OpenTx Companion Tutorial • Timers Explained • Fun with Timers • Radiomaster TX16s • [Beginners]

[@FASTFREDDIE-R.C.]

This series is truly a beginners guide to opentx. There isn’t another channel that covers the topics you do and nobody does it as completely as in this series.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Appreciate you support Freddie. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. J

[@FASTFREDDIE-R.C.]

RC Video Reviews for my application I have my timers set to my throttle hold on activates and off resets. One issue I have is that sometimes when I’m testing new settings or a new model I will land make an adjustment then take to the air again. I would like to have the timer just pause when I hit throttle hold and resume when th is back on then reset with a different switch altogether.

[@RCVideoReviews]

That's exactly the setup I have: Timer 1: Trigger = L01 LOGICAL SWITCHES L01 a>x A=I:THR B=-95 AND SH(up) SPECIAL FUNCTIONS SF1 - SH(down) Override CH3 -100 ENABLE SF2 - SE(down) Reset Timer 1 Timer 1 is enabled when L01 is on which requires Throttle Cut to be Off and the throttle to be north of -95 (just off idle). SH Down is my throttle cut. When that is activated Timer 1 is stopped. SE Down resets the timer all together.

[@FASTFREDDIE-R.C.]

RC Video Reviews yes but in my case the actual throttle is not using the throttle stick it runs off the se switch with 3 different curves. My throttle stick runs channel 6 which is pitch. I don’t want the timer connected to the throttle stick.

[@FASTFREDDIE-R.C.]

I got it I just used special functions to change the reset switch it worked this time but for some reason the first time I tried this it kept tying the reset switch to also being the timer switch and not the switch I selected for the timer.

[@illusionistsam]

Man i have watch most of your videos in one day and they are so helpfull i basically learned open tx on the go

[@enriquekramer4590]

I LOVE the Th% function! You have to determine what is the right time for you to land with 20% in your batteries through a little trial and error, (that is the theoretical time you would have running at 100% throttle) but once that is done and you are disciplined (you come down when the timer tells you to), it is an very reliable way of taking care of your batteries.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I have to clarify: TH% adds one second per second to timer when throttle is at 100% TH% adds one second per 2 seconds to timer when throttle is at 50% TH% adds one second per 13 seconds to timer when throttle near/above idle. So you're suggesting when you've ironed out the correct flight time for a battery that gets you on the ground with whatever cutoff percentage you find acceptable--in your case 20%, the TH% timer gets you on the ground reliably at 20%?

[@enriquekramer4590]

@@RCVideoReviews Yap, exactly!!!

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@enriquekramer4590 Ok, I'm going to try it. I'll let you know what I find out.

[@davidpiper3652]

@@RCVideoReviews I concur, I use TH% on all my models, it takes a bit of fly and try to get the start time correct but it works really well.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@davidpiper3652 Excellent. Appreciate the confirmation and will have to give it a go. Thanks for writing, J

[@shanejohnstone4245]

Another great informative video. The way you present the information really helps a newbie like me get up to speed on OpenTx. Well done and I look forward to more video's in your OpenTx series

[@RCVideoReviews]

Appreciate the feedback Shane. Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm glad you're finding the material useful. Funny thing when deciding on some of these topics. I wind up having a debate with myself, "Should I? Nah, everybody knows this, nobody will watch." It can be a real challenge trying to decide if a video is worth the effort. So comments like yours help remind me this type of video is needed.

[@matendie9586]

Even though I prefer to use battery sensor with audible alerts instead of timers, your video is awesome and very informative and in depth, thanks so much!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks for the kind comment. Glad you found the video informative.

[@matendie9586]

@@RCVideoReviews I have a question if you have a minute to answer it... is there a way in OpenTx to copy some things over to an existing model without creating new model from copy? I already setup few models on my Jumper T18, and now that I have learned many more features, I would like to copy the new configuration into an existing model, without the need to redo everything for each model, or duplicating... is there a way to do this?

[@matendie9586]

I think that's a role of Global Functions, is that correct?

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@matendie9586 Not that I'm aware of. I don't think Companion allows model to model feature copies either, but I'm not 100% sure of that. You might try it in Companion.

[@matendie9586]

@@RCVideoReviews ok, thanks for the reply!

[@Retset]

Thank you. I already had the timers how I wanted them (batt only counts down with throttle over 10% and cut set to off and a total flight timer that just counts up - nice on gliders). However the minute calls were a PITA so, thanks to some ideas in this video, I now have 2 min, 1min and the in built

[@RCVideoReviews]

Good deal. Lots of flexibility in Open/EdgeTX.

