Skycat PRO SERIES, User Manual

Page 1: ...experience in various fields of the UAV industry and based on this experience and feedback from our clients we recognize the importance of customer oriented approach Our first goal is to stand out from the crowd in a positive way Please read and follow the instructions carefully This manual is updated regularly In case you have any questions ideas or feedback please don t hesitate to contact us at...

Page 2: ... contact us for assistance Latest manuals and videos are available at www skycat pro downloads 1 Safety General safety Only launch Skycat towards free airspace Never point or launch towards people or animals Do not expose Skycat system to rain or use near flammable materials Don t try to repair damaged components Contact Skycat for repair and spare part services Only use to protect stable aircraft...

Page 3: ...oaded launcher around G forces can slide the parachute out accidentally Only use original Skycat cloth for parachute folding Mount Skycat launcher without applying pressure to the launcher tube to avoid jamming of the piston Use high leverage pliers to squeeze Fuse locks properly Incorrectly squeezed fuse can cause an unwanted launch Skycat trigger Do not connect a fuse directly to the trigger out...

Page 4: ...s controlled via the PWM channel of Skycat Rescue Radio receiver or any other standard RC PWM source Multiple control sources can be used by adding an extra trigger for each Launcher s spring loaded piston is armed with a wire fuse After the trigger receives a launch signal it allows current flow to the fuse The fuse heats and snaps in a fraction of a second releasing the piston and ejecting the p...

Page 5: ...ich powers the trigger and receiver If you want to use another power source for receiver please disconnect the red wire of V3 Pro trigger s three pin PWM wire Power source for parachute launch can be aircraft s flight battery or a dedicated launch battery Launch battery requirements V2 trigger 3 4S Li Po V3 Pro trigger 3 6S Li Po Capacity 1000mAh or bigger Sufficient C value able to provide 30A co...

Page 6: ...wire 2 Loop both ends of the wire through the fuse locks Leave 3mm gap between wire ends 3 Carefully squeeze fuse locks in place with high leverage pliers Two correctly crimped locks offer required strength to operate in any condition However our recommendation is to use four locks when parachute system is used in flight Only use genuine Skycat FUSE wire Using other wire may damage the system ...

Page 7: ...er from the aircraft while arming Hold the launcher firmly launcher spring is strong Use of safety goggles is recommended Make sure that the fuse contacts the pins at both ends before sliding in the folded parachute Arming Demonstration www tinyurl com skycat launcher arming ...

Page 8: ...her and should be removed Skycat X48 CF Opale Paramodels 1 8m2 www tinyurl com skycat x48 opale18m2 Fruity Chutes 48 SUL www tinyurl com skycat x48 fruity48sul 2 Skycat X55 CF Opale Paramodels 2 5m2 www tinyurl com skycat x55 opale25m2 Fruity Chutes IFC 48 S www tinyurl com skycat x55 fruity48s Fruity Chutes IFC 60 SUL www tinyurl com skycat x55 fruity60sul 2 Fruity Chutes IFC 60 SUL www tinyurl c...

Page 9: ...y continuously lit Launch activated Errors Long blink long pause No signal from receiver Double blink Launch signal detected at power up If launch is activated when battery is connected parachute will not be ejected Trigger will not accept eject command until channel is toggled OFF and ON i e Rescue Radio is switched OFF and ON ...

Page 10: ... can be shortened Decide mounting locations for all Skycat components Launcher and battery should be easy to connect and disconnect Visibility of the status LED helps with setup A multimeter can also be used to determine trigger status Solder XT60 connectors according to the diagram Be careful wrong connection may damage the trigger ...

Page 11: ...skycat pro All Rights Reserved 11 Trigger unit mounting Mount trigger to your aircraft with velcro or double sided tape Make sure all wires are free of tension and securely fastened away from sharp corners ...

Page 12: ... pre configured to preferred power output per request We can also offer configuration service after purchase Please contact TBS or Skycat for more assistance TBS Crossfire Micro TX manual 100mW www tinyurl com crossfire micro tx TBS Crossfire TX manual 500mW www tinyurl com crossfire tx LED explanation Continuous green Battery full Blinking green Battery half full Continuous red Battery almost emp...

Page 13: ...ing 1 Mount Skycat Rescue Radio to the handle your transmitter 2 Mount external launch button onto a preferred location using double sided tape 3 Secure the cable in place with a cable tie near the launch button to relieve strain and to prevent cable failure ...

