Emcotec Locating Beeper Bedienungsanleitung
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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Contents
1. What’s a Locating Beeper?............................................................3
1.1. Summary .................................................................................5
2. Mounting.......................................................................................... 6
3. Functionality....................................................................................7
3.1. Low Voltage Code ...................................................................8
3.2. Model Finder Code (Failsafe) ..................................................9
4. Specifics of PRO-Version.............................................................10
4.1. Deactivating the Alarm Function............................................11
4.2. Deactivating the Alarm Signals..............................................13
4.3. Tow Rope Finder...................................................................14
4.4. Specifics for Empty Battery....................................................16
5. Technical Data............................................................................... 17
6. Safety Instructions........................................................................18
7. Warranty.........................................................................................19
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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1. What’s a Locating Beeper?
The Problem:
Some times you might be in a situation where you must land your RC-
model out side of your airfield. Examples are if the engine quits and
you do not make it to the runway anymore or the thermal lift vanishes
and quick landing is in order. Last resort often is landing in a field or
high grass. It is often difficult to find the model afterwards. Often you
miss the model by just a few feet. Everyone who searched for his
model in a cornfield knows about this problem.
Some pilots believe that servo noise (especially from digital servos)
allows for finding the model. Servos only work down to a certain
voltage (e.g. 4.0V) and then quit. The Locating Beeper functions down
to a voltage of 2.8 volts, i.e. even when the servos quit working a long
time ago!
The Solution:
The Locating Beeper (model finder) is the solution for finding the model
quickly. When the model is lost it generates an ear piercing warning
sound which is easily localized and leads directly to the model. The
Locating Beeper is simply connected to and supplied by a (free)
receiver channel just like a servo. It does not matter which receiver is
utilized (PPM, PCM, IPD or 2.4GHz) – every receiver works in
connection with the Locating Beeper!
PRO-Version with integrated battery:
Sometimes a model gets partially damaged when landing out side.
Under certain circumstances the receiver battery might be jerked out of
the model or its connection cable can be disconnected. It can happen
that servos block or a short occurs in servo cables during out side
landing.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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Due to high current consumption the receiver battery is quickly
discharged – possibly before the model is found. Because the receiver
set is without energy the Locating Beeper is not supplied with power
anymore. In this situation it is no good as model finder.
The PRO-version of the Locating Beeper contains a battery! It
supplies the Locating Beeper with energy for 2 hours – totally
autarky!
The built in battery is automatically charged as soon as the receiver set
is turned on. Charging lasts approx. 10 minutes for an empty battery
and automatically stops when the battery is fully charged. There are
many advantages by using this new revolutionary battery type:
practically no self discharge and virtually unlimited life span (up to 1
million charging cycles!).
Hint:
The Locating Beeper PRO contains a new revolutionary battery with a
practically unlimited life span! It supplies the electronics with energy for more
than 2 hours and automatically recharges as soon as the receiver is turned back
on.
Due to its autarky supply the Locating Beeper PRO can also serve as
tow rope finder (see chapter 4.3.). Even monitoring the voltage of
electronically systems (up to 8.4V) is possible. As soon as the supply
of the corresponding system fails the Locating Beeper PRO sounds
alarm with its pervading alarm signal. The energy of the internal battery
lasts for 2 hours.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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1.1. Summary
•Ingenious system to find models landed out side (wheat- or
corn-field, high grass, underneath edge of mountainside, and
so on)
•Also usable as tow rope finder if tow rope falls into hard to
view terrain (only PRO-version)
•Finding is accomplished by an ear piercing tone with more
than 90dB sound pressure
•Two SMD loudspeaker for more safety and higher loudness
•Simple connection to a (free) receiver channel
•Additionally, the Locating Beeper monitors the receiver’s
supply and activates a low voltage alarm if necessary
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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•PRO-version with autarky supply due to integrated battery
•Sounding of alarm occurs caused by missing or erroneous
servo signal, a defined failsafe signal or interruption of the
supply (PRO-version)
•Simple deactivation (switching channel at transmitter)
immediately before turning the receiver off inhibits unwanted
alarm (PRO-version)
ATTENTION:
The Locating Beeper has two loudspeakers which generate a very high sound
pressure (high loudness). Under no circumstances hold the Locating Beeper
during operation close to or into the ear! This can lead to permanent damage of
the sense of hearing.
