Reprogramming the Spektrum AR636B

This video covers the basics of reprogramming the Spektrum AR636B receiver so it can be reused in another aircraft.
References in the video are these links:
Spektrum Programming Cable
www.horizonhobby.com/product/...
Spektrum Programmer
spektrumrc.cachefly.net/apps/s...
AR636B Programming guide:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showa...
AR636B Programming Tool:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showa...

[@txkflier]

1. Before you export the SRM file, you need to reset the receiver to clear out anything that Spektrum/Horizon changed from the default. There are settings that don't show up in the Spektrum Programmer or the SAFE Model Builder. Resetting the receiver will reset them. 2. You can turn off AS3X in any of the flight modes by setting the AS3X gains to zero. You can leave all of the priorities to 150%. If the gyro gain is set to zero, the priority doesn't do anything. 3. The receiver has 6 servo ports, but it can decode 9 channels. The Bind/Data port is not an output for a channel, as far I know. 4. I don't use the high throttle-to-elevator mix, but I do use the low throttle-to-elevator mix. I set the high mix to 85% throttle and 0 pitch. I set the low mix to 40% throttle and about -5 pitch so that when I throttle back, the plane will lower its nose a little and maintain flying speed. Also, I use the linear option. 5. With the AR636, the aileron, elevator, and rudder direction in the transmitter must be set to normal. If any control surface is backwards when you move the sticks, you must do the reversing in the receiver. Otherwise, the gyro will be backwards and crash your plane. 6. On most of my planes, I set the AS3X gains to 30, 40, and 50 percent for roll, pitch, and yaw respectively. Generally, the ailerons/wing will go into oscillation first if the gains are set too high. I typically set the pitch gain 10% higher than roll, and the yaw gain 10% higher than pitch. If I think the plane needs more AS3X gain, I increase all three by 10%. If it oscillates, I lower them all by 5 or 10 percent. 7. I always set the priority to 150% everywhere except for the flight mode(s) where SAFE is enabled. The priority setting determines how much stick movement is required to make the AS3X gain decrease to zero. If it's set to 100%, the gain will go to zero when the stick hits the stop, provided that the servo travel and rates are set to 100%. If you were to set the low rate to 50%, a priority of 150% would cause the gain to decrease to zero at full stick. Since I never use less than 50% travel, a priority of 150% will always make the gain decrease to zero at 1/2 to full stick deflection. 8. In SAFE mode, the travel and dual rates must be set to 100%. Otherwise, the plane won't reach the bank or pitch limits that you've set. SAFE mode uses what's called "Angle Demand". If you decrease the travel in the transmitter (or by using the rates in the receiver), the gyro won't know that you're holding the stick against the stop. It will think you only moved the stick part of the way, so it will only give you part of the angle. Since I always use 100% travel in SAFE mode, I set the priority to 100% so that the gyro gain decreases to zero at full stick deflection. 9. If your plane doesn't fly level at full throttle in SAFE mode, change the "Pitch Attitude Trim" setting. I generally start with it set to -1000 which is 10 degrees nose up. Some of my planes need 15 degrees and some need less. It depends on how level the receiver is mounted in the plane. Note: This setting will cause the elevator to kick up a few degrees when you select SAFE mode. Apparently, planes fly a little nose high compared to how they sit on the ground. 10. If you reset the receiver as I said above, the SAFE gain for roll should be between 15 and 25. The SAFE gain for pitch should be 18 to 30. If you've seen numbers higher than this, it's because there's a multiplier value in the SRM file that is set to 100 if the receiver has been reset. Horizon sets it to 25 in some BNF's and possibly 50 in others. The overall gain is the product of the SAFE gains you can see and the hidden multiplier in the SRM file. So, 18 times 100 is an overall gain of 1800. If the multiplier is set to 25, a SAFE gain of 72 would give the same overall gain. Roll generally needs an overall gain of 1500 to 2500 and pitch needs an overall gain of 1800 to 3000. 11. I check the SAFE gains by comparing the control surface travel in SAFE mode to the travel I get in low and high rates with SAFE off. I should get a little more than low rates and a little less than high rates. Remember, in SAFE mode the receiver needs to see 100% travel. 12. If you use panic mode, you need to set the SAFE gains to the same values in all three flight modes. In panic mode, the sticks will still move the control surfaces, but not as far unless you increase the bank/pitch limits for panic mode. 13. Also, the flight modes in the transmitter have nothing whatsoever to do with the AS3X/SAFE flight modes in the receiver. Transmitter flight modes are used for multiple rates and/or expo or separate trims for each position of the flaps, spoilers, etc. All you have to do to control the flight modes in the receiver is assign a switch to the channel you want to use to select the flight modes in the receiver.

