How to Tune Gain on Eagletree Vector - My Twin Dream RC Plane

This is the first of two videos showing how to set Basic Gains on the Eagletree Vector Flight Controller for fixed wing models. In this video, the Basic Gains and Gain Knob are configured to maximize stabilizer effectiveness in 2D (non altitude hold) mode for slow flight. Thanks to sweetieinsf for sharing his process.
In this video I only show tuning for the pitch axis. The process should be repeated for roll and yaw as well. Then repeated to fine tune. This video will show you how to tune though.
In the video when I set the Basic Gains I do not expain the math. Here it is. I felt 34 was the correct Gain value for pitch. Basic Gains were set to 200. Multiply Gain Knob Value * Basic Gain or .34 * 200 = 68. That's how I arrived at the Basic Gain value.
RCG Thread with Step-by-step guide:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showth...

[@RCVideoReviews]

I'm glad I invested the time learning how to do this. My planes are flying better than ever with Vector FCs tuned for each airframe. Definitely a worthwhile skill to develop.

[@BPond7]

Great video! You're a Godsend! I'm in the process of building an MTD with Vector, for some long range FPV in the months ahead. Thanks again!

[@RCVideoReviews]

I’m glad you found the video helpful. An online friend of mine introduced me to this process and once I learned it I thought it would be highly beneficial for others to see a decent howto video on the subject. Good luck with your build and your long range flying.

[@benjamintucker1964]

thanks for well done video, very informative

[@jamble7k]

This video really helped, thanks a lot :)

[@RCVideoReviews]

+jamble7k Great! I'm glad it was helpful to you.

[@cuboatn]

Impressive flight performance with that much with, well done. Thanks for the video, it’s nice to learn more about the Vector, even though I can’t say I am comfortable enough to do what you are doing during flight. Since we are flying the same airplane would your gains be something I could use as a very good starting point?

[@RCVideoReviews]

+cuboatn Thanks. It takes time to develop enough trust in the Vector to go into the menu while flying and make changes to the computer. I started first by learning to incorporate trims. 2DH must work well before you go into the menu or you can have problems. You can try my gains, but here's something to consider: If you set your basic gains to 200, and your Gain Knob to 12, that is the same effect as having the stock Vector settings of 50% for Basic Gains and the Knob at 50%. From there, you can turn the knob to see what works best, then make note of the Gain Knob value, land, and enter the Basic Gain while on the ground. Example: Basic Gains set to 200. Gain Knob works best at 25. 200*.25, Basic Gain = 50. You want to do this for each axis though. I'll be posting another video as soon as I can fly again showing this.

[@RCVideoReviews]

+cuboatn If your plane is equipped similarly regarding weight, and control throws you could definitely use my gains as a starting point. The thing is, the MTD is a big heavy bird and the stock gain settings at 50 with the gain knob at 50 are probably going to yield a mushy plane when it comes to holding attitude. I went out today and did my bix. Even that plane has gains over 100 for pitch and roll.

[@cuboatn]

+jmxp69 Hey John this is Allen, I commented when I was logged in to my other You Tube acct. Thanks for the feedback. I have a lot to learn and incorporate with my Vectors. I will follow your video on adjusting my gains with my Sky Walker to learn and become more comfortable. You are awesome thanks again.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Hey Allen, Thanks for the feedback. I've gone out a couple of times since I learned to do this and it is a very good skill to have. It has let me get my planes very dialed in. Pitch and roll seem the most susceptible to perturbances, so they are most responsive to tuning.

[@MarkBateman]

What gain values did you eventually settle for across the board? also what radius and max angle do you use for loiter? thanks

[@RCVideoReviews]

+Mark Bateman I'll have to plug in and take a look . I'll get back to you on this.

[@RCVideoReviews]

+Mark Bateman Ok, 68% pitch, 76% Rol, 82% Yaw. Max [roll] angle is 30° and radius is 210'. Hope that helps.

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's better to work out the RTH/Default gain for your airframe. Here are the steps: Default/RTH Overall Gain Is only used if: a. You don't have, or Vector does not detect, a Gain Knob OR b. In a RTH situation. To configure: Find where you GK should be at RTH speed (might be lower than your landing speed) then transfer the GK setting to the Default/RTH Overall Gain. a. Select 2DH mode. b. Fly at the Cruise throttle you selected during setup. c. Turn GK up until plane oscillates. d. Reduce GK until oscillation stops. e. Transfer GK setting to Default/RTH Overall Gain. The default gain is always the gain used in a RTH condition or whenever the Vector does not detect a gain knob.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Don't forget after you set your customized basic gains to turn your GK to 100. If the plane flies well with 100 on the GK, it'll probably fly well close to that on RTH. If you follow the procedure I laid out above, you will find the right RTH/Default gain for your plane and your setup.

[@RCVideoReviews]

+JCatRC Default/RTH is for RTH or if Vector does not detect a gain knob only. If a GK is detected and you're not in RTH the GK value is used. If a GK is not detected or if Vector is in RTH the Default/RTH value is used.

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

I plugged everything and my servos doesn't have to much distance travel and my elevator only move up and beraly move down. Help me please

[@RCVideoReviews]

Have you verified full travel without using the flight computer? Do that first. If that works, I'd consider a full reset of the Vector. I've never had a problem with full travel on my Vector FCs.

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

Thanks for the quick reply, I already figarate, I reset my vector as factory and I did everything again and it work

[@RCVideoReviews]

Great! Good luck. The Vector is awesome.

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

My submode is not working, had anything like that happen to you

[@RCVideoReviews]

Does mode work? Mode requires a channel and submode requires a channel. Make sure submode gets its own channel. Submode is setup just like mode.

[@EduardoFritisRealtor]

Looks to me that you are flying fast. My average speed is 34 mph and my MA/mile is 232.4. I have the stock set up and I fly with 50% gains and no oscillation. In fact people think I have a gimbal, it is very stable in 2D. My range with a 10000 mAh 4S is 60.85 minutes and 34.38 miles. This is for 9.2 hours 14 flights.

[@RCVideoReviews]

You're right. On this video I am moving along at a pretty good clip. When I'm aiming for range--flying straight and level--I slow it down quite a bit. I did a stall video and AS showed 13mph at stall, so even 34mph is quick for this plane.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Here's a link to the stall video I referenced in the last comment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJKsiZmKjM-qpNk

[@EduardoFritisRealtor]

I have been flying MTD every day now! I missed the SD card in my DVR the other day and I lost data for 1.5 flying time! I have programed a six position switch with 5 different cruising amps and a three position switch with two climbing, throttle and elevator. I keep record, most of the times of the flying statistics to see which amps are the best performance. I have a climbing rate of around 300 feet per minute at 32.5 mph using 1.97 mA/m climb

[@RCVideoReviews]

Are you using Dragonlink? If so (or if you otherwise get Telemetry from Vector on Taranis) check out my logging video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emPbiIusjsR7ftk You can do lots of cool stuff logging telemetry values. Current, GPS, Throttle Position, etc. Anything you can get via telemetry you can log.

[@EduardoFritisRealtor]

I use EzUHF and I get the Telemetry from the Vector. I use a Pepperbox with a receiver and a DVR that records all the downlink. I record each flight in an excel sheet for each plane so I can compare performance etc. I record metric numbers.