[@ramylems6107]

Hey John I rally enjoyed watching this video. How did you manage to set the timer 2 on counting up, on the radio from timer 1 to 3 are all countdown. Thanks a lot for sharing your videos John.👍😄

[@RCVideoReviews]

Set the timer to 00:00 and when you activate it, it counts up. Thanks for the comment.

[@shiftx1579]

Sheldon and Amy's fun with flags was funny as. 😂😂🎌

[@RCVideoReviews]

Hahah, you have a good sense of humor. Not many caught on to that one. :)

[@WaterForHumansUTube]

Great video (as always). I'd like to make a function to turn off a model timer when the Rx is turned off. I fly gliders with small Rx batteries, thus I turn them off as soon as get to the plane, then turn on the Rx just before flight. I can set a timer to turn on with a RSSI trigger. Is there a way to make a trigger to stop the timer when the RSSI goes to zero?

[@WaterForHumansUTube]

Came up with a solution. I made a logical switch for Rx battery voltage above 3v. This turns on the timer. I tried RSSI but it didn't work. I then have a switch to reset it. Is there a way to save timer data so it can be reviewed later?

[@talbahir]

Thanks for the wonderful video. Is there is a way to make the timer run faster based on condition? Example. heli can fly 5 minutes at 50% head speed but only 3 minutes on 80% head speed. Can I change the timer count for faster rate (or choose second timer with lower flight time that will continue where timer 1 is. )? Thanks for the answer.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Use Throttle % instead of Throttle as the trigger.

[@talbahir]

Thanks, but when you fly a heli in 3D, the throttle stick would be many time at 20% or 30% (When inverted, pulling the throttle stick down list the heli up) and on modern controller the throttle curve is flat 60% or %70 ETC, so throttle % won't do. However, when writing to you, I cam to the idea that I can create the follow: Logical switch that the GV1 to 300 (5 min) on SA up. Logical switch that set GV1 to =-1 when SA NOT Up - Count down. (My SA kills the throttle and NOT SA up means that I fly) Logical switch that set GV1 to -=1 every 3 seconds and is up when throttle curve is at 70% (high head speed takes more power) Now I have GV1 count every second with low head speed and faster on high head speed. Left to do Set LS? that set on GV1 < 30 once Set LS? that count when GV1 < 10 Set Special Functions to play sound once on GV1

[@JustAskDave]

Thanks for the videos, have been playing with timers, do you know if we can edit the persistent timer value? I wanted to set it to account for existing flight times on this model before I started using Edge TX? Cheers, Dave

[@RCVideoReviews]

Not that I know of

[@JustAskDave]

@@RCVideoReviews I thought I replied but it's disappeared! FYI, I worked it out. Open the yml file for the model and the persistent timer current value is there in seconds. Simply edit that for whatever you want it to be! Too easy

[@burkhardschmidt7457]

First of all, a very merry christmas an a covid free and healthy 2021! My compliments to this inventive and innovative way to implement timers. I combined it with your way of engaging throttle cut and it it a winning combo for shure. I did it on 2 models, both flying wings with similar settings but at one of them, it was not running correctly regardless what i did. The problem was in one of the models the timer gets active when the trottle was above -100,regardless throttle cut was active or not.Even comparing of model settings side by side in companion the lines in model basic setting, mixers and logical switches aswel special functions look identical..After pounering my back end sqare, several hours of smoking grey top end cells and 3 liters of coffee i found out model 1 has the channels named in outputs , the second has not. After correcting this by defining the outputs in the second model, the problem was fixed. I don't know if anybody else has experienced the same problem, but my tip is to name the outputs aswel and everything works like a charm! Keep up your fantastic work and greetz from "cheesehead country"the netherlands

[@RCVideoReviews]

I never really bother naming channels in outputs. I’m not sure why a channel name on that tab would influence the logic. Odd...

[@burkhardschmidt7457]

@@RCVideoReviews yep me either..i only can say doing this step made the difference..

[@miked250]

Thanks for your time and making these educational videos. For just getting into Wings and just purchasing a RMTX16s, the timing is perfect. When setting your Total Time, does it count down for each individual plane or for all the planes flown that day?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Timers are model specific. Total time is my vernacular in this example. I used it as a persistent count-up timer. You get count-up when you enable a timer but do not specify a time. You get count-down when you enable a timer and do specify a time. So the Total Time you see in this video is the accumulated time for that model when the trigger mechanism was active. Hope that helps. Glad you're enjoying the videos...

