is not addressed by the below, see the Support page
on
http://eagletreesystems.com
or email
. Include a full description of your problem, your machine configuration,
brands/models of receivers, transmitters and servos, Windows Application and Recorder firmware version if possible, and any other relevant details.
Issue: RPM is not working correctly
Solutions:
•
In the Windows Application, make sure that the “Brushless Motor RPM Sensor” option is selected in "Tools, Calibrate Motor RPM" or “Tools,
Calibrate Speed from RPM”, and make sure your number of poles and gear ratio are set correctly.
•
For recording RPM, make sure that when you click “Tools, Choose Parameters to Log in the Recorder” in the Windows Application, you have
checked the RPM box.
•
If you get no RPM readings, and have connected only one of the Brushless Sensor wires to 1 of the 3 wires leading from your ESC to your Motor,
try connecting both of the unconnected sensor leads to 2 of the 3 wires leading from your ESC to your Motor, as shown in Figure 1.