FutabaDIGITAL PROPORTIONALRADIO CONTROL

Thank you for purchasing a Futaba digital proportionalradio control set.Please read this manual thoroughly before using yournew set.

CONTENTSFEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CONTENTS AND RATINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2TRANSMITTER FP T3EG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3NEUTRAL LEVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3CONVERSION TO SELF-NEUTRAL . . . . . . . . 3OPENING THE TRANSMITTER REAR COVERAND LOADING THE BATTERIES . . . . . . . . . 4CONVERTING TRANSMITTER TONiCd SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4SERVO REVERSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5RECEIVER FP-R3F & SERVO . . . . . . . . . . . . 5RECEIVER, SERVO, & SWITCH HARNESS. . . . 6THROTTLE->RUDDERMIXING ADJUSTMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7RUDDER DUAL RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8FPS24& S27 EXPLODED VIEWS. . . . . . . . . . 9

IMPORTANT: _______________________________________________________AN FCC CLASS C LICENSE IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS SYSTEM. WRITE TO THEFEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AS LISTED BELOW FOR AN APPLICA-TION FORM #505.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONP.O. BOX 1010Gettysburg, PA 17325

*AII prices and specifications subject change without notice.

•FEATURESThe FP-3EG is a high quality 3 channel, expanded digital proportional radio control set.The receiver and servo power is a four-battery; 4.8V (Ni-Cad)/6.0V (Dry-Cell). Thetransmitter power supply is 9.6V (Ni-Cad)/10.5V (Dry-Cell). 3FG with S24 servosonly comes with Ni-cads for both TX and RX. Speed and torque of our servo are thehighest in its class.

Transmitter FP-T3EG

•Rudder dual rate (dual-rate on, dual-rateoff). The desired rudder angle can be se-lected when dual-rate on.

•Servo reversing switch at rudder andndthrottle channel.

•Throttle and rudder mixing is adjustableup to the limit point.

•Three channel transmitter. Third channelhas a click knob and can be convenientlyused as a subchannel.

•Throttle lever has a neutral shift device,but can be instantly changed to a ratchettype.

• Semi-open gimbal sticks provide maximumfeel.

• Neck band provided as standard. Com-fortable operation is possible by hookingthe band around your neck.

•Seven pen-cell battery power supply canalso be changed to Ni-Cad battery (NT-8C).

• Beautiful exterior based on human engine-ering. Easy-to-use design.

Servo FP-S24

•Highest output torque (4.5kg-cm/62.7oz-in.or greater) of any servo in its class.

•Output gear is supported at the top andbottom by ball bearings for excellentneutral characteristics, long life, andsmooth operation.

• Large 20m/m diameter coreless motor fea-tures high torque near neutral and exacttracking of even minute rudder movements.

• Indirect drive system extends the life ofthe potentiometer substantially.

• Watertight/dustproof.

Besides the FP-S24, FP-S27, watertightservo is available with this system.

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Receiver FP-R3F

•Miniature type, light, weight, rugged con-struction.

•Crystal is replaceable from the outside.•3P mini-connectors are compatible with

existing sets.•3 channel specifications.•Newly developed receiver use Futaba Cus-

tom I/C, BA633. This I/C is extremelystable against power supply voltage fluctu-ations.

•Adjacent frequency interference is mini-mized by the use of an RF amplifier circuitand ceramic filter.

•CONTENTS AND RATINGSSet name

Transmitter

Receiver

Servo

Switch

NiCd battery/Batt holder

Others

FP-3EG

FP-T3EG x 1 Pen-cell Dry Battery Type or NiCd Battery Type.

FP-R3F x 1

FP-S24 x 2 or FP-S20x2 or S21Sx2 or S26x2 or S27x2

SWH-1

NR-4C/AA0312

Frequency flag, neck band, horn, servo tray, battery charger(w/S24 only)

Transmitter FP-T3EG

Operating system

Transmitting frequency

Modulation systemPower supply

Current drain

Receiver FP-R3F

Receiving frequency

Intermediate frequencyReceiving range

Power requirement

Current drainDimensions

Weight

: 2 sticks, 1 knob, 3channels

: 27MHz Bands72MHz Bands

: AM: 10.5V, 7 pen-cell

batteries or9.6V NiCd (NT-80

: 130mA

: 27MHz Band72MHz Band

: 455kHz: 550 yards (500m)on the ground1100 yards (1000m)in the air

: 4.8V Ni-Cad battery(NR-4C) or6.0V AA pen-celldry battery x 4

: 6V 10mA: 1.6x7.5x2.3 in.

