Advanced Radio Smart Bus User manual

Smart Bus
Quick Start Guide

2
Thank you for your purchase of the Advance Radio Smart Bus.
In this quick start guide we will show you how to connect your new Smart Bus,
General use and Set Up. Please take the me to understand this guide before
installaon
IMPORTANT
The touch screen display supplied with the Smart Bus should be protected from
vibraon.
Before installaon please ensure that your baeries are fully charged. The
Smart Bus relies on this to know how much you have used in each pack.
WARNING
The Smart Screen shows you how much you have used out of each pack and
displays this as an indicator on the Smart Screen. NEVER FLY WITH BATTERY
PACKS THAT HAVE 35% OR LESS CAPACITY (RED ZONE ON THE BATTERY INDICA-
TOR). Doing so might put your model at risk.

3
Features:
• Built in Baery Guard Technology. The Smart Bus constantly monitors baery voltage
and current draw and displays this on the Smart Screen display.
• Works with single or dual baery conguraon. Recommended with dual baery.
• Works with all major baery chemistries. LiFe. LiPo, Lion, NiMh, NiCD. Baery voltage
range can be from 6volts to 8.4volts (6volt to 12volts only for 3S version.)
• Full Dual Baery Redundancy - If one baery fails the other baery takes full control.
• 12 input Channels.
• 12 output channels with 26 buered servo outputs.
• Easy-to-use pre-routed servo roung.
• Independent servo reverse on 5 channels and all 6 adjustable outputs.
• 3 point matching on 5 channels and all 6 adjustable outputs.
• 15 point matching on 5 channels and 6 adjustable outputs (Smart Bus Extreme only)
• Digitally selectable regulator output via the Smart Screen.
• Regulator selectable to 6.0 volts, 7.2volts and 8.4volts (8.4volts Extreme 3s only)
• Maximum Baery Power Balancing – Using dual baery perfect diode technology.
• Ignion light pipe transmier for oponal ignion/ECU module.
Included Items:
1 x Live feedback touch screen Smart display (Elite and Extreme versions)
1 x Smart Bus power distribuon module.
1 x 12 connector Receiver cable.
1 x Instrucon manual.
1 x Pin Flag Switch with mounng hardware.
1 x Ultra bright power LED
Oponal Items:
RF Switch
Opcal light pipe single or dual ignion module.

4
Installaon and Mounng Instrucons
In this secon we will explain how to mount both the Smart Bus and the Smart Display.
The Advanced Radio Smart System gives you the choice of mounng the Smart Screen in
the model or leaving it disconnected for normal ying and connecng the Smart Screen only
when you need to review baery performance. The Smart Bus will operate in norma ying
mode just ne without the Smart Screen Connected.
Smart Screen Mounng Preparaon
Included with you new Smart Bus are 3M Velcro
Dots or 3M hook and loop. Either the dots or hook
and loop provide an eecve vibraon damping
system for mounng the Smart Screen in the select-
ed model.
Before applying the 3M dots, we recommend clean-
ing both surfaces you wish to use the 3M Dots on
with isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits. Wait a
moment for this to dry.
Mounng the Smart Bus
The Smart Bus is supplied with 4 rubber shock mounts in the base plate, Similar to rubber
mounts on servos, these can be used to give the Smart bus a Shock mount.
Elite and Extreme versions
The Smart Bus Extreme and Smart Bus Plus have a built in digital regulator that uses the
base plate as a heat sink. It is important that the Smart Bus should be mounted so aire
can ow over the base plate to allow eecve heat dissipaon. We recommend
mounng with minimum stando spacers of 1/2 inch or 12mm to allow adequate air ow
over the base plate.
Extreme 3S (12.0v) version
The Smart Bus Extreme 3S version is designed to run with 8.4volt servos and is supplied
with acve cooling from a high ow fan. This fan MUST have clearance to allow air to
pickup and ow through the Smart Bus. We suggest a mounng strategy of mid fuselage
suspension.
You can view video examples of eecve mounng of the Smart Bus by vising the prod-
uct page as www.boomarc.com.

