Weatronics Dual RX for Dummies

[Kiwi]

Guys.

As I promised a few weeks back I had a Weatronics receiver on order so we could do some real live testing and see how the new guy on the block works.

Well the big brown package showed up today and out she popped. Nice and shiny with all the bells and whistles. I got the GPS, GYRO unit as I figured if we are going to play then lets go for the whole ball of wax.

With anything new and especially with something that promises a lot, the packaging or eye candy value is important. In the case of the Weatronics unit it arrives in a shoe sized box and reasonably well packaged. The unit looks like it has been designed for the military as I think you could stand on it and it wont break. Dont worry I wont try it but it sure is one tough built little bugger.

I think however the packaging would be a tad better if there was a foam support or even a cut foam tray to fit everything in. Mine arrived with everything in the right place but you could tell it had been shaken about. There are a few small bags of plugs etc that just float around so a more secure compartment type foam tray would likely ensure the guys who drive the big brown trucks dont wreck it. But other than that the packaging has all the right virtues. Its tough and it catches your eye. It also looks like you got something for your money. Not like some top line Rx's that come in a small clear plastic case and you cant see 300 plus dollars in it at all. No brands intended in that statement. Its just that I like to see some eye candy with what I buy.

Ok inside the box we have a fair range of items.

The fail safe switch with a big red tag on it. You wont miss it even if you need triple powered bi focals. It is big.

You get the scan plug and again it is really clearly marked. Thats the plug we will use later to bind the Rx to our radio.

Of course there is the reciever.

There is the fail safe switch with a warning light to show you have had an event or your main power supply is out and you are on reserve.

There is the USB adaptor so you can plug this into your laptop or PC and set it up, program servos or download the inflight data. You need a SD MMC memory card for that and that is an extra you need to get from the local PC shop.

There are two interface cables, one is short and complete, the other is long with one bare end. There are two plugs in the box so you can put the USB interface card in line with the failsafe switch. It all works off the same cable. That way you can mount the USB plug someplace snug in your plane and route the remaining cable to your switch location. It looks like a neat setup.

Last but not least you get a CD with some software on it. The readme file is a must read if you want the system to work first time. On the disk is a folder named Handbuch-Manual. That was my first lesson in German and it was not too hard to figure that out. In that folder you will find the English and German versions of the user manual plus instructions on how to update the firmware on the unit as it becomes available on the internet.

First glances show it not a beginners system, but it does not appear to be super complex either. Reading through the handbuch it looks about as easy as a good 8 or 10 channel radio to setup.

My only trouble is now I have to get back on the danged road again for another four more days so I wont get to play with it until next week.

This baby is going into a totally new project. I have a 35% AM 260 on the way and it will be fitted with the latest 80cc EVO on a greves tuned pipe. Servos are not confirmed yet but likely Futaba or JR as there is no need for programmable servos with this unit.

Our first IMAC comp is the 20th of August so I need to get butt into gear and have this thing ready.

As soon as I have the kit here I will start a build thread on it. Meanwhile for anyone with a Weatronics unit or anyone wanting to see what they really can do stay tuned here.

Howie if your watching I need your help here as well mate. Anyone else with one lets share please. Axel and the guys from the factory will surely join in if you need questions answered.

The only thing I beg of you guys is lets keep the thread clean and meaninful so it becomes a data base for the guys who are on board with on of these.

Lets go guys.

[TheTank]

Nice! One of those will be going in my next bird!

[ConRadical]

I can't wait until we can get them in the US!

[Kiwi]

Conrad,

I suspect they will be arriving any day soon. The 72 Mhz batch was scheduled for production on the 20th of June. I have no idea if all went as planned but I am sure something worked out OK as mine arrived today.

Aeroworks-USA have the dealership as far as I know of and I'm not sure if there are any others around.

Kiwi

[ConRadical]

Thanks KIWI!! I'll be ordering one just as soon as I can find one here!

[adrian]

spoke to Axel at weatronics this week and he says everything is out of production and going through QT - shipping soon - cant wait for ours to arrive - will go into our two show ulti's

[saflyer]

I've also got one of these unit and its very easy to use. Gave a buddy of mine one as well.
Both will go into our new Colombo Anderson Extra 330L 33% planes.

[RustyTumbles]

Nice piece of gear. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread...

[DKjens]

I was under the impression that Airworld-USA is the importer in the U.S.

[Kiwi]

Dk.

I spoke with Robert Janiger at Airworld-USA and he told me the first shipment has arrived. Not sure what models etc but for sure they are rocking into town already.

Well I spent a few hours reading the manual and putting a few things into practice tonight and I will share what I got so far.

The first job was battery packs. This setup is going to live in a Aviation Models 260 35% so I will set it up with a 4800 MaH main pack and a 2400 MaH as the backup. I figure I will have eight solid servos running on this thing and I hope they are 8611a's if they arrive in time. Throttle will be a good coreless of some kind. The engine as I said is the EVO 80cc on a JMB tuned pipe. The plane normally runs with a 100cc twin so my setup even with the pipe looks like coming in at least a pound lighter than the book says.

OK back to the Weatronics.

The packs arrived and the first hurdle was the plugs. The Weatronics rx comes with Graupner six pin plugs and of course they are like hens tetth to find. Hobby-Lobby have them but that took two weeks to get to me given my location. My recommendation number one would be to chop off the Graupner plugs and fit them with genuine Deans connectors. Most of the major battery distributors sell the packs with Deans as an option. No one sells packs with Graupner plugs as any kind of option.

Second and most important thing gbefore you try anything with this RX is read the manual boys. Its not a XXX Brand RX thats plug and play. Its easy enough but you need to read the book.

OK first ten pages read and I installed the software, Thats an autorun setup and installation, you just need to click the right words. The software is in German but the manual helps explain what each button does or should do. So you install the software then using a short cable and the supplied USB adapter you plug it into your PC or Laptop. Follow the intructions carefully here as there are two drivers to install. It looks like the software is duplicating the installation. Beleive me its not. Just keep clicking the German word for next. If you done it right you will now have a small window pop up saying the software and USB device is ready to use.

I reboot here to be sure things are running correctly and then reconnect the USB cable to the RX. Click on the Icon called RXCTRL1.0 and up comes the first screen.

[Kiwi]

First screen shot. This the very first screen that will come up and from there you can set the unit up.

[ConRadical]

Good work Kiwi, We can't wait to see your results!
Hopefully i'll get mine soon and can start testing also.