Futaba T6EXA-72 6 Channel Aircraft Radio Control User Manual 6EXA2

Futaba Corporation 6 Channel Aircraft Radio Control 6EXA2

Users Manual Part 2

INTRODUCTION TTO TTHE 66EXA SSYSTEMIMPORTANT!: Always turn on the transmitter first, then the receiver. When turning off the system, always turn off the receiverfirst. The object is never to have the receiver on by itself. Otherwise, the servos or control surfaces could be damaged, or in thecase of electric-powered models, the motor may unexpectedly turn on causing severe injury.IMPORTANT!: Never collapse the transmitter antenna by pushing down from the top. If one of the segments becomes momentarilystuck you may damage the antenna. Instead, collapse the antenna from the bottom, drawing in one segment at a time. TransmitterThe T6EXA FM 6-channel transmitter may be used with any Futaba, narrow band, FM receiver. The liquid-crystal display (LCD)on the face of the compact, ergonomically-designed case is easy to read and allows rapid data input. The system also holdsindependent memories for six different models. The new, adjustable-length control sticks provide an improved feel. Externalswitches operate dual rates (D/R), landing gear, and trainer cord or “buddy-box” capabilities. Programming features includeservo reversing and E.P.A on all channels, dual rates, exponentials and programmable mixing. Additionally, any one of four,factory-set, preprogrammed “wing-type” mixers including flaperon, V-tail, elevon or flaperon + V-tail mixing may be selected.Transmitter ccontrolsThe diagram and explanations briefly describe the functions of the Futaba T6EXA transmitter. Full instructions on how tooperate the controls are provided beginning on page 9. NOTE: The diagram shows a Mode 2 system as supplied. (More on flight modes on page 18).DESCRIPTIONS:Aileron aand EElevator ddual rrate sswitchUse this switch to “flip” between two aileron and elevator control throw settings. The throws can be set up however you prefer,but generally, when the switch is “up” the throws are greater (“high rate”) and when the switch is “down” the throws are less(“low rate”). This switch also flips between exponential rates (if used).Flap ccontrol ddial/Channel 66- This dial operates the servo connected to channel 6 in the receiver—if your model has flaps thisis the control used to operate them. Neck sstrap hhook - Mounting point for optional neck strap.Aileron/elevator ccontrol sstick - Operates the servos connected to channel 1 (aileron) and channel 2 (elevator) in the receiver.Trim llevers ((all) - Used to shift the neutral or center position of each servo as labeled in the diagram. NOTE: The throttle trim lever is intended for fine tuning the throttle servo when the engine is at idle. Throttle trim does notaffect the throttle servo when the throttle control stick is all the way up (so idle r.p.m. can be adjusted without affectingthrottle settings through the rest of the stick movement).4Aileron & Elevatordual rate switchAntenna Retractable landinggear switch / CH.5Flap controldial / CH.6Carrying handleLiquid-crystal displayscreen (LCD)Throttle/ruddercontrol stickMODE keySELECT keyTrainer /throttlecut switch Neck strap hookCharging jackOn-off switchRudder trimleverThrottle trimleverDATA INPUT leverAileron trim leverElevator trim leverAileron/elevatorcontrol stick
Charging jjack – Port for charging the transmitter batteries with the included battery charger.On-ooff sswitchDATA IINPUT llever – Used to change the values of the various functions displayed on the LCD screen.Liquid-ccrystal ddisplay sscreen (LCD) – Displays programming modes and values entered. MODE kkey - Used to scroll through and display the seven different functions.SELECT kkey - Used to display the values for the current function.Throttle/rudder ccontrol sstick - Operates the servos connected to channel 3 (throttle) and channel 4 (rudder) in the receiver.Trainer/throttle-ccut sswitch - Operates both the trainer and throttle-cut functions. To operate as a trainer switch the transmittermust be connected to another transmitter via. a trainer cord (available separately). To use the throttle-cut function, lower thethrottle stick all the way, then rapidly depress the switch twice to fully close the carburetor and shut off the engine. Retractable llanding ggear sswitch/Channel 55– Switch operates the servo connected to channel 5 in the receiver—if your modelhas retractable landing gear this is the control used to extend and retract the gear.Antenna – Radiates signals to the receiver. Never fly a model without fully extending the antenna or you may createinterference to other modelers and decrease operational signal range of the transmitter. The antenna may be removed andreplaced with another in case it is inadvertently broken.RADIO IINSTALLATIONFollow these guidelines to properly mount the servos, receiver and battery.•Make certain the alignment ttab on the battery, switch and servo connectors is oriented correctly and “keys” into thecorresponding notch in the receiver or connectors before plugging them in. When unplugging connectors, never pull on thewires. Always pull on the plastic connector instead. •If any servo wires are not long enough to reach the receiver, servo extension wires (available separately) may be used. •Always mount the servos with the supplied rubber ggrommets. Do not over tighten thescrews. No part of the servo casing should contact the mounting rails, servo tray or anyother part of the airplane structure. Otherwise, vibration will be transmitted to the servocausing premature wear and/or servo failure.•Note the small numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) molded into each arm on the Futaba 4-arm servoarms. The numbers indicate how many degrees each arm is “off” from 90 degrees tocorrect for minute manufacturing deviations from servo to servo.•To center the servos, connect them to the receiver and turnon the transmitter and receiver. Center the trims on thetransmitter, then find the arm that will be perpendicular tothe pushrod when placed on the servo.5