5
Mounng the Smart Display
There are 2 opons of mounng the Smart display.
NOTE: Which ever method of mounng you choose, ensure the cable that comes out of
the Smart Display is not crushed in anyway. Doing so will reduce the longevity of the ca-
bles.
Opon 2. For hard mounng, the screen case has 2 eyelet holes on each edge of the screen.
If you are mounng the screen in a scale cockpit, or in a non vibraon model. (e.g. Turbine)
these holes can be used to ax the Smart Display.
Simply place the Smart Display where you wish to mount it. Holding it in place, make a dot
using a pen or pencil in each eyelet hole. Removing the screen, drill a hole where you placed
the dots.
Now simply screw the Smart Display in place.
NOTE: Hard mounng the Smart Display provides lile to no protecon against vibraon.
Use this method if you are using a non vibraon model or only where there is lile to no
vibraon. AVOID MOUNTING IN HIGH VIBRATION AREAS.
Opon 1. Using the 3M Velcro Dots, we can mount the back of the screen to a surface.
NOTE: This is a semi hard mount, and will provide a good resistance to vibraon. AVOID
MOUNTING IN HIGH VIBRATION AREAS. VIBRATION DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER
WARRANTY. Clean both the back of the smart screen and surface that it is being mounted
to. Place one of the 3M dots each side of the cable. Trimming as necessary. IMPORTANT: DO
NOT APPLY FORCE DIRECTLY ON TO THE SCREEN Press on the black case around the screen
to ensure it is secure

6
Installing the Receiver
The Smart Bus comes with a 12 cable JST header. This detachable
connector makes it easy to plug the correct channel into your re-
ceiver before installing the receiver into the plane.
2 of the 12 connectors (Channel 1 and Channel 12 ) have signal
and power wires connected. These connectors supply power to
the receiver. Channel 1 and/or 12 must be connected to the
Smart Buss to power the receiver.
Smart Bus is designed to supply the power to all the models ser-
vos. Please do not connect servos directly to the receiver when
using Smart Bus.
The other 10 connectors have just the orange signal wire con-
nected. It is OK to connect just the required signal (channels)
that will be used. Le over (unused) signal wires can be removed
from the 12 channel JST header. Addional 12 channel JST head-
ers can also be purchased as a spare part.
Channel Assignment
The numbers below the “Receiver Inputs” correspond to
the output channel near the center of the Smart Bus. For
example: Receiver input 1 connects to output 1 (AIL-1A
and AIL-1B). Likewise Receiver input 2 connects to output
2 (AIL-2A and AIL-2B). Input 3 to output 3 and so on.
See picture le for details.
The rst 5 (B and C) channels on the Smart Bus are adjust-
able. These channels are highlighted with a colour. These
channels are designed for any primary controls such as
aileron, elevator, rudder and throle.
Channel 12 is a special dual funcon channel. It is linked
to the (oponal) opcal ignion output and AUX7-A and
AUX7-B. You can use either the opcal ignion module
OR (AUX7-A and AUX7-B).
Step 1
Locate the channels on your receiver and plug in the corresponding JR connectors from the header,
these cables can be extended using extension leads if needed. Repeat this for all channels needed.
Step 2
Now install the pin header into the Smart Bus. Ensure the header is pushed snug into the Smart Bus
Input port.

7
Oponal Ignion Module
If you purchased the Smart Bus oponal ignion module then you will be able to easily control the igni-
on system in your model via the Smart Bus. This ignion module is a high quality opcally isolated design
that minimises ignion noise and provides regulated 6 volts supply at up to 3A to power your gas engines’
ignion system. It can be used as the master ignion controller for single or mul engine conguraons.
To use the oponal ignion module:
- Connect the opcal cable to the ignion port on the side of the Smart Bus.
- Connect an ignion baery to the JR FEMALE yellow baery lead.
- Connect the ignion system to the JR MALE yellow power output lead.
- Connect a signal from the receiver to input 12 of the Smart Bus.
- Set the channel connected to input 12 on the transmier to switch ON/OFF the ignion system.
Informaon: Input channel 12 is a special dual funcon channel. It is linked to the opcal ignion output
and AUX7-A and AUX7-B. You can use either the opcal ignion module OR (AUX7-A and AUX7-B).
Please Note: The opcal ignion module is supplied with a blue ignion LED. This ignion LED operates
directly from the ignion power and requires the ignion baery to be connected to operate.

