TruTrak Altrak VS - Manual (Page 4)

TruTrak Flight System 2 Altrak Installation & User Guide
January 2009 8300-014 Rev B
RFI/EMI considerations
The autopilot programmer is shielded and does not generate any appreciable level of electromagnetic
interference. More over, the servo lines (except for power and ground) are low-current and cannot contribute
to RF interference. The servo power and ground lines do have switching currents through them, but so long
as there are no parallel runs of servo power and ground lines with such things as poorly-shielded antenna
lines or strobe light power lines, there is no need to shield the servo harnesses.
The autopilot itself has been internally protected from RF interference and has been tested under fairly
extreme conditions, such as close proximity to transmitting antennas. However, it is always good practice to
insure that such antennas are properly shielded and not routed directly over or under sensitive panel-mounted
electronic equipment. Most problems in this area are the result of improper RF shielding on transmitting
antennas, microphone cables, and the like. The most sensitive input to the autopilot is the Control Wheel
Switch input. This line should not be routed in parallel with transmitting antennas or other sources of known
RF interference. If necessary, it can be shielded with the shield connection to pin 15 of the autopilot
connector.
Altrak Programmer Mounting / Setup / Ground Test
Must be performed before first flight
After the servo is installed check to see which direction the servo turns to move the elevator up. If the servo
turns counter-clockwise (when looking at the servo arm or capstan) to drive the elevator up then no jumper is
necessary on the programmer. If the servo turns clockwise for elevator up then the pitch servo reverse
jumper must be installed. See Pin 4 on the wiring table for instructions on how to wire the pitch servo reverse
jumper.
The programmer has a static port located next to the connector. The static port can be connected to the
static system. For pressurized aircraft it is necessary that the static system be connected to the Altrak static
port. For most other aircraft the static connection is optional.
Before mounting the Altrak it should be tested for proper operation. After the servo installation and wiring are
complete and the Altrak programmer is plugged in, the test can be performed. When the Altrak is powered-up
it is necessary that the Altrak be stationary. The attitude of the programmer is not important during the
power-up phase. With the Altrak programmer secured turn on the master switch and avionics master so the
Altrak has power. During the power-up phase of operation (the first ten seconds that the Altrak has power)
the ALT button will flash. Next engage the Altrak by pressing the ALT button. With the THIS SIDE RIGHT
sticker facing you rotate the programmer module clockwise to simulate a nose down attitude. The servo
should cause the elevator to move up to correct for the simulated nose down attitude. Rotating the
programmer counter-clockwise should drive the elevator down.
Mounting the programmer module of the Altrak can be done in any location; the only requirement that must be
met is that the side of the unit label "This side right" must face the right side of the aircraft. This is also the
side that has six (6) screws on the surface. The rotational position is not important as long as the right side is
facing right. The side with the sticker also must be parallel with the direction of flight. The mounting holes on
the programmer are 1-1/2 inches apart, and are tapped for a 6-32 thread, use any screw length up to 1" in
length. The engage/disengage pushbutton which also serves as the enunciator can be mounted anywhere in
the panel.
The activity setting (activity is the amount of servo movement for a given amount of programmer movement)
in all RV type aircraft will be at medium activity setting. If more or less activity is required, it is necessary to
use a jumper as per the wiring diagram to change the activity setting.
MOVE TAIL UP AT LEAST A FOOT AND ELEVATOR MUST
MOVE UP AT SAME TIME. MOVE TAIL DOWN AT LEAST A
FOOT AND ELEVATOR MUST MOVE DOWN AT SAME TIME
.