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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2008THROTTLE LOCK FOR ELECTRICS
A great saftey idea for the pages of RC Report (8/2007) THROTTLE LOCK FOR ELECTRICS The complexity of the programming will depend on your transmitter and your familiarity with its requirements. Note that you must have a computer transmitter with a free mix available, and the ability to assign the mix to the switch you want to use for the throttle lock. You must also be familiar with setting up a mix on your radio. During the programming I recommend using a servo connected to the throttle channel instead of an ESC, to make it easier and safer to see what's going on. I'm using an Airtronics Infinity 660 and a Futaba 9CAP, and the only difference is in the mixing points. First the mix should be throttle to throttle, and set the Rate to -100% for up and down stick. Next, comes the mixing point, which is set to the fully closed throttle stick setting. For Airtronics it's -100%, and for the Futaba it's 0% offset. This is usually set by pressing the input key with the throttle in the fully closed position. Make sure the trim is zeroed.. With the 9CAP you have to hold down the Dial key for one second to input the value (Boy did I ever have to play around to learn that! Just try finding it in the manual!). Now all that's left is to assign a switch of your choice. I use a switch on the left with its down position being "locked", and its up position being "motor enabled". You may choose to·set it up differently. Now it should be easy to see the results with the servo on the throttle channel. With the lock disabled the servo should move normally. Observe the servo arm location with the throttle stick fully closed. When the lock is enabled the servo should stay in (or go to) that position, regardless of throttle stick movement. In use I keep the switch in "lock" until I'm ready to hit the throttle. I also use the same switch to start/stop the flight timer. I also switch to "lock" the moment I land, reducing the chances of "surgical alterations" of body parts when picking up the plane. I hope this works for you and your setup as well. -Peter Forlenza Lyndonville, VT pilotpete2@charter.net Red Scholefield Safety Coordinator AMA District V. >THROTTLE LOCK FOR ELECTRICS What would be the practical difference to simply using the "throttle cut" function?  SignatureRoRo I think you miss the point. The Throttle LOCK is a great idea as it prevents the motor from starting up at all. The throttle cut, just reduces the throttle to the lowest position is dictated by your programming. It does not prevent you from throttling up and restarting the electric motor. >>THROTTLE LOCK FOR ELECTRICS > > What would be the practical difference to simply using the "throttle > cut" function? >I think you miss the point. The Throttle LOCK is a great idea as it prevents >the motor from starting up at all. I did get that. But if the throttle cut switch is on, the motor will not start when you move the throttle stick. At least, that's how it works on the Futaba 9C. Of course, you would have to use a switch that stays in both positions, not one that returns automatically. Not all radios can reassign switches like that. >The throttle cut, just reduces the >throttle to the lowest position is dictated by your programming. Yes. And the programming would then be set to zero, or full stop. >It does not >prevent you from throttling up and restarting the electric motor. On the Futaba 9C it certainly does. SignatureRoRo okey dokey >>I think you miss the point. The Throttle LOCK is a great idea as it >>prevents [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > On the Futaba 9C it certainly does. > >I think you miss the point. The Throttle LOCK is a great idea as it prevents > >the motor from starting up at all. > > I did get that. But if the throttle cut switch is on, the motor will > not start when you move the throttle stick. At least, that's how it > works on the Futaba 9C. The EXTREMELY popular DX7 Spektrum does not have a throttle cut feature, and as you said, many radios have a dedicated spring-loaded throttle cut switch. If throttle cut works for you, then bully for you. There is more than one way to skin a cat. |
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