8
Remote Smart Switch Opon
If you purchased the Remote Smart
Switching Opon for the Smart Bus
then you can enjoy turning you model
ON and OFF via the remote key FOB.
This is great for a true scale model ap-
pearance and will be a great conversa-
on piece at the eld.
To operate the Smart Bus with the Remote Smart Switch simply connect the Remote receiver module to
the switch input of the Smart Bus. And you are ready to go.
Please Note: When you st connect the remote smart switch to the Smart Bus the Smart Bus will stay
switched ON. This is normal and part of the fail safe design.
To switch the Smart Bus ON or OFF do the following:
Press buon “A” and within 2 seconds press buon “B”. If the Smart Bus is in the ON posion it will
turn OFF. If the Smart Bus is in the OFF posion it will turn on.
Pressing buon “A” and “B” too fast will do nothing. Also pressing buon “A” and buon “B” too slow
will do nothing. These are safety features so you cannot accidentally switch Smart Bus ON or OFF.
Please also note. The remote switch is a receiver and while connected it draws several milliamps of
power from your baeries. This is minimal in normal operaon over a weekend BUT to save the receiv-
er baeries from being aened over a few weeks you SHOULD ALWAYS disconnect your baeries
from the Smart Bus aer a weekly ying session.

9
General Usage and Screen Informaon
Important: The Smart Display that is supplied with the Smart Bus is a touch screen display.
It is used in both setup and provides feedback to the user about baery voltage and milliamps
used. The screen is designed to be mounted in a model for quick and easy use. However the
Smart Bus will operate win normal ying mode without the Smart Screen connected.
Main Smart Screen
Baery 1 (B1) and Baery 2 (B2)
Shows input voltage of both baery packs.
Servo
Shows Regulated voltage to servos
Total mA
Shows total milliamps since last charge.
Press here to enter the Main Menu
Last mA
Shows milliamps since model has was last powered up
and resets when model is turned o. Press here to reset
ight mer and Last mA.
FL-T
Flight mer since model was turned on. The mer only
operated while on the main screen.
FL-N
Flight number since reset. Gives an indicaon about how
many ights on the models airframe.
Baery Indicators
Shows the remaining capacity in the baeries from 100%
- 0%. NEVER FLY IF THE INDICATORS ARE IN THE RED.
Main Menu
Return
Returns you back to the previous screen.
Power Buon
Press here to go to the baery setup and reset
menu.
Servo Buon
Press here to go to the Servo programming menu.
System Buon
Pressing here will take you to the System Screen
fro version informaon etc.
Below is an overview of each screen on the Smart Bus

10
Power Setup Screen
Return
Takes you back to the previous screen.
RES-mA
Resets total mA used. Please ensure both packs
are FULLY charged before you reset.
RES-FLT
Resets ight counter and mer to zero. Use this
feature mostly when installing in a new airframe
or before the maiden ight.
Bat Capacity mA
Shows the capacity of the baeries you are us-
ing. We will go through how to set this in the
First Time Setup secon on page 10.
System Screen
Return
Takes you back to the previous screen.
Calibrate
Takes you to Screen calibraon. For more
informaon see page 12.
Credit
Shows credits screen.
Servo Voltage Selector
Sets the regulator output voltage (servo voltage).
Please make sure your baery packs are fully charged before making the servo output volt-
age selecon. The Smart Bus will read the baery voltage and will make available only the
voltages that will work for your selected baery type. All other choices will be greyed out and
are not selectable.
For example: if you are using Lion 2S packs then the choice will be 6.0v or 7.2v.
Servo voltage choices when using dierent baery types:
LiFe 2S packs = 6.0v
Lion2S and Lipo 2S = 6.0v or 7.2v
LiFe 3S, Lion 3S or Lipo 3S = 8.4v (only available with Extreme 3S model).

11
Servo Sub Trim Screen
Return
Takes you back to the previous screen.
AIL-1B
Aileron 1B slave channel select. Selects this servo
for sub trim.
AIL-2B
Aileron 2B slave channel select. Selects this servo
for sub trim.
ELE-1B
Elevator 1B slave channel select. Selects this ser-
vo for sub trim.
ELE-2B
Elevator 2B slave channel select. Selects this ser-
vo for sub trim
RUD-B
Rudder B slave channel select. Selects this servo
for sub trim.
RUD-C
Rudder C Slave channel select. Selects this servo for
sub trim.
3 Point Match
Return
Returns you back to the previous screen.
Norm/Reverse
Reverses the selected servo direcon.
Reset
Resets sub trim values to default.
Mul
Takes you to the Mul-point match page
(only available on Smart Bus Extreme).
Vercal Bars
Shows the current sub trim amount at the
center and endpoints for that servo. These
values are changed by the INC, DEC
buons.