[@robertwioch3691]

Hi! Very good Information on the radio. This is Robert Wioch. I will give you always a Thumps up. you are the best out there. AAAAAAAAAA++++++++++ :))

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks again!

[@3DPisu]

Another super detailed and educational video,thanks a lot! Just one question. What about if the timer starts after 10% of gas stick,and stops at and under that value? Don't know how to create it,with logical I think. Thanks in advance

[@RCVideoReviews]

Create a logical switch L01 with a>x and the value of -80. Use L01 as the activation switch. That'll do it.

[@3DPisu]

@@RCVideoReviews Done! Thanks dear,keep following you

[@crashrr2993]

Thanks for another useful video. I’ve set up my top bar to show three timers: latest flight time, longest (historic) flight time and total flight time on the aircraft. I’ve figured out 1 and 3 but I’m struggling to configure the logic switch that will replace the value of the second timer if the first timer records a longer flight. I’d really appreciate some help on this and, hopefully, it’s a useful idea to you for a kwikki video. Cheers. 👍

[@RCVideoReviews]

I don't understand the question. There is no option I'm aware of to change values of timers. You set them to either 0, or some number like 4 minutes. Then you can either let them increment if starting from 0 or decrement if starting from something other than 0. Finally you can reset them. There's also an option to add a minute, but I don't know about writing a specific value to a timer.

[@crashrr2993]

@@RCVideoReviews Hi, many thanks for the reply. Yes, I see what you mean, and that would certainly explain why I was struggling to configure it. ..!🤬😂 So I guess the question is: is there a way to configure a widget so that you can display your longest flight time, and have the Tx automatically update it if you beat it? Many thanks once again, I don’t understand half the stuff you cover, but I enjoy watching it anyway. I live in hope that it will slowly penetrate my grey matter. This whole OpenTx thing is amazing to an old geezer like me returning to the hobby after 45 years. The last rc system I bought was a McGregor single channel non-proportional system. It cost me £32 in about 1970 - everything I could save for a year!

[@patterdalebt]

How can we use the throttle trim switch as a methord of re-setting the timer. I am useing a TaranisQ X7 Thanks Colin

[@RCVideoReviews]

You can. Turn off throttle trim in flight mode 0, then use the throttle trim down switch in global functions or special functions for timer reset.

[@bentslattsveen2208]

Great video and tips! I just wonder what your SA switch is suppose to control and what type of rc (plane, heli or drone)? I would like to put the demo in the right context. (I'm pretty new to RC and OpenTx)

[@RCVideoReviews]

The function of SA in this video is explained starting @8:00. Since we're only talking about timers, this is platform independent. This setup would work on any airframe.

[@05rickie]

Help,can you tell me how to toggle between timmers ,I have the Radiomaster Zorro open TX,I set timer #1 for 20 min timer #2 for 8 min.On my main screen shows timer #1, 20 min,how do i switch to timer #2 8min.Appreciate your help

[@proprotornut5389]

Fun with timers. Love it🤣

[@RCVideoReviews]

I laughed really pretty hard when I realized what I did...

[@cliveallison1489]

Hi John have you done a video on setting up flaps on a fixed wing model

[@RCVideoReviews]

I haven't. It's very easy though. You can either setup a curve that keeps all points on one side of 0 or you can add an offset of 50 and a weight of 50. You'll have to fiddle the direction to make sure they just go down.

[@springpilot]

Like Mike D says, thanks for your time and making these educational videos, they're really good. For just purchasing a Radiomaster TX16S and getting into Open TX, the timing for me is perfect. I come from the Spektrum universe, on my DX8 G2 I use a 3 pos switch for "Timer Start", "Timer Stop" and "Timer reset" function. Could you please help me with an algorithm on that function? I'll manage to make the voice function, but I'm not so good at Open TX to find the right use of Logical Switches and Global Functions. I'm a subscriber, if it's necessary to get an answer from you, to be a Patreon, I'll sign up.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I'm always happy to have another Patron, but it's never a requirement to get a little help. This is really easy to do: 1) Under model setup go to Timer 1 and press the jog dial. The first field should start blinking. Pick a 3pos switch. I used SA and set the value in Timer 1 to SA-. That solves the first two issues: SA^ will turn the timer off. SA- will turn the timer on. 2) Under Special Functions pick an open slot and press the jog dial. In the first field select SAv (down). For the function, select Reset. For the object, select Timer 1 and put a check in the last little box on the far right to enable this special function. Now when you push SA down Timer 1 will be reset. So: SAup = Timer Off SAmid = Timer On SAdown = Timer Reset You can rearrange these however it suits you. Good luck, J

[@springpilot]

@@RCVideoReviews It works!! Thank you very much! I'll sign in.

