SRC-VX1P Sparted Vortex Pico VX1P User Guide

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Vortex User Guide

Spartan M

OVERVIEW

The Vortex flybarless range is based on a sophisticated hybrid rotor

control system that seamlessly combines mathematically accurate flybar

simulation with modern digital control algorithms. Combined with

Spartan’s market leading tail gyro technology the holding ability of the

Vortex is excellent and precise giving a very solid and dependable feel on

any size helicopter from tiny electrics to nitro and gas. The built in

governor responds exceptionally fast using Spartan’s pre-emptive

technology to provide power before the engine is bogged down. Finally,

the cutting-edge silicon ring MEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical System)

sensors combined with adaptive digital filtering offer vibration immunity

tolerance not previously seen in RC helicopter controllers.

TROUBLESHOOTING, WARRANTY & REPAIRS

Should you encounter any problems, please do not return this product to

the store until you have carefully read this user guide, consulted the

knowledge base on the Spartan website and sought advice from our

technical support staff.

For repairs, servicing, technical support or questions regarding the

distribution of this product visit the support page at the Spartan website:

http://www.spartan-rc.com/

WARNING!

Model helicopters are not toys and have the potential to be very

dangerous. Failure to follow the safety precautions and warnings in this

user guide may result in severe injury to yourself and others. Beginners

are advised to seek further advice from an experienced adult pilot.

Read through the entire user guide and other associated documents

before operating this product.

This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause

cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Safety Precautions

BEFORE EACH FLIGHT:

• Verify that the Vortex operates correctly.

• Verify that the Vortex compensates in the correct direction.

• Verify that the Vortex is operating in the desired mode.

• Verify that the sensor mounting pads are in good condition.

• Verify that interconnection wires are not in contact with the sharp edges

of the helicopter frames.

• Verify that all linkages, ball links and blade grip bearings can move

freely without excessive friction.

GETTING STARTED

The Vortex is configured using a Spartan DataPod. Before you proceed

setting up your new Vortex please download the “DataPod User Guide for

Vortex” to familiarise yourself with the menu system navigation and other

DataPod related functions.

In order for the setup process to flow smoothly please ensure than you

apply power to the Vortex only as described below.

 Using power from the ESC - Connect the ESC to the SV5 port of the

Vortex. Ensure that the motor wires are disconnected as some steps of

the setup process may cause the throttle signal to change activating the

motor without notice.

 Using power from a separate BEC or battery

Using satellite receivers - Connect the BEC or battery to the RX port

of the Vortex.

ii)

Using PPM, SBUS, XBUS, SUMD or similar receiver - Connect the BEC

or battery to the receiver’s battery input. Use the supplied heavy

duty male-to-male servo cable to connect the receiver’s output to

the RX port of the Vortex.

iii)

Using standard receiver - Connect the BEC or battery to the

receiver’s battery input. Use supplied heavy duty male-to-male servo

cable to connect the receiver’s collective pitch channel to the RX port

of the Vortex.

Any additional connections to receiver, servos and RPM sensor will be

performed at a later stage and guidance will be provided during the setup

process.

You are now ready to start installing your new Vortex. Please locate the

“Setup and Tuning Informtation” on the Spartan website and click on the

Setup tab. Follow the step by step instructions provided.

POWER BUS

OPERATION

Immediately after powering on, the Vortex performs automatic calibration

of the transmitter sticks and gyro sensor resting positions. During

calibration the sensor’s Status light alternates rapidly between red and

blue. The helicopter must remain undisturbed and the cyclic and rudder

sticks must be left at the centre position. Calibration lasts approximately

4 seconds and upon completion the Vortex will zip the swashplate and tail

rotor. The Status light should now be steady blue indicating a successful

calibration and that the helicopter is ready to fly.

The swashplate and tail will not zip if one of the following occurs:

• The RC receiver is not providing signal for all required channels.

• The battery alarm function detected low supply voltage.

