Autopilot now working great

[rlmarshall]

The SV32L and SV32 servos on my RV6A are now working great--inflight testing for simplified control is done. Altitude hold is close to exact, even in turns. Altitude capture in climbs and descents right on without any hunting. Track is right on and when adjusted, the plane smoothly rolls into the turn. I couldn't be happier with this autopilot. All on default settings!!
Early on I had a problem with the pitch servo but with the new replacement, no problems at all.
Thanks Dynon, your avionics continue to amaze me.

 

[William_Ince]

Glad to hear everything is working great.
Did you use the Dynon SkyView Autopilot Tuning Guide to make any adjustments to your system?  If so, how helpful was it?  Or, did you have to get further assistance to Dynon Tech Support?

Thank you in advance for your answers . . . .

 

[rlmarshall]

Once Dynon sent me a new Servo, all worked fine with default settings--I didn't change a thing. Left both torque settings at 100%.
As I work with it, perhaps a slight adjustment might become necessary in the advanced mode, but all I am interested in now is simplified mode. It tracks, holds altitude, holds course, and climbs and descends as advertised. I'm a very happy camper.
One lesson learned: I would not try a newly installed autopilot in the air without checking for control slop on the ground first. The 1% maximum control surface play is important. Before test flying, I centered all controls, then turned on autopilot then hit the Level button. The elevator and ailerons shouldn't have much play at all (1% max). My first pitch servo had 5% and that caused a sudden dive when first tried in the air.

 

[William_Ince]

Okay.
Thanks for the tips.

 

[davestephens]

What were your symptoms? my AP will not hold altitude and wanders up and down 500 feet and no mater what I have tried I cant get it right (vans RV8)

Dave

 

[rlmarshall]

The first attempt to engage the autopilot was exciting. After maybe two seconds of straight and level, we suddenly dove for the deck. We didn't want to try that again without ground checking everything. On the ground, with controls centered and autopilot engaged in LEVEL, the ailerons were tight with very little (perhaps 0.5 degrees) free play (slop). However, the elevator allowed easy up and down movement of plus/minus 3-5%. The slop would vary some after exceeding torque and slipping. After each slip, the slop would be a little different. With the new servo there was no slop.