Afterburner Light Systems Manual

Materials List:

You will need a 2 cell 6.6 Volt A123 battery pack or a 2 cell 7.4V Li-Po pack for power (not supplied). Light Plywood for a mounting bulkhead similar to the photo below for mounting the AB Light Ring inside the tail section of your airframe. Use the 4 flanged servo screws (provided) to mount the AB Light Ring to the plywood ring. If you have purchased a "Twin" system, there will be 8 screws provided. Be sure to use Hysol type glue to mount the plywood ring in the fuse. Due to the proximity to the tailpipe, heat can be an issue for most other type glues.

2 battery pigtails are provided with each system. The male pigtail solders to the battery. The female pigtail is for use with your battery charger.

DUE TO THE POWER OUTPUT OF THE CONTROLLER, NEVER SHORT CIRCUIT THE UNIT AS A FIRE OR SERIOUS BURNS CAN RESULT!

Typical ply ring with lightning holes.

Be sure to use all mounting screws provided to secure AB Light Ring to the Ply.

Introduction:

Our AB light controllers have some unique features that can help you optimize the AB light unit's functionality.

There are two channel control inputs on the unit. One input for throttle control and a separate input that can be used as an in flight on/off switch for the AB light system that prevents the unit from becoming active after unit programming, regardless of the throttle setting. Most users find that the throttle setting is adequate for normal use.

The controller also has two output channels to control our new operating nozzle system for the SM F-16. These outputs are active only for those using the operating nozzle and have purchased the system.

PIN OUT DESIGNATIONS:

From left to right: Main Battery Power Lead (2 Cell, 6.6V A123 Battery or 2 Cell Li-Po 7.4V Battery)

Vertical pin set #1: secondary channel input control block. Using a shorting block on these 2 pins allows programming for secondary channel "on/off" control input

Vertical pin set #2: (for use only with our operating nozzle unit)

Top Horizontal pin set: Throttle input (shown plugged in)

Lower Horizontal pin set: Secondary channel on/off control input (Shorting block must be in place on first vertical pin set to use this feature.

From left to right: 2 sets of 3 horizontal pin sets: channel outputs (operating nozzle unit only)

5 pin power out connector: main control power out to AB Light Ring(s)

SW1: main programming selection button

Ramp Adjust: adjusts AB light transition ramp up speed

Below Ramp adjust: Power/programming indicator light

2.2 C.F.M. Integral cooling fan. The fan Must work for the controller unit to function properly.

Wiring Connections:

The AB Light controller is very easy to program and use. If you are planning on using the secondary "on/off" input channel, please install the shorting block provided onto vertical pin set #1 and set the switch on your transmitter to what will be the "OFF" position (VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE BEGINNING).

Connecting the channel inputs: Plug a servo lead into the throttle input channel as shown in the photo above. A male servo pigtail is provided for the throttle input only. If you plan on using the secondary input channel, you will need a male to male JR type connector as well. If you are using the secondary input, plug the second male to male pigtail into the lower port directly below the throttle input port. Be sure to use the same signal wire orientation as the throttle input.

Plug the top throttle pigtail into a "Y" from the throttle or an open "throttle" channel output port on your power box (recommended). Plug the secondary input pigtail (if being used) into the desired "on/off" control channel (this can even be from a channel expander unit as it is only on/off).

Connect the main battery supply to the 6.6-7.4V battery source.

Programming The Throttle Input Channel For The Unit:

Turn on your transmitter. Select the position on the throttle stick where you want the AB Lights to be in the "OFF" position (usually  about 85% power and below or so). Turn on the receiver power while holding down SW1 on the AB light controller. Release SW1 on the controller after turning on the receiver power. The light on the controller should be solid red for 3 seconds or so then start blinking slowly. Keep an eye on the red blinking light. As soon as the light starts blinking just a bit faster (usually 3-4 seconds is sufficient), the first throttle setting can now be programmed. Press and release SW1. The red light will go solid on for 2 seconds, then off for 1 second. When the light comes back on, it will be blinking faster than before. Raise the throttle to a point just slightly higher than before and press SW1 again. This will set the active setting for the AB Lights. Anytime the throttle is raised above this throttle setting, the AB Unit will activate the lights. Lower the throttle after pressing SW1 to avoid the lights coming on right away after the programming has been completed. If you are not using the secondary input channel, proceed to the Ramp Up Timing Adjustment Steps below.

Secondary Input Channel Programming:

If you are using the secondary input channel for "on/off" control, use the following steps to program the secondary input.

Once the throttle channel input has been programmed, the indicator light will once again be blinking slowly as before. If the indicator light on the controller doesn't transition from a slow blinking light to a faster blinking light and back to slow again within a few seconds, you must reverse the input channel for the "on/off" switch on the transmitter. Once the channel has been reversed on the transmitter, the indicator light will transition from slow to fast blinking and then back to slow again, indicating that the unit is ready to program the secondary switch settings. With the desired "on/off" input channel switch in the off position, press and release SW1. The light will go solid on as with the throttle setup and then off then come back on blinking faster. Move the switch to the "ON" position, then press and release SW1 once again. This completes the programming for the secondary input 'on/off" switch.

Ramp Up Timing Adjustment:

***Note*** If you are using the secondary input channel, move the switch to the "ON" position before proceeding.

The Ramp Adjustment pot controls the timing sequence between the flicker stage of the start sequencer and the actual ramp time to full power. Ramp times can be set from almost instant on to nearly 7 seconds. A ramp time of 3-4 seconds most duplicates full scale.

Raise the throttle on you transmitter, when you have reached the activation point on the throttle, the AB Lights will start to flicker and then slowly ramp up to full power. Adjust the pot (counterclockwise-faster ramp up/clockwise-slower ramp up). Repeat the throttle on/off as many times as necessary until the desired ramp time is achieved. Once you have an acceptable setting; the unit will always remember this ramp timing until the pot is re-adjusted.

We hope you enjoy many flight with your new Details 4 Scale AB Lighting System. If you have any questions or need help setting up or programming your unit, please e-mail us at support@details4scale.com. or call us at 208-233-4721 M-F  9-6 Mountain Standard Time (GMT-5hrs).

Thank You,

Dan Gill