Weatronics Update

[Kiwi]

Well guys its been a while since I updated the news on the Weatronics Dual RX. I have to admit the design boys have been burning the midnight oil on these units and there has been some interesting developments. Plus a few new ones yet to come.

In the early versions people detected some anomalies which goes to show the best of the best often need extensive field testing to debug very sophisticated systems. While the Rx's functioned perfectly on 72Mhz there were issues regarding the automatic servo synchronizing. In my case that was causing issues with high current consumption. But in applications were servos were not ganged together there was no issue. Many of you are flying them or have seen them fly with great success. I felt that the + or - 5% on the servo syncro was not sufficient so I chose to fly the device on an old Piper Cub to see if it was going to bite me.

Well the good news is it did not. Its as solid as a rock and if your a gizmo's type of guy then this setup has some appeal. Especially if your a member of the dual receiver club.

I will try to write this in easy non technical terms so bear with me as I go through what all the new upgrades have been about. For anyone not aware of the Dual RX it is a totally programmable twin receiver available on 72 Mhz, 36 Mhz and 35Hz. I do not think it is available on 50Mhz for the Ham guys but thats a guess, not fact.

Ok each of the firmware upgrades are a free down load off the Weatronic web site.

The firmware versions are as follows. (Firmware.bin is the file name on the website):

Version 1.0.08 (24-04-06): Measuring differential values of SPCM20 and
registering. Amplitude of synchronization limited to +- 5 %.

Version 1.0.09 (25-04-06): Wrong channel registration for 36 MHz
eliminated.

Version 1.0.10 (25-05-06): Shifting time of batteries in case of current
interruption reduced to max. 2 msec (average 1 msec), faulty synchronization eliminated.
.

Version 1.0.11 (16-06-06): Frame Decoder, signal quality now governed
discreetly, analysis and correction of pulse width faults inserted.

Version 1.0.12 (30-06-06): Direct Servo Control (DSC) installed (port
24).

Version 1.0.13 (13-09-06): Improved synchronization for analog and
digital servos separately, improved failsafe algorithm.

Version 1.0.14 (14-11-06): Learning modus of Failsafe optimized, no more
internal storage.

Version 1.4.00 (27-03-07): This firmware updates old 8 and 10 channel
units to 12 channels (PPM). It is necessary to also update the
configuration software RxCtrl with version 2.1 or higher. (available on the web site)

In near future they will alter the firmware again to improve the
synchronization of servos with sensitive or weak centering.
Currently you now can only adjust the neutral position of the master servo and the slaves follow. The next version will allow you to be able to adjust all neutral positions before making a group out of them and then synchronize the slaves with the master.

You will also be able to synchronize servos manually and not have to do it automatically thus allowing you to setup each servo neutral and end points. This will be a little more work that the automatic system but it will be exceptionally precise.

As for the possibilty of having some sort of 2.4 compatibility well I hear a rumor that there is some work being done on that as well. I don't know what system or with who and its likely to be some ways off anyway.

I know I sort of fell off the map for a while with the Dual RX but there were other reasons for that, A four letter dirty word actually WORK!!!!

Guys if you have any experience or time on your units share it here please. If you have any issues also post them so I can get them back to the factory for evaluation and possible input from the designers. Axel and the guys have been very aggressive at keeping the technology at the fore front with this device.

I mean how many receivers can you buy these days that change from 8 channels, or 10 channels and then to 12 channels just by downloading a file off the net.

The unit has real time data logging of so many parameters its mind boggling. You can look at signal strength, bad frames, fail safe frames, speed, height, direction, a 3D graph of what your model just done.

Any questions, advise, issues or comments please land them here so we can share whats what and if need be get the right help.

Kiwi

[LawnJockey]

Kiwi,
Thanks for the update. I am very interested in this system. I do appreciate you letting us know how things are going.

Bruce

[damien]

I have been flying my 33% for the past five months with this unit, no problems at all. Setting up my plane was super quick and easy. Everything plugs in directly which makes for a clean setup. No match boxes needed, no regulators, no boosters, no extra switches, this all saves money, weight and complexity. Being able to analize flight data has also been very usefull to me. I love this thing, cant see myself using anything else.

[3D Trev]

	Quote: Originally Posted by damien
	I have been flying my 33% for the past five months with this unit, no problems at all. Setting up my plane was super quick and easy. Everything plugs in directly which makes for a clean setup. No match boxes needed, no regulators, no boosters, no extra switches, this all saves money, weight and complexity. Being able to analize flight data has also been very usefull to me. I love this thing, cant see myself using anything else.

Hey D ........

Guys I have seen this system in Damiens plane and its completely BAD ASS
this has to be simply the best failsafe electronics unit in existance and I will definatly use one in my next biggy. The best thing it only weighs about 180 grams
WOW

Trev

[GremlinX]

You are on top of this RX Kiwi... thanks for the email..

[crhammond]

I have 2 of the 10-20R on the way for my 35%ers. Hopefully within a couple of weeks I'll be able to get some time on them. I really liked what I heard from people who had them.

They certainly make a clean install and I'm looking forward to being able to see the data. I'll be able to get rid of switches, regulators, power expander etc. Seems like a lot less to go wrong and with 2 Rx's I'll have more security than I did with a single RX on a Power Expander.

