Tech Model Products TH-2 XPR Support Documentation & Downloads

The Tech-Link 2.X software must be installed first. Visit the support page HERE
Download the desired TH-2 XPR software application using the links above.
The downloaded software is in a folder contained in a zip file. The folder will be named TH, CA, UM etc.
You must copy the unzipped software folder to the folder "Tech-Link 2.X". If an old folder with the same name
already exists you must either rename it or delete it first.
Follow steps 2 and 3 for each software application you want to install.
Tech-Link 2.X can now be used to load the software and settings and to modify the settings etc.

Directory screen shot after the installation

Shows TH and UM software application folders added

Loading Program and Settings (TH-2)

The TH-2 software consists of two main files, the "program" file which has a ".hex" extension and the "settings" file
which has a ".cst" extension, these two files must be loaded before using the TH-2 in your application.
You can create new settings files by modifying and saving with a different name. You can even share settings
files with others.

Loading a Program file
Be sure external power is removed and connect the TH-2 XPR to the PC with the USB cable.
This will put the unit into Program mode.

Run Tech-Link, Click LOAD under the Program menu, browse to the desired software folder i.e. TH, CA, UM etc. and
select the desired hex file.

In this example, the tandem software TH-XPR-2.hex is selected. Click Open, wait until the "Programming completed successfully"
window appears. Close the windows.

Loading a Settings file

Click LOAD under the Settings menu, browse to the proper software folder i.e. TH, CA, UM etc. and
select the desired settings file. Note: Choose the same folder that you used for the program load.

In this example, the tandem settings TH-XPR-2.cst is selected. Click Open, wait until the "Load completed successfully"
window appears. Close the windows.

Quick Setup Guide

Load the Program file i.e. Tandem, Coax, Universal etc.
Load the Settings file, stock or customized.
Connect the TH-2 XPR to your application - Connect inputs, outputs and power.
Turn off all swashplate mixing done by your transmitter.
If your application has any swashplates then get the collective pitch function working first.
Adjust the servo reversing settings (TH-2) to get all servos moving in the same direction.
If needed, reverse the function direction (stick movement) by reversing it in the transmitter.
Go through each control function and check for proper stick direction and change the
reversing in the transmitter as needed. Adjust the servo centering settings as needed (TH-2).
Assign the desired gain settings to the external gain controls PT1..PT4 and X.
Setup program mixes in your transmitter based on your application. For example, DCP (tandem)
would be a program mix of elevator master and CH5 slave.
Double check the directions on any external gyros.

Inputs/Outputs Description

The following table describes the TH-2 XPR inputs/outputs and indicators:

Name	Type	Description

A - Aileron	input	Aileron input from Rx or gyro
E - Elevator	input	Elevator input from Rx or gyro
R - Rudder	input	Rudder input from Rx or gyro
P - Pitch	input	Pitch input from Rx (Note: A gyro must not be used on this input depending on the application that is running. Refer to the apps specifications.)
5 - CH5	input	CH5 input from Rx or gyro
X	input	External input for adjusting gains/settings from Rx - Allows control from spare channel - User assignable
Rear outputs	outputs	Rear servo outputs Ep, A, E, P
Front outputs	outputs	Front servo outputs Ep, A, E, P
Gyro	I/O	External gyro sensor connector
USB	I/O	USB "Mini-B" type jack (5 pin) for connection to a PC
RUN LED (red)	Indicator	Blinks when mixer is running - See below
SYS LED (yellow)	Indicator	Blinks/solid based on mode - See below
PT1 - PT4	inputs	External inputs for adjusting gains/settings etc. - User assignable
- + S	power/signal	Main power bus and signals header - External power input

Inputs/Outputs Diagram

Power Requirements

The TH-2 requires a 5 volt power source. It must be maintained between 4.9 and 5.5 volts.

Do not exceed 5.6 volts since it can damage the unit.

A 5V or 5.5V BEC with a battery large enough to supply the power is recommended.

Care must be used when choosing the power source since it must be capable of driving the intended load. The TH-2 itself uses very
little power so you need to determine how much current is required by all of the components in your model.
This would include components such as:

Receiver
Gyros
Servos
Accessories

Many of the Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC) on the market have a BEC which can only supply 1 amp of current. This would be insufficient in a
model setup that has a receiver, 6 micro servos, and 2 gyros. A BEC with 3 to 5 amps capacity would be needed.

For large or digital servos you will need to use extender boards or similar, which allow you to route power directly to the servos bypassing the TH-2.
The TH-2 in this case, only drives the servo input signals which are low power.

General Information

The USB cable must be plugged into an un-powered TH-2 to initially connect with Tech-Link.
This puts the unit into Program Mode. Power is supplied by the USB cable.
No damage will occur if you forget to remove power first. It just won't connect, and and error message will be displayed.
Unconnected inputs - The TH-2 will initialize the input values to neutral (1500 us) for the A,E,R,5,P inputs and will
initialize the X input to the minimum value of 1000 us. If an input is first connected then disconnected, then the input
value will stay set to the last value it was when disconnected.
TX type, servo type, servo layout, and servo arm position will determine the servo reversing settings needed in
the TX and TH-2.
For some applications, the TH-2 synchronizes with the pitch channel (CH-6 on most radios) and expects it to be the last pulse
(that it "sees") in the data frame sent by the transmitter. A gyro should not be used on this channel. Check the specifications
for the application for details.
The gain settings also allow you to balance the amount of servo travel from the contributing channels and
prevents clamping. The TH-2 is set to clamp at 0.90 ms min. and 2.10 ms max. to prevent servo damage
in the event of interference.
Once the TH-2 is programmed and setup with your PC, there is no longer any need to have a PC at your flying field etc.
All adjustments can be done with your transmitter or the five external gain/setting inputs.

