Eagle Tree Systems MicroSensor User manual

Copyright © 2007 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
Instr ction Man al for Servo C rrent Monitor MicroSensor
Doc ment Version 1.2
Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your Servo Current MicroSensor (the
Sensor). Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If after you read the manual you have further questions or problems see the
Support page on http://www.eagletreesystems.com for additional information or email us at supp[email protected].
IMPORTANT: It is extremely unlikely that the installation of the Sensor will affect your model’s radio range or control. But as always after making an
electronics change to your model it is very important that you range and function test your model once the Sensor is installed to ensure that there is no
impact on your system. Make sure that your “antenna down” operating range is within the manufacturer’s specifications. See your Radio owner’s manual
for the correct procedure for your equipment. DO NOT OPERATE IF YOUR MODEL DOESN’T PASS THE ANTENNA DOWN RANGE
CHECK.
Packing List
Your package should include the following: The Sensor with universal servo connectors and a printed version of this manual. Please check our support
web page for the electronic version of this manual which may be updated if changes were made after printing.
What the Sensor Does
The Sensor is a precision Ammeter with 0.01A resolution. It is capable of recording up to +/-10A burst current but no more than +/-5A continuous current.
It connects to your MicroPower eLogger Seagull or Data Recorder product to provide current/amperage measurement of Servos or other low amperage
devices. Servo Current can be displayed and analyzed in 3 ways: 1) The live current and maximum current are displayed on the PowerPanel LCD or
Seagull Dashboard Display. This is very useful for quickly seeing how much current your servo(s) are drawing without using a PC. 2) Servo Current is
logged in the Recorder for download to your PC. 3) Servo Current is displayed and graphed (charted) with the Eagle Tree Windows application or a
spreadsheet program.
S pported Prod cts
The Sensor works with all versions of the MicroPower eLogger product with all versions of our “Pro” and “Glide” systems and with flash upgradeable
firmware versions of our Seagull Flight Car and Boat (and Recorder) products (units with firmware version “4.xx”). If you have a “3.xx” or lower recorder
firmware version a hardware upgrade is required. Please see our support web page for more information on hardware upgrades.
Steps to Follow
Installation and use of your Sensor should be quite easy and enjoyable if you follow these few steps:
1. Read through the manual to understand the warnings determine the installation and setup sequence etc.
2. Upgrade the Windows Application and Firmware for your Recorder as described in the “Windows
Application and Firmware Update” section below.
3. Install and configure the Sensor as described below.
Windows Application and Firmware Update
To use the Sensor you must update to Eagle Tree Windows Application version 5.50 or higher. To update
download the latest application from the support page of our website located at
http://eagletreesystems.com/Support/apps.htm . After downloading and installing the Application the
firmware of your MicroPower eLogger or Recorder and Dashboard will need to be updated. Version 4.91 or
greater eLogger/Recorder firmware is required for the Sensor to work correctly. Version 4.50 or greater Seag ll Dashboard firmware is required if
you are using the Sensor with the Wireless Dashboard. To upgrade your firmware just choose “Tools Firmware Control” and click the Update button.
Connecting the MicroSensor to the eLogger V3
The MicroSensor plugs into the “LCD/TX” port of your eLogger V3 as shown in Figure 1A. If you have a
PowerPanel or other MicroSensors those can “daisy chain” connect to the pins on the other side of your
MicroSensor with the polarity as indicated on the MicroSensor label.
Connecting the Sensor to the eLogger V1/V2
The Sensor plugs into the “Aux” or “LCD” port of your MicroPower eLogger V1/V2 as shown in Figure 1.
If you have a PowerPanel or other MicroSensors those can “daisy chain” connect to the pins on the other
side of your Sensor with the polarity as indicated on the Sensor label.
Connecting the Sensor to the Data Recorder
The 4 wire connector attached to the Sensor plugs into either the G-Force or EGT (“Thermo”) port of your
Data Recorder as shown in Figure 2. Make sure that you connect it in the correct location on the recorder and with the correct polarity! NOTE: The
Servo C rrent Sensor is connected with the red wire on the left, which is backwards from the normal G-Force, EGT and transmitter connections.
Also if you are already using both EGT and G-Force expanders one of those can “daisy chain” to the Sensor as described in the MicroPower section above.
Config ring the Sensor with the Windows Application
If you have not already done so set up the Recorder software as described in your instruction manual. Then choose one or more of the Sensor options
below:

Copyright © 2007 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
Page
2
Logging Servo Current
To log servo current just click “Tools Choose Parameters to Log in the Recorder” and check the
“Servo Current” box.
Displaying Servo Current in the Windows Application
To display the Servo Current Gauge and/or Numeric Servo Current Display click “Tools Choose
Instruments to Display on the PC Screen” and check the “Servo Current Ammeter ” and/or “Numeric
Servo Current Amps” boxes.
Graphing Servo Current
To graph altitude click “Graph Data/2D Chart ” select either the Left Y Axis or Right Y Axis and
select “Servo Current” for graphing.
Displaying Servo Current on the PowerPanel or Seagull Dashboard
Select “Tools Configure PowerPanel Display” or “Tools Choose Parameters to Display on Seagull Wireless Dashboard LCD” and choose “Servo Current”
for display.
Installing the Sensor in yo r Model, with yo r Servos
IMPORTANT: The servo wires attached to the sensor are not designed to carry more than 5 amps
contin o s c rrent (10 amps brief s rge). Ens re that yo r set p will not draw more than this, and
make s re to test the set p on the bench before flying to make s re the sensor wires do not overheat! To
measure the current draw of a single servo simply connect the Sensor as shown in Figure 3 using the attached
universal servo connectors. To measure the current draw of all your servos and your receiver at the same time
simply connect the sensor between your BEC/RX Battery and your receiver (note the amperage limitation
above!).
Tro bleshooting
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 [email protected]m. 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.
Iss e: Servo Current always reads zero on my display and/or in my recordings
Sol tions:
• Ensure that the Sensor is connected correctly to the MicroPower or Recorder
• Ensure that you have updated the recorder firmware to 4.91 or later.
• If you are downloading data and seeing zero current ensure that you are logging Servo Current under “Tools Choose Parameters to Log in the
Recorder”
Specifications
Range: approximately +/- 5A Continuous up to 10A surge
Resolution: approximately 0.01A
Limited Warranty
Eagle Tree Systems LLC warrants the Sensor to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. This
warranty is nontransferable. If your unit requires warranty service during this period we will replace or repair it at our option. Shipping cost to us is your responsibility. To
obtain warranty service email [e-mail] for further instructions.
This limited warranty does not cover:
• The Software. See the Software license agreement for more information on Software restrictions.
• Problems that result from:
o External causes such as accident abuse misuse or problems with electrical power
o Servicing not authorized by us
o Usage that is not in accordance with product instructions
o Failure to follow the product instructions
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE (OR
JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION). OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR MALFUNCITONS AND DEFECTS IN HARDWARE IS LIMITED TO REPAIR AND
REPLACEMENT AS SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT. ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THE PRODUCT INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED
IN TIME TO THE TERM OF THE LIMITED WARRANTY PERIOD AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. NO WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WILL APPLY
AFTER THE LIMITED WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY
LASTS SO THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY OR FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LIABILTY FOR THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS AGAINST YOU FOR DAMAGES FOR PRODUCTS NOT
BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE OR FOR LOST DATA OR LOST SOFTWARE. OUR LIABILITY WILL BE NO MORE THAN THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE
PRODUCT THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A CLAIM. THIS IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO
YOU .