My 3-position switches only work at 2-positions switches

[toryander]

In Inav I'm trying to map nav and auto trim type functions to 3-position switches on my Radiomaster Pocket. In the Modes screen, no matter which channel I choose and map to a switch I only see two possible options--high and low. There is no middle option for the third switch setting. I've tried this on channels 8, 9, and 10 with the same results. What am I missing or not understanding?

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

I know nothing about iNav but it is a setting. When I have a problem like this I start with the transmitter, then go to the receiver, then the controller. It is all computer and a setting somewhere.

 

[LitterBug]

In Inav I'm trying to map nav and auto trim type functions to 3-position switches on my Radiomaster Pocket. In the Modes screen, no matter which channel I choose and map to a switch I only see two possible options--high and low. There is no middle option for the third switch setting. I've tried this on channels 8, 9, and 10 with the same results. What am I missing or not understanding?

A screenshot of the page where you are having this issue may help us figure it out.

Maybe you have a 2 position curve on the switch?

 

[LitterBug]

A screenshot of the page where you are having this issue may help us figure it out.

Maybe you have a 2 position curve on the switch?

Post a picture of the radio screen with the switches in the middle position. Also post a picture of the inputs screen and mixes screen for one of the switches.

Go to the ELRS lua script on your transmitter and post a picture of what it shows.

 

[Merv]

.... I've tried this on channels 8, 9, and 10 with the same results. What am I missing or not understanding?

If you are using ELRS, what speed packet rate are you using from the tx to rx?

Make sure you are using one of the FULL choices packet rates. They use full resolution on ALL channels. The other speeds packet rates use full resolution on channels 1-4 BUT only on or off on the others

EDIT, I should have used the term pack rate.

 

[toryander]

A screenshot of the page where you are having this issue may help us figure it out.

Maybe you have a 2 position curve on the switch?

I'm glad you brought this up. I was thinking about the curve. I once put a curve in in outputs and placed the bend points (or whatever they are called). Those bend points can become switch positions? Then I read somewhere else about curves and switches. I will look into this today.

 

[toryander]

If you are using ELRS, what speed are you using from the tx to rx?

Make sure you are using one of the FULL choices. They use full resolution on ALL channels. The other speeds use full resolution on channels 1-4 & on or off on the others

I'm still a bit ignorant on what "resolution" is. A picture is beginning to form in my brain. I will do some research on this.

 

[Merv]

...what "resolution" is....

On the FULL resolution channels, when the servo makes a sweep, there is something like 1000 steps from one end to the other. On the other channels, there is only 2, maybe 3 positions. No matter what you set in the Tx, the output will only be one of those few positions.

Make sure you are using packet rates of 100Hz Full OR 333Hz Full. Other packet rates will have far less resolution when you use channels 5 & above.

They go into far more detail here.

Switch Configs - ExpressLRS

To optimize the performance of ExpressLRS, it has different Switch Modes explained in detail here.

www.expresslrs.org

I use flaperons on most of my planes, that is, I have one aileron on channel 1 & the other on ch 6. The first time I used ELRS, one aileron worked fine the other was either fully up or fully down, nothing in between. The fix was switching packet rates to 100Hz Full.

 

[LitterBug]

This is what Merv and I are trying to find out about your ELRS settings. The Packet Rate at the top on mine is 333 FULL. Also Switch mode 8ch.

(from my pocket since you are working with a pocket.)

Hit the SYS button then select the ExpressLRS from the tools

I have the 3pos rockers in the middle position for this model on channels 7/8. Notice the value is in the middle.

 

[toryander]

View attachment 259261

This is what Merv and I are trying to find out about your ELRS settings. The Packet Rate at the top on mine is 333 FULL. Also Switch mode 8ch.

(from my pocket since you are working with a pocket.)

Hit the SYS button then select the ExpressLRS from the tools

I have the 3pos rockers in the middle position for this model on channels 7/8. Notice the value is in the middle.

View attachment 259262

Thanks. That's helpful. I did go in and find those screens and set them at 333 Full, 8 chan. It didn't change behavior in the Modes screen. Now, in my messing trying to understand, I've gone backwards. I had upgraded my Pocket to 2.12.2. In that version the "Curves" screen had gone away (nowhere to be found). Thinking that I could set up those curve points and use them for values in the Modes screen in Inav I rolled back to 2.9. The curves screen is back, but now my modes screen isn't responding to my tx button inputs at all whereas before I had at least two positions. This is frustrating. Maybe I'll erase everything and start over (the inputs and mixes for the new channels I created). Maybe I'll go back to 2.12.2, too. Do I need to have the "curves" screen?

 

[LitterBug]

I am on 2.12.1 with my pocket, but can check 2.12.2. The curves screen should not change, but will check.

Model Screen 8/13 is CURVES on 2.12.1

Still 8/13 on 2.12.2

 

[toryander]

Yes, it looks like I had a bad update to 2.12.2. The "Curves" screen was not there although Outputs was still referencing it. Returning back to 2.9 and then once again loading 2.12.2 did the trick. The Curves screen is right where it should be. I created a Curve with 3 points and applied it to an Output connected to Channel 7. I can't tell you how sweet it was when I then had three positions available in the Modes screen for channel 7. It looks like I will be able to fill up my meager switch selection with options. Thank you for your help.

 

[toryander]

An fpv note: my Avatar Mini 1s Lite definitely is tiny, but it overheats very quickly (very quickly) when left alone with no air movement. I bought a battery powered fan to use when configuring the vtx on my desk (works great). It seemed to me my problem was going to be overheating when waiting for satellites just before flying. I bought an on/off switch and soldered it into the vtx power circuit. Now I'm able to keep the vtx off while in prelaunch. I haven't flown yet, but it's nice being able to keep the VTX off while doing other configurations on the fc. It does add 10 grams to my plane, but it seems the Stratosurfer can handle it.

 

[LitterBug]

An fpv note: my Avatar Mini 1s Lite definitely is tiny, but it overheats very quickly (very quickly) when left alone with no air movement. I bought a battery powered fan to use when configuring the vtx on my desk (works great). It seemed to me my problem was going to be overheating when waiting for satellites just before flying. I bought an on/off switch and soldered it into the vtx power circuit. Now I'm able to keep the vtx off while in prelaunch. I haven't flown yet, but it's nice being able to keep the VTX off while doing other configurations on the fc. It does add 10 grams to my plane, but it seems the Stratosurfer can handle it.

Yeah, the fan thing is kind of a problem if your FC can't turn the VTX on/off. Most of the newer ones with the 6-pin HDVTX connector can via PIO and assigning a switch in the Modes screen. What FC do you have? You may not need the physical switch.

 

[LitterBug]

On the SpeedyBee/Corewing F405-wing in INAV, there is a "User 1" mode that controls the VTX power. It is on by default, so when you want to turn off the VTX, you have "USER 1" selected/enabled.

 

[toryander]

I am using the one you recommended-- the Corewing F405 Wing version 2.

 

[LitterBug]

Put mode "USER 1" on a switch and give it a go