Topic: Channel Numbering (Read 5284 times)

Bob K · « **on:** February 17, 2013, 02:52:42 pm »

Probably a silly question, but is there a standard convention to relate receiver channel numbers to transmitter stick movements?
I usually end up doing a trial and error by connecting servo leads one at a time to see which stick movement actuates it.

RTFM: (or checking the manual) gives really useful advice such as . . .
“Stick 1 Aileron”, whatever “stick one” is, or how ailerons relate to rudder etc.
eg: The Futaba manual has no diagram relating their quoted 'stick numbers' to the actual sticks.

I know RC systems are made for planes and helicopters, but it would be really nice if they wrote something more universally useful such as . . .

“Rx Channel 1 is right stick left/right”

Sure, I can do it by trial and error, but very poor information given by most manufaturers.

catengineman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2013, 03:11:40 pm »

There is mode 1 and mode 2 on my transmitter and the manual shows which stick and slider and switch relates to each mode
sorry but I'm at work so don't have the manual with me though I am sure I use mode 1 for the Tito Neri which has the channel 1 on the left stick up / down.
Just wait and when I get home I'll find out its the other way round.

Just found this which may help
http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/8j-manual.pdf

Bob K · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:14:42 pm »

Thank you. I have made my own table of channel numbers to stick movements, but only by trying each Rx connector in turn, and not for the first time.

Such an important item of information seemingly considered by manufacturers to be unimportant.

Is it even a common standard between designers ?

Subculture · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:33:15 pm »

The channel numbers are moulded into the case on an f14.

Circlip · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:42:16 pm »

Due to the different configurations many want their own sets to be in, the channel"Numbers" are factorial to the number of controls.

Tain't missile teknowleggy to use a servo and the receiver to map your own.

Regards Ian.

tt1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2013, 12:41:00 am »

Ian it is if you don't know, missile technology that is. The guy is asking a question "maybe silly" he states - so he obviously doesn't know, that's why he 's asking about channel numbers or sequence of same, don't see how missile technology comes into it

He may well be a missile technician - think he's referring to channel signals for his boat though!

Bob K · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2013, 05:37:57 am »

It should not have to be rocket science, it should be clearly shown in the manual.

Below is a diagram showing how receiver channel numbers map out to transmitter stick movements, for at least the three transmitters I have. Hopefully this will at least be useful to those new to the black arts of radio control.

IMO it’s a good job we have better information on how to wire a household mains plug, instead of being left to map our own connections.

Circlip · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2013, 09:22:06 am »

Didn't inferr it was a silly question tt1 But just to show lack of consistency, I have a two function unit in which function 1 is on the LH stick and is up and down and function 2 is on the RH stick and is left and right.
And another non standard, when you move a stick to the left, the servo on that function doesn't necessarily move clockwise.

Mapping your own system is safer.

Reverse gear in a car is always gearstick fully to the right and backwards??????????

Regards Ian

RAAArtyGunner · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:02:17 am »

Quote from: Circlip on February 18, 2013, 09:22:06 am

Didn't inferr it was a silly question tt1 But just to show lack of consistency, I have a two function unit in which function 1 is on the LH stick and is up and down and function 2 is on the RH stick and is left and right.
And another non standard, when you move a stick to the left, the servo on that function doesn't necessarily move clockwise.

Mapping your own system is safer.

Reverse gear in a car is always gearstick fully to the right and backwards??????????

Regards Ian

Agree and you have to always push down on the gear lever

Argosy42 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2013, 11:58:50 am »

Yes, always to the right and backwards ..... except mine, which is to the left and up, after pushing the leaver down towards the floor !

