PINNED - Plug & Play PGDT for Radio Control

[woodygb]

Thanks for that John,

I believe that it covers ... as best as I can ... the procedure.

[Burgerman]

Looks pretty clear to me.

But I think most people that are into RC stuff will need just a small hint or two and will be ok anyway. Took me about 3 mins to figure out how to do it. Yes I had to swap a connection over, change servo reversing at the TX, figure out the Omni had a permanent ON for 12v, etc. But for a hobbyist this stuff is pretty simple. Its the others we worry about!

I am using a AR10000 pre set fail safe.

I choose to tell it to set all channels to zero (1500 plus or minus 1). So it stops. All transmitter trims are disabled. And then if I wish, to actually TURN OFF the Omni if it sees noise or signal loss. I have this on a switch too. And I use mode 1.

[Burgerman]

This may interest you. This is stock 100mW output, compared to my Boosted 3200mW...
Shows the difference in power output (so it goes through walls/cars/increases range enormously)

Probably gives you cataracts, and can be used as a hand warmer too!
But I get some real range and no dead spots!

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/gopro/meter.mp4

[mous3]

@ mous3 ... Your programming cable is "fixed" the diode was placed in the correct WHITE coloured wire according to my pic ...BUT ...the Chinese manufacturers do not follow any specific rules ..so they had decided to have them the other way around.... thus the diode needed to be in the RED wire not the WHITE.

I've also had your VR2 apart ...much easier to work on than the VSI....and there shouldn't be any major problems with building an interface for it.

Cool I figure it was because I did it at the other end as I couldn't POP the case so had wrong colour wire
Take your time on the VR2, I can send you pic by email of my receive if you need it.

[woodygb]

A pic will not be needed ...the receiver make and model would be handy so that it's suitability ( failsafe wise ) can be ascertained.

[Burgerman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S98-g_Zn_Aw

For those that don't know why I use a power boosted frequency hopping RC transmitter.

The plane above is a INFERNO delta from Germany.
I already have the motor test run. The plane will be on order soon! I need more money...

I have also been experimenting with pulse jets again. My 12.7lb thrust pulse jet makes 17lb thrust and runs cooler with a drop of Nitrous Oxide. I may try that motor on it too.

[mous3]

Multiplex pcmx/ppmx receiver 6,8,9,12 ch options I haven't decided which one as I have to decide on one the 9,12.

[woodygb]

Unfortunately I haven't a clue about that type of receiver. ...
If it can be programmed to output a neutral failsafe signal then it is fine ...if not then you must not use it for driving a wheelchair via R/C.

[mous3]

Yes they have fail safe options, they just use multiplex's own code.

[RC Hopeful]

Woody, Just got my Omni RC unit from you on Sunday. I have downloaded the manual and will be testing it out shortly. This week I am busy getting ready for big Easter weekend. SO maybe by next week I will be up and running.
Thanks for all your work, and I will keep all informed.

[woodygb]

That took it's time getting to you ...glad it arrived safely.

[Es*]

Anyone got any thoughts on this transmitter to control a powerchair? http://www.futaba-rc.com/systems/futk6900.html

[Burgerman]

With all modern 2.4ghz gear it will work. As long as the particular system has either a PROGRAMABLE FAIL SAFE as most do, or a system that REMOVES SERVO PULSE INFO when the radio signal is lost.

That one appears to close throttle and freeze other channels. So the chair will continue on doing whatever it was doing when it lost its signal. It may also have a programmed fail safe that allows you to choose a position. But I cant see that.

[Es*]

http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/6ex-2_4ghz-manual.pdf Page 30 it says "The Fail Safe function is recommended to use for safety reasons in the event of radio interference. In this menu, you may
select from one of two options. The “NOR”(normal) setting holds the servo in its last commanded position, while the “F/S”(Fail
Safe) function moves the servo to a predetermined position.
The setting is set to “F/S” as a default.
The use of the failsafe function is recommended from the standpoint of safety. You may wish to set the throttle channel so that
the throttle is moved to idle when there’s interference. This may give enough warning to allow you to fly towards yourself and
recover from the radio interference. If you choose to specify a failsafe setting, the failsafe data are automatically transmitted to
the receiver many times during the flight." I'm not familiar with radio control systems - only ever used one briefly, and it wasn't mine... is that sufficient fail safe, or sufficiently programmable fail safe? Got any recommendations of one around £100 that does, if not?

[woodygb]

NEVER EVER use the

“NOR”(normal) option

The F/S setting ....

“F/S”(Fail Safe) function moves the servo to a predetermined position.

is the one to use ...and if set correctly as NEUTRAL or OFF ..should be just fine.

[Es*]

if set correctly as NEUTRAL or OFF ..should be just fine.

Thankyou

[Burgerman]

Just be sure you set it correctly. Test by turning off transmitter. BEFORE the wheels are on the ground.

Or you will end up chasing it across a road or something...

[woodygb]

YIKE! ...
I didn't previously look at the manual ...I just went by the partial quote that you posted.

Here's the complete quote... and it is NOT SUITABLE..as the ""predetermined position" is only on the Throttle Channel .

