FlySky FTr4 receiver and iBUS sensors

[@rizen3467]

i love the concept of being able to connect more sensors to the rx

[@TheRCPilotsLog]

Very useful video Andrew! I've use the CVT voltage sensor with my PL18, but will now order a few more sensors!

[@PeterWinnett]

I have got about 6 Voltage sensors and I find that they vary a lot. Unfortunately they read mostly high.. It's well worth checking them out before you rely on them. The worst one I have reads .8 of a volt high so when your 3s pack is reading 11 volts and you need to land, you will find you really only have 10.2 volts, not good :) The best one I have is only .2 high, easy enough to calculate when flying.... Having said all that, it's very good to know your voltage :)

[@EleanorPeterson]

Hi, Peter! That's good information. I can see there'd be a problem with duff readings, but is the error consistent? If it is, wouldn't it be possible to work around it by resetting the alarm voltage to whatever the error happens to be and just ignoring the actual numbers? Not ideal, but better than nothing, perhaps. Happy landings! :-)

[@PeterWinnett]

@@EleanorPeterson Yes the error is consistent on each of the sensors I have and what you suggest seems to be the only way to get it to work but it's still off putting to see incorrect numbers on your readout. I have tried both ways, calculate in your head or set the alarm as you say. What ever you decide it's still good to have a voltage readout of the flight battery :)

[@pierauspitz]

I can confirm that the CAT-01altitude sensor and CVT-01 voltage sensor work natively witht the FS-I6x. However, the CAT-01 is a pure altimeter, not a vario. The telemetry also works perfectly well on the Taranis X9D+ 2019 with a Multiprotocole module in serial, but once again, impossible to set a vario function. It also does not have the greatest accuracy: the number indicated has a supposed precision of about 10 cm, but the overall value drifts by a few meters over a very short time. However, it's perfectly fine to ensure legal flying altitude is not exceeded and can give a rough idea of lift or sink (using altitude vocal call-outs of the x9d is perfect for this). But hey, given the price, can't complain . :)

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for that info

[@pierauspitz]

​@@deancooper5513 In my case, making the altimeter as vario source only gave a constant, high pitched beeping. Basically, my Taranis X9D with multiprotocole module seem to read the altitude directly as a vario value (+120m is understood as +120m/s)... Not ideal. Tried to create a calculated sensor (that would calculate the altitude delta over a given time), but no formula allow it. And anyway, I do not believe the CAT-01 has the senstivity/accuracy to be a useful vario (it drifts over +/- 5m on its own accord within seconds). As for the FS-I6, its speaker is a simple buzzer, so the range of sounds is extremely limited. And I'm sorry, but this is the kind of modification would be extremely popular. However, as I have said elsewhere, I have not seen it anywhere yet...

[@pierauspitz]

@@deancooper5513 IT IS NOT A VARIO BUT A BAROMETER. The fact you must use offset shows it is NOT working. Logical switches were a track I followed, but it does not work properly. There are no "delta altitude" function available, so it is NOT a VARIO. Please, stop now...

[@deancooper5513]

@@pierauspitz dewd the CAT-01 works as a Vario with the FlySky I6 radio after you load the updated software here from GitHub >> github.com/qba667/FlySkyI6 And here is the GitHub page for the CAT-01 sensor set up with the I6 as a Vario >> github.com/qba667/FlySkyI6/wiki/Vario I'm yet to try my I6 which I hacked months ago but I'm not overly fussed cause I like flying with my TX16S right now.

[@pierauspitz]

​@@deancooper5513 I am far from convinced. As I told several time before, cat-01 is a simple barometer. While a VARIO is very similar, it is slightly different and needs either a different construction (with a "delaying" chamber), or needs calculations with the input of a clock ( granted, that could be done with the transmitter's own). However, and once again, the accuracy of the CAT-01 is pretty bad. Doubled with its false precision, that does not lead to a reliable vario anyway. What I also find interesting is how little attention this mod is receiving. Given how revolutionary it could be, make your own conclusions.

[@Mikeylikesit1968]

You should see if you get sensor readout on the Radiomaster with the Flysky rx and the sensors

[@deancooper5513]

Yes you do, they work just fine. I have battery voltage and vario on the TX16S screen and have the spoken battery voltage level and battery alarm all covered by the TX16S.

[@ilyasahmed2141]

I have that same setup on one of my planes, ie Flysky receiver FS-IA6B with the voltage sensor and the Jumper T16 Pro (almost the same OpenTX transmitter as the Radiomaster). It works perfectly with voice readout and alarms. The FS-IA6B with the voltage sensor is so simple and reliable, it has become my favorite setup now. The receiver is just $10 and the sensor is $5. The receiver performs similar to the more popular $35+ receivers. Since they are so cheap and good, I have ordered another pair. On another note, I take a branch wire from the main battery lead and hook it permanently to the battery sensor. This way, I don't have to connect the sensor lead to the battery JST connector every time I change the battery.

