VBar NEO/EVO FAQ

Table of Contents

  1. How much does a upgrade cost?
  2. I have a VBar Control. Can i use it to set up a buddy's heli which has no VBar Control?
  3. Which advantages has a external sensor - and can they swapped with the existing old ones?
  4. Using the external sensor - is it needed to align and set up the NEO too??
  5. Is there a kind of buy back program for old devices?
  6. Is it possible to copy a old (V5, V6old) setup on a NEO/EVO?
  7. How many channels do we need for NEO/EVO on 3rd party radios?
  8. Are analog inputs with standard receivers supported?
  9. I have a tanden / coax / flettner - how to do?
  10. Can i use the Bluetooth/Android setup or a Control Panel on a NEO/EVO?
  11. Can i use a NEO with a existing VBar Control Satellite?
  12. How can i display the PC software in a HD screen?
  13. Can VBar NEO/EVO be used on a flybarred heli?
  14. My VBar NEO does not initialize when connected to the computer, what could be wrong?
  15. NEO/EVO and 3rd party radio - external Gov ESC setup:
  16. I have some Cyclic Ring entries in the log
  17. VBar Software and VBar Control Manager don't start on a Mac, seem to be corrupt files, what can I do?
  18. My non VLink NEO won't bind with an RX Sat, what can I do?

How much does a upgrade cost?

Prices can be found here.


I have a VBar Control. Can i use it to set up a buddy's heli which has no VBar Control?

Yes - this works. A Vbar Control will always be the "Master" when it connects - and the other RX will be the Slave then. With this configuration we can also do "Crossover Buddyboxing". Precondition is a loaded Pro firmware on the NEO/EVO and the Makrocells App in the VBar Control. Turning both of after setup - and then turning on the other Radio and model only - the other radio will be the Master. For more information please request them as needed on our forum. ^


Which advantages has a external sensor - and can they swapped with the existing old ones?

The inside of the external sensor is a "Silverline". And - using the same data protocol for every sensors (except the metal housings) - they are all compatible. The external sensor can be used in special situations like high vibrating envioronments. Anyway - we have to align and set up both because the rescue is done with the internal ones - and - in case of a external sensor signal loss - the internal ones will take over. ^


Using the external sensor - is it needed to align and set up the NEO too??

As we are using the internal sensos in case of rescue (!) or als in cas of a external sensor disconnect - it is highly recommended to align and set them up right. If you don't do - rescue and fallback option will fail when needed of course! ^


Is there a kind of buy back program for old devices?

Unfortunately not - the older Vbars are still fully functionable and can be used in models. For example - you could program this devices with the free VPlane firmware and use thm together with a VLink satellite and VBar Control in a airplane. ^


Is it possible to copy a old (V5, V6old) setup on a NEO/EVO?

In case of a conversion it is always best to redo a complete setup from scratch, there may possibly some small changes in center and throws with the new hardware - and so using the old setup won't give a perfect result. Other things like nitro governor have been reworked in the background and will need a new setup too. So it is definitely needed to do a new setup with a up-to-date VBar Control and NEO/EVO! Of course you can dial in the values to the old ones (screenshot) during the setup. ^


How many channels do we need for NEO/EVO on 3rd party radios?

We need one channel for: Aileron, Elevator, Tail, Collective as well as for Motor and Bankswitch. So 6 channels in basic configuration. Rescue needs another one as well as nitro governor - at lease we cout 8 channels on a nitro with rescue. ^


Are analog inputs with standard receivers supported?

No. We support digital inputs like the protocols from V5 and spektrum satellites only. ^


I have a tanden / coax / flettner - how to do?

Well - just KLICK HERE


Can i use the Bluetooth/Android setup or a Control Panel on a NEO/EVO?

Unfortunately not. This connection isn't available any more. ^


Can i use a NEO with a existing VBar Control Satellite?

Yes - a existing VBar Control satellite can be connected to AUX2 /AUX3 of a NEO w/o VLink inside. Here a example - it can be done with 2 servo connector housings:

^

 


How can i display the PC software in a HD screen?

To get a bigger view of the PC soft - just right-click on the desktop icon, then propertiers - and under "Target" add " -e2" (w/o " but with blank) for double size. You can also enter a scale of 1.2 or 3 or 4 or 4.7 if you like. the fonts are sized through your OS. ^


Can VBar NEO/EVO be used on a flybarred heli?

