PowerBox Systems iGyro 3xtra User manual

Instruction Manual

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1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The iGyro 3xtra ushers in the second generation of the iGyro family. The new iGyro 3xtra boasts a
completely revised set-up procedure and regulatory algorithm, expanded features and enormously
enhanced performance, making it the new “State of the Art”.
In contrast to its predecessor - the 3e - the new iGyro no longer incorporates delta and V-tail mixers.
Instead the iGyro has a new, simple learning process enabling it to detect all servo mixer combi-
nations, which can even include differential and unequal travels. The user simply sets up delta
control surfaces, V-tails, aperons and tailerons at the transmitter in the usual way. A sophisticated
three-dimensional algorithm then divides up the control commands again into aileron, elevator and
rudder for all ve inputs individually. This method ensures accurate suppression of the individual
axes when control commands are given, or when the heading function is in use.
Another signicant innovation is the learning process for the installed position of the gyro: this
simply involves movements of the model itself. At the same time the procedure also denes the di-
rections of effect in the iGyro. In the past many pilots have been unsure whether they have actually
set the direction of effect correctly, but this doubt is now eliminated.
If you are at the ying eld and don’t have a smartphone with BlueCom™ Adapter or a laptop with
USB Interface Adapter to hand, you can very easily adjust the gyro’s gain for each axis individually
and accurately using the transmitter sticks – without any additional equipment at all!
The hardware has also been subtly improved: the unit now features comprehensive ESD protection
to provide a complete shield against static charge problems in the model.
Supplementary features such as gyro characteristics, stick priority and lock-in feel also give experts
the means to customise the iGyro 3xtra to their exact personal requirements.

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2. INSTALLATION, CONNECTIONS
The iGyro 3xtra can be installed in any position in the model - provided that it is parallel to or at
right-angles (90°) to the direction of ight. The result of installing it at an angle would be mixed
corrective effect. For example: a gust affecting the aileron axis might cause the gyro to correct the
elevator and rudder at the same time.
Mount the iGyro on a clean, smooth surface, then connect it to the receiver using the patch leads
supplied. The iGyro has two aileron inputs, two elevator inputs and one rudder input.
The Gain input is absolutely essential if the iGyro is to function correctly, and you need to set up
a rotary control or slider (up to +/- 200% ) at the transmitter for this. Once you have established
the correct settings during a set-up ight, the percentage values for this transmitter control can be
programmed permanently onto a switch, enabling you to activate or disable the iGyro, or select a
second mode.
The following wiring diagrams should be observed if you are using a delta / V-tail model; note that
it is also possible to control model deltas with four control surfaces:
Delta A: connect the two pairs of control surfaces to Aile-A and Elev-A
Delta B: connect the two pairs of control surfaces to Aile-B and Elev-B
V-tail: connect the two pairs of control surfaces to Elev-A and Rudder
Delta – vector models: Delta A as described above; Elev-B can be used for the vector.
The mixing arrangements for the delta and V-tail functions are set at the transmitter in the normal
way. You don’t need to worry about differential or unequal travels, as the 3D algorithm detects this,
and ensures that the axis inputs are separated again without error.

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The servos can be connected to the outputs once you have completed the connections at the
receiver end. Now switch the system on – and your servos will move exactly as programmed at
the transmitter.
Check the Gain input: in the centre position the gyro function is disabled: all LEDs are off.
If you now move the Gain control from 0 to +100 % you activate range A: as standard all LEDs now
light up green to indicate normal damping mode.
If you now move the Gain control from 0 to -100 % you activate range B: as standard the two LEDs
at the aileron input now light up orange to indicate that Attitude Assist is active. All the other LEDs
glow green for normal damping mode. We strongly recommend this mode!
3. CONNECTING THE GPS
The iGyro is the world’s only gyro to offer speed-dependent gain regulation. To use this feature all
you need is a GPS II sensor connected to the MISC input; the GPS unit must be set to PowerBox/
iGyro. Gain regulation is fully automatic, but please remember that the GPS must be plugged in
when you adjust gain in ight.