[@alwaysflying6540]

This is explained really well. I know these receivers inside out and I could never explain them this well.

[@786free1]

If the gains setting or even any other settings that are on the programme require adjusting can this be done at the filed without a laptop? I am guessing not. Also which one is the gains setting on the Spektrum Programmer, I can only see priority, rate and heading.

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Thanks for this tutorial. I used this to put flapperons on my Conscendo Advanced about three years ago. At that time the receiver in the Conscendo Evolution couldn't be programmed yet. Hope to try again sometime soon.

[@manuelhrastnig7909]

Very good and useful video I have forgotten to say..! Manuel

[@markdaniel8740]

I will have to try this. I have several of those receivers sitting around because the old programmer never worked. Hopefully this will make them useful again.

[@SergioNayar]

*** Please note *** that on the video you did NOT mention that the second time you went into the programming of the receiver to fix the elevator direction, YOU NEED to export it again and re-do the SAFE Model Builder changes again and then reapply the model file back to the receiver. Great video though!

[@SergioNayar]

It does work on Delta wings, as a matter of fact, that receiver comes in the Blade Theory Type W and I've flown other delta wings with it. You will need a programmer cable to get into the unit to change it to elevon configuration though.

[@stevebarr9604]

I do something similar but with my phone and the little program module! You still have to use the computer to register it and updates I think!

[@nick_doutrnz_entertainment]

@15:19 I want SAFE and AS3X turn off and disabled. (I have a separate gyro for stability). If I uncheck all the switch assignments to Unassigned and uncheck the boxes at the bottom, will that turn it all off?

[@manuelhrastnig7909]

Another question, why did You not import one of these preset BNF-files which are available on spektrumRc..? Is there no F9F ore does no similar plane-type fit..? AS3X and safe would work also...

[@williamhoenstine5057]

FYI - in the AR636x receivers, do Not reverse servo travel or make sub-trim changes in the transmitter! If you reverse servos in the transmitter, all control surfaces that you reversed will be backward in SAFE. Not what you want. Make all dual-rates and expo settings in the transmitter, not the receiver. It's just easier that way but if you want you can make these changes in the receiver using the Spektrum programmer software. It's just harder to do that way.

[@alwaysflying6540]

This is not true. I have 5 AS3x in jets and aerobatic aircraft and all require servo reversing in the radio and function as they should. I work in the industry and have 36 years experience

[@gagegr]

@@alwaysflying6540 You are right. You need it setup so that all of the Auto Leveling from the Gyro is in the correct orientation, this is setup in the receiver. You may still find that your sticks need to be reversed in the transmitter. My aeroscout is like this from the factory.

[@alwaysflying6540]

@gagegr Yes, exactly. For anyone reading these comments, just verify that the gryo compensation and the servo control surface direction are both correct before flying. EVEN if you set up the aircraft as per manual. But it is very common to have one or more channels reversed on the radio to have the aircraft set up properly. If you are unsure ask someone more experienced

[@bobanderson2807]

I messed up. I may have pressed the unassigned for ports 5&6. Then do reload for the change. A little haZzy for me?

[@Mustangschweinderl]

Hi Zek, you already helped me one time with "Spektrum SAFE beginner problems", so I thought I'll ask you two things where I have problems with. I am using an AR636 with SAFE Select in P47 where the ailerons are moving when the plane is on the ground, when I switch between AS3X and Safe. I the one mode the surfaces are trimmed, when I switch the mode, one aileron moves a little bit up and the other one down. What happens there??? And at a second plane, that is in SAFE mode, I am not able to assign the toggle switch for AS3X and SAFE to switch B. I am in high rates, servos reach 100%, I toggle 5 times and I cannot witch between the two modes. It stays in SAFE.... Thank you for your help! Thomas

[@Zek1701]

Hi Thomas, when the ailerons (or elevator) move when switching to SAFE it means there is a level problem. The aircraft needs to be level when the receiver is powered on. If not, then you could get the ailerons or elevator to move when you switch to SAFE. This video shows how to program the AR363B using the software tools.You will not have to toggle 5 times to set the AS3X/SAFE switch. The setup of the AS3X/SAFE channel and switch are covered in 16:00 and 28:35, respectively.