(40.2x19.0x58.5mm): 1.6 oz (46g)

Servo FP-S24

Control system

Operating angle

Power supply

Current drain

Output torque

Dimensions

Weight

: + pulse width con-trol 1310 us.N

: One side 45° ormore (includingtrim)

: 4.8-6.0V (sharedwith receiver)

: 8mA at 6.0V(stopped)

: S24 62.6 oz/in.(4.5 kg/cm)

S2747.3oz/in.(3.4 kg/cm)

: S24 1.8x0.9x1.5in.(45.4x23x38mm)S27 1.8x0.9x1.7in.(45.5x23x43.5mm)

: S24 2.1 oz (59g)S27 1.9oz (53g)

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•TRANSMITTERThe below figure gives the name of each partof the transmitter.Memorize the position and operation of eachswitch and control.

3 3rd channel

7 Limit pointtrimmer

6 Mixing trimmer

9 Throttle trim

2 Throttle

11 Power switch

5 Rudder dualrate trimmer

4 Rudder dualrate switch

10 Neutral shiftlever

3

13 Antenna

1 2 Handle

8 Rudder trim

14 Hook

Fig.11 Rudder

Description of Fig. 11 Rudder. . . . . . .Rudder operation2 Throttle . . . . . .Throttle or elevator opera-

tion3 3rd channel . . . .Needle control, etc.4 Rudder dual rate

switch . . . . . . .Rudder dual-rate on/offswitch

5 Rudder dual ratetrimmer . . . . . .Adjusts the amount when

the rudder dual rate switchis set to ON. (Amount iscontinuously adjustablefrom 40% to 100% at dual-rate on.)

6 Mixing trimmer . .Throttle — rudder mixingamount trimmer

7 Limit pointtrimmer . . . . .

8 Rudder trim . . .9 Throttle trim . .

10 Neutral shiftlever . . . . . .

1 1 Power switch 2 Handle1

3 Antenna14 Hook . . . . . .

.Changes the mixing amountlimit at throttle -< ruddermixing..Rudder fine adjustment..Throttle fine adjustment.

.Changes the neutral posi-tion of the throttle controlstick in 5 steps.

.The accessory neck bandhooks to this hook.

Neutral Lever Operation Conversion from Self-Neutral System to

The stick lever neutralposition can be adjust-ed in 5 steps by movingthe lever as shown inthe figure.

Fig. 2

Remove thespring andswing arm.

Twist with needlenose pliers, etc.

Fig. 3

ratchet System Install the slide plate.

•OPENING THE TRANSMITTER REARCOVER AND LOADING THE PENLIGHTBATTERIES

• Remove the rear cover of the transmitter asshown in Fig. 4 and load the 7 pen-cell bat-teries in the correct polarity.

Pay careful attention to the polarityyyof the 7 pen-cell batteries.Wrap rubber bands around thebatteries to hold them in place.• Extend the antenna fully and set the POWER

switch to ON. The meter pointer should de-flect to the green zone. If the meter pointerdoes not move, or moves very little, check forpoor battery contact, incorrect battery polar-ity, or faulty batteries.

Charging theFP-T3EG NiCd.Insert the chargerand TX plug intothe charging jackon the side of thetransmitter.The charging LEDat the TX lights toindicate that thebattery is beingcharged.

Fig. 6(B)

• When the meter pointer enters the red zone,the range of the radio waves will becomeshort. Change the batteries when the meterpointer drops to the boundary between thered and green zones.

• Use the trim lever to fine adjust each rudder.This lever can also be used to adjust the neu-tral position and the flight posture after themechanism has been mounted. However, aftertest flight, all adjustments should be madewith the rod adjusters, etc. and the leverhandle should be left in the neutral positionas much as possible. Fig. 6 (A)

• The throttle stick neutral position can beselected in 5 steps by moving the neutral leveras shown in Fig. 2.

Converting the transmitterto a NiCd system

Adjust the neutral position to match the ap-plication.

•With the NiCd system FP-T3EG, recharge thebattery as shown in Fig. 6(B).The NT-8C is already installed. Remove the charging

socket blind cover.• To change the elevator stick from a self-neutral type to a ratchet type, install the slideplate and remove the spring and stick arm asshown in Fig. 3.

•Use the NT-8C transmitterNiCd battery sold separately

4

•REVERSING THE SERVOFig. 7

After connecting the linkage, check each rudder.If the direction of the rudder and the stick operatingdirection are opposite, switch the reversing switch.