[Jcarte]

I have one on a 41% Wildhare Extra 300 and it has worked flawlessly. I have considered a second one, but was waiting on the 2.4 technology to pan out. It is amazing to see the data of everything the aircraft is doing in flight. I highly recommend it and from above it looks like it is getting better with the new upgrades, which can be downloaded from the interenet. Technology Rocks.

[3D Trev]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Jcarte
	I have one on a 41% Wildhare Extra 300 and it has worked flawlessly. I have considered a second one, but was waiting on the 2.4 technology to pan out. It is amazing to see the data of everything the aircraft is doing in flight. I highly recommend it and from above it looks like it is getting better with the new upgrades, which can be downloaded from the interenet. Technology Rocks.

Yip Jcarte
I heard that they will be launching the 2.4 stuff soon and that there will maybe be a big discount on 72mhz set if the future. Keep your ears open and if so grab some.

[Kiwi]

Well guys some more good news from the land of giant beer glasses and good pubs. Weatronics have just released a new firmware package for the Dual Receiver line up with some cool add ons for the retract and jet jockey community. The new firmware and software is available on the web site www.weatronic.com.


The new software allows you to sequence servos or air cylinders all off the master receiver so there is no need for additional sequencers or hardware. I had a play with my test setup and it is a real gem of a setup.

Basically it allows you to gang a series of servos together on the one switch and then select a delay for each channel. You can have the doors open, 4 seconds (or whatever delay that you choose) later the gear drops and then 4 seconds the doors close if needed. The whole cycle is then automatically reversed when you go to raise the gear.

This unit is really being well developed for the extremely complex jet and scale fraternity. Anyone into multi engined, large scale models will find this thing in the must have shopping list if it is not already there.

The factory guys tell me there is are a few more upgrades due out in the near future to allow servos to ganged manually and not automatically if you want to do it manually. I am sure they have a few other cool ideas in the skunk works as well.

As for the 2.4 Ghz rumor??? Well I would be disappointed if there was no rumor but the real proof of the Weatronic 2.4 Ghz units will be available when they arrive. I am sure they are working on something as the hobby is obviously going down that road. But will it be quick??

I am really unsure on that as the new European 2.4 Ghz regulations have not been implemented and my spies tell me the Euros are making 2.4 Ghz communication bi directional and mandatory. I suppose for the gadget heads (me included) that will mean real time telemetry back to the pilot or the radio. Just what that means and what it will do to development schedules is anyones guess. But if I hear a sneaky leak on details I will spill the beans here first of course.

Also on another note if anyone has a wish list of ideas that they would like from the programming or system operation of the Dual RX share it here please. Axel and his engineers drop in here regularly to see who's doing what and the guys appreciate any feedback you might have.

[wildhare]

OK I have a wish. Two actually.

I wish I could check the voltage of my batteries without downloading data to a laptop and without disconnecting the batteries from the receiver.

I also wish it would use both battery packs in high load situations so I can drive 12 or 14 servos with ample current flow.

TF

[crhammond]

I second Tom's wishes. It would be cool if they could introduce a voltage display maybe like the I4C ones that hooks on to the ribbon cable.

I would like them to fix the automatic synchronization feature so that it works on surfaces that are less than 100% stiff. Or at least update the manual to tell people not to use it on anything but an aluminum rudder tray so no more servos get destroyed...

I would also like them to enable it to work with A123 batteries and others that are less than 7.2v - although if they go to using both batteries that would help with the bigger setups too.

Lastly a version of the RX with GPS but without Gyro would be nice too.

[damien]

I dont think using both batteries is needed if you are using decent lipos. I am using a flight power 3700mah for my main battery and it can push out 92amps continous, thats enough for 30 servos at 3 amps each.
My backup batt is 1500mah, once I plugged it into the main batt plug by accident and had 3 flights (with my 33%) with no problems, the system would have switched if it needed but it didnt.

I do agree that a batt checker would be nice, although the light will flash to let you know if your main battery is down. I know its not as good but it will prevent you from flying without power.

[saflyer]

Hi Guys
I went and visited the guys in Stuttgart and talked with them about the receivers.
Some of the items that I highligted with them where the lack of voltage readouts and in some large planes the single power source.
I would like to see some unit that will tell me the battery levels (a set of leds will do)

Peter

[tony-amps]

Kiwi,

Have my first unit on order. Can't wait to try it out. I am concerned though ,Like Tom I would like to see the rec using both bat packs. I don't use lipos for my flight paks and plan on putting two fromeco 4800 in parallel for the main and one 2400 on the secondary. the li-ion do not have the discarge rates the lipos have. I would rather use just 2 4800 paks to save some more weight. Anyhow the data logger to me is invaluable never before have we had some much data on our flight conditions.
I will post more as i work with the unit. I plan to have rec. in both my primary plane and back up.

Thanks for all your reports

Tony Fandino

[crhammond]

Tony,

One solution for that is to use the Fromeco Wolverine switch. It will use and balance both batteries. Just plug it in to the 2 connectors on the Weatronic (both carry the output.) If the Batt1 wire fails for some reason you have Batt2 as a backup and both batteries are working at all times.