Wiring
Spirit can be used as a standalone tail gyro or as a flybarless system. Wiring to the unit depends on the type of receiver used.
NOTE
Spirit is pre-programmed to 1520µs servo neutral impulse and 50Hz frequency – please ensure you have the correct servo parameters selected as specified by your servo manufacturer.
If the neutral impulse of your servo/s is different to the above, such as 760µs, do not connect this servo yet as it could be damaged.
Some connectors have non-standard dimensions that could interfere with neighboring connectors after plugging in the unit. As a solution, we recommend replacing these connectors with JR or Futaba type.
Never plug a connector for powering the unit into the SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL positions or you may risk damaging the unit.
Contents
1 STANDALONE GYRO AND FLYBAR
Owners of flybarred helicopters can take advantage of the heading hold gyro, which keeps the tail in the direction given by the transmitter regardless of effects from wind or any outside forces.
Connect the rudder servo to the CH4 port of the Spirit unit. If you also use a standard receiver, you will need to connect GEAR (or AUX) from your receiver to the AUX port on the Spirit unit. Also, you will need to connect your receiver RUD port to the RUD port on the Spirit unit.
Even if you do have a flybarred model, you can also connect the unit in the same way as a you would a flybarless one. This allows you to use the full potential of the unit including Stabilization and Rescue mode. In order for this to work correctly, it is necessary to tick the Flybar mechanic parameter in the Stabi tab during setup. All other parameters can be configured just the same as with a flybarless head.
2 FLYBARLESS
Flybarless helicopters can take advantage of the full capabilities of the Spirit unit. The Spirit will stabilize the model on all axes and also make it less affected by wind, extend flight times and increase the agility of your model. When properly set up, flight characteristics should be more stable which will give you the confidence to carry out even the most challenging maneuvers.
Flybarless rotor blades are also different from blades designed for flybarred models. For optimum flight characteristics it is recommended to use them. When using the Spirit unit as a flybarless system, all servos should be connected in the corresponding positions:
| Spirit |
| CH1 – Pitch / Aileron servo |
| CH2 – Elevator servo |
| CH3 – Aileron / Pitch servo |
| CH4 – Rudder servo |
| Spirit Pro |
| CH1 – Pitch / Aileron servo |
| CH2 – Elevator servo |
| CH3 – Aileron / Pitch servo |
| CH4 – Rudder servo |
| CH0 – auxiliary (optional) cyclic servo for CCPM 90 swashplate type. |
NOTE
Servos at positions CH1 and CH3 are dependent on the Swashplate settings.
Aileron servo on the model is mostly positioned on the right side while pitch on the left side.
3 CONNECTION OF STANDARD RECEIVER (PWM)
Spirit – receiver type: PWM
Spirit Pro – receiver type: PWM
For standard receivers it is necessary to use two normal and one special cable. Three connectors from the special cable should be plugged into the receiver and the end of these cables to the unit.
The unit is powered by two cables from the receiver. These are connected to the AUX and RUD positions. The Throttle (ESC or Throttle servo) should be connected to the receiver.
The easiest way you can start is to connect a cable between the RUD port with Rudder output of the receiver. Then continue with the AUX port which should be connected to the Gyro Gain channel output of the receiver. Next, connect the Aileron, Elevator and Pitch channels. If you are not sure whether you have the correct output or not, you can plug in one servo and power the unit to verify that your connection is correct. This can be repeated for each servo. The Diagnostic tab in the software is very helpful too, because you can see whether the connection is correct even without connected servos.
For Spektrum receivers you can view the Spektrum PWM connection scheme.
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Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports.
4 CONNECTION OF SPEKTRUM DSM2/X SATELLITE
Spirit – receiver type: Spektrum DSM2/X
Spirit Pro – receiver type: Spektrum DSM2/X
Connection to a BEC is optional. If the model is powered by an external BEC, this must be connected to the RUD port. Also the power lead from the ESCs internal BEC must be disconnected.
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To bind the satellites, insert a bind plug in the SYS port for DSM2 satellites or the ELE/PIT/AIL port for DSMX satellites. Power cycling the Spirit start the bind process. Once successfully bound, the STATUS LED will go out and the satellite LED will come on.
If the second satellite fails to bind, swap the satellites and repeat the bind process.
Be sure Receiver type in the software is configured to Spektrum DSM2/X or else binding process will not work. Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL positions.
5 CONNECTION OF FUTABA S-BUS RECEIVER
Spirit – receiver type: Futaba S-BUS
Spirit Pro – receiver type: Futaba S-BUS
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Connection to a BEC is optional. For models of 500 size and larger it is recommended to use dual power supply cables due to the increased power consumption. That means besides the S-BUS cable, an additional power supply cable should be connected to the AUX port.
When using this type of receiver you can connect the throttle cable directly to the receiver. Alternatively, you can assign the throttle channel in the software and use the AUX as throttle output from the unit.
Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports.
6 CONNECTION OF PPM RECEIVER
Spirit – receiver type: PPM
Spirit Pro – receiver type: PPM
NOTE
Connection to a BEC is optional. For models of 500 size and larger it is recommended to use dual power supply cables due to the increased power consumption. That means besides the communication cable, an additional power supply cable should be connected to the AUX port.
When using this type of receiver you can connect the throttle cable directly to the receiver. Alternatively, you can assign the throttle channel in the software and use the AUX as throttle output from the unit.
Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports.
7 CONNECTION OF JETI EX BUS RECEIVER
Spirit – receiver type: Jeti EX Bus
Spirit Pro – receiver type: Jeti EX Bus
This connection type now supports the new integration with JETI Model transmitters. You can now fully configure the Spirit unit remotely through the JETI Model transmitter.
Remember to configure the receiver type through the software or the integration will not work. Also, it is necessary to download Spirit.bin file from the website. Move the file to the Devices directory in the SD card of your transmitter.
For futher instructions please check the Jeti Integration page.
NOTE
Connection to a BEC is optional. For models of 500 size and larger it is recommended to use dual power supply cables due to the increased power consumption. That means besides the EX Bus cable, an additional power supply cable should be connected to the AUX port.
When using this type of receiver you can connect the throttle cable directly to the receiver. Alternatively, you can assign the throttle channel in the software and use the AUX as throttle output from the unit.
A special cable is needed to enable this communication. Signal wire (Orange) is connected to the AIL pin, while power wires (Red and Brown) are connected to the RUD port in the unit. For JETI REX receivers, end of the special cable is connected to the EX1 or EX2 (depending on the receiver configuration). For EX receivers, please use EXT port.
Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports.
8 CONNECTION OF SRXL/SUMD RECEIVER
Spirit – receiver type: SRXL/SUMD
Spirit Pro – receiver type: SRXL/SUMD
NOTE
Connection to a BEC is optional. For models of 500 size and larger it is recommended to use dual power supply cables due to the increased power consumption. That means besides the communication cable, an additional power supply cable should be connected to the AUX port. This protocol family can work with a wide range of receivers. Thus you can use Multiplex SRXL, BeastX SRXL, Graupner SUMD, Jeti UDI, Spektrum SRXL and more.
When using this type of receiver you can connect the throttle cable directly to the receiver. Alternatively, you can assign the throttle channel in the software and use the AUX as throttle output from the unit.
Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports.
9 CONNECTOR ORIENTATION
All cables connected to the unit must be oriented so that the signal wire (Lightest color wire) is closer to the connector pin label, towards the center of the unit. This orients the negative (darkest color wire) toward the edge of the unit.
