14
Set the Fail Safe and the Motor Brake
FAIL SAFE:
While you have your radio operational and
without
the propeller mounted
, now would also be a good time to set
and check the Fail Safe function of your transmitter. Refer to
the instructions that came with your radio control system to set
Fail Safe on the throttle channel so that, in the event of signal
loss, the motor will stop. To test the Fail Safe, with the propeller
removed and the radio control system turned on, advance the
throttle slightly (just enough to make the motor turn) and turn
off the transmitter. If the Fail Safe is set correctly, the motor will
stop when the transmitter is turned off.
MOTOR BRAKE:
While you still have your radio system
powered up and
without the propeller mounted
, check
the motor brake.
Advance the throttle stick to run the motor, and then move
the throttle stick down to stop the motor. The motor should
coast gradually to a stop (not stop abruptly). If the motor does
stop abruptly, the brake is turned on. Turn off the brake function
by following the procedure below:
A. Disconnect the battery from the ESC so it will not
receive power.
B. With the transmitter turned on, advance the throttle stick
to full throttle.
C. Connect the battery to the ESC to power the motor. Listen
for the series of beeps. There will be three single beeps
separated by pauses (for brake OFF), then a series of
three double beeps separated by pauses (for brake ON).
To turn the brake ON, lower the throttle during the series
of double beeps. If you wish to turn the brake OFF, lower
the throttle during the three single beeps. Now the brake
is set to the desired function and you may disconnect the
battery and turn off the transmitter.
WARNING!
Do not proceed with the installation
of the propeller if your Fail Safe is not functioning
as expected. Even with a properly set Fail Safe,
the propeller/motor should always be considered “armed”
and can be a potential source of injury
WHENEVER
the
propeller is installed on the motor and the fl ight battery
is connected to the ESC.
ALWAYS
be alert for anything
that could come in contact with the propeller (especially
yourself) should it unexpectedly start to rotate.
Also, be sure the Cherokee is
ALWAYS
secured to your
bench during setup or on a fl ight stand prior to your fl ight
when the propeller is installed and the fl ight battery is
connected to the ESC. Do not allow the Cherokee to be
able to roll if the motor were to start unexpectedly. Safe
practices at your work bench and at your fl ying site will
ensure an enjoyable experience with the Cherokee EP.
Check the C.G.
Since the battery location determines the C.G., the procedure
of determining where to mount the battery and checking the
C.G. are done simultaneously.
❏
1. Cut a 6" [150mm] strip of the rougher, “hook” side of
the adhesive-back hook-and-loop material. Peel off the
protective backing, apply medium CA to the strip and apply
the strip to the battery tray where shown.
❏
2. Apply a strip of the softer, “loop” side of the adhesive-
back hook-and-loop material to the battery. (Only a small
strip of hook-and-loop is required on the battery as a strap
will also be used to hold the battery in place.)
❏
3. Place the battery in the middle of the battery tray.
NOTE:
The battery should not be connected to the ESC
when checking C.G.
❏
4.
Install the prop and spinner in preparation for balancing
the model.
DO NOT
connect the battery to the ESC at this time.