Servo Drive Capability

The TH-2 XPR is designed to drive up to 8 micro servos (HS-50, HS-65MG, etc.) with just the primary power input. Any more than this
requires the secondary power input or the use of the extender boards. These limitations are due to the current carrying capacity of
the connectors. Using the secondary power inputs (even if not required) provides redundancy and is recommended for safety.
The Servo Drive Table below summarizes the possible combinations of different servo counts and sizes with the required power inputs.

Servo Drive Table

Servo Type	Max Servos	Primary Power	Secondary Power (3)	Extender
Micro	8	Yes	Optional	Optional
Mini	8	Yes	Yes (1)	Optional
Large/Digital	8	Yes	N/A (2)	Yes


	Notes: 1: Secondary power is not required when extender boards are used.
	2: N/A means Not Applicable.
	3: Any unused header power pins can be used as secondary power inputs.

RUN LED / SYS LED

The TH-2 XPR has two indicators to show the current operating status. The table below summarizes this:

Mode	RUN LED (red)	SYS LED (yellow)
Program	ON SOLID	ON SOLID
RT	FLASHING	FAST FLASHING
Run	FLASHING	SLOW FLASHING

Receiver/Gyro Compatibility

The TH-2 XPR requires a low jitter receiver/gyro to operate properly. The receiver/gyro should have a jitter level of about 1 to 2 microseconds or less.
The TH-2 XPR measures the pulse widths from the receiver/gyro outputs and then performs 32 bit calculations on these measurements to perform
the mixing. Any receiver or gyro jitter error adds and subtracts, with mixing, which in some cases doubles or halves the error.
A typical servo has a deadband of about 8 to 10 microseconds, any jitter above the deadband will cause the servo to hunt and twitch.
The TH-2 XPR will work with either "Heading Hold" or standard gyros. We recommend using a Futaba GY240 type gyro.
Other units on the market may perform just as well, we just have not tested them yet.

The GY401 gyro has been tested and works fine. The gyro should be set to work in "analog" servo mode.
The FS8 Copilot system has been tested and works fine.

DX9, DX7 and DX6 radios have been tested and work fine. They output the data just as a PPM receiver does with a 22ms frame rate.

Note: Some PCM receivers output servo data "non-sequentially" and may not completely work with the TH-2 XPR.

Special Precautions

Caution: The TH-2 XPR does not have any failsafe features. It operates as a slave device driven by the receiver. Any glitch or interference passed from
the receiver to the TH-2 XPR will cause the servos to operate erratically. The TH-2 XPR does provide clamping to the servo outputs to prevent damage.
Caution: It is important that the TH-2 XPR is connected properly before the power (battery) is connected. Failure to so do may damage the unit and
whatever it is connected to at the time. The TH-2 XPR supports most radios such as Futaba, JR, Hitec and others without modifications.
Caution: Power should be removed or switched off when making any kind of connections to the TH-2 XPR. This includes the USB.
Caution: The TH-2 XPR assumes a center positive power pin for the connectors. Some radio equipment such as Airtronics, uses a center negative
power pin. The appropriate connector adapters must be used in this case.

Inputs Connections

The TH-2 XPR has 6 inputs that come from the receiver/gyro. Single 3-wire cables or the "6-input" cable can be used.

Aileron input plugs directly into the receiver's Aileron output or optional gyro.
The gyro if used, plugs directly into the receiver's Aileron output.
Elevator input plugs into the receiver or optional gyro.
The gyro if used, plugs directly into the receiver's Elevator output.
Rudder input plugs into the receiver or optional gyro.
The gyro if used, plugs directly into the receiver's Rudder output.
CH5 input plugs into the receiver or optional gyro.
The gyro if used, plugs directly into the receiver's CH5 output.
Pitch plugs into the receiver or optional gyro.
The gyro if used, plugs directly into the receiver's pitch output.
NOTE: A gyro must not be used on this input for some apps. Refer to the apps specifications.
X input plugs into the receiver and a gyro should NOT be used here. This input is used as an external gain or setting control.

Servo Connections

The TH-2 XPR has 8 servo outputs.
The servo connectors can be plugged in directly to the servo outputs on the main header.
The servo signal wires must be facing the labels A, E, P or Ep.
Connecting the servo connector on backwards will not harm anything. The servo just won't operate.

When using extender boards and long signal wires, it may be necessary to use ferrite rings on the signal wires to prevent glitching.
This will depend on your particular installation.


	Extender Board

Run Mode / Trouble Shooting

With the radio turned on and following a power-up, the TH-2 XPR will enter Run mode if the USB is not connected and
a valid software application was loaded.
The red RUN LED will blink about twice a second indicating that the unit is operational. If the RUN LED fails to blink
(LED stuck on or stuck off) this indicates a problem exists. Below is a list of things to check that may be the cause:

Check that the power is connected to the main header and the battery is charged.
Check that transmitter is on and operating properly.
Check that receiver is on and operating properly.
Check that the receiver/gyro inputs are connected properly.
In some applications, the pitch input must be connected and active.

Preflight Checklist

This checklist at a minimum should be performed before each flight of the model:

Inspect the model for flightworthiness.
Perform a radio range check before attempting to fly the model.
Check that the TH-2 is operational (RUN LED blinking).
Check the controls.
Happy flying