[@Johan-ex5yj]

I have the Voltage, Temperature and Altitude sensors. They all work on the FS-i6X radio (with FS-iA6B receiver). Unfortunately no Vario function.

[@kf4293]

What is a Vario function? I'm new to all of this. Thanks

[@Johan-ex5yj]

@@kf4293 A vario is a vertical speed indicator, used by glider pilots to find (and stay in) thermals (vertical air currents) to extend their time in the air. An audio- vario also adds the ability to hear when your vertical speed is increasing, by listening to beeps. In RC- world radios like the Taranis and Spektrum DX9 have vario functions, see this video for a demonstration >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHmzlGmMnbaFo5o

[@julianhumphrey4843]

Excellent, might nip of to banggood and pick up a couple of the sensors altitude and voltage

[@julianhumphrey4843]

Done, ordered the voltage and altitude sensors

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, the are so simple to use

[@hape4]

I have a few of these sensors and yeah it’s really plug&play and that’s good. I can concentrate on the flying and not how to make the sensors and the alarms to work.

[@tcz7742]

My FS i6x should work with the altitude sensor then that would be great.

[@gavinvales8928]

with the rpm reading you can properly trim your planes for a particular cruise rpm like on a real plane haha

[@eutardigrada1343]

Is the FTr4 compatible with FlySky NV14 Nirvana?

[@AndrewNewton]

Does the NV14 use AFHDS 3 protocol?

[@returntofoam]

I had great success with these sensors on the FS-I6X, but I'm struggling on the Radiomaster TX16S. Is there any chance you could put a video out showing them working with an OpenTX multiprotocol transmitter?

[@AndrewNewton]

I'll get to it eventually but lots of other stuff on just nw.

[@pilotmiami1]

thenks

[@chrisscotty4518]

Is there no gps sensor or some possibility for ground speed sensor?

[@AndrewNewton]

Not sure. Sensors would be listed on the FlySKY product page

[@CONCEPTCOLABSYSTEMS]

Hello Andrew, hope you feel good ? Thanks' to share your video that's help us big time ! I bought a FTr4 receiver last week and I tried to bind it with my Paladin 18 power with the latest radio firmware, but do not works. Do you have an idea to solve this please Sir ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Maybe need to update the receiver firmware too? I don't have mine anymore sorry

[@CONCEPTCOLABSYSTEMS]

@@AndrewNewton I'll try that ! Thanks' for your fast reply Sir and take care !

[@CONCEPTCOLABSYSTEMS]

update the receiver firmware was the fix Sir ! Thanks' a lot and have fun ! ;-)

[@AndrewNewton]

@@CONCEPTCOLABSYSTEMS Excellent, thanks for letting me know it worked

[@gorace71]

Do you have to have a special module in the back of your transmitter or will these sensors work with a stock fly sky?

[@AndrewNewton]

Stock radios

[@roberttruesdell6151]

How do you get the rpm sensor to read accurately. As in how does it know the size of the prop, or wheel or whatever it is your useing.

[@AndrewNewton]

RPM doesn't require prop size

[@roberttruesdell6151]

@@AndrewNewton yeah I’m going to use it for speed. But I guess when you do rpm it doesn’t matter. Which still doesn’t make any sense to me. But I read that when using for speed the radio has a set up procedure.

[@Ittybittythetwofacedkitty]

Will the voltage sensor work on the receivers for the Noble NB4 transmitter??

[@AndrewNewton]

Dont know, good question

[@Ittybittythetwofacedkitty]

Ok been a while, but the fs-cvt01 voltage sensor works with the fgr4p FlySky receiver that is for the noble nb4. Use the ibus port on this receiver.

[@jimelliott33]

A question Andrew, can you get this radio to read out the info like voltage or altitude?

[@AndrewNewton]

No, only OpenTX Taranis Jumper RadioMaster style transmitters have that capacity.

[@5277699]

Hi Andrew, great videos BTW. I Have a question. Can you connect an ibus sensor to a ftr16s receiver? And if so how.

[@AndrewNewton]

SENS pad on the Rx at a guess

[@AndreasBaumgartnerMUC]

Thank you, very useful video!

[@darksiderc5015]

Does FlySky have a 3x or 6x plug in gyro? Good job.

[@AndrewNewton]

Maybe a receiver with gyro? Not sure

[@SONICBOOM-117]

Andrew, do you think the sensors that came with my flysky fsi10 will we work with the paladin?

