Trutrak ADI pilot 2

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:37 pm

Just installed a Trutrak ADI pilot 2 in my RV-6A and it is a great unit with one problem; someone might be able to help me rectify? When I transmit on any frequency below 132.0 with the Pitch mode engaged I get RF interference causing a pitch down movement. Roll is not affected and in addition there is no problem if I am transmitting above the 132.0 range! I have a belly antenna.....[/b]

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:01 pm

Well, I don't have an answer for you but... what has TruTrack got to say about it?

I imagine you just discovered this and will talk to them tomorrow?

CJ

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:35 pm

I will send Trutrak an E-mail tomorrow and see what they recommend.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:52 pm

Keep us posted! This is exactly the AP I am looking at.

CJ

Lorin Dueck · Post by **Lorin Dueck** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:13 pm

I'd like to know too!!
I've already received my ADI Pilot 2 and am about to install the servo's on the wing (before I get them skinned).

Lorin D
9A Wings

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:52 pm

I have about 40 hours on the ADI pilot 2 and it works well, except for the initial problem with it pitching up when altitude hold is engaged and I transmit on the lower frequencies. The factory wanted me to do a watt check n my antenna, which I did. There was no bad reflective power coming back into the wiring. I will see what they recommend next?

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:46 pm

Is it a proximity issue of any wiring runs ? Are the ADI servo wire runs bundled together with comm antenna coax ? I don't claim to be an expert on this stuff..I"m just asking if it could be a factor.

I have the servos and wire harness in my RV-8, but haven't run the harness or com antenna wiring yet. Keep us posted.

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:23 pm

To insure there was no interference with the comm antenna and the servo wiring, I made up a temporary comm antenna cable and ran it directly from the antenna to the radio [3 feet] and tried it. Still had the same problem!

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:53 pm

Last week I sent the controller head back to Trutrak for installation in their factort aircraft for a test hop to see if their set-up has similar interference. It may need some more shielding? More to follow...

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:41 pm

Thanks for the follow up/status report.

Keep us informed as to the outcome when you hear back from them.

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:47 pm

Spoke to John Wyatt today at Trutrak and they have sent me a new control head. Internally it has a capacitor .1mf he thinks that should help send the unwanted RF energy to ground. One other rivet banger had a similar problem and he used a 10mf capacitor between the + and - D.C. input to the control head. I should have it installed by early next week for a test hop. Will keep you posted.

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:38 pm

Received the new controller and it was 95% better. My old unit must have been the Beta test model. The new one has only minor pitch input on frequencies below 119.0 much better, very manageable. I adjusted my pitch response on the second flight test and when you key the mike it will not induce an altitude change. So I am now happy with its total performance and ready for the upcoming X/C weather...

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:01 pm

That is great to hear!

Are there any installation "preferences" or areas to avoid that would aid in having a more problem free installation that you can think of?

Maybe running the wires away from stuff or using shielded wire on anything?

Just wondering?

CJ

hunt9791 · Post by **hunt9791** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:13 pm

The install manual is pretty specific to insure you stay away from any parallel runs with the comm antenna and any of the wiring that goes into the control head. I ran the comm antenna on the left side of the aircraft and the Roll and pitch servo wiring on the right side of the aircraft. Don't forget to keep the control wheel steering wire to the stick also away from the comm antenna.
The shielded wire you use for the comm antenna can be checked with a special meter before install to insure it doesn't leak any RF. Otherwise a straight forward install, except the pitch servo which I had to turn 180 degress from the picture they provided to obtain clearance with the bell crank and the push/pull rod.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:07 pm

I decided to do the same thing on the pitch servo.. I understand all that remains is to switch two wires when doing that.

Made sense to me, as I'd rather have the clearance in that area as well.

Post by **Spike** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:29 pm

Split posts off to start another topic.