•After the servos are installed, operate each servo over its full travel and check that the pushrods and servo arms do notbind or contact each other. Also make sure the controls do not require excess force to operate. If there is an objectionablebuzzing sound coming from a servo, there is probably too much resistance in the control. Find and correct the problem.Even if there is no servo damage, excess battery drain will result.•Use the mounting pplate from the receiver on/off switch as a template for the cutout and screw holes. Mount the switch onthe side of the fuselage opposite the engine exhaust, and where it won’t be inadvertently turned on or off during handlingor storage. Be certain the switch moves without restriction and “snaps” from ON to OFF, and that the cutout allows fullmotion of the switch in both directions.•IMPORTANT: NNEVER cut the receiver antenna or mount it in the model folded back on itself. Doing so will change itselectrical length, possibly reducing the distance from the pilot that the model can be controlled (“range”).•The receiver antenna may be mounted inside or outside the model:Internal aantenna mmounting:The antenna may be routed down through the inside of the fuselage, or through any non-mmetallic housing or tube within thefuselage. Keep the antenna away from metal pushrods, wires and cables; otherwise, range may be decreased. Always performa range check before flying (see page 19). External aantenna mmounting:A. Use a cut off servo arm as a ”stop” or strain relief inside the fuselage to keeptension off the solder joint holding the antenna to the receiver. Guide the antennathrough a hole in the fuselage. (If possible, insulate the hole with a rubber grommet ora small piece of rubber tubing.)B. Make a hook from another cut off servo arm. Insert the end of the antennathrough two holes, then connect the hook to a rubber band around a pin inserted intothe vertical stabilizer. Allow any excess antenna length to trail behind the hook. •The receiver contains precision electronic parts. It is the most delicate (and expensive) radio component on-board the modeland should be protected from vibration, shock and temperature extremes. To protect the receiver, wrap it in R/C foam rubberor other vibration-absorbing material. If appropriate, waterproof the receiver by placing it in a plastic bag and closing the openend with a rubber band before wrapping it in foam. If moisture enters the receiver, intermittent operation or a failure mayresult. Wrapping the receiver in a plastic bag also protects it from fuel and exhaust residue which, in some models, can workits way into the fuselage.Mounting tthe ffrequency cclip:•To announce your frequency and avoid potential interference problems, thefrequency number should always be displayed on the transmitter antenna whileflying. Peel the backing from the numbers and apply them to both sides of theclip. Snap the end of the clip that fits best to the base of the antenna as shown.You may cut off the other end of the clip.6
RECEIVER AAND SSERVO CCONNECTIONSConnect the servos to the receiver to perform the functions indicated: The diagram shown is for aircraft models only. Additional servos may have to be purchased separately. CHARGING TTHE NNi-CCd BBATTERIESThe transmitter and receiver batteries included with your 6EXA system are rechargeable, Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium, pronounced‘ni- •kad) batteries. Ni-Cd batteries require special care and charging. Read tthe ccharging iinstructions ccarefully.1. Connect the transmitter ccharging ccord coming from the A/C wall charger to the charge jack in the right side of thetransmitter case. The receiver ccharging ccord may be connected to the batteries two different ways: The charge cord may beconnected directly to the battery pack, or to the vacant charge connector (black) coming from the on/off switch in the model.Charging “through the switch” is preferred as there will be no need to disconnect the battery.2. Plug the A/C wall charger into a wall outlet. Note: If the wall outlet can be turned off by a switch in the room, be certain theswitch remains on after leaving the room. Otherwise, the batteries will not be charged!3. The LEDs (light-emitting diodes) should light red, indicating that current is flowing and the batteries are being charged.Discharged batteries will take about 15 hours to fully charge. If using an aftermarket fast charger, be ccertain tto ffollow tthemanufacturer’s iinstructions pprovided wwith tthe ccharger so you do not overcharge the batteries. NEVER charge the batteriesNOTE: The batteries are supplied partially charged but will require a full, overnight charge before the model may be flown.7Receiveroutput Functionchannel1 Aileron -or- right flaperon -or- right elevon (for tailless models)2 Elevator -or- right ruddervator (for V-tail models) -or- left elevon (for tailless models)3 Throttle4 Rudder -or- left ruddervator (for V-tail models)5 Retractable landing gear6 Flap -or- left flaperon7 Not usedB/8 Receiver on/off switch (the plug colored red goes into the receiver)Flap (or 2ndFlaperon) Servo(CH6)Gear Servo(CH5)Rudder Servo(CH4)Throttle Servo(CH3)Elevator Servo(CH2)Aileron Servo(CH1)ReceiverChargingJack(Black)SwitchHarnessTo Battery(Red)