15 Rudder reverse switch

16 Throttle reverse switch

15 Rudder reverse switch (Reverses the directionof operation of the rudder servo.)

16 Throttle reverse switch (Reverses the direction,of operation of the throttle servo.)

•RECEIVER FP-R3F and SERVOFP-S24 5•Plug the charge (FBC-1 or FBC-2A optional)

into a 110V outlet and connect the 3P con-nector of the charger to the receiver/servoNR-4C NiCd battery pack as shown in Fig. 8.The LED on the charger will light to indicatethat the NiCd battery is charging.

•The NiCd battery pack can be used about12 times at 10 minutes/time.

• Always recharge the battery before use.• The charging time is about12~15 hours

•With the battery system, insert the fourdry-cell batteries, being sure that the polar-ity is correct, then firmly tighten the coinscrew.

• Connect the servo and switch as shown inFig. 9. Then extend the transmitter and re-ceiver antennas fully.

•Set the transmitter POWER switch to ON,then set the receiver POWER switch to ON.The servo will stop near the neutral posi-tion.Operate each stick of the transmitter andcheck that the corresponding servo faith-fully follows the movement of the stick.

•Set the pushrod at each servo horn, then

check that the direction of servo matchesthe direction of transmitter stick.

•Operate each servo horn over its entireoperating range and check if the pushrod istoo tight or too loose.Applying unreasonable force to the servohorn will adversely affect the servo andquickly drain the batteries.Always make the operating width of eachrudder somewhat larger than the fullstroke (including trim) of the servo horn.Adjust the servo horns so that they oper-ate smoothly even when the trim lever andstick lever are operated simultaneously inthe same direction.

Fig. 9

• Be alert for noise.If engine vibration causes metal parts totouch, noise will be produced and the re-ceiver and servos may operate incorrectly.We recommend the use of noiseless parts.

• When installing the switch, cut a rectangu-lar hole somewhat larger than full strokeof the switch and install the switch so thatit moves smoothly from ON to OFF. Whenthe switch is mounted inside the fuselageand is turned ON-OFF with wire, installthe switch mount in the same manner.Install the switch where it will not comeinto direct contact with the engine oil,dust, etc.

• Even though the receiver antenna is long,do not cut or bundle it.

• Install the servo firmly. Refer to Pig. 10 atthe right.

•A spare servo horn is supplied. Use it asneeded. Do not forget to install the toothwasher when changing the horn.

•Wrap the receiver in sponge rubber. Placethe receiver in a plastic bag and wrap arubber band around the open end of thebag to waterproof and dustproof the re-ceiver. Do the same with the receiver bat-tery.

• Also use the rubber bands wrapped aroundthe receiver to hold the servo and switchleads.

•After mounting is complete, recheck eachpart, then make the transmitter antenna asshort as possible, extend the receiver an-tenna fully, and operate the set from a dis-tance of 22 to 33 yards (20 to 30m) forrange check. The movement of each servoshould follow the operation of each stickof the transmitter.

6

•THROTTLE -> RUDDER MIXINGADJUSTMENT

The rudder neutral position at engine SLOWand engine HIGH depends on the enginetorque. When adjusted for straight aheadwhen a common 2-cycle glow plug engine isat HIGH, the boat will slowly swerve to theleft at SLOW and if adjusted for straightahead when the engine is at SLOW, the boat.will slowly swerve to the right at HIGH. Mix-ing from throttle to rudder, the biggestfeature of the Model FP-3EG, completelyeliminates this tendency.

The following description is for a common 2-cycle glow plug engine that rotates counter-clockwise. Reverse the description for a gasolineengine, electric motor, etc. that rotates clock-wise.

This mixing is adjusted with the mixingtrimmer and limit point trimmer at the leftfront of the transmitter.Mixing trimmer 6 adjusts the amount anddirection of movement of the rudder servowhen the throttle stick is moved up anddown. The mixing amount is zero at thecenter position.Limit point trimmer 7 changes the point atwhich the operating line of the mixingamount to the rudder servo curves when thethrottle stick is moved from LOW to HIGH.1 When the throttle stick is set to HIGH, a

boat moving straight at engine controlSLOW will swerve to the right. On theother hand, a boat moving straight aheadat throttle HIGH will swerve to the leftwhen the throttle stick is set to SLOW.That is, the rudder servo should be turnedto the right when the throttle stick is setto SLOW.

2 Turn the mixing trimmer with a screw-driver so that the rudder turns slightly tothe right when the throttle stick is movedfrom HIGH to SLOW.

You should now have a good understandingof throttle to rudder mixing.Throttle -> rudder mixing will be called"MIX" hereafter.3

• Run the boat without MIX (MIX trimmerat center) and check the rudder neutral,play, and engine SLOW and HIGH.