[@ronh129]

Do you by chance know which timer is displayed in the model select options? Also, what is the objective of L04? It turns on and off based on whether L03 is on or off, why not just use L03?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I don't know what you mean by model select options. On the main model screens, timers are widgets. You can select whatever time you want to be displayed. Re: L04, try it without it.

[@ronh129]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank you for getting back, and so quickly! Regarding the timers, I have flight timers setup for my LOS heli's and micro planes. It also seems "timer 1" is the countdown timer, while the others count up? Within the model selection screen (when you hold the scroll wheel then select "model select" or "choose model".. where you pick which model you want to load...) there is a timer value. Mine all read 00:00. My FPV models I use the OSD time (and battery voltage) but I do have the countdown timers set on the LOS models. But all of them display 00:00, so I'm curious if that is timer 2 or timer 3. Regarding the logic switches, sorry! I do industrial control logic so seeing an "output" being controlled purely with another output without other logic jumps out as a "wasted" output, he he.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Timer functions are not predefined. Any timer can perform any defined function. If you set a value to 0 and establish a trigger, the timer counts up. If you set a timer to some number of minutes with a trigger it counts down. You don’t get locked in on OpenTx to doing things only one way. On logic there were probably two factors at play: 1) Sometimes OpenTx logic doesn’t work exactly the way I think it should work. When that happens usually force the issue with a line like L04. That’s why I suggested you try it. If it worked without L04 then..... 2) These are training videos now how to use the radio moreso than training videos on logic. From time to time I look for excuses to show functionality.

[@ronh129]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank you for clarifying what I found regarding the timers. I suppose I'll set timers 2 and 3 to be cumulative with different triggers and see which influence the timer marker in model selection screens. Point taken! I've learned a ton about using the radio from your channel. Like the !1x for my "play track", now I don't need to hear that I'm disarmed when I just turned on the TX, lol. I'm going to go ahead and sub.. -Ron

[@AddictedRC]

Great stuff! You showed how to SET a timer to 1 minute, no matter what the current time readout is. So, if I'm flying, and the timer is reading 5 minutes, and I hit the switch, it SETS the time to 1 minute, losing 4 minutes of flight time, not ADDING 1 minute. SO...Is there a way to ADD 1 minute to the current time, without SETTING the time to 1 minute? If I have a 15 min. timer, I am at the 4 minute mark while flying, and I want to ADD 1 min., to make it 5 min. remaining, how is that accomplished?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I’m not aware of a way to do that because that would require reading the timer variable and adding to it. To my knowledge there is no way to do that with the possible exception of getting into global variables. It might be possible with those but I doubt it.

[@AddictedRC]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank you for your reply, brother! And, especially, THANK YOU for all the extremely valuable content!

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@AddictedRC Sure thing.

[@shanejohnstone4245]

Hey John, I know you made this video a while back, but can you tell me how I can reset my total timer for a given model?

[@RCVideoReviews]

From the main screen long press the jog dial, hit "Reset..." and select the timer # you want to reset to 0.

[@shanejohnstone4245]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks your a legend and your the man when it comes to OpenTX!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad to help :)

[@marinehm]

I think actual voltage is better than a timer. Which can be done just as easy and more helpful.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I go back and forth. I've got some timers that are ridiculously accurate, but you can't argue with voltage.

[@ronkievit6843]

In one of my plane setups the timer is set to 5 minutes. If I change the time setting, it goes back to 5 minutes when the radio is turned off and back on or if I switch models. It stays at the set value for all the other model setups, any idea how I can fix this? TIA.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sounds like a software bug. The time should always stay where you put it.

[@radmoore4998]

Thanks help alot

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@masterobione1]

where is the software that you are using in open tx. sorry i cant find it,

[@RCVideoReviews]

Google opentx download: www.open-tx.org/2021/07/23/opentx-2.3.14

[@windcheetah13]

Hi help please, I set timer 1 to THs and it stops when I am I full throttle and starts when oi am on zero throttle, how do I change it around so it starts when I raise the throttle

[@RCVideoReviews]

David, Create a brand new model with no changes. Just 4 sources: AETR. Setup the timer using THs and see if it does the same thing.

[@בניקרויטורו]

Can you please explain how to make it on the radio direct ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

I would advise getting a copy of Companion and using it. I can't make two copies of my tutorial videos--I'd have time for nothing else. Please consider using Companion. All of my tutorials with very few exceptions going forward will utilize Companion.