2. Mounting
Delivery of the Locating Beeper includes a tube clamp. This clamp is
simply mounted onto a board inside the models fuselage. The Locating
Beeper is pressed into the clamp and is therefore fixed. If necessary an
O-ring or some rubber band can be used additionally in order to secure
the clamp ends. Of course any other mounting method (e.g. silicone or
hot melt adhesive) is possible.
In order to allow for good sound opening select a position inside the
model where the sound opening is not covered or disabled.
The connection cable connects to a free, failsafe capable receiver
channel in order to utilize all features of the Locating Beeper.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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3. Functionality
There are several options for activating the alarm:
•A defined servo position, e.g. by a switching channel of the
transmitter (servo position < -100%)
•The defined servo position of a servo which is connected in
parallel to the Locating Beeper (e.g. choke servo or tow
release)
•Failsafe setting of the servo position (e.g. turning the
transmitter off)
•Missing or erroneous servo signal (e.g. turning the transmitter
off)
•Suddenly missing external supply (PRO-version only)
The receiver does not deliver a servo signal (PPM modulation) if the
pilot turns the transmitter off. This is recognized by the Locating
Beeper which then will signal alarm.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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For 2.4GHz sets or when using PCM modulation, i.e. if servo signals of
the receiver assume a failsafe value caused by a missing transmitter
signal, then the Locating Beeper recognizes a defined servo signal
(failsafe < - 100%), which also leads to an alarm.
As an additional feature, the Locating Beeper monitors the receiver
supply. As soon as it drops below 4.8 volts, a continuous alarm is
output by buzzer codes (low voltage code). This alarm indicates to
the pilot an under supplied receiver.
Triggering buzzer codes and their meaning:
There are several acoustically error codes with different meanings
which the Locating Beeper can output.
3.1. Low Voltage Code
As soon as the receiver voltage drops below 4.8 volts an alarm sounds
after a qualification time of 2 seconds, i.e. a continuously repeating
alarm signal. The signal corresponds to the low voltage code of the
EMCOTEC DPSI family devices, 3 times short and one time long,
repeated every 7 seconds.
Output of the buzzer signal continues until turning the equipment off,
this means the indication is not reversible. This error points to an
empty battery or to high voltage drops of the receiver which in the
worst case can lead to a reset of the receiver. If low voltage is
detected, a corresponding signal occurs.
If there is no servo signal detected by the Locating Beeper after the set
is turned on for 5 seconds, it is assumed that it should not monitor a
servo signal but rather only the receiver supply.
This is a special case! There is only an error indication for low voltage
(supply < 4.8 volts) and servo signal evaluation is not carried out.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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3.2. Model Finder Code (Failsafe)
The Locating Beeper outputs a special alarm signal similar to the
S.O.S. signal (3 times short, 3 times long and 3 times short) when the
servo signal is missing, erroneous or assumes a certain value (failsafe
state). The signal repeats every 4 seconds.
Alarm starts with following conditions
Servo pulse length shorter than 0.8ms (corresponds to -175%)
Servo pulse length longer than 2.2ms (corresponds to +175%)
Servo pulse distance is smaller than 10ms (error - malfunction)
Servo pulse distance is longer than 40ms (no servo signal)
Servo pulse exceeds failsafe threshold (< -100%)
Supply voltage interrupted (only PRO-version)
The failsafe threshold is fixed at -100% (1.1ms pulse width). This
means: as soon as the servo signal gets < -100% the alarm triggers.
The total servo range from -100% up to +100% is usable as normal
(e.g. for tow release- or choke servo). An actual S.O.S. error output is
interrupted as soon as the servo signal returns to valid values!
Hint:
The Locating Beeper does not evaluate servo signals for the first 5 seconds after
turning the receiver on.
Locating Beeper Operating Instructions Version 1.0
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4. Specifics of PRO-Version
The PRO-version of the Locating Beeper behaves just like the normal
version as far as the low voltage alarm is concerned. Model finder
alarm (S.O.S. alarm signal) which results from an erroneous servo
signal is still output by the PRO-version if the receiver supply is
interrupted or missing.
The S.O.S alarm signal is repeated every 4 seconds. An exception is
the autarky operation, i.e. if the external receiver supply is interrupted.
Now the distance of the signals is up to 10 seconds depending on the
charge state of the integrated battery.
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