Battery Requirements
Using One Battery
The AR12000 allows the option of using one or two battery packs. When using one battery, simply
plug the battery into either one of the two battery connectors (BATT 1 or BATT2). When using dual
batteries, it’s recommended that both batteries be of the same capacity, voltage and ideally of the
same age/previous profile. When using two batteries the total available capacity equals the sum
total of both batteries (e.g. BATT1- 2 BATT2- 2000mAh= a total capacity of 4000mAh).
Battery Capacity
It’s important to select a battery(s) that has more than adequate capacity to provide the necessary
flight time. Our staff has been recording in-flight data to determine typical current consumption
of aircraft in flight. Following are two graphs that illustrate the in-flight current draw of the radio
system.
Note:
Current draws may vary depending on your servos, installation, and flying style.
The following setup is shown as a worst case scenario indicative of some aerobatic pilots’ setups. It
is not recommended to use this setup without proper voltage regulation for your servos.
Airplane - 40% YAK
File: JasonNoll.FDR Session:All Sessions
Seconds
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
PackAmps_A
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
PackAmps_A: Min 0.00 Max 17.80 Avg 2.62
450
400
0
Servos - 9-JR8711’s 1-8317 (throttle)
Batteries - Two 4000mAh 2-cell 7.4-volt LiPo’s
Regulator - none
Note:
JR8711’s and 8317’s are rated at a maximum of 6-volt 5-cell use. Using higher voltages will
void the warranty.
Engine - DA150
Weight - 40 lb
Flight envelope - Aggressive 3D
Average current - 2.62 amps
Peak current - 17.8 amps
Milliamps used per 10 minute flight - 435mAh
In the example above, the average current was 2.62 amps, which calculates to 435mAh per 10
minutes (typical flight length). It’s recommended that only 60% of the available capacity be used to
ensure plenty of reserve battery capacity. In this example, using two 4000mAh batteries (8000mAh
total capacity) x 60%= 4800mAh (available usable capacity) divided by the capacity used per 10
minute flight, 435mAh would allow up to 11 flights of 10 minutes each.
BLACK
vendor: Firebird Technology
file name: SPM AR12000 Rx Instruction Sheet
application: InDesign CS
file information
images: all images embedded
fonts: all fonts converted to outlines
dimensions: (W x H) 23.25 in x 7.25 in
printing inks
# of colors used: 1
graphics legen
d
Pantone 360C = cut/fold line. DO NOT PRINT.
AR12000 User Guide
The AR12000 full range 12-channel receiver features DSM2
™
technology and is compatible with all
Spektrum
™
and JR
®
aircraft radios that support DSM2 technology including Spektrum DX7, Spektrum
DX6i, Spektrum DX5e, Spektrum Module Systems, JR12X, JRX9303.
Note
: The AR12000 receiver is not compatible with the Spektrum DX6 parkflyer transmitter.
Features:
• 12-Channel Full Range Receiver with Dual Battery Ports
• Patented MultiLink
™
receiver technology with up to four receivers
• Includes one internal and three remote receivers
• Two type of failsafe SmartSafe
™
and Preset Failsafe
• QuickConnect
™
with Brownout Detection
• Flight Log Compatible (optional)
Applications
Full Range Up to 12-channel aircraft including:
Giant-scale aircraft
Jets
Scale aircraft
Large scale helicopters
Giant-scale racing airplanes
Aircraft with multiple functions
Specifications:
Type: DSM2 Full Range Receiver
Channels: 12
Modulation: DSM2
Dimension (WxLxH): 46.5 x 52 x 15.3mm
Weight: 40 g
Input Voltage Range: 4.8–10V
Resolution: 2048
Items Included:
• Receiver main unit - SPMAR12000
• Three remote receivers - SPM9545
• One 24” remote receiver extension - SPM9013
• One 12” remote receiver extension - SPM9012
• One 9” remote receiver extension - SPM9011
• User Guide
• Male/Female bind plug - SPM6803
Optional Items
• Flight Log data recorder - SPM9540
• Replacement remote receiver - SPM9545
• 6” Remote receiver extension - SPM9010
• 9” Remote receiver extension - SPM9011
• 12” Remote receiver extension - SPM9012
• 24” Remote receiver extension - SPM9013
• 36” Remote receiver extension - SPM9014
• 6” Quick Disconnect Remote receiver extension - SPMAJST3
• 12” Quick Disconnect Remote receiver extension - SPMAJST6
Airplane - 33% Sukhoi
File: sukhio Session:All Sessions
PackAmps_A: Min 0.00 Max 6.92 Avg 0.82
Seconds
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Pa
ckA
mp
s_
A
7
6.5
6
5.5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Servos - 7-JR8611’s 1-8317 (throttle)
Batteries - 1- 4000mAh 2-cell 7.4-volt LiPo’s
