Gpro and Spektrum TM1000

[Shady80]

Hi guys. I have upgraded my Trex 600 with a flybarless head and Gpro unit and I'm using a DX8 Tx. I'm using duel DSMX satellite receivers so only using throttle, rudder and CH 1, 2 & 3 for the cyclic servo ports.

Is it possible to use the battery out port and data cable (supplied with the TM1000) to power the TM1000 and if so, how would I go about binding it to the Tx?

Thanks

[tourerjim]

Although all my helis are Gpro I'm not that advanced to answer yours but i've seen a mention on something like this & the only one person that comes to mind is Ian (coolice) I'm sure he'll see this post but you could also pm him.

[coolice]

Hey buddy.

Yes, I don't see why not. I've not used a TM1000 myself yet, but it just needs power to function off the top of my head and the batt out port of the Gpro will provide power.
With binding of the TM1000 I can't help without looking at the instructions, but it's relatively easy from what I remember.

My only question would be what BEC/power setup are you using for the Gpro? As knowing it quite well and it's power requirements, on a 600 I'd be expecting you to use both ports to provide it with power. Then having to use a Y lead to provide power the the telemetry unit.
.

[Shady80]

Hi Ian. I'm using the Align 2 in 1 regulator RCE-B6T and a 7.4v lipo. The text below is what I've copied from the DX8 instruction manual.

To Bind the Telemetry Module and Receiver
1. Press and hold the bind button on the side of the TM1000 telemetry module.
2. While depressing the bind button, power the receiver. The main receiver,
all attached remote receivers and the TM1000 telemetry module will blink
indicating the system is in bind mode.
3. With the stick and switches in the desired failsafe positions (normally low
throttle and neutral sticks), put the transmitter into bind mode.

I was unsure how this procedure would work with the Gpro unit. The data cable has 3 wires and I'm not sure what the third one will do in this set up.

Sorry but you've lost me with this "on a 600 I'd be expecting you to use both ports to provide it with power." I'm just using the single horizontal port in the bottom left corner of the unit.

Thanks
Ben

[Grumpy]

Hi Ian. I'm using the Align 2 in 1 regulator RCE-B6T and a 7.4v lipo.

Ben, you might want to reconsider using that regulator. FBL puts a higher load on the servos so they need a good supply of power. The sats are also not tolerant of drops in voltage due to an overloaded regulator and may 'brown-out'. It would be a LOT safer to either use a higher rated BEC (which can be powered direct off the main flight pack), or just use a 2s LiFe battery feeding the FBL direct and un-regulated.

You should use two connectors to take the power from the BEC / battery as each single servo type connector is only good for about 5A (that's what Coolice was referring to). The second lead from the battery can connect to the battery out port on the Gpro.

When you connect the TM1000 it's best to disconnect the signal wire leaving only the live and neutral wires. the signal wire is only used to detect dropped frames and receiver holds and it cant get that data from the Gpro, only from a genuine and compatible Spektrum receiver. Leaving the data wire connected with the Gpro (or any other 3rd party FBL controller) can cause issues with binding and with 'staying bound'.

[Shady80]

Hi Grumpy. That makes sense now. As I'm relatively new to the hobby, is there any BEC units that you could recommend?

I can remove the signal wire no problem, I didn't think it would serve any purpose but wanted to make sure. Do you think it will bind correctly if I follow the bind procedure for the TM1000?

[coolice]

Hi Ian. I'm using the Align 2 in 1 regulator RCE-B6T and a 7.4v lipo. The text below is what I've copied from the DX8 instruction manual.

To Bind the Telemetry Module and Receiver
1. Press and hold the bind button on the side of the TM1000 telemetry module.
2. While depressing the bind button, power the receiver. The main receiver,
all attached remote receivers and the TM1000 telemetry module will blink
indicating the system is in bind mode.
3. With the stick and switches in the desired failsafe positions (normally low
throttle and neutral sticks), put the transmitter into bind mode.

I was unsure how this procedure would work with the Gpro unit. The data cable has 3 wires and I'm not sure what the third one will do in this set up.

Sorry but you've lost me with this "on a 600 I'd be expecting you to use both ports to provide it with power." I'm just using the single horizontal port in the bottom left corner of the unit.

Thanks
Ben

Hey Ben.

As Grumpy has put above, I would lose the 2in1, as it is not up to the job of powering the Gpro and most other FBL units to. As said the flight loads with FBL are now much greater and the 2in1 was born when we used more levers/arms to give more mechanical advantage to the servos which in turn pulled less power from their supply.
Also it is known that the Gpro is very power hungry, along with a couple of other FBL units, so demands a good power source to avoid you having any issues. Most capable BEC/regulators use two connection points into the Rx/FBL unit to give their full capabilitys, hence why I mentioned about you using the two horizontal ports for power into the Gpro. But as you say the 2in1 only use's one lead, which is a problem straight away.

With the TM100 binding, it looks like you have to set the TM into binding mode at the same time as you put the Gpro/sats into bind mode, then the rest is the usual power on the Tx with the bind button pressed and voila away you go.
It might be good practice to remvoe the signal wire from the TM1000 link to Gpro in this case, to avoid problems, but I can't see it giving any.
.

[Shady80]

Thanks for your advice guys. I should be able to get to Fast Lads tomorrow and get everything I need. I'll let you know how it goes in a couple of days when its all together.

Thanks again

[Grumpy]

Regarding alternatives to the regulator.

About the cheapest option is just to use a 2s Life battery (about 2200mAh capacity) to power the FBL and servos, no regulator required. However if using a BEC then there are many options but here's a few I've used, in order of price:

• Hobbyking YEP 20A BEC
• Castle Creations BEC Pro
• Gryphon Quasar LMT

The Gryphon is the one I like best especially with the voltage warning LED/pin flag arming accessory, but for the price the Hobbyking YEP is hard to overlook. The Castle works well also and falls in the middle price wise.

[Shady80]

Thanks Grumpy. I think the BEC is the best option. I don't fancy having 2 batteries and would look messy. The Castle option looks good and at a reasonable price. A wife and 2 young children limit my budget significantly. She would go mad if she knew what I was spending on fuel alone lol.

I'm glad I asked the question now of I might of had an expensive landing!!

[Shady80]

Hi guys. It doesn't look like I can bind the TM1000 and the Gpro. I managed to get the orange lights flashing on the satellites and the TM but when I power up the Tx, it binds to the Gpro, the Orange light stops flashing on the TM, a red light comes on for 2 seconds then goes off again.

Any ideas or shall I put the TM1000 on eBay? Lol

[Grumpy]

You can do it but timing is everything... You have to bind the TM1000 during the same power up cycle as used to bind the Gpro. The bind button on the TM1000 needs to be pressed first and held in, then the battery power to the Gpro connected. It helps to have two pairs of hands! It can take a few tries.

[10x]

Hello Shady
Have a look on Helifreak for answers...
TM1000 & Align GPro - HeliFreak

[Shady80]

I stand corrected. Just tied a second time and it's worked. Well chuffed n thanks for your help. Now all I've gotta do is go to Fast Lads tomorrow with my shopping list for the BEC etc.

You guys are amazing!!