12
15 Point Servo Matching
Return
Takes you back to the previous screen.
Reset
Resets the sub trim values back to default.
Vercal Bars
Shows the sub trim applied to the servo. The sub
trim values can be changed using the DEC, INC
buons.

13
First Time Baery Setup
We are now going to go proceed with a rst me setup of the Smart Bus . Please ensure
your baeries are fully charged before you setup the Smart Bus. If you need any addi-
onal help with what each buon or item does please read the General Usage and
Screen informaon page located on page 7 of this manual. We recommend you do not
have any servos connected to the Smart Bus during the rst me setup.
Step 1
Ensure that both baeries are plugged into
the Smart Bus. You will also need to ensure
the Smart display is plugged into the switch
as it is used for programming.
Upon power up, you will see the AR logo.
Aer a few seconds the Smart Screen will
be shown.
Step 2
Press the green Total mA text on the smart
display, this will take you to the main menu.
Step 3
You should now see the Main Menu
Screen. Press the yellow Power
buon on the screen.

14
Step 4
This is the baery setup screen. Using the arrows
(DEC, INC) next to Bat Capacity mA cycle through
unl you see the correct capacity that matches
your baery packs.
Note: Step 4 is extremely important, Please en-
sure the capacity is set correctly to the baery
packs you are using.
The Smart Bus uses this capacity value to show
the remaining baery capacity on the main
screen. If you set this value incorrectly then the
remaining capacity indicators may not show the
correct remaining baery capacity.
Important
The Smart display main Screen shows how much capacity you have le using
the baery indicators on the le and right of the baery screen It is important
that the capacity you enter is correct and accurate. If you are unsure about the
capacity of your baeries or if your packs are not new. We recommend cycling
your packs by discharging them and recharging them to full. This will give you
the best possible result for the baery packs you are using.
Step 5
Using the 6.0v, 7.2v and 8.4v buons, select the regulator voltage of your choice. This will change
the output voltage to your servos. The regulator may take some me, please wait unl the volt-
age you select is the same as the number on the screen.
Note: Please ensure your servos are capable of the voltage you select. Selecng a higher volt-
age than your servos are capable of might cause damage the them.
Step 6
Once you have setup these parameters, press the RETURN buon to save and return to the main
menu. Press RETURN again to go back to the Smart Screen. You have successfully setup the Smart
Bus Baery monitoring.

15
Receiver and Servo Setup
During this stage, we will install the receiver and servos. Note: Before plugging any ser-
vos into the Smart Bus, ensure you have set the regulator to the desired voltage range.
Important: Check the recommended voltage range of your servos, supplying to high of
a voltage to your servos may cause them damage. During this stage if you have mul-
ple servos on a control surface (Example: 2 servos on an aileron), ensure they are closely
mechanically matched (Lile to no Buzz Sound) and both servos are moving in the same
direcon before connuing.
Step 1
Ensure that both baeries are plugged into
the Smart Bus. You will need to plug the
smart display is into the switch as it is used
for programming. Ensure your receiver is
plugged into the Smart Bus and your trans-
mier is on and bound to your receiver. For
more informaon on this see page 6
Upon start up, you will see the AR logo.
Aer a few seconds the Smart Screen will
be shown.
Step 2
Press the green Total mA text on the smart
display, this will take you to the main menu.
Step 3
You should now see the Main Menu
Screen. Press the red SERVO buon
on the screen.

16
Step 3
The buons on the screen match up with the
rst 5 channels on the Smart Bus. Press the
buon for the channel you wish to work on.
Step 4
You should now see the 3-point matching
screen. At the boom of the screen you will
see the name of the servo channel you are
sub trimming for example “AIL1-B”.
Note: Before proceeding make sure both ser-
vos are moving in the same direcon. If not.
Press the NORM/REVERSE buon to change
the direcon of the slave servo.
Leaving the transmier sck in the middle
for that servo channel, the center column
should change colour to green. Use the DEC,
INC buons with ther transmier sck in the
middle will sub trim the servo at the center
point.
Step 5
Move and hold the transmier sck for that
channel in 1 direcon, either the Min or
Max columns will change colour from blue
to green. Use the DEC, INC buons to move
and sub trim the servo at this point.
Step 6
Move and hold the transmier sck for that
channel in the other direcon, the other
MIN or Max column will change colour from
blue to green. Use the DEC, INC buons to
move and sub trim the servo at this point.
Repeat Step 4-6 unl there is lile to no
buzz from your servos. Press the save
buon to save your changes and return to
the previous screen. This process can be
repeated as many mes as you wish with
each programmable output. Note: you can
press the reset buon at any me to reset
the sub trim values back to 0.
3-point servo matching with the
transmier sck at the
center posion