Argosy42

petermun · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2013, 02:49:16 pm »

Hope this does not confuse things, but I would also mention the reversing switches. On my 2.4 Tx`s they are not physically numbered, but have names such as aeleron etc. By trial and error I know that from left to right they equate to channels 1, 2, 3, 4, et seq. Pete

Netleyned · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2013, 02:58:08 pm »

Quote from: petermun on February 18, 2013, 02:49:16 pm

Hope this does not confuse things, but I would also mention the reversing switches. On my 2.4 Tx`s they are not physically numbered, but have names such as aeleron etc. By trial and error I know that from left to right they equate to channels 1, 2, 3, 4, et seq. Pete

Not on orange rxs used with Spent rum TDs
Left to right Batt/bind. Throttle. Aileron. Et seq

Ned

inertia · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2013, 03:19:11 pm »

I think all this proves is that manufacturers don't get together when allocating numbers to functions. Futaba aren't even consistent within their own range of products. I think the only generally agreed number is Channel 1, which seems always to be the RH stick side-to-side (at least on twin dual-axis stick sets).
As Circlip says, it takes no great intellect or grasp of electronics to "map" your particular set by plugging a servo into each channel in turn, wiggling all the sticks and switches until it moves and then noting the details in the handy "Notes" section at the back of the manual.
What?
"Manual"??
You mean you didn't read it?
Maybe the channel numbers are shown in there, too.

DM

Bob K · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2013, 03:50:04 pm »

Many thanks DM. That's about the best answer by far. ie: There is no industry convention, even beginners are left to plug one in and see what happens, and Transmitter manuals seem to be universal in lacking such essential basic information.

I am wiring up another boat, and by comparison would like to say that the detail instructions for connecting up the motors and controller are the clearest instruction sets I have seen. Thanks !

Netleyned · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2013, 03:58:27 pm »

Probably an Action Diagram

Ned

malcolmfrary · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2013, 06:46:42 pm »

I imagine that the important thing to remember when mapping a multi channel outfit is to set everything as basic as possible. Any mixing functions have the ability to create havoc with logic. Only guessing, there, as I prefer things simple. Of course, the alleged manual should render clues.

upscope · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2013, 07:59:23 pm »

Hi all, working in a model shop myself, we come across this quite often.
The main problem is that the manufacturers write one generic manual for all their sets (futaba are a classic for this), for instance this thread was started with the ailerons being on stick one on the right, yes, but not if your a mode 4 flyer and yes they do exist, there is a model flying club in Eire that fly mode 4!
The amount of us boat moddeler's (I do fly planes/helis too) that would have loved to have the futaba manual written in "boat speak", but the likes of futaba/spectrum/JR/Sanwa will sell 80% of their multi channel (4 & above) sets to aeromoddelers.
Most of the top end futaba sets channel 1 can be anywhere on the set as the user can assign any channel to any stick or switch.
Paul Cook
Hobbystores Watton, Norfolk

Bob K · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2013, 08:53:25 pm »

Paul: Having the insights of someone who works in a model shop is valuable. Thank you.

However even with the popular multi purpose Planet T5 manual there is no info as to which Rx channel number plug relates to “ailerons”. Both flyers and boaters have to guess where to plug in the servo lead.

When buying a 40Mhz system, which the UK Radio Control Council define as for surface models only, the book talks only about aircraft and again without Rx plug numbers defined even for flyers.

It was merely a question for clarification. Another question would be which stick positions do boat enthusiasts use, which again does not seem to be universal other than an up/down for throttle and a left/right for rudder. ie: Beware of Fail Safe Mode, and what happens to your throttle setting on loss of signal.

I guess a trial and error curve for anyone new to building RC boats. If you have built at least one you will have written it down somewhere.

RAAArtyGunner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2013, 11:04:34 pm »

You have omitted users who are left handed, which seems to me why, there are mode 1 and mode 2 systems produced by all manufacturers as a minimum.

The rest is up to the user, as a left handed person may set up their model, even a boat, differently, so what is the 'norm'.

To quote 'circlip' Reverse gear in a car is always gearstick fully to the right and backwards??????????

.....................................................

Circlip · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2013, 01:03:54 am »

An guess who else is left handed

Regards Ian

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Author Topic: Channel Numbering (Read 5284 times)

catengineman

inertia