PowerBox Systems PowerBox Cockpit SRS User manual

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Dear customer,
We are delighted that you have decided to purchase the PowerBox
Cockpit / Competition SRS from our range.
We hope you have many hours of pleasure and great success with your
new PowerBox.
1. Product description
The PowerBox Competition SRS and Cockpit SRS incorporate SRS
technology, and since their introduction in 2010 they have gained wide
acceptance as the current state of technology. SRS stands for Serial
Receiver System: in contrast to conventional backer systems, the servo
information is transferred from the receiver in the form of a digital serial
signal. This reduces the physical connection between the receiver and
the PowerBox to a single cable. It is also straightforwardly possible to
connect a second receiver, which takes over the entire control system in
full, without any restrictions, if the first receiver should fail.
All the essential components for a secure power supply voltage - ICs,
micro-controllers and electronic circuits - are duplicated. The
outstanding features of this High-End power supply unit are a raft of the
latest innovations, unrestricted channel assignment (channel-
mapping) at the outputs, integral high-resolution graphic OLED screen,
door sequencer capable of multitasking with Setup Assistant, four
match-channels and the facility to bind to the downlink channels of
various manufacturers.

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Features:
- SRS: Serial Receiver System provides the facility to use receivers
with serial interface: Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX, Multiplex M-Link,
Futaba S-Bus, Graupner HoTT, Jeti R-SAT, JR DMSS.
- Unrestricted channel assignment of the PowerBox outputs
- Integral high-resolution graphic OLED screen with 128 x 64 pixels
- Particularly user-friendly menu-based programming using the
SensorSwitch
- Door sequencer: six freely programmable outputs with set-up
assistant
- Channel lock when undercarriage is retracted
- 12 channels inclusive one channel for the doorsequencer in the
Cockpit Version
- 14 channels in the Competition version
- Signal amplification and interference suppression for 12 channels
and 21 servos in the Cockpit version
- Signal amplification and interference suppression for 14 channels
and 18 servos in the Competition version
- Synchronised servo output for totally synchronous servo response
- Flight recorder: records Lost Frames and fail-safe periods for all
receivers connected to the backer
- Variable frame rate, range 9 ms - 21 ms
- 16-bit processor for fast, high-resolution signal processing
- Four match-channels, each for two servos. Accurate adjustment of
all eight servos
- Double regulated output voltage for receivers and servos
- Can be connected to Spektrum, HoTT and Multiplex MSB downlink
channel bus systems
- Direct transmission of battery voltages and capacities to the
transmitter
- Separate voltage and capacity displays for each battery
- Software-selectable servo voltage: 5.9 V or 7.4 V
- Minimum value memory displays any voltage collapses
- Large-area heat-sinks for high regulator power
- Regulator monitor, regulator malfunction indicator
- Support for three battery types: LiPo, NiMH / NiCd, LiFePo
- Suppresses any servo feedback currents which might develop
- Can be updated using the PowerBox USB Interface

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2. Connections, controls
The following illustrations show the essential sockets and controls:
Left: socket fot Spektrum telemetry
Right: SensorSwitch socket
Socket for USB Interface and
telemetry: MSB und HoTT
SET-Button
Power-on status LEDs
Switch buttons for Battery 1 and 2
Door sequencer outputs
Servo sockets
OLED screen
Battery input,
Battery 1 and 2
Serial inputs

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3. First steps, the unit in use:
In the following instructions we do not differentiate between the
PowerBox Cockpit SRS and Competition SRS, since the method of
programming the two units is absolutely identical. The only difference is
that the PowerBox Cockpit SRS includes the door sequencer
function, whereas the PowerBox Competition SRS does not.
3.1. Connections
Plug the batteries into the MPX connectors on the backer with correct
polarity. We recommend PowerBox Batteries of 1500mAh,
2800mAh, 3200 mAh or 4000mAh capacity. If you prefer to use other
makes of battery, or packs you have assembled yourself, please take
particular care over polarity - it is always better to check twice rather
than make a mistake. If you connect a battery to the backer incorrectly,
this will immediately ruin the associated regulator. The unit does not
feature reverse polarity protection, as this minimises power losses
between battery and backer. The +markings are printed clearly on the
case cover.
Connect the SensorSwitch to the appropriate red socket. Note that the
ribbon cable must run upwards. In models subject to powerful vibration
we recommend that you secure the ribbon cable at a minimum of one
point in order to prevent the connector working loose and falling out.
Although this would have no effect on the switched state of the backer,
it would prevent you switching it off.
Do not connect the receiver yet! Please read Point 3.7. to establish
the essential initial settings.
3.2. The procedure for switching on and off
The method of switching the unit on and off is very simple, and the
process effectively eliminates the possibility of changing the backer’s
status accidentally. This is the procedure
Locate the SET button on the SensorSwitch and hold it pressed in until
the central LED glows red. Now press buttons I and II in turn to switch
the backer on.
Repeat the procedure to switch off: hold the SET button pressed in, wait
until the central LED glows red, then confirm by pressing buttons I and
II in turn.

