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en:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2025/11/02 21:42] – darkgrueen:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2026/06/06 15:01] (current) – darkgrue
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-Before starting, read all the sections of this guide. Take photos or videos of your disassembly, to assist you in reassembling the tail. The sections that most users have are in the area of setting the servo home position, reassembling the control board to the case, and reassembling the case halves. Tips have been provided for each of those trouble areas.</WRAP>+Before starting, read all the sections of this guide. Take photos or videos of your disassembly, to assist you in reassembling the tail. The sections that most users have trouble in are in the area of setting the servo home position, reassembling the control board to the case, and reassembling the case halves. Tips have been provided for each of those trouble areas.</WRAP>
  
 This requires that the case be opened, the two batteries taken out of the case (they may stay attached to the control board), the control board removed from the case half, the four servo frame mount screws be removed to free both servos and the tail spine from the case half, and the servo pulley be removed from the servo (one screw in the center). The cable must be removed from the pulley (requiring 7 screws removed from the pulley) to remove the case half from the cable. This requires that the case be opened, the two batteries taken out of the case (they may stay attached to the control board), the control board removed from the case half, the four servo frame mount screws be removed to free both servos and the tail spine from the case half, and the servo pulley be removed from the servo (one screw in the center). The cable must be removed from the pulley (requiring 7 screws removed from the pulley) to remove the case half from the cable.
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 ===== Installing Batteries ===== ===== Installing Batteries =====
  
-The MiTail Battery is a 3.7V 103665 LiPo battery with a "JST PH 2-pin" connector. There are two of them.+The MiTail Battery is a 3.7V, 3000 mAh, 103665 (approximately 10 x 36 x 65 mm) LiPo battery with a "JST PH 2-pin" connector. There are two of them.
  
 {{ :en:manuals:battery.jpg?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:battery.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
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 +FAA rules on installed batteries are that devices containing lithium batteries (laptops, phones, and also tails) can be checked, but carry-on is preferred to prevent damage/fire. There is a battery capacity limit generally allowing capacities under 100 Wh. The tails, with two 11.1 Wh batteries, have a total capacity of 22.2 Wh, well under the device capacity limits. Travel rules and restrictions should be reviewed in advance, but the Tail Co devices fall well under realistic limits being an "installed, non-removable battery" and a very modest capacity that should be acceptable anywhere a cellphone or laptop would.
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 The positive lead for the batteries is oriented to the left for J1 and J2 (closest to the corner of the PCB). The positive lead for the batteries is oriented to the left for J1 and J2 (closest to the corner of the PCB).
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 ==== Servo Connections ==== ==== Servo Connections ====
  
-Internally, the firmware refers to the servos as Servo 1 (the "top" servo) and Servo 2 (the "bottom" servo). The bottom (the one that emerges from the "bottom" of the case when the servo bracket is installed) servo cable goes to the bottom (closest to the board itself) PCB pins.+Internally, the firmware refers to the servos as Servo 1 (the "top" servo) and Servo 2 (the "bottom" servo). The bottom servo cable (the one that emerges from the "bottom" of the case when the servo bracket is installed) goes to the bottom (closest to the board itself) PCB pins.
  
 {{ :en:manuals:bottom_servo.png?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:bottom_servo.png?nolink&600 |}}
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-If a fresh servo is being installed, you will first need to modify the replacement servo to remove the mounting tab furthest from the servo shaft (so that it can fit into the case).+If a "fresh" servo (shown in top of photo) is being installed, you will first need to modify the replacement servo to remove the mounting tab furthest from the servo shaft so that it can fit into the case (shown in bottom of photo).
  
 {{ :en:manuals:servo_tab_cut.jpg?400 |}} {{ :en:manuals:servo_tab_cut.jpg?400 |}}
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-==== Resetting Servo Home Position ====+===== Installing Cable Pulleys / Servo Horns ===== 
 + 
 +There are seven screws holding the pulley assembly halves together. Three are at the edge, near the cable slot. And four more that hold the servo horn to the pulley. All seven must be removed or loosened to free the cable from the pulley (which is required if the case is being replaced). The screws are M3 × 5.75 mm, Pozidriv PZ1 drive, 7.75 mm overall length. 
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 +Note that the pulley screws are soft metal. Using a medium-sized electric screwdriver that's slow and steady with very firm downward pressure so the bit doesn't skip and grind out the heads. Do not install or remove the screws with the pulley attached to the servo to avoid damaging the servo shaft and/or gearbox. 
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 + 
 +==== pulley Calibration / Resetting Servo Home Position ====
  
- To do this correctly, first power up the PCB with the new servo attached directly to the board. That will center or "home" the servo before you reattach the pulley. Secondly, make sure the pulley is in the following "ten minutes to the hour" position; the topmost screw head will also align with the servo mount rib below it (note that the servo splines may not line up perfectly and may land a tooth to the left or the right slightly or a particular trail might bias more towards the center screw):+To do this correctly, first power up the PCB with the new servo attached directly to the board. That will center or "home" the servo before you reattach the pulley. Secondly, make sure the pulley is in the following "ten minutes to the hour" position; the topmost screw head will also align with the servo mount rib below it (note that the servo splines may not line up perfectly and may land a tooth to the left or the right slightly or a particular trail might bias more towards the center screw):
  
 {{ :en:manuals:pulley_alignment.jpg?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:pulley_alignment.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
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 ===== Board-level Repairs and Modifications ===== ===== Board-level Repairs and Modifications =====
  
-The tail PCB uses small surface-mounted components, and is not generally considered a repairable unit (replacements are available for order from The Tail Company).+The tail PCB uses small surface-mounted components, and is not generally considered a repairable unit. Replacements are available for order from The Tail Company.
  
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 ===== Charging ===== ===== Charging =====
  
-MiTail requires a USB Power Delivery (USB PD) capable charging adapter. PD charging is only possible using a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB PD chargers together. Adapters with USB-A output, even with a USB-A to USB-C cable will **NOT** charge a MiTail. The adapter should provide at least 9V - almost all PD adapters can. If the adapter's rated power is less than 24W, charging will take around 3 hours.+MiTail requires a USB Power Delivery (USB PD) capable charging