Just tune down the gain on the main rotor/swashplate to zero, then you just have a receiver with an integrated swash plate mixer and tail gyro. Note this is possible with VBar NEO/EVO only, its an addition to the 6.1 Version. It does not work on 6.0 (vintage Mini and Full Size VBars)! ^


My VBar NEO does not initialize when connected to the computer, what could be wrong?

The init requires a power supply with 4+ V to initialize (which is common anyway, 4s NiXX or 2s LiXX, or a BEC with output voltage set accordingly). Please check your power supply. ^


NEO/EVO and 3rd party radio - external Gov ESC setup:

Setup / Receiver:

The Motor Switch is a 3-Position Switch with the positions -100/0/+100 or 0/50/100 = OFF / IDLE / RUN.
The channel is split in three segments, so in the case of 0/50/100, it switches at about 33 % from OFF to IDLE and at about 66 % from IDLE to RUN (thinking in terms of throttle stick / throttle curve).

There is NO coupling between throttle curve and ESC when set up the recommended way, but

you switch head speeds using the Bank Switch -100/0/+100 or 0/50/100 = Bank 1/2/3—and the Motor Switch in RUN position—between three throttle-%ages or requested head speeds that you enter on the main page of the VBar Software in the Governor box.

If you switch the Motor Switch from ON to IDLE, the throttle value Autorotation from the main page will be output (as autorotation idle / bailout).

To set up the ESC use the panel Gov. II in the Setup, Throttle Servo adjustment, ONLY now you have coupling between the throttle / collective stick (with the pitch curve stored in the transmitter) to set up the the ESC. This setting remains active until you deactivate it, so you can also disconnect the ESC (if necessary, including BEC) from the battery to bring it into programming mode.

ALTERNATIVE

You can also enter the channel number of the throttle channel from the transmitter on the Setup panel / Receiver for channel AUX 3, and connect the Master of the ESC to AUX 3
This way you have throttle control from the transmitter as before.
Note then that you have to make sure the failsafe settings in the transmitter (and test failsafe!), and that you should assign an additional channel to the Motor Switch, which is operated together with the throttle settings.
Background: this way VStabi 'knows' when the model is powered and when not, and writes log file entries when the motor is actuated, and adjusts inter alia the control loop in the autorotation somewhat. ^


I have some Cyclic Ring entries in the log

The CR log messages are set as a hint. They are not critical - just a hint for the pilot that the blade deflection on cyclic was limited electonically by our virtual CR. This can happen for example if the CR isn't set up right (more throw possible), the optimizer wasn't dialed in right (too low) matching to the blades and agility or the pilot wants to get more agility by setup and stick deflection as the physical limit of this heli definitely is.

First - the CR must be set up right to avoid binding. As we have a "double coned shape" CR (it gets more narrow with more collective, a tribute to the servo throw closer to the end positions) - it should be best set up in approx. hover collective position with full ail/elev on the stick. On some helis there may be a slight binding then at the end positions when adding full cyclic - but this could be accepted as it is no "real" situation happening in flight. Wasting some throw here can not be compensated electronically!

Second - the optimizer settings should match to the blades / RPM at the selected agility. Read more about this here.

So - if both steps above are ok - and you still have CR messages while e.g. doing flips with full cyclic command - the requested rate (determined by stick and agility) could not be reached by the control loop with the given throw. The CR has limited it to avoid mechanical binding.

This is just a hint - and if the heli flies well - there is nothing to do. But - if you want to get more agility - you might consider about blades with COG more inwards and/or less weight. Of course - they will have less performance in speed flying then. So it is a trade off as always. ^


VBar Software and VBar Control Manager don't start on a Mac, seem to be corrupt files, what can I do?

Open Utilities/Terminal und copy/past the following command:

sudo spctl --master-disable

and confirm with Enter (password required).

The enables the third option in System Settings/Security again, with which you can allow applications from non-registered developers (like us) again. Might be necessary to close and re-open System Settings for the change to take effect.

Typing

sudo spctl --master-enable

will set back the security settings. You can still use the software, once it has been allowed it can be used without limitation. ^


My non VLink NEO won't bind with an RX Sat, what can I do?

If you purchase a new NEO, please create a setup first with VBar Control or the PC Software (just click through all the steps and finish it), only then update to Pro or Pro+Rescue. Could be that a few factory parameters are not yet set properly out of the box, interfering with the detection of an RX Sat on a non VLink NEO if Pro or Pro+Rescue are active and no setup has been created previously. ^