Page 14: ...ng down Launcher needs to be supported from the base against recoil forces created by the parachute launch Make sure wires are free of tension and securely fastened away from sharp corners Do not cover air intake openings at the base If velcro straps are used to fix the launcher in place do not overtighten to allow unrestricted piston movement M3 threads at the base of the launcher help with insta...

Page 15: ...hute is ejected during free fall make sure your airframe can withstand this Basic packages include 3 meters of stock line Depending on the configuration of your airframe cut the line into 3 or 4 segments Add 20 cm 8 inch of extra line to the target harness line length For example cut 70 cm segments for 50 cm target length 1 Fold a 8cm 3 1 in segment at the end of the line 2 Make a figure of eight ...

Page 16: ...knot to the second loop Make sure the location of the loop doesn t change during the knotting otherwise the length will vary Result is a ready to use harness line with fixed length Tip Add tape to hold the loop while making the knot Pro Harness Upgrade Pro Harness Upgrade replaces the stock line with ready to use harness lines ...

Page 17: ...7 Connecting harness to airframe Loop the harness line around the boom or other durable location of your airframe and pull the line through the loop Connecting harness to parachute Harness lines and parachute are joined with a quick lock ...

Page 18: ...ck cord Optional shock cord adds distance between the parachute and harness lines and helps to stabilize the descent especially in windy weather A quick lock connects shock cord to the harness lines Parachute is connected without a quick lock ...

Page 19: ...ntroller switches to manual mode or any mode which allows throttle down during flight Parachute trigger is activated Testing procedure Repeat with each flight mode manual ATTI GPS etc 1 Apply 10 30 throttle 2 Flip the eject switch 3 Motors should stop and trigger should activate Check voltage output with a multimeter or a light bulb To achieve all of the above please refer to the manual of your tr...

Page 20: ...structions provided by the manufacturer and make sure that parachute is not ejected Testing procedure 1 Remove propellers and disconnect the launcher 2 Apply 10 30 throttle 3 Turn off your transmitter 4 Aircraft should enter into the fail safe mode that you selected a If you chose to eject the parachute motors should stop and trigger should activate b If you chose to activate your flight controlle...

Page 21: ...e immediately after launch it can remain hot for a while 1 Support the launcher against a clean surface and point towards free airspace at a 30 45 degree angle 2 Press Rescue Radio eject button What should happen Parachute should fly as far as the lines allow it to fly Lines should be untangled What should not happen Parachute should not get stuck or fall near the launcher Important Do not launch ...

Page 22: ...unctionality after every launch Confirm that Parachute and harness lines are not damaged Launcher spring is securely connected to the piston and base Launcher tube and base are undamaged Wires are securely fastened and undamaged Trigger functions properly Trigger functionality We recommend testing trigger functionality regularly 1 Disconnect launcher from the trigger unit 2 Connect a multimeter or...

Page 23: ...ce if o Cell voltages show abnormal differences o Battery is swollen or gets hot when charged o You notice an abnormally long delay between launch command and launch during ground testing If launcher stays armed for more than two months without launching take out and repack the parachute This can decrease the opening distance in an emergency IMPORTANT Do not use or try to repair damaged parts Skyc...

Page 24: ...ry risks when planning your flights Never fly above crowds In an emergency seconds count Eject parachute as soon as you re certain the aircraft is no longer in your control Aircraft with no gliding surface can reach very high velocity after only a few seconds in a free fall We highly recommend regular training to improve reaction time and accuracy in emergency situations Landings can be hard despi...

Page 25: ...meter 55 mm 2 17 in Length 209 mm 8 23 in Weight 157 grams 5 54 oz X68 CF launcher specifications X68 CF launcher is made of carbon fiber combined with precision NC machined POM plastics Diameter 68 mm 2 68 in Length 229 mm 9 02 in Weight 189 grams 6 67 oz Skycat Rescue Radio Specifications Operation voltage 3 cell Li Po 11 1V Supported modules TBS Crossfire TX TBS Crossfire Micro TX Supports bind...

Page 26: ... specs Sufficient C value able to provide 30A continuous and 70A peak current in all working temperatures Skycat V3 Pro trigger unit specifications Min voltage 3 cell Li Po 11 1 V Max voltage 6 cell Li Po 22 2 V Required battery specs Sufficient C value able to provide 30A continuous and 70A peak current in all working temperatures Voltage output 5V 500 mA ...

Page 27: ...tromechanical device and as such it can fail to work properly which can result in false activation or no activation at all Such failure can cause injuries or death In the case of a false activation or inappropriately timed intended activation the ejection of the parachute can cause your multicopter UAV or radio controlled model to fly further and cause more damages than it would have caused had it...