Regulator - 6 volts
Engine - DA100
Weight - 26 lb
Flight envelope - Moderate 3D
Average current - .82 amps
Peak current - 6.92 amps
Milliamps used per 10 minute flight - 137mAh
Recommended Guidelines for Battery Capacity
40-45% Aerobatic aircraft w/ 9–12 high current servos:
4000-8000mAh
33-35% Aerobatic aircraft w/ 7–10 high current servos:
3000-6000mAh
25% Quarter Scale Aerobatic aircraft w/ 5–7 high current servos:
2000-4000mAh
Jets - BVM Super BANDIT, F86, Euro Sport, etc.:
3000-6000mAh
Giant-Scale Jets - BVM Ultra Bandit:
4000-8000mAh
Scale aircraft:
The variety of scale aircraft and the accessories they use vary tremendously
making it difficult to give capacity recommendations for these types of aircraft. Using the above
aerobatic guidelines relative to the size and number of servos used will provide a conservative
capacity for your scale aircraft. As always, check battery charge condition before each flight.
IMPORTANT:
DO not use a 4-cell 4.8-volt battery to power the receiver.
Four-cell 4.8-volt batteries do not provide enough voltage head room (additional margin needed)
necessary to power the system when heavily loaded. Under load, the system voltage can drop below
the voltage system’s minimum operating voltage threshold (3.5 volts) and cause loss of control.
The AR12000 is capable of handling voltages from 6.0 to 10.0 volts. The voltage limitations are
generally the servos. Most servos are compatible with 5-cell 6-volt packs, however, and 5-cell
6-volt NiMH packs have become the standard for many giant-scale applications.
Be aware that NiMH batteries have tendencies to false peak when being fast charged. Be especially
careful and sure when using NiMH batteries that they are fully charged and have not false peaked.
Many pilots are using 2-cell LiPo batteries to power their aircraft. LiPo’s offer greater capacity for
their size and weight, plus it is easier to manage the charging.
Receiver
The AR12000 incorporates one internal receiver, and requires at least two external receivers (three
are included) offering the security of multi-path RF redundancy. One internal receiver is located on
the main PC board, while two external receivers must be attached to the main board with exten
-
sions. Additionally a fourth receiver is included and can be added offering the ultimate in RF link
security and redundancy. By locating each receiver in slightly different locations in the aircraft, each
receiver is exposed to its own RF environment, greatly improving path diversity (the ability for the
receiver to see the signal in all conditions).
Antenna Polarization
For optimum RF link performance it’s important that the antennas be mounted in an orientation that
allows for the best possible signal reception when the aircraft is in all possible attitudes and posi-
tions. This is known as antenna polarization. The antennas should be oriented perpendicular to each
other; typically vertical and horizontal and at different angles (see Receiver Installation below). The
remote receiver antenna should be mounted in a position perpendicular at least 2 inches away from
the main receiver’s antenna using double-sided foam tape.
Receiver Installation in Aircraft
In gas, turbine and glow aircraft install the main receiver using the same method you would use to
install a conventional receiver in your aircraft. Typically, wrap the main receiver in protective foam
and fasten it in place using rubber bands or hook and loop straps. Alternately, in electric airplanes
or helicopters, it’s acceptable to use thick double-sided foam tape to fasten the main receiver in
place. The AR12000 requires at least two remote receivers to operate. Mounting these remote receiv-
ers in different locations, even just inches away from the primary receiver, gives tremendous improve-
ments in path diversity. Essentially, each receiver sees a different RF environment and this is key to
maintaining a solid RF link, even in aircraft that have substantial conductive materials (e.g. larger gas
engines, carbon fiber, pipes, etc.), which can weaken the signal. Using servo tape, mount the remote
receivers keeping the remote antennas at least 2 inches away from the primary antennas. Ideally, the
antennas will be oriented perpendicularly to each other. In airplanes, we’ve found it best to mount the
primary receiver in the center of the fuselage on the servo tray and to mount the remote receivers to the
side of the fuselage or in the turtle deck. A fourth antenna can be added for additional RF link security.