• Limit pointTurn the trimmer about 2/3 clockwise.(In the L to H direction.)

•Under this state, turn the MIX trimmerabout halfway in the R (right) directionand check the rudder movement (rudderservo) while moving the throttle stick upand down. The rudder should move a littleto the right at SLOW and a little to the leftat HIGH.

•Set the MIX trimmer to zero (center) atthrottle stick HIGH. The rudder servoshould not move because the mixingamount is zero at throttle HIGH as shownin Fig. 11.

4 After all preparations are complete, makeadjustments while actually running.

A Adjust the rudder trimmer so that theboat travels straight ahead at throttleHIGH.

B Set the throttle stick to SLOW. If theboat swerves to the right at this time, theMIX amount is excessive. Reduce theMIX amount by turning the MIX trimmertoward the center. If the boat slowlyswerves to the left, the MIX amount is in-sufficient. Increase the MIX amount byturning the MIX trimmer in the R direc-tion.

C This completes MIX adjustment at throt-tle SLOW and HIGH. However, adjust-ment near medium SLOW is still neces-sary. To adjust near medium SLOW,proceed as follows:

7

(a) If the boat slowly swerves to the rightwhen the throttle stick is set to medi-um SLOW, the POINT is too high.Adjust it by turning the limit pointtrimmer counterclockwise. Then re-adjust item B above.

(b) If the boat slowly swerves to the left,the POINT is too low. Adjust by turn-ing the limit point trimmer clockwise.Then readjust the MIX trimmer asdescribed in item (B).

RUDDER DUAL RATE (DUAL-RATE ON,DUAL-RATE OFF)•Rudder dual rate switch

Dual-rate (servo stroke becomes narrow) iseffected when this switch is set to ON.Dual-rate is off when the switch is set toOFF. OFF is the normal state.

• Rudder dual rate trimmerThis trimmer adjusts the full stroke of theservo when the rudder dual rate switch isset to ON. Adjust it to match the courseand technique. The rudder dual rateamount is continuously variable from 40%to 100%.

•The Futaba Mini 3-pin wire servo can becombined with any Futaba transmitter andreceiver. Use it to match the application.(However, except the Futaba J ModuleSeries.)

•After mounting and checking are complete,take your model to the store where youpurchased the digital proportional set, orto an experienced radio control enthusiast,and ask them to tell you how to installyour radio control set correctly and to in-spect your set-up carefully.

FutabaDigital Proportional Frequencies

BandBandBandBandBand

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)

•

*

*

•

*

26.995MHz27.045MHz27.095MHz27.145MHz27.195MHz72.080MHz72.160MHz72.240MHz72.320MHz72.400MHz72.960MHz75.640MHzAircraft use only.

BrownRedOrangeYellowGreen

Brown/WhiteBlue/WhiteRed/WhiteViolet/WhiteOrange/WhiteYellow/WhiteGreen/White

The frequency of Futaba digital pro-portional sets can be changed amongbands (1)~(5) on the 27MHz bandonly.However, a 27MHz band set cannot bechanged to 72MHz band, and viceversa.Therefore, always attach the correctfrequency flag to the end of thetransmitter antenna. Each frequencyband has its own designated color, asstated above.. The frequency flag is in-tended for identification purposes.Also change the frequency flag whenchanging the crystal.Futaba paired crystals are preciselymatched. Always use a Futaba crystalset (transmitter, receiver) when chang-ing the frequency.It is illegal to change crystals of trans-mitter on the 72-76 MHz bands in theU.S.A.

FACTORY REPAIR SERVICETo insure prompt service, please follow the instructions given below.1. Charge the batteries for at least 18 hours prior to shipment.2. Return the system only. Not your complete installation. Remove the servos from their mounts and remove the foam

padding from the receiver.3. Plugs or other modifications which interfere with factory test procedures will be returned to factory standard at

your expense.4. Carefully pack all components individually, using sufficient packing material to prevent damage during shipment.5. Include a brief but thorough explanation of all problems and service required and tape it to the back of the trans-

mitter. Place a label describing the function of the servo on each servo.6. Be sure to include your full address and tel. No., zip code in»ide the box as well as on the outside.7. Include a packing list of all items being returned, and double check to make sure that all items are packed.8. Upon receipt of your equipment at the Futaba factory, an estimate of the cost of repair (over $25.00 only) will be

sent to you. Your equipment will then be repaired and returned to you upon receipt of payment or C.O.D. (cash).

This factory repair service applies only to the continental U.S.A., Hawaii, and Alaska.

FP-S24

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