at a rate higher than 1,000mAh. The batteries should also be discharged periodically to prevent a condition called“memory.” If, for example, only two flights are made each time you go flying, the batteries will not have “reached” very fardown into their full capacity. After doing this several times the batteries will “remember” and eventually “think” they cansupply only enough power for two flights. After two flights the batteries may not provide enough power to operate the system,thus causing a crash. To erase any potential memory, cycle the batteries by discharging, then charging them with acommercial battery cycler, or leave the system on and exercise the servos by moving the transmitter sticks until the servosare moving very slowly, indicating that the battery is discharged. Cycling should be done every one to two months, evenduring the winter or periods of long storage. If using a cycler with a readout, note the capacity after the batteries have beencycled. If there is a noticeable drop in capacity the batteries should be replaced. LIQUID CCHIP DDISPLAY ((LCD) && PPROGRAMMING CCONTROLSLCD ddisplay sscreenWhen the transmitter is initially turned on, the model mmemory nnumberand transmitter bbattery vvoltage are displayed on the LCD screen. Whenprompted by the user, the functions and settings stored in the memorycan also be read on the screen. The user accesses the different functionsusing the MODE and SELECT keys and changes the values and settingsusing the DATA INPUT lever. (This is called programming!)Note: Feel free to explore by scrolling through the programs and viewing the displays using the MODE and SELECT keys. TheMODE and SELECT keys only determine what will be displayed on the screen and will not change any of the settings. Onlywhen using the DATA INPUT lever will you be able to change any of the settings.Note: Charging your batteries with the included Futaba A/C battery charger is always safe. However, fast-charging with anaftermarket charger is acceptable as long as you know how to properly operate the charger. NEVER charge at a rate higherthan 1,000 mAh (1 Amp). If not done correctly, fast-charging can damage the batteries.8MODE key - use to select desired function while programmingTo open programming menu;Press both keys simultaneously andhold for one secondSELECT key - use to select items withinfunction to be set or changed in the screenDATA INPUT lever - use this lever to input numbers or settingsCurrent model memoryTransmitterbattery voltage
Model mmemory nnumberThe Futaba T6EXA stores model memories for six models. This means all the data (control throws, trims, end points, etc.) for upto six different models can be stored in the transmitter and activated at any time (depending upon which model you choose to flythat day). This eliminates the requirement for reconfiguring the transmitter each time you decide to fly a different model with it!When the transmitter is turned on the model nnumber and the transmitter voltage will be indicated on the LCD screen. Before everyflight BE CCERTAIN that the correct model number for the model you intend to fly appears on the screen. If the transmitter is notoperating the correct model, some (or all) of the controls could be reversed and the travels and trims will be wrong. Transmitter bbattery vvoltageIn addition to the model number, the LCD screen also displays the transmitter bbattery vvoltage.When the voltage goes below approximately 8.5 VVolts the “battery” icon will ffllaasshhand thelow-battery alarm will continuously “beep” until the transmitter is turned off. When the low-battery alarm sounds you will have approximately four minutes (or less) to land your modelbefore losing control. You should never allow the transmitter voltage to become this low whileflying, but if it does, land immediately.PROGRAMMING TTHE 66EXA RRADIOAnytime you wish to view or change any of the current settings in the transmitter, the programming mode must first be enteredby, of course, turning on the power, then by pressing the “MODE” and “SELECT” keys simultaneously and holding them downfor one second. Once “in the program” the MODE key will be used to scroll through each of the seven functions (model number,reversing, dual rates & exponentials, end point adjustments, trim, programmable mix and the pre-programmed “wing” mixing)and the SELECT key will be used to view the settings within the function. When a data change is actually required the “DATAINPUT” lever will be used to increase or decrease the value of the item displayed, thus making the change.You can return to the “home” screen (where the model number and battery voltage is displayed) by pressing the MODE andSELECT keys simultaneously and holding them down for one second. Note: The functions are listed and described in the order that they appear in the transmitter. Read all the way through theprogramming instructions before setting up your model (if you won’t be using any of the mixing functions for a while youcan read those instructions when ready). Refer to the FLOW CHART on page 16 as well.Note: When the transmitter voltage reads 8.9 VVolts you willstill have approximately ten minutes (or less) before losingoperational range, so this is the recommended absoluteminimum voltage. If the transmitter ever reaches 8.9 Volts,land as soon as safely possible. A more reasonable marginof safety would be to quit flying for the day (or recharge thebatteries) when the transmitter battery is at 9.4 Volts.SUGGESTED GGUIDELINES9.4 Volts – No more flying until recharge.8.9 Volts – Land as soon as safely possible.8.5 Volts – Emergency – Land iimmediately!Flying a model with the wrong program will result in a crash, so always be ccertain the model number in the transmitter iscorrect. One way to ensure this is to write the corresponding model number directly on the airplane, or attach a list to thebottom or back of the transmitter. 9

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