• The Vortex flight computer is not receiving signal from the sensor.

• The sensor tests have not passed (sensor light will flash error pattern).

FIRST FLIGHT

Before your first flight with the Vortex:

 Update the Throttle Failsafe of the Vortex as well as the one of your

radio system (if provided).

 Set the Governor Rotor RPM even if you are not using the governor

function. Whilst this is not essential, knowledge of the approximate

rotor RPM (+/-100) allows the Vortex to optimise its rotor phase

compensation and vibration filtering algorithms.

 Since the engine governor is not essential for the helicopter to fly we

advice that the governor is set to Off during the first flight and until the

tail, rotor and engine mixture are fine tuned.

 Most flybarless systems benefit from firm head dampening. Soft or worn

out dampeners allow the rotor disk to flex excessively thus introducing a

control delay which ultimately results in degraded cyclic performance.

Your Vortex is designed to offer sharp cyclic stops which makes firm

dampening even more important. Check their condition now.

 Ensure that any “play” in the rotor and tail system is kept to a minimum

and that the tail pitch linkages can move freely without excessive

friction through any guides, ball links or other joints.

Some parameters may require fine tuning during the initial flights.

 Tail Gyro Gain

– The factory default value should provide enough

stability to at least hover; however you should always proceed with

care. If insufficient stabilisation or tail wag is seen the gain should be

raised or lowered respectively. It is not uncommon to find that the

optimal gain value for a helicopter could be as small as 25-45%. A small

value does not mean that the gyro will be limited in performance. Any

gain value performs well as long as it is the optimal gain value.

However, a gain below 25% indicates that the mechanical gain of the

tail is too high and therefore it is recommended to move the servo arm

ball link further in if possible. Similarly if 100% is reached and no tail

wagging is seen the ball link needs to be moved further out.

 Rotor Gain

– The default value is a conservative estimate that should

suit a large number of helicopters. In some cases better performance

can be achieved by increasing the rotor gain. Adjust in small steps of 3-

5% and be aware that the helicopter may start to oscillate if the gain

becomes excessively high. If oscillations are seen do not increase the

gain further; reduce by a few percent until they are no longer present.

 Governor Gain

– Due to the large variations in engine and fuel

performance it is expected that the governor gain may need to be

adjusted. If the engine is hunting (rapidly revving up and down) reduce

the gain until the hunting stops. Similarly, if the engine responds too

slowly to rapid changes of the collective pitch the governor gain will

need to be increased.

WARRANTY AND PRODUCT REGISTRATION

This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or

workmanship for twelve months from the date of original purchase.

Within this period, Spartan RC will, at its sole option, repair or replace

any components which fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will

be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labour, provided that

the customer shall be responsible for any transportation costs. This

warranty does not cover failures due to wear and tear, abuse, misuse,

accident or unauthorized alterations or repairs. All warranty is return to

Vorte

All ports on this

side share (+) and

(-) lines. Power can

be applied to or

taken from any

port.

Special function

ports. Never

connect a battery

or other power

source on this

side on the unit.

All ports of the top

row share (+) and

(-) lines. Power can

be applied to or

taken from any

port.

Vorte

Nano

Special function

ports. Never

connect a battery

or other power

source at the

bottom row.

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
Vortex User Guide POWER BUS Doc. V3.00 ©2004-2014 Special function ports. Never connect a battery or other power source on this side on the unit. Spartan M OVERVIEW The Vortex flybarless range is based on a sophisticated hybrid rotor control system that seamlessly combines mathematically accurate flybar simulation with modern digital control algorithms.
PAGE 2
 It is essential that the unit is aligned as accurately as possibly with the pitch, roll and yaw axis of the aircraft. Always mount it to a rigid flat surface.  Do not allow the unit’s case to touch other objects.  Avoid fixing the cables to the helicopter for the first 5cm (2 inches) from the unit end to reduce transmission of vibrations through the cables.  Avoid mounting the unit in direct proximity to large electric motors.