The Frsky Series: Setting up the (free) Battery Voltage Telemetry

Frsky Receivers have a built-in Voltage Telemetry port. Not quite as nice as the add-on one since it can only read total pack voltage and not individual cells, but it is still nice to have. We'll set it up!
Questions? You can contact us at [e-mail]

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

Solid job! FrSky is the best radio out there today imo.

[@georgpotocnik2257]

Thank you for that nice video. Easy to follow. ☺ Btw. i found in the description of the receiver, that the maximum voltage for this AIN2 is 36,0 V !

[@stevelucas6690]

THANK yOU.... DID THIS ABOUT A MONTH AGO... BUT, i FORGOT HOW...THANKS FOR BEING THERE !!!!!!!!

[@beyondfossil]

There should be a big disclaimer that you could destroy (or at least damage) your FrSky receiver instantly if its analog input pins are max 3.3VDC input -- in which case it needs a proper voltage divider. The older X- and D-series receivers probably only 3.3VDC max.

[@eoinj3929]

Thank You. This answers a question I've had for ages. I have a GPS sensor added and wanted to record on screen the max speed and max altitude achieved during the flight. I was unaware of the MIN and MAX option until your video. Thanks again . Have subed.

[@robertpilotrc]

Thanks... I finally understood what logic relays are for.

[@tonynmilo]

Brilliant video, I use my radio for Scaleart trucks and have no need for lipo batteries. So all the sensors I was looking at were for lipo and not nimh, and this method is free.

[@jeffjackson6358]

Great video!

[@matthewng2953]

thanks🎉🎉🎉

[@tracythomasvision]

Very cool!! Thanks for the info.

[@msun12000]

For some Archer receivers like SR6 or R6, the voltage measurement range via AIN2 is 0-3.3V. So you would need a suitable voltage divider depending on battery pack voltage.

[@ericbeylier33]

hi. got an archer SR6. without connect anything to the ain2 port, the telemetry Adc2 display about 25.3v. do you know why ? this voltage is always the same even if I use a 3s, 4s, loadded to 40% or 75%. Same ADV2 value if AIN2 is plugged to an external lipo. I'm lost.....😢

[@all_rc]

I do not have any SR6 receivers to test. But it is weird that it shows voltage without anything plugged into it. Msun1200 says AIN2 on some receivers require a voltage divider since it can only accept 0-3.3 volts. Look up voltage divider calculator on the internet to determine what resistors you need to drop the voltage down the amount you need. But if you are getting voltage without plugging a battery in, something seems wrong.

[@ericbeylier33]

@@all_rc @msun12000 : thx for all, now it's clear. Found in the sr6 doc, as said msun12000 : "Voltage Measurement Range via AIN2 (External device): 0-3.3V" ! YESSSS !!! And for me as "voltage divider "is a mystery :), I gonna buy a FrSky FBVS-01, which seem to works from 1s to 4s battery pack.

[@all_rc]

A voltage divider is just a bunch of resistors that you wire in a way as to get your voltage down to below 3.3v. Then you adjust the ratio so it displays the actual voltage. But yes, an easier way to go is a FBS 01. Any reason you wouldn't go with a FLVS-ADV sensor? They can show you individual cel voltage so it helps you determine when a battery is going bad.... much more expensive though.

[@turbinematt3646]

Awesome video! Would also like to see the ins and outs of programming for that cell sensor. Got one to work winging it, but I'm sure there is more to it than I know! Thanks again for a great video!

[@all_rc]

Yep... stay tuned! I plan on doing some in depth videos on all the sensors I use and other stuff as well....

[@SteffenRC]

I love my Frsky gear.. Haven't pulled the trigger on the fancy X20 though.. Thinking about it.. btw, you have a typo on your thumbnail... - Will

[@all_rc]

Lol! Thanks. . Can probably change the thumbnail but on the vid, it'll remain forever! I'd look at the cheaper x18... smaller screen but everything else is better. Fits better in my hand, has two more trims, built in memory etc etc... same capabilities and number of channels

[@SteffenRC]

@@all_rc Thanks for the tip on the x18.. I've been using Frsky for about 3 years. 99% of the guys at the club use Spectrum and are amazed at my feature rich, low cost Taranis 2019SE. I have the Voltage sensor on most of my planes. A real life saver for sure. I'm sold on Frsky. I used Canva for my thumbnails so I can change them if I decide I don't like it.. btw, You got a wonderful channel and I enjoy your content.. Glad you channel continues to grow...

[@all_rc]

Wait till you try a Tandem receiver.... awesome. Never had one radio hit. I've had VFR Low warnings but that just tells me that 2.4 isn't great but I still have full control since if there is a problem, it auto switches to 900mhz.

[@SteffenRC]

@@all_rc I fly a fair amount of long range FPV so the Frsky 900mhz module is a must when I'm way out there (many miles...) Interesting how they combined the systems for the best of both worlds.. Love it..

[@mscibek]

What are the black, red and yellow wires hooked to that are coming off that same molex in the rx? Is it not necessary to hook a ground up to your flight pack?

[@all_rc]

Positive and negative and S.Port. S.Port is frsky's smart port where you should be able to hook up telemetry sensors. It is currently not working. To use S.Port, you assign one of the main outputs as an S.Port instead of a channel. In future, that port on the white connector should be activated and you won't need to use up a channel for S.Port. No need to hook up a negative cable since negative is common and you are getting negative through your esc (along with main power). You can hook it up if you want but it isn't necessary.

