Remote Control Systems AB-Rx v2-EM User manual

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RCS # AB-Rx v2-EM
A 7 x port DSM2/DSMX Receiver without programming capabilities.
FIRMWARE VERSION = rcs005_20201105.hex 12/12/2020. GOLD DOT.
Q S INSTRUCTIONS. PLEASE READ BEFORE USING.
The AB-RX’s are available in two versions. They use the same software as our recent # Rx107v2.
The AB-EM has End Mount servo pins. The AB-TM has Top Mount servo pins.
Apart from the servo pin layout they are identical and can be used as is.
See below for accessing full instructions on how to adjust servos. Please download & thoroughly read.
The AB-Rx receivers are well suited for use in large scale live-steam or battery powered locos. It operates on
the 2.4 GHz band using the Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX protocols; thus it operates just like any other
DSM2/DSMX receiver but includes many extra useful features.
The AB-Rx’s are small (18 x 30mm) and space for it is easily found in most locos.
The AB-RX’s have free air range, when used with an RCS low-power transmitter, of 50m-60m and
approximately 200m when used with a full-power (100mW) transmitter. This range will be reduced indoors due
to absorption by furniture / fittings and reflections from metal surfaces. Range is also reduced if the receiver
aerials are in a metal enclosure. Ideally, the aerials should be placed outside the vehicle body and clear of any
metal. The AB-Rx’s are supplied with either oneor two extended aerialsfor use on locos that have acompletely
enclosed metal body. The active tip of the extended aerials need to 'see' the transmitter so should be placed
through holes in the loco body - e.g. into the cab space. Spread apart is ideal. The AB-Rx aerials should not
be cut short or made longer as this will affect operation of the receiver. It is important to perform a range check
after installation to ensure you have full control of your loco at all positions around the layout.
FEATURES accessible from default.
P1: servo on ch1, always throttle. (Also direction set when used as Centre OFF).
P2: servo on ch2, (F1 & F2 with Dual Use # Tx 5, 7 & 9. F2 only when used with Dual Use Tx-3).
P3: servo on ch3, direction set when Low OFF is used.
P4: servo on ch4, (F3 & F4 with Dual Use # Tx 5, 7 & 9. F4 only when used with Dual Use Tx-3).
P5: servo on ch5, bind button on RCS Tx handpieces. Is also used as a sound trigger.
P6: front LED. Plug in optional extra. Follows direction. Also used to indicate binding status.
P7: rear LED. Plug in optional extra. Follows direction
P8: Pin 8. Takes optional extra plug in # PIN-8-PB ZH cable with pushbutton. For how to use when adjusting
servos, go to https://www.rcs-rc.com/store/PDF/Instructions/Receivers/PIN-8-PB.pdf
LIVE STEAM. Selection requires a simple Jumper program change. See page # 3.
Supplied ready for live-steam use. The AB-Rx outputs can be connected to standard R/C servos to operate the
regulator, reverser, blower, gas valve and whistle. AB-Rx’s will work with any servo that uses a standard pwm
(1ms - 2ms) pulse width modulated signal and operates off the selected battery voltage. See below.
Servo Reversing. A simple way is to install a # SIG-REV on each servo required.
Servo End Point & Reversing are adjustable by purchasing the optional extra # PIN-8-pb plug in cable.
CENTRE OFF Battery Powered Loco. Use as is.
A Centre OFF Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) such as the Fosworks # COBRA-160 or 260 that supports
forward and reverse should be connected to P1/Ch1 as shown in the diagram. Use any RCS Tx handpiece.
The ESC is connected to the traction battery via a fuse and the AB-Rx is powered from the ESC 5V output.
LOW OFF Battery Powered Loco. Selection requires a simple Jumper plug program change.
When an RCS EVO or Dual Use model rail transmitter & a Low OFF ESC such as an RCS OMEGA-10, are
used together, the throttle is on P1/Ch1 controlled using the large speed knob and direction change is on P3/Ch3
controlled using the dedicated small reverser knob. Again, the AB-Rx is powered from the ESC 5V output.
CONNECTORS & INDICATORS.
AB-Rx’s have 7 sets of output pins 5 x of which are used for servos, & 2 x for Directional LED’s for lighting.
The pin sets, numbered from the top of the diagram below, are 0.1" pitch to take standard R/C plugs
RECEIVER POWER.
AB-Rx’s can be powered from 4.8V up to a 10V source. EG a 4 x cell or better yet, a 5 x cell rechargeable
NiMH battery pack. Or the 5V regulated output from a speed controller, or inline 5 volt regulator. # U-BEC-5v.