[@AndrewNewton]

All I know is that these sensors do work

[@SONICBOOM-117]

@@AndrewNewton I get my paladin tomorrow I will post results here in case anyone needs to know.

[@richardcrosson1040]

How do you install the speed sensor on fsi6x please

[@AndrewNewton]

Same as the temp sensor and FS-i6 in the video I guess, but I can try it.

[@peruccaeditz]

Hello Andrew ,great video as usual😊 A question...What range or approximate range can be gotten on the Fs i6 transmitter and (2).Is it possible to connect more than one Telementary Module to a receiver all at once

[@AndrewNewton]

Range around 2km. Yes sensors can be daisy chained

[@peruccaeditz]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks for the reply,would I get that range without any Modifications to the Radio hardware?and did you do are range test or you just assumed the range based on your flying experience 2km would be ⚡ for a 50$ Radio😁 thanks I look forward to you reply...

[@calvaryapologetics]

I cannot get the altitude sensor to work on my fs i6

[@peterzingler6221]

Same here. I guess it only works with the x firmware

[@AndrewNewton]

Same here. Needs firmware update

[@giwrgosmpoumis7411]

has a sensor for meters transmitter from receiver???

[@AndrewNewton]

No you would need a gps and flight control board running INAV or something similar

[@feltav5719]

Can you use a Frsky vario with the fsi6 binded with a tx16? Cause those are super cheap rxs... And I modded like 8 of them with onboard voltage sensors... So all I really need is the vario for my gliders. Can I do that?

[@AndrewNewton]

No, they only work with FrSKY receivers that have S-Port

[@feltav5719]

@@AndrewNewton sadly

[@MrZeek101]

Great Review Sir Andrew Its amazing how many you can connect even for the smaller Transmitter Take Care

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes very simple to use

[@andrevella4114]

I have a fs altitude sensor can i get it working on fs 6 channel reciever or upgrade 10 channel radio

[@AndrewNewton]

If it's an iBUS sensor and you're using an iBUS receiver then yes.

[@andrevella4114]

Thank you for reply andrew but ive tried to find it on my fs i6 upgraded to 10 channel radio but all it gives me on the sensor is 3 options tx rx and another thats it i do have 10 channels so ive done the upgrade but it wont work voltage sensor works but not altitude can you help pls i do a lot of high gliding and the altitude sensor would help ne a lot please

[@AndrewNewton]

@@andrevella4114 Maybe altitude doesn't work. Try searching on RCGroups

[@parkjetid]

Flysky FS-iBG01 gps wont connect to PL18 throgh FTr10 reciver ... why?

[@AndrewNewton]

Requires an iBUS2 receiver maybe

[@klausmewes3622]

@@AndrewNewton This is odd since the FTr10 is one of the new AFHDR 3 protocol receiver lineup. It should support i-BUS2 protocol since it supports the FS-iBH07 7-channel i-BUS2 expander from FlySky. This expander is necessary to attach miltiple i-BUS2 sensors of the new lineup since they cannot be daisy-chained anymore, unfortunately!

[@klausmewes3622]

Please let me know if you succeeded finally to connect it. I am expecting my PL18 and FTr10 receiver soon and was planning to get the FS-iBC01 for some development and testing.

[@kevalinopicks5555]

Hi Andrew. My friend has the i6 radio and has updated the firmware to 10 channels. He still can't get the altitude sensor to work. Do you know if anyone has had any success with this? We can't find anything on KZbin. Thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

From memory there was some information on RCGroups but cant recall which discussion.

[@EthicalHackLab]

Will This telematey Work with FTR10+FRM302 ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Dont know sorry. I dont have this gear anymore.

[@EthicalHackLab]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks for your reply dear Andrew, Can you tell, Will it Bind with AFHDS 2A Receivers Like FS iA10B?

[@peterzingler6221]

When that works on the normal fsi6 I'm more then sold for a vario

[@pierauspitz]

The CAT-01 is a barometer/altimeter, not a vario.

[@steven4420]

@@pierauspitz this can be used as a vario look up ben bojanles I6 mods

[@pierauspitz]

@@steven4420 I am strating to wonder if a lot of people are actualy mistaking altimeter for variometer. On benb0jangles, the mod (from qba667) actually enables the altimetric/barometric telemetry on the fs-I6, nothing more. I may be wrong (I hope I am), but so far, I have found no evidence anywhere that a true vario function has been developed using the CAT-01 on the FS radio systems (afhds 2a or afhds 3). I mean, come on! If it was, the CAT-01 and dirt cheap FS receivers would be on the lips of every serious glider flyers... But it isn't, because it doesn't.