[@davidhall4398]

Hi there great video... I'm new to FRSKY and struggling to find any info on what the other wires are used for? Is the red/black/yellow with a female Jr plug used for updating ? Also what are the other 2 wires the SBUS OUT and the NC ? Thanks in advance I wish there was more info for folk with little experience with SBUS FRSKY receiver's.

[@davidhall4398]

It's a TD R6 Receiver

[@all_rc]

For the TDR6 the six pin connector is as follows. -, +, S, AIN2, Sbus and NC. The - and + are self explanatory. They are power that is on the same rail as the - and + on your channel outputs. The next pin is S which stands for S-Port or smart port. This is where you hook up telemetry sensors like GPS sensors. The S-Port can be configured as an S-Port, F-Port or F-Bus depending on what sensor is plugged into it. Yes, you can use S-port to update but the TD receivers can be updated Over the Air (no wires, updated from your transmitter). AIN-2 is the built in voltage sensor. Hook this up to the positive lead of your esc for example to get pack voltage telemetry. Sbus is a futaba standard that takes 16 (or 24) channels and sends it down one line. If your plane has a gyro or flight controller, you can sometimes just hook up one connector to the sbus port and have all channels on that one connector. Your 6 channel receiver can actually be more channels. You have 6channels of individual outputs, but with Sbus, you actually have at least 16 channels. NC stands for No Connection... so that output does nothing.

[@davidhall4398]

@@all_rc Oh thank you so much really appreciated... 1 more question can the SBUS out be used for Telemetry like Futaba or do you have to use the S/PORT instead with FRSKY?

[@all_rc]

Sbus standard is only one way (controlling servos and such) telemetry requires two way (receiving info from device as well as controlling it) . So no. Futaba uses something else for telemetry, not Sbus (not sure what since i dont use it). On Frsky, you use the S-port for telemetry using Frsky sensors (or frsky compatible sensors)

[@davidhall4398]

@@all_rc Thank you again that is so helpful I'm looking to connect a T Motor ESC program/telemetry box you leave in the plane to read ESC temp, mAh used etc on Tx screen but ...they don't explain how to connect ...they just say it can via FRSKY Futaba and Jeti ... 👍

[@alexherrera3918]

If i use a RX that only read telemetry from a smart BEC but in but in stead is connected to a non smart bec. What is the A2 reading? can this be converted to the battery pack? tks

[@all_rc]

I'm not really understanding the question. What receiver are you using?

[@alexherrera3918]

@@all_rc Receiver is Aerostar...not avian. the ar631 receiver is telemetry capable of connected with avian esc. But since i am not using an avian and i still able to read volts with the rx i am wondering if that is related to the battery pack.

[@all_rc]

If you are trying to use this with a Spektrum Radio, i am of no help. I don't use Spektrum radios and only have minimal experience with them. If you are trying to use this with a Frsky Ethos radio, as far as i know, telemetry information is not yet available when using with a multi protocol module. I believe that firmware 1.5 will allow telemetry information from external modules.

[@alexherrera3918]

@@all_rc i am using a radiomaster boxer with latest edgetx version. the 4in1 module allow telemetry , i can see it my radio but i do not know if i can use it thanks anyway!!

[@all_rc]

Yeah. Wish i could help. I dont use edgetx anymore.

[@rickardjonsson4526]

Anyone know the max voltage on this pin on the G-rx8?

[@all_rc]

I couldn't find the manual online but those older receivers might only be able to do 3.3v. You can still use it but you'll need to add some resistors to make a voltage divider. Look up voltage divider calculator on Google to see what resistor values you'll need for whatever voltage you need to input. It's not that hard. Once you bring the voltage down, you just calibrate it like in my video to bring the voltage back up to what it actually is. But you might want to check with Frsky. Call up frsky in Brea, CA and they should give you an answer as to max voltage on the AIN port of that receiver. 1-714-987-3100 Is the US service center number.

[@eoinj3929]

Unfortunately that voltage sensor does NOT have polarity protection and its very easy to get it wrong when plugging into the balance port. If you do get it wrong you not only destroy your sensor but also you will destroy your receiver. Consequently I no longer use this. Be warned !

[@all_rc]

I wire it directly to the esc positive lead. So that way I don't have an extra wire to connect and disconnect. Makes it very convenient.

[@TONGS030586]

im running 12s, will this still work?

[@all_rc]

I believe the max input on that connector is 36v. If you add a voltage divider, you can run your 12s battery. Look up voltage divider on the internet. There should be calculators to determine what resistors you need to make your voltage below 36v. Once you do that, you can adjust the sensor like I did in the video to read the proper voltage. That said, I would rather use 2 lipo sensors hooked up to your batteries' balance ports. Then you can get individual cell voltages. Check out my video on how to install 1 or 2 lipo voltage sensors for info on that setup.

[@all_rc]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnS3ZHVtbdpogZI

[@ericbeylier33]

Great ! Do you know if it is possible or not do display the % more than the voltage ? (Kind of calculation or something liké that...)?

[@all_rc]

Interesting! .... I would assume yes but I haven't tried. Let me investigate

[@all_rc]

Yep! Just looked.... you can. Use a calculated sensor. Formula - Percent. Sensor - ADC2 (or lipo sensor). The percentage scale is determined by the range that is defined in the original sensor. So the ADC2 sensor has a default range defined as 0v - 36v. Change the values to the particular battery's full and empty. If, for example you are using a 2s lipo. Full might be 8.4 and empty might be 6.8. Once you change the voltage range to 6.8 to 8.4 in the adc2 values, the percentage will be correct. Nice one! I'll do a vid on it.