[@Mustangschweinderl]

@@Zek1701 i think I will try the assignment of the switch with the software. Regarding the movement of the surfaces, I always try to keep the plane flat on the floor when powering up. So I still do not understand this problem…..

[@Zek1701]

@@Mustangschweinderl maybe check the trim settings on the transmitter to see if they are at 0.

[@Mustangschweinderl]

@@Zek1701 they are 0….

[@Zek1701]

@@Mustangschweinderl how much movement (mm) is there when switching SAFE on?

[@manuelhrastnig7909]

Hey zek1701, why has it not been necessary to import an "open stock file" first, before You started to reprogramming it..? That's what HorizonHobby told me to to when i asked how to "unlock" the receiver from the "factory-setting"...

[@Zek1701]

Perhaps this might work. I didn't try it. I just started with what was already in the receiver and change what I need to change to get the orientation and AS3X/SAFE to work. See 11:00 in the video.

[@joetrujillo3586]

Got question bro,can I install this receiver on freewing f18 64mm and using dx6 ?

[@Zek1701]

Yes, I just did on my FW F18 64. Just make sure to test the control surfaces are correct when using the stick and when SAFE tries to self-level.

[@johnguevin7523]

Can you set as3x to zero on the first switch position (0) essentially turning off as3x in first position, getting as3x in second position and SAFE in the 3rd?

[@Zek1701]

Sure that is how I set mine up. In the Fwd Programming FM mode when the switch is in position 0 set AS3X to inhibit and safe to inhibit.

[@williamhoenstine5057]

@@Zek1701 That won't work with the AR636 RX - Forward Programming isn't an option. If a 3 position switch has been configured properly then one of the 3 positions can be set to ZERO. Pos 0 - -100, Pos 1 - 0 (ZERO), Pos 2 - +100. The results - Pos 0 - ALL off, Pos 1 - AS3X ONLY, & Pos 2 - AS3X & SAFE ON.😉

[@jbailey6309]

Where is the link below

[@mariopires4391]

Why can´t the "SAFE MODEL BUILDER" Programm work with other "AS3X2 Spektrum Receivers" (for example the "AR637TA")? Thank You.

[@mariopires4391]

I'm asking that because i want to help a Friend of mine to configure a "AR636B" with the same configurations of a "AR637TA" that i have on my DRACO 2.0 BNFBasic. Thank You.

[@Zek1701]

@@mariopires4391 You could try using the programming cable and program on the 627T. I've never tried it since any receiver that can be programmed with Fwd Programming is easy to do with the transmitter/fwd programming.

[@txkflier]

There is a SAFE Model Builder program for the older AR636 and there's also a Smart SAFE Model Builder program for the newer Smart AS3X/SAFE receivers. The Spektrum Programmer software will only let you register and update the firmware in the newer Smart receivers. It will also let you import and export configuration files for the Smart receivers, but you can't change any of the settings like you can with the AR636, AR7350, etc..

[@jbailey6309]

Was able to click on the rc group links but could not get them to open.

[@Zek1701]

The Programming Guide and Tool link will not open a web page. Each will download a file to your PC. Check your download folder for "Ultimate Guide to Installing AR636 with SAFE" and "SAFE Model Builder for AR636 1.6.1" files.

[@jbailey6309]

My old brain finally figured the process out and I was successful with my programming process for my AR636B receiver. Thanks for your feedback. Good video I will keep in my history file for future reference.

[@bobanderson2807]

I can not get the tool itself? that has the picture of thr aircraft can you help me get that programming tool? TY

[@Zek1701]

Bob the AR636B Programming Tool link is in the video description. When you click on the link it downloads a zip file to your PC and usually puts it in your download folder. You unzip the file and you will have the programming tool.

[@bobanderson2807]

@@Zek1701 yes I had typed the link wrong. It does work. TY

[@bobanderson2807]

New Question: Can my AR8020T receiver be set to have all three modes (safe,as3x,&off?

[@Zek1701]

@@bobanderson2807 it doesn't appear that AR8020T supports AS3X or SAFE. AR8360T has AS3X and SAFE.

[@gregbriley8328]

Is there anyway you could copy the download on your computer and send it to me ? Apparently it’s not available anymore. Seven of my receivers are garbage if I can’t change those for another airplane. That’s about 1500 dollars of receivers.

[@Zek1701]

I was able to download the two software programs from the 2nd and 3rd in the description just now. Check your download folder on your computer. There should be 2 files: SAFE Model Builder for AR636 1.6.1 and spektrum-programmer-3.8.0.0.

[@blueskycutter]

Reprogram receiver