[@dennisfuente4057]

What can we do with the 6 arrow switches on the front of the radio face

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's like any other switch, it just has 6 stops instead of 2 or 3 Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_UgKSYqZmFq5I

[@richardsmith5689]

if you ever wanted to rest the total time how you rest it

[@RCVideoReviews]

From the model home screen, long press the jog dial and you can chose which clock to reset.

[@BrianRamseysg01]

The edge switch isnt req for timers?

[@RCVideoReviews]

You can set a timer without using an Edge switch.

[@captaindronieversefpv]

No Laptimer in Radiomaster T16s ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

No.

[@oded_10]

I searched in LOGIC for an action that stops the timer ( not reset), during the flight, so that I can continue to fly and continue the timer, at the same time. Just like the option with the THR stick. The same operation I want to do with two switches in LO (regardless of the stick of the THR). Just stop the countdown, whenever I want throughout the flight, and with another click on one of the switches, continue the countdown. I saw the videos of the LOGIC, SP. FUNCTION and TIMER, are good videos very helpful for understanding the operation of the radio, but they did not give me a solution to the action I want to do.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Oded, You can use any switch you want to activate a timer. Go to Model Setup, pick a Timer 1, 2, or 3. Highlight OFF, press the jog dial so the field starts blinking. Toggle the switch you want to use for the timer. You can also use a Logical switch in that position if you want to evaluate any criteria such as whether or not the throttle is active or at some predefined throttle setting. If all you want is a switch, just highlight the source field and pick a switch. I just tested this and it works. I set a timer value for timer 3, set the switch to SE down and I can turn the timer on and off with that switch. SE down and the timer counts down. SE up and the timer stops counting. I even put the Timer 3 widget on my home screen to see the timer after moving the switch.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Oded, You can use any switch you want to activate a timer. Go to Model Setup, pick a Timer 1, 2, or 3. Highlight OFF, press the jog dial so the field starts blinking. Toggle the switch you want to use for the timer. You can also use a Logical switch in that position if you want to evaluate any criteria such as whether or not the throttle is active or at some predefined throttle setting. If all you want is a switch, just highlight the source field and pick a switch. I just tested this and it works. I set a timer value for timer 3, set the switch to SE down and I can turn the timer on and off with that switch. SE down and the timer counts down. SE up and the timer stops counting. I even put the Timer 3 widget on my home screen to see the timer after moving the switch.

[@RCVideoReviews]

PS Logic doesn't start or stop the timer, logic only evaluates criteria. You use the logic switch in the Model Setup Timer field that defaults to "OFF" It's the same field you use THs, TH%, or THt.

[@oded_10]

@@RCVideoReviews Everything works great. thanks for the detailed answer. The situation did not work at first, because I forgot that one of the switches, it resets the timer in 'global functions'. I changed it, used 'logical functions', and it works well.

[@jameskeys8263]

Hi I have the XK A800 i was able to bind in to my new TX16S but i don't know how to set up the 3 position switches on the 3D6G can someone assist me please? Has anyone setup the 5ch 3D6G on a TX16S before? Any Help is greatly appreciated

[@RCVideoReviews]

Did you just try going into Mixer and on Ch5 adding a 3 position switch? i.e. Line One call it Mode. Press enter on Source and move any one of the 3 position switches. That is all you need to do to assign a 3 position switch to a channel. You probably need to do that on Channel 5.

[@jameskeys8263]

Hi Thanks ill try that now

[@jameskeys8263]

Thanks I followed that info and was successful but now how do i connect the 3D6G to the switch?

[@jameskeys8263]

I want to really say thanks for trying to help me out with this. I really appreciate it as i'm a bit lost right now. i'm new to this radio but never use gyros or anything like that before as i've never needed it, its just all the new stuff comes out with it making it harder to figure out. I normally just fly aeroplanes 4 to 6 channel and some eflite helicopters not 3D.

[@jameskeys8263]

Thanks Ive done that now I need to find out how to select 3 modes for the XK 5ch 3d6g using my TX16S transmitter. so I can also reduce the gyro and turn it off?

[@joshmeyer5280]

How do u reset the flight timer?

[@RCVideoReviews]

14:33 shows how to set a switch to reset the timer in special functions. See SF1@14:33. You can also reset from the model home screen by long pressing the jog dial and selecting "reset timer x"

[@amasat71]

👍👍👍

[@RCVideoReviews]

👍👍👍

[@drspyqwerty]

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