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Copyright © 2002, 2003 by
R. Gross
Rocketboy Aircraft Products Inc.

TRIM CONTROL MODULES

Compatible with all "MAC" / Ray Allen servos plus many more

Finally the Trim Control Modules (TCM) are in production and being shipped. They're available for a bargain price. So what is a TCM??

Imagine the following... You have a fast homebuilt ( RV, Lancair, Glasair etc.) with electric trim. The problem is, when flying at high speed, the electric trim runs so fast, you never quite get it trimmed out. Even the shortest blip is too long. This can be fixed by installing a simple speed reducer, but then the trim runs so slowly in the traffic pattern, your thumb turns blue from mashing on the button. The TCM takes care of this problem by allowing the pilot to select two different speeds. Most builders will install a switch on the flap system to send a signal to the TCM so it knows "run fast with flaps extended" or "run slow with flaps retracted". Inside the TCM is a microprocessor that sends out nicely shaped pulses to the trim motor to control the speed precisely.
 

The TCM will also replace those pesky relays and all their irritable problems from dirty contacts, noise, and vibration. They are replaced by a state of the art DMOS motor driver chip that will effortlessly switch the trim motor on and off for years to come.

 The TCM will allow two separate sets of trim buttons to be connected. The TCM's powerful little RISC Processor will apply logic filters to insure the "pilots" buttons are always overriding the "other pilots" buttons. If the "pilot" presses "nose down" and the "other pilot" presses "nose up" the TCM politely ignores the "other pilot" and follows the pilots commands. Try this with an old fashioned mechanical relay deck and you get popped circuits breakers and cooked wiring. You can inhibit the "other pilots" buttons in flight by pressing the "TCM MODE" button on your instrument panel.

The TCM is always vigilant for a runaway trim situation caused by a short in your control stick buttons. More than 5 seconds of continuous trim motor run and the "runaway trim protection" kicks in and shuts down the trim system.
The TCM is smart... After a runaway trim lockout, the TCM reboots with the "other" pilots buttons inhibited just in case the short was located there. Carefully pulling the trim CB and resetting restores trim operation.

This is a summary of TCM functions and operation...

Runaway Trim protection
Solid state DMOS power switching
Two preset speeds. Each speed is adjustable from 1 to 8, 1 is the slowest and 8 is full speed
Electrodynamic braking instantly stops the motor using "back EMF" when releasing the button
Speed select is externally selectable by grounding the speed select wire
Override logic protection for aircraft with two sets of trim buttons
Mode button on instrument panel for programming, and allowing the pilot to inhibit "other" pilots trim buttons.
Status LED on instrument panel for programming and mode annunciation
 14 volts aircraft electrical system
 Maximum trim motor current, 2.8 amps
Weight, less than 3 ounces
 

In a nutshell, here is what you get..

TCM in a small laser cut AL box. It's connected to your ship with 2 DB9 connectors.
Wirings diagrams and installation guidelines.
You'll need one TCM for pitch trim and another TCM for aileron trim


Click here view installation documents. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

Available NO longer!

Cost $XXX.XX plus shipping

Current firmware version 1.6
MOD's A and B
(Please contact me to have your TCM modified to improve reliability)

Ordering information

I accept cashiers checks, money orders or personal checks. Personal checks must clear before shipping (about 8 days)
other payments ship immediately.

Send payment to:

Rocketboy Aircraft Products Inc.
19050 SE Crosswinds lane
Jupiter, FL 33478

Don't forget to specify item and quantity.

Thanks!!

A note on the other products,
All have been discontinued as my machinist passed away and took the digital CNC files with him. I have no plans at this time to remake them. The avionics sell better and as such  I'm expecting to release some new avionics products soon.
 

"He who demands everything that his aircraft can give him is a pilot; he that demands one iota more is a fool"
- Rocketboy