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4. SETTING UP
There are two different procedures: one for a model which has already been test-own without a
gyro, and the second for a new, untried model:
a) New model
- Set the installed position
- Test-y the model including trims, differential, etc.
- Learn the centre and end-points
- Set up the iGyro in ight using the Gain control
- Fine-tune the individual axes if necessary
b) Test-own model
- Set the installed position
- Learn the centre and end-points
- Set up the iGyro in ight using the Gain control
- Fine-tune the individual axes if necessary
4.1 SETTING THE INSTALLED POSITION
The installed position of the iGyro 3xtra is detected by dened movements of the model. The rst
step in learning the installed position is to press the white button on the iGyro and hold it pressed
in while you switch the model on.
You can release the button as soon as the red LEDs cycle. Keep the model as still as possible while
the gyro sensor carries out its self-calibration process. The green LED at AILE-A lights up to indicate
that the iGyro is ready.
The next step is to raise the model’s tail briskly - high enough to cause all ve LEDs to light up green
– and hold the model rmly in this position. The elevator outputs also reect this movement, but

6PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
do not worry about the direction of travel, as this is only intended as a supplementary indicator in
case the LEDs are not in your line of sight. Once the iGyro has detected the movement, the elevator
outputs will return to neutral. If the elevators only return slowly to the neutral position, then you did
not raise the tail high enough; in this case repeat the procedure.
The next step is to move the model’s tail briskly to the right. Exactly as before, the rudder moves in
a random direction as you move the tail. Once the movement has been detected the rudder returns
to neutral, and the iGyro reverts to normal operating mode.
Note: Setting the installed position resets all settings of the iGyro 3xtra! You should only carry
out this procedure with a new model, or if you are re-positioning the iGyro in the model.
4.2. LEARNING THE CENTRE AND END-POINTS
During this process the iGyro learns the neutral position and end-points. At the same time a sophi-
sticated three-dimensional algorithm determines whether delta or V-tail mixers are present, and it
can even cope with differential or unequal travels which are programmed in the mixers. This means
that ailerons can double as landing aps without the ap travel having any inuence on the aileron
gyro function.
Note: For the learning process any Dual Rate settings must be disabled, to ensure that the
maximum control surface travels are learned.
Learn mode is invoked by switching the iGyro on and holding the button pressed in for about ve
seconds. Turn the iGyro on, then push the button for some seconds until the green light begin to
move. The learning sequence is now as follows:
- The AILE LEDs light up green: move the aileron stick on the transmitter to the right-hand end-point
 then press the button

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- The AILE LEDs light up red: move the aileron stick on the transmitter to the left-hand end-point
press the button
- The ELEV LEDs light up green: move the elevator stick on the transmitter to the bottom end-point
(back)  press the button
- The ELEV LEDs light up red: move the elevator stick on the transmitter to the top end-point (for-
ward) press the button
- The RUDDER LED lights up green: move the rudder stick on the transmitter to the right-hand end-
point press the button
- The RUDDER LED lights up red: move the rudder stick on the transmitter to the left-hand end-point
press the button
At the end of this sequence the gyro automatically reverts to normal operating mode. You can now
advance the Gain control, and check the direction of gyro effect. At the same time check that your
programmed mixers are taken into account correctly in the gyro effect.
Once you have correctly set the installed position and end-points, your iGyro 3xtra is ready for the
model’s set-up ight.
Note: If you subsequently alter the trims or end-points (travels), this learning process should be
repeated. Generally speaking, minor changes to the trims or end-points have a barely percep-
tible inuence on the gyro’s action, but if – for example – you use Attitude Assist on aileron, a
trim change will disable this, as Attitude Assist on all iGyros is only active in the learned centre
position.

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4.3. GAIN ADJUSTMENT FOR INDIVIDUAL AXES
All the settings of the iGyro 3xtra can be adjusted using a smartphone running Mobil Terminal
and the BlueCom™ Adapter, or using the PC Terminal program and USB Interface Adapter. The
adjustment most commonly required is the ne-tuning of gain on individual axes. The Gain channel
adjusts gyro gain on all axes simultaneously, whereas the feature described below enables you to
ne-tune the gain on individual axes - without additional equipment.
Switch the iGyro on, then press the button ve times in rapid sequence. Locate the stick which
controls the axis you wish to adjust, and move it once in order to select that axis. Now move the
stick again to alter the gain of this axis (or axes) by 5 %.
For example, if you need to increase or reduce gain on the elevator, move the elevator stick once.
A red LED indicates the centre, i.e. this is the starting point. Now move the stick forward once to
increase elevator gain by 5 %; move it a second time for an additional 5 %. Moving the stick towards
you reduces gain by 5 %. You can check the gain position by observing the LEDs, as each green
LED indicates a 5 % increment.
If you want to ne-tune another axis, move the corresponding stick once in order to select that axis,
then move it again to adjust the gain in 5 % increments.
When you are nished, pressing the button stores all the settings and quits setup mode.
Note: If you select setup mode again, you can adjust the axes by a further 10% in each direction.
Any change you make in this way affects both ranges A and B.