Important: Y-Harnesses and Servo Extensions
When using a Y-harness or servo extensions in your installation, it’s important to use standard non-
amplified Y-harnesses and servo extensions as this can/will cause the servos to operate erratically
or not function at all. Amplified Y-harnesses were developed several years ago to boost the signal
for some older PCM systems and should not be used with Spektrum equipment. Note that when
converting an existing model to Spektrum be certain that all amplfied Y-harnesses and/or servo
extensions are replaced with conventional non-amplified versions.
Binding
The AR12000 receiver must be bound to the transmitter before it will operate. Binding is the process
of teaching the receiver the specific code of the transmitter so it will only connect to that specific
transmitter.
1.
To bind an AR12000 to a DSM2 transmitter, insert the bind plug in the BATT/BIND port on the receiver.
2.
Power the receiver. Note that the LED on all receivers should be flashing, indicating that the receiver
is in bind mode and ready to be bound to the transmitter.
Shown using a separate receiver pack.
(Battery can be plugged into either BATT port.)
3.
Move the sticks and switches on the transmitter to the desired failsafe positions (low throttle and
neutral control positions).
4.
Follow the procedures of your specific transmitter to enter Bind Mode, the system will connect
within a few seconds. Once connected, the LED on the receiver will go solid indicating the system
is connected.
5.
Remove the bind plug from the BATT/BIND port on the receiver before you power off the transmitter
and store it in a convenient place.
6.
After you’ve set up your model, it’s important to rebind the system so the true low throttle and
neutral control surface positions are set.
IMPORTANT
: Remove the bind plug to prevent the system from entering bind mode the next time the
power is turned on.
Failsafe functions
The AR12000 features two types of failsafe: SmartSafe and Preset Failsafe.
SmartSafe
This type of failsafe is recommended for most types of aircraft. Here’s how SmartSafe works.
When the transmitter and receiver are turned on the receiver connects to the transmitter and normal
control of all channels occurs. If loss of signal occurs, SmartSafe drives the throttle servo only to its
preset failsafe position (low throttle) that was set during binding. All other channels hold their last
position. When the signal is regained, the system immediately regains control.
Preset Failsafe
Preset failsafe is ideal for sailplanes and is preferred by some modelers for their glow- and gas-
powered aircraft.
When the transmitter and receiver are turned on and the receiver connects to the transmitter normal
control of all channels occurs. If loss of signal occurs Preset failsafe drives all servos to their preset
failsafe positions. For sailplanes it’s recommended that the spoilers/flaps deploy to de-thermalize the
aircraft, preventing a flyaway. Some powered modelers prefer to use this failsafe system to program a
slight turn and low throttle to prevent their aircraft from flying away. When the signal is regained, the
system immediately regains control.
Programming SmartSafe
During the binding process the bind plug is left in throughout the process and is removed only after
the receiver connects to the transmitter. After the connection is made, confirmed by operating the
servos, the bind plug can be removed. The receiver is now programmed for SmartSafe.
Programming Preset Failsafe
During the binding process the bind plug is inserted in the bind port, then the receiver is powered
up. The LEDs in each receiver should blink, indicating that the receiver is in bind mode. Now before
binding the receiver to the transmitter and with the receiver in bind mode, remove the bind plug. The
LEDs will still be blinking. With the control sticks and switches in the desired failsafe positions, bind
the transmitter to the receiver. Follow the procedures of your specific transmitter to enter Bind Mode.
The system should connect in less than 15 seconds. The receiver is now programmed for preset
failsafe.
Note:
Failsafe positions are stored via the stick and switch positions on the transmitter during binding.
Receiver Power Only
• With SmartSafe or Preset Failsafe, when the receiver only is turned on (no transmitter signal is
present), the throttle channel has no output, to avoid operating or arming the electronic speed control.
• All other channels are driven to their preset failsafe positions set during binding.
Note:
Some analog servos may coast slightly even though no signal is present. This is normal.
Plugging in the Leads
Plug the servo leads into the appropriate servo ports in the receiver noting the polarity of the
servo connector.
Range Testing
Before each flying session and especially with a new model, it is important to perform a range check.
All Spektrum aircraft transmitters incorporate a range testing system which, when activated, reduces
the output power, allowing a range check.
Press and hold the bind button
30 paces (90 feet/28 meters)
1. With the model restrained on the ground, stand 30 paces (approx. 90 feet/28 meters) away from
the model.