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Your PowerBox stores the last switched state (on or off). That means:
if the backer is switched off using the SensorSwitch, it stays switched
off.
Once switched on, the backer can only be turned off again using the
switch unit. Intermittent contacts or interruptions in the power supply
cannot cause the backer to be switched off.
3.3. Main screen display
When switched on, the unit’s integral screen shows this display:
Key to the individual display points:
- Digital voltage display:
This extremely accurate display allows you to read off the voltage of
the battery directly, i.e. the voltage which is present at the input of the
PowerBox.
- Graphic voltage display:
A brief glance into the model provides you with information about the
batteries’ state of charge. This display is always correct for the type of
battery you have selected. This means that the bar will extend right to
the top of the box if the connected battery is fully charged - assuming
that you have set the correct battery type. If the bar only fills the
bottom third of the box, then the corresponding battery is almost flat.
This indicator is supplemented by the residual capacity display.
- Residual battery capacity:
This display shows the momentary capacity value of the battery -
again, assuming that you have previously set the battery type
correctly. This display is capable of providing very accurate
information about the remaining battery capacity, although ageing
effects or defective batteries may falsify the value. In practice this
means that you should always take both values into account: if the
remaining capacity appears to be high, but the voltage has already
fallen to a low level, you should consider it an urgent necessity to
check the battery more closely.

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- Graphic indicator of battery charge state:
This display is set to match the capacity you previously entered for the
batteries connected to the backer. Assuming that the battery is of good
quality, this means: if the bar only reaches the half-way point, then the
battery is still half-full.
- Operating time:
This figure shows the elapsed time since the last RESET. It is
important always to carry out a RESET after each battery charge
process.
- Output voltage:
This value displays the backer’s exact output voltage. The voltage fed
to the servos and receiver is the exact value displayed here.
Note:
The residual capacity of the two batteries as displayed on the screen is
likely to drift apart as the packs are discharged; this is due to minor
differences in the rate of discharge of the batteries through the
PowerBox. This by no means indicates a fault in the PowerBox; in fact
it proves that the system features genuine redundancy. Here at
PowerBox Systems we take great trouble to compensate for manu-
facturing tolerances between the two regulators, but it is never possible
to produce a system which is completely devoid of tolerances. The only
method of discharging two batteries at 100% identical rates is to use a
system fitted with only one regulator. However, such systems cannot be
claimed to offer redundancy!
3.4. After the charge process
The PowerBox must be reset after each charge process, otherwise it is
impossible for the unit to display reliable values for energy consumption
and operating times. This is the reset procedure:
With the system switched on, locate both buttons I and II on the
SensorSwitch and press them simultaneously; hold them pressed in
until the following screen display appears:

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3.5. Basic settings
The PowerBox Cockpit / Competition SRS feature a new kind of
graphic OLED screen, intended to do away with old-fashioned
programming methods based on flashing LED codes, morse code
beeps or obsolete mechanical jumpers. The screen provides the basis
for an extremely user-friendly control system, and eliminates the need
for a supplementary setup unit or programming device. The
SensorSwitch is employed as a convenient means of entering settings
within the menu system, and since the SensorSwitch is always used as
the main ON / OFF switch, it is always installed in the model, so you
cannot forget it. Wherever possible the screen provides full information
in English; few abbreviations are used. The overall result is an intuitive
method of programming which is a great advantage at the flying field, as
you will rarely need to consult the operating instructions.
This is the basic rule in programming: buttons I and II are used to
move the cursor or change values, while the SET button is used to
select or confirm your inputs.
The breadth of functions offered by the PowerBox Cockpit /
Competition SRS is enormous, but the unit is by no means difficult to
operate. To provide a clear idea of the sequence required in order to use
the backer, we have drawn up a brief list of operations
1. Battery setting Point 3.6
2. Setting the receiving system Point 3.7
4. Output mapping and Failsafe Point 3.8
5. Servo matching and door sequencer Points 4 and 5
6. Fail-Safe settings Point 3.9
3.6. Battery settings
These settings should always be entered first, so that you have an
accurate view of the state of the battery while you carry out further
adjustments. In the screenshot below you will see the default settings of
the PowerBox Cockpit / Competition SRS. If you wish to change
them, this is the procedure:

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- Switch both batteries on.
- Press the SET button and hold it pressed in until the following display
appears:
- Press button II until the cursor (hollow circular ring) lines up with
Power Manager, then press the SET button. The following display
now appears:
If you wish to change one of the settings, use buttons Iand II to move
the cursor to the appropriate menu point, then press the SET button to
select it (cursor changes to a solid disc). You can now alter the value
using buttons Iand II. Once you have selected the desired value, press
the SET button to confirm it; this saves (stores) the new value. Select
the menu point OK to return to the main menu.
NOTE: the presence of a solid disc (instead of a ring) indicates that you
are in a menu point.
It is possible to alter a value more quickly by holding one of the two
buttons Ior II pressed in; the value then starts to change slowly in the
corresponding direction, and the rate of change accelerates with time.

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Key to the individual menu points:
- Chemistry:
this is where you set the battery type. Three different types of battery
are available:
• Two-cell LiPo
• Five-cell NiMH
• Two-cell LiFe
- Capacity:
you can enter the nominal capacity of your batteries at this point.
- Output voltage:
you can select the output voltage to 7.4V or 5.9V
CAUTION: if you intend to select the 7.4V output voltage, please ensure
before you make the change that all the consumer units connected to
the unit, i.e. all servos, receivers and gyros, are compatible with a 7.4V
supply. Information on this subject can be found in the instructions for
these components supplied by the manufacturers.
Compared with a direct, unregulated voltage of 8.4V, the advantage of
a stabilised 7.4V supply is that the voltage is always constant. This
means that the servos in your model always run at the same speed and
with the same torque, regardless of the manoeuvres you fly. For
example, if you were to operate the servos on the unregulated voltage
of LiPo batteries, their running characteristics would alter as the freshly
charged batteries steadily discharged during the flight. Another major
advantage of a regulated 7.4V voltage is that it completely eliminates
damaging voltage peaks (spikes); this extends the useful life of the
servos substantially.