17
15 Point Matching
(Smart Bus All Versions)
15 point matching is useful for geng the best possible match between servos. This in-
cludes mechanically matched servos (aileron) or non mechanically matched (le and right
elevator). We are now going to go through the 15 point servo matching process. For best
results please do 3 point match before proceeding.
Step 1
From the 3 point matching screen. Press the
Mul buon.
Step 2
You should now see the mul point match
screen. Similar to the 3 point match, as you
move the transmier sck for that channel.
The bars will changes colour from blue to
yellow. Step 3
Slowly move the transmier sck for that
channel from one side to the other, if at any
point you hear servo buzz. Hold the trans-
mier sck in that posion and use the DEC,
INC buons to sub trim at that point. Sub trim
the servo unl the servo buzz lessens or dis-
appears.
Step 4
Repeat step 3 for the enre range of the ser-
vo, this can be repeated as many mes as you
wish.
Step 5
Once you are happy with the sub-trim press
the back buon to move back to the 3-point
sub-trim page. Pressing back again from the
3-point sub-trim page will save the trim val-
ues to memory.
Note: If the servo is only moving a small amount. (Example: 10-15 degrees each way)
You will only be able to use a small number of bars on the 15 point match. To use more
bars, we recommend you increase the servo range by using a smaller servo arm.
Note: You can return the servos sub trim
values back to default by pressing the
Reset buon.

18
Factory Reset
When you use the sub-trim and other funcons these funcons are saved to the permanent
memory of the Smart Bus. There may be situaons where you will want to inialise your
Smart Bus back to the original factory sengs. Switching the Smart Bus to a dierent model
for example would be one of the situaons. When you select the Factory Reset feature all the
sub-trim data and baery sengs will be erased and the Smart Bus will be returned to “Out-
Of-The-Box” sengs.
WARNING
Performing a Factory Reset will erase all sub-trim data and is an irreversible pro-
cess. Only do this if you are sure you want to reset the Smart Bus to factory
sengs.
Step 1
Using the Smart Display, go into the sys-
tem menu, once here press the FACTORY
RESET buon.
Step 2
A warning and instrucons will appear on
screen. Please Read this as it is an im-
portant process. When ready press Yes to
connue or No to go back to the system
screen.
Step 3
During the reset process the saving data
screen will show for up to 20 seconds.
Please DO NOT turn o the Smart Bus dur-
ing this process.
Step 4
Aer the Factory Reset process is complete
the Saving Data Screen will disappear indi-
cang you have reset all data.

19
Screen Calibraon
WARNING
Screen calibraon is a simple but extremely important process and could render
the Smart Screen unusable if done incorrectly. Only do this if the touch screen
does not respond properly when touched. We recommend you use a blunt ne
point to follow this process. Avoid using a sharp object as it may damage the
screen. This process should be undertaken with cauon.
The Smart Display is a touch screen display. It has been pre-calibrated at the factory and very
rarely will need calibraon. If the screen buon become miss-aligned due to changes in oper-
ang condions it may be necessary to recalibrate the touch screen. Screen calibraon is
ONLY used to realign the touch screen with the display.
Note
Before starng, nd something with a ne
point, avoid using sharp items..
Step 1
Using the Smart Display, go into the sys-
tem menu, once here press the Calibrate
buon
Step 2
A warning and instrucons will appear on
screen. Please Read this as it is an important
process. When ready press Yes to connue
or No to go back to the system screen.
Step 3
Small crosshairs will appear on the screen,
using the ne pointer. Press in the center of
each of the crosshairs. Once you have
pressed all the crosshairs, the Smart Screen
will restart and you will be taken back to the
system screen. You have now nished the
screen calibraon.

20
Addional Screens
Cockpit Simulaon Screens
The Smart Bus also comes with addional
simulaon screens that simulate a real
cockpit. These include an arcial hori-
zon and instrumentaon. To view these
new screens touch the boom center of
the smart screen page. An example can
be seen to the right. If you want to return
to the smart screen, simply press the
center of the display.