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Signal R2 User Manual

Use with Signal R2, running SignalSoft

1.5.6, with R2 hardware.

This document will explain what’s in the kit, step-by-step instructions for assembly, and some

tips and tricks to improve Signal R2’s performance! For more details and resources, you can

visit

http://bps.space/build-signal-r2

1. Signal R2 Parts

1. 29mm motor mount
2. TVC servos
3. TVC extension

cables

4. BPS stickers!
5. Signal R2 flight

computer

6. 9v battery

connector

7. Flight computer

mounting brackets

8. TVC inner gimbal
9. TVC outer gimbal
10. M3.5 long screws

11. M3.5 short screws
12. M2 screws
13. Linkage stoppers
14. 1.5mm hex wrench
15. TVC pushrods

Version 1.8, Jan 1, 2019

www.bps.space

Summary of Contents for Signal R2

Page 1: ...rces you can visit http bps space build signal r2 1 Signal R2 Parts 1 29mm motor mount 2 TVC servos 3 TVC extension cables 4 BPS stickers 5 Signal R2 flight computer 6 9v battery connector 7 Flight computer mounting brackets 8 TVC inner gimbal 9 TVC outer gimbal 10 M3 5 long screws 11 M3 5 short screws 12 M2 screws 13 Linkage stoppers 14 1 5mm hex wrench 15 TVC pushrods Copyright 2019 Barnard Prop...

Page 2: ...erally align 3 Flight computer assembly 1 The two included brackets go on the top and bottom of the flight computer Paying attention to the stars and orientation of the text place these on the top and bottom of the flight computer The stars black terminal blocks and Signal text should all face the same direction The fit should be very snug 2 Use 4 of the M3 5 long screws to secure the flight compu...

Page 3: ...g noise You can turn it off now we ll set that up next a If the computer doesn t start up make sure the battery is wired correctly and try again If it still doesn t turn on head to the troubleshooting section at the bottom of this document 3 Secure the battery to the flight computer or mounting brackets Several rubber bands wrapped around the whole computer and battery work well They can also be u...

Page 4: ...r turned on and beeping open the Signal app and tap on Signal R2 in the flight computer list If you don t see your flight computer there hit refresh a few times and try booting up Signal again 5 You re in Now you can view live sensor data change flight settings etc Feel free to get familiar with the app we ll be using it a bit more before the first flight 6 TVC mount assembly 6a Motor mount The mo...

Page 5: ...r mount 1 Remove the large pieces of 3d printed support material This should be fairly easy with a pair of pliers Use a smaller drill bit or long rod to remove the support material inside the screw holes of the part 2 Slide the inner gimbal over the motor tube Make sure the star on the inner gimbal faces the same direction that the pushrod points 3 Screw into place using two of the M3 5 short scre...

Page 6: ...during flight 6 Finally use the 1 5mm hex wrench to unscrew the linkage stopper a bit Align the servo horn to its center position pointing straight down move the motor mount to its center so that it s parallel with the servo and tighten the linkage stopper The mount doesn t need to be exactly centered we ll take care of that later but do your best Make sure it s very tight we don t want this comin...

Page 7: ...ghtly tight fit Screw the outer gimbal into the inner gimbal with two M3 5 short screws 3 Grab one of the the more bent pushrods and insert it into the very top hole of the inner gimbal This is tricky to do and may require some force or pliers Be careful not to damage the inner gimbal stem in the process 4 Count 3 holes from the attachment point of the servo horn and insert the other side as shown...

Page 8: ...t finished To complete the build we ll need to take care of some wiring 1 Thread the TVC Y servo labeled on the mount cable up in between the X servo pushrod and the motor mount 2 Use a marker directly on the black plastic headers of the servos and label them appropriately according to their markers on the TVC mount With the mount standing upright Y should be the bottom servo X should be the top 3...

Page 9: ...cables they should now be equal length at the end since the slack in the X cable was wrapped in tape This is important slack in the X cable could result in a TVC jam 6e Final TVC hardware steps The TVC mount is built and wired up Time to get it powered on and tested 1 Plug the correct TVC extension cables into the flight computer The white wire of the TVC extension cable should be at the top and t...

Page 10: ...re painted one can work too 1 Wrap the TVC cutout guide around the airframe pulling it tight Ensure that Line 1 can be seen through directly beneath the three tics by the number 4 This is to simply make sure you re using the correct guide on the correct airframe a I recommend lining up the bottom edge of the paper labeled dirt with the bottom of your airframe for most 10 cm long motors You can mov...

Page 11: ...tting all these parts together there are a few things to note By nature in comparison with traditional model rockets TVC rockets will be heavy for their thrust This means they ll have a more energetic impact on landing which could damage some parts of the rocket Because of this I recommend reinforcing the airframe around the TVC mount bottom of the rocket To do this you can use an extra body tube ...

Page 12: ... is a good time to ensure that all the stars between the TVC mount and flight computer are aligned and facing forward a As the computer slides through the tube keep pulling the TVC extension cable tight to remove slack b Be sure the TVC cables do not become unplugged from the flight computer 6 Attach the flight computer to the rocket airframe using 8 of the M3 5 short screws 7 Once more make sure ...

Page 13: ...he LED alternates between blue and green After this begins the computer can safely be shut off and the SD card can be removed 10 Try simulating another launch This time right at launch pitch the vehicle over about 30 40 degrees simulating a poor flight The in flight abort system should kick in turning on the buzzer for just a second but not firing any pyro channels all pyros are restricted below 4...

Page 14: ...gnal Alpha series 11 Tuning Before you launch your newly built rocket you ll need to tune it for flight This involves finding the inertia of the vehicle and running it through a flight sim to generate safe P I and D gains The methods used here are the same used by NASA to tune many of their experimental aircraft The Signal app has the steps and tips for tuning your rocket You can click the button ...

Page 15: ...e jam has been removed or fixed Watch TVC during startup When Signal R2 moves through startup pay attention to the TVC mount With the rocket upright and facing you the mount should ALWAYS actuate the bottom of the motor toward you and to the right right for a few seconds If it doesn t move in this way you may have reversed the TVC wiring and should not fly the rocket until it is fixed Every two or...

Page 16: ...polarity of power input Check voltage of power input must be above 7v Check for a possible short circuit on servo outputs Ensure all nearby metal objects make no contact with exposed contacts on the PCB Signal turns on flashes the LEDs once waits 2 3 seconds then plays the 2 tone buzzer indication Signal is missing an SD card or it is not connected well remove and re insert the SD card This can al...

Page 17: ...ables Black red and orange white wires should all match up One of the TVC servos does not work function Repeat the above steps for the individual servo If everything is wired correctly you may have a faulty or damaged servo Please contact BPS One of the TVC servos seems to move slowly when used in the mount You may have a faulty or damaged servo see above The TVC mount may be jammed check for loos...

Page 18: ...ta Contact BPS with the flight or test data you re seeing User Requirements The following constitute the guidelines that you agree to follow when using the Signal R2 kit If you do not follow these you void any guarantees or warranties for Signal R2 and neither Joe Barnard nor BPS space have any liability I will use and fly Signal R2 only during high visibility conditions I will not use or fly Sign...

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