F/S Fail Safe (Throttle channel <ch 3> only)
The Fail Safe function is recommended to use for safety reasons in the event of radio interference. In this menu, you may
select from one of two options. The “NOR”(normal) setting holds the servo in its last commanded position, while the “F/S”(Fail
Safe) function moves the servo to a predetermined position.
The setting is set to “F/S” as a default.
The use of the failsafe function is recommended from the standpoint of safety. You may wish to set the throttle channel so that
the throttle is moved to idle when there’s interference. This may give enough warning to allow you to fly towards yourself and
recover from the radio interference. If you choose to specify a failsafe setting, the failsafe data are automatically transmitted to
the receiver many times during the flight.
Battery Failsafe
Your system provides a second safety function called Battery Failsafe. When the airborne battery voltage drops below
approximately 3.8V, the battery fail safe function moves the throttle to a predetermined position or fast idle, if you haven’t set it.
If this happens, you should immediately land! If you need to increase throttle for your landing approach, you may temporarily
reset the failsafe function by moving the throttle stick to idle, after which you’ll have about 30 seconds of throttle control before
the battery function reactivates.
To set the Fail Safe Function:
1. Enter the programming mode. Access the “F/S” screen with the MODE key.
2. Press DATA Input lever downward when you need to set Fail Safe. The arrow moves to
“F/S” side. This means that the F/S function is activated. Then move the throttle stick to the
position where you want the servo to move when “F/S” function works and press DATA
INPUT lever downward for about two seconds. A figure in percentage will be shown with
a beeping sound. Press DATA INPUT lever upward if you want to set “NOR”. The arrow
moves to “NOR” side and then the “NOR” function is selected.
The F/S value is set to 20% of the full throttle for “F/S” function as a default.
3. Verify if the F/S function has been correctly set. Turn off the transmitter, then check if the
throttle servo moves to the position that you set

[Burgerman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spektrum-DX5e ... 418086019b

Something like that will work safely. With a suitable receiver included. Most spektrum RX will work.

Some will not.

[woodygb]

Got any recommendations of one around £100 that does, if not?

B.M. has suggested the DX5E ... this together with a suitable receiver is probably the easiest and cheapest solution.

There is a short list of suitable Spektrum receivers in the instructions pdf.
AR500, AR600, AR610 & AR400

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

[Es*]

Glad that I didn't order last night and came back to check this first - thanks for reading further. Have ordered one of the Spektrum DX5e transmitter/receivers, for a few quid less than BM's link.

[Burgerman]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/12x.htm

Admit it. You really wanted this!

[Es*]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/12x.htm

Admit it. You really wanted this!

That'd be very nice, but I am seriously strapped for cash at the moment, so it's not going to happen anytime soon. Better to have something than nothing!

[Burgerman]

I was kidding. You don't need that unless you are flying complex jets, sailplanes, or really long range FPV stuff many miles away. What you have may feel a bit toy like, but is all you need to control a chair, safely.

After setting up and configuring it, you may want to move the on/off from rudder, to the switch on the 5th channel though.

[ex-Gooserider]

I see a display screen on the transmitter - can that be set up to display the images from a camera on the chair, or do you need something else? I would want something that I could watch while still being able to see the rest of my environment. As I understand the FPV goggles that BM uses, they block out the local area...

ex-Gooserider

[Burgerman]

No but there are lots of FPV screens. Some are self contained complete with recievers and antennas and battery that fit the transmitter. The one here has a vid and audio input from an external source. So normally no wires.

They work great if cloudy or overcast, or sat in a car, indoors. If the sun comes out you cant see a thing! So you need goggles on your head just in case.

Also goggles are far more immersive, and seem to have a 6 foot tall image. And have 3d gyro built in. This can be used to either control the camera so it looks around when you turn your head. Very useful. Or to fly the quad while you concentrate on the filming... It goes or points where you look.

And some short range toys have it built in. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIVE-VIDEO-QUAD ... 2339aa9ecd

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40

[ex-Gooserider]

OK, thanks for the explanation...

I hadn't realized that it was two different sets of radio gear with different frequencies and so forth - I thought everything could / did go over the RC controller radio gear.

I'm not planning on getting into flight stuff so some parts of that aren't as important to me..

I'm more thinking in terms of the remote control chair operation, with an FPV camera so that I could make sure I wasn't running over stuff I shouldn't...

I could see wanting to be able to drive my own chair at the same time, or do other things, so it would be awkward to have goggles that blocked my vision for that.

Do they make goggles that don't block out the outside world, but just give you a "heads up display" overlay?

ex-Gooserider

[Burgerman]

You can do picture in picture... Or use one eye for each if your brain doesn't explode!

[Alexlebrit]

I've only just stumbled across this thread and having waded through 20 pages of increasingly technical stuff that I barely understand I've got one question:

Given that you can get plug in bluetooth modules for Arduino boards could it be possible to replace all the RC stuff with bluetooth control from a smartphone? There are already Android apps that control Arduino boards like this one - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .arduinorc, so could this be viable?

Obviously it's not going to have any long range capabilities, but as a way of manoeuvring a chair away from the user once they've transfered from chair to bed or chair to sofa smartphone + bluetooth would be perfect.

[woodygb]

There shouldn't be any great problem in making the App control a wheelchair via the Arduino ....

I found this last year.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ller&hl=en