[@kf4293]

@@pierauspitz Are there any systems have that ability? Thanks

[@pierauspitz]

​@@kf4293 If by "systems" you mean brands and series of radios/transmitters/sensors (sometimes sensors integrate to receivers), you shall find the vario function with FrSky ($$-$$$), Spektrum ($$$), Futaba($$$$), Multiplex ($$$$) and Jeti ($$$$+) to quote a few. You will also be able to use one of those branded sensor/receiver with one of those cheaper-yet-nice OpenTX, multprotocole transmitters (Jumper T16-T18 and the Radiomaster Tx16) or even clones (for exemple the Orange series if Spektrum is your thing, or a AT10 for Futaba.) Personaly, if you want bang for the buck, I would advise to go the FrSky road. It's miles above FlySky in quality. The Taranis X9D (SE series has very nice sticks) is very capable and well built, OpenTX is very quickly installed on it, and has a massive user base that span over 10 years, with excellent reliability (not the case with the Jumper products). Their standard receivers and sensors (vario, gps, current draw etc) all work very well. The compact, dedicated gliders receivers (8 and 6 channels with vario) are very nice too. There is a lot of gratuitous online hatred for this brand (most coming from people frustrated or terrified to not own "the latest best thing" when FrSky updates their hardware or software). Do not listen to it. I find this brand to offer very good hardware at an excellent price. You can always mount a multi-protocole module on the transmitter later on if you want to use other maker's gear. As always, do your research and always know that you get what you pay for...

[@stephengloor8451]

Not entirely sure that was 18,000rpm. It looked a bit optimistic.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Hi, Stephen! Yep. I wonder if it's reading double? I've got a cheap laser tacho that came with reflective foil, and it doesn't always need it. A 2-bladed prop can be sending back 2x information; Andrew's motor didn't scream like an 18k pylon-racer, so I think you're right about the optimistic reading. A 3 or 4 bladed prop would really confuse matters! I found it was best to keep a good foot away from the (marked) prop so that the weaker 'ghost' reflections from the unmarked side weren't registering. Perhaps Andrew needs to move the sensor further away?

[@kf4293]

@@EleanorPeterson good to know, thanks.

[@dame5014]

Hey Andrew what's the best range I can get on the FlySky i6 radio?

[@AndrewSmith-yd8vy]

In a ideal environment they have been tested up to 2 kms..

[@dame5014]

@MAD GRUMPYMAN Thank you, thant makes perfect sense. However I'm very new to the hobby and with the Covid-19 lockdown, I'm putting more time into it as it's a great getaway. The receiver I have came in a Mantis 85 as a RTF package. Mini receiver of course. I was trying to practice FPV, but my Arris VR-009 googles is giving poor range (even with patch and mushroom antennas). I will have to invest in something better, as far a bigger quad (for more flight) and better googles. I really want to get better and fly like you guys 😁 Thank you again.

[@dame5014]

@MAD GRUMPYMAN Thank you!! I really appreciate the fact that you're sharing your advice/knowledge with me.

[@dame5014]

@MAD GRUMPYMAN You're absolutely right. 👍

[@interman7715]

Some guys in the Ukraine got 3 klms easily on KZbin.

[@BlacksheepMediaNZ]

What a great simple system!

[@EleanorPeterson]

I use the altitude sensor on my KAP and KAV kites (my Tx is the FS-i6X). Angle of flight is nothing like height above ground, and it varies with windspeed too, so it's nice being able to let out outrageous amounts of line and still stay legal. (Yep. The boys from the CAA are always lurking in the bushes with surface-to-air missiles ready to shoot my evil kites down...) Have they corrected the altitude sensor's typo yet? Mine's marked as an 'ATTITUDE' sensor. Ho. Ho. Ho. A vario would be interesting, but this is still fun. Cheap, too.

[@peterzingler6221]

One question which variometer are u using? I had an altitude sensor with the ia6b and it didn't work

[@makewithmegma]

👌👍

[@juliangedzierski2546]

I have the voltage sensor and its hopelessly inaccurate

[@EleanorPeterson]

Hi Julian! Is the error always the same? If it is consistently wrong, perhaps you could recalibrate your alarm voltages to allow for the inaccuracy. Ignore the actual numbers and rely on the alarms. Not very professional, but better than nothing, maybe? Well, it's just a thought... :-)

[@juliangedzierski2546]

@@EleanorPeterson Hi Thanks for your reply Yes i tried that .I n the end I lost faith I just bought a frsky i10 and have never looked back. Julian

[@theorangebaron1595]

Hello Andrew Newton, you inspired me to start my own KZbin Channel! Check it out if you want! It features your depron micro SkyHunter!