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CONNECTORS & INDICATORS. (Cont’d)
The standard configuration has servo outputs on P1 to P5, front/rear lighting on P6 and P7.
AB-Rx’s have 2 x LED indicators, one on the top near the aerials and another on the bottom, these are
labelled
'LED RF' and 'LED CPU' on the diagram below. There are 2 LEDs on the bottom. Only one of them is used.
LED-RF:Indicates when a good signal is received, flashes rapidly when the Rx is in bind mode and flashes
slowly if the receiver power was interrupted
LED-CPU: Used for feedback when programming. See main instructions.
1. Flashes slowly after switch on and waiting for a good transmitter signal.
2. Lights continuously when a good R/C signal is being decoded.
The # PIN-8 ZH Cable plugs into the P 8 socket below.
TOP BOTTOM
1 7
2 6
3 5
4 4
5 3
6 2
7 1
LED-CPU
DIRECTIONAL LIGHTING.
Pins P6 and P7 can be used to drive front and rear LED lights; P6 powers a forward LED and P7 a backward
facing LED. AB-Rx’s have an on-board 3.3V regulator and 220 ohm resistors in series with the signal pins so
limits the LED current to approximately 12mA. The LED should be connected between the signal and negative
pins (top and bottom rows).
JUMPER PROGRAMMING.
The default LED’s are for use with Centre OFF ESC’s where both speed and direction use only Channel # 1.
This can easily be changed to “Low OFF”. This is appropriate for Live-Steam use & Low OFF ESC’s. That is
full-range throttle on Ch # 1 and directional control on Ch # 3.
Toggling directional LED’s.
A. Turn off the receiver and transmitter. Remove servo plugs as necessary to go to B.
B. Put the black jumper plug across signal pins (top/inside row) P3 and P5.
C. Switch the receiver ON and the LED-CPU will display:
1x Flash for Low OFF. 2x Flash for Centre OFF.
D. Remove plug & LED-CPU will display a rapid flash until the Rx is switched OFF. Repeat above to toggle.

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BINDING.
AB-Rx’s must be bound to a transmitter before use. Once bound, AB-Rx’s remembers the transmitter identity
and searches for this when it is switched on.
When binding, we recommend that servo rods be disconnected in case they are incorrectly set.
To bind a receiver, switch it on with no transmitter active.
(For normal operation, the transmitter should be switched on before the receiver).
The AB-Rx’s are Autobind. When you switch ON, the LED-CPU will blink steadily once every 2 seconds
during the binding procedure. The receiver enters bind mode approximately 5 seconds after power-ON if it
has either; never been bound, or it fails to find its bound transmitter. Bind mode enabled, is indicated by a rapid
flashing of the receiver LED-RF. If you cannot see the LED-RF just wait 10 seconds to start binding.
The following steps, should be followed to bind with your transmitter:
1. Transmitter switched off.
2. Switch on the receiver. Wait at least 5 seconds for Autobind mode LED-RF flashing.
If fitted, the front light will come on. Goes out when binding has been completed.
Default Centre OFF, all servos go to middle position. After binding Ch # 5 snaps to fully CCW.
Low OFF, all servos go to middle position except Ch # 1, which goes to Fully CW. Then back to middle.
3. Only when the LED-RF is flashing rapidly, hold down the transmitter Ch # 5 bind button & switch T x ON.
4. Wait for the transmitter to indicate that it is in bind mode and then release its bind button.
5. The power LED on RCS model RCS transmitters will also flash when binding.
6. After approx 5 seconds, the LED-RF will blink twice and go dark, and, after another 5-6 seconds, both
LED-RF and LED-CPU, plus LED2 will light and stay on.
7. The Rx is now bound to the transmitter. Both Headlights will be OFF. Servos will snap to set positions.
If the receiver LED-RF and LED-CPU do not come on solid (no flash) within 10-15 seconds, the bind process
has failed. This can happen for several reasons and does not normally indicate a fault. During binding, the
receiver searches for the transmitter's signal and this can be distorted by holding the transmitter and receiver
too close. So, if you get a bind fail, try again after moving them slightly further apart or changing the relative
orientation of the aerials. Binding is most reliable when no other 2.4GHz transmitters are turned on.