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5. ADDITIONAL FEATURES
The default settings of the iGyro 3xtra are ideal for the vast majority of pilots. Nevertheless, we
have incorporated a range of Expert functions in order to cover all possible applications.
- Attitude Assist:
We selected the term Attitude Assist because the iGyro’s “heading” differs signicantly from the
Hold modes of other manufacturers. Attitude Assist can even be used with complete safety on
elevator, without risking an unwanted stall, as it is only active at the centre position of the stick. As
soon as the stick is moved, Attitude Assist is disabled, and the model’s control ‘feel’ is exactly as
normal. By default Attitude Assist is active on aileron in range B.
- Gyro characteristics:
This value can be used to harden or soften the regulatory characteristics of the iGyro. If the model
is clearly self-correcting when ying in gusty conditions, alter the value in the direction of Soft;
on the other hand, if you think that the iGyro responds too slowly to gusts, alter the value in the
direction of Ultra.
- Stick priority:
The default setting for this is 100 %, i.e. the gyro function is completely suppressed when the stick
reaches either end-point. If you adjust Stick Priority to, say, 200%, then the gyro function is fully
suppressed when the stick reaches the half-way point. This makes the model more agile, but you
lose gyro effect more quickly with increasing stick movement.
- Lock-in feel:
This feature alters the "locking" characteristics in aerobatic manoeuvres such as four-point rolls. If
this value is set too high, you will notice the model “overshoot” at the moment you release the stick.
If the value is set too low, the model may appear not to stop cleanly when commanded.

10 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
- Airspeed factor:
This value denes the progression of gyro gain as airspeed changes. The setting only has a functi-
on if the GPS II is plugged into the gyro’s MISC socket.
Increase the airspeed factor if the model displays good gyro performance at low and medium
speed, but tends to oscillate at high speed.
6. SET CONTENTS
- iGyro 3xtra
- 6 x 3-core patch-lead, 20 cm
- 1 x self-adhesive pad
- Operating instructions in german and english
- Quickstart manual
7. DIMENSIONS
8. SERVICE NOTE
We make every effort to provide a good service to our customers, and have established a Support
Forum which covers all queries relating to our products. Please use the Support Forum before you
contact us by telephone. You can nd the forum at the following address:
www.forum.powerbox-systems.com
29,40 mm
42,40 mm
14,50 mm

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9. GUARANTEE CONDITIONS
We take the maintenance of the highest quality standards very seriously. That is why Power-
Box-Systems GmbH is currently one of the few RC electronics manufacturer certied to the Indus-
trial Norm DIN EN ISO 9001.
That is why we are able to grant a 24 month guarantee on our iGyro 3xtra from the initial date of
purchase. The guarantee covers proven material faults, which will be corrected by us at no charge
to you. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse polarity,
excessive vibration, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits. The same applies to defects
due to severe wear.
10. LIABILITY EXCLUSION
We are not in a position to ensure that you observe our instructions regarding installation of the
iGyro 3xtra, fulll the recommended conditions when using the unit, or maintain the entire radio
control system competently.
For this reason we deny liability for loss, damage or costs which arise due to the use or operation
of the iGyro 3xtra, or which are connected with such use in any way. Regardless of the legal argu-
ments employed, our obligation to pay damages is limited to the invoice total of our products which
were involved in the event, insofar as this is deemed legally permissible.
We wish you every success using your new iGyro 3xtra and hope you are completely satised
with it!
Donauwoerth, August 2020

PowerBox-Systems GmbH
certied according to DIN EN ISO 9001
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
[phone]
[phone]
www.powerbox-systems.com
08/2020