GRAUPNER mx-16 ifs, Programming Manual

Page: 4 / 132

4 Safety Notes
Safety Notes
mitters and any interference, and may respond. The model
could then carry out uncontrolled movements, which could
easily result in personal injury or damage to property.
Please take particular care if your model is fi tted with a
mechanical gyro : before you switch your receiver off, discon-
nect the power supply to ensure that the motor cannot run up
to high speed accidentally.
As it runs down, the gyro can generate such a high volt-
age that the receiver picks up apparently valid throttle
commands, and the motor could respond by unexpect-
edly bursting into life.
Range checking
Before every session check that the system works properly
in all respects, and has adequate range. In this regard it is
essential to read the notes on page 24 and the instructions
supplied with the receiver you are using.
When operating a model, i. e. when fl ying or driving, do not
operate the transmitter without the aerial fi tted. Check that
the transmitter aerial is fi rmly seated.
Operating your model aircraft, helicopter, boat or car
Never fl y directly over spectators or other pilots, and take
care at all times not to endanger people or animals. Keep
well clear of high-tension overhead cables. Never operate
your model boat close to locks and full-size vessels. Model
cars should never be run on public streets or motorways,
footpaths, public squares etc..
Checking the transmitter and receiver batteries
It is essential to stop using the radio control system and
recharge the batteries well before they are completely
discharged. In the case of the transmitter this means – at the
very latest – when the message “
battery needs charging ”
appears on the screen, and you hear an audible warning
signal.
It is vital to check the state of the batteries at regular intervals
– especially the receiver pack. When the battery is almost fl at
you may notice the servos running more slowly, but it is by
no means safe to keep fl ying or running your model until this
happens. Always replace or recharge the batteries in good
time.
Keep to the battery manufacturer’s instructions, and don’t
leave the batteries on charge for longer than stated. Do not
leave batteries on charge unsupervised.
Never attempt to recharge dry cells, as they may explode.
Rechargeable batteries should always be recharged before
every session. When charging batteries it is important to
avoid short-circuits. Do this by fi rst connecting the banana
plugs on the charge lead to the charger, taking care to main-
tain correct polarity. Only then connect the charge lead to the
transmitter or receiver battery.
Disconnect all batteries and remove them from your model if
you know you will not be using it in the near future.
Capacity and operating times
This rule applies to all forms of electrical power source: bat-
tery capacity is reduced every time you charge the pack. At
low temperatures capacity is greatly reduced, i. e. operating
times are shorter in cold conditions.
Frequent charging, and / or the use of maintenance pro-
grams, tends to cause a gradual reduction in battery capac-
ity. We recommend that you check the capacity of all your
rechargeable batteries at least every six months, and replace
them if their performance has fallen off signifi cantly.
Use only genuine
GRAUPNER rechargeable batteries!
Suppressing electric motors
To a greater or lesser extent, all conventional electric mo-
tors produce sparks between commutator and brushes,
depending on the motor type; the sparking generates serious
interference to the radio control system. If an RC system is to
a way that the pushrods move accurately, smoothly and
freely. It is particularly important that all servo output arms
can move to their full extent without fouling or rubbing on
anything, or being obstructed mechanically at any point in
their travel.
It is essential that you should be able to stop your motor at
any time. With a glow motor this is achieved by adjusting the
throttle so that the barrel closes completely when you move
the throttle stick and trim to their end-points.
Ensure that no metal parts are able to rub against each
other, e. g. when controls are operated, when parts rotate,
or when motor vibration affects the model. Metal-to-metal
contact causes electrical “noise” which can interfere with the
correct working of the receiver.
Directing the transmitter aerial
Transmitter fi eld strength is at a minimum in an imaginary
line extending straight out from the transmitter aerial. It is
therefore fundamentally misguided to “point” the transmit-
ter aerial at the model with the intention of obtaining good
reception.
When several radio control systems are in use on adjacent
channels, the pilots should always stand together in a loose
group. Pilots who insist on standing away from the group en-
danger their own models as well as those of the other pilots.
Pre-fl ight checking
Before
you switch on the receiver, ensure that the throttle
stick is at the stop / idle end-point.
Always switch on the transmitter fi rst,
and only then the receiver.
Always switch off the receiver fi rst,
and only then the transmitter.
If you do not keep to this sequence, i. e. if the receiver is at
any time switched on when “its” transmitter is switched OFF,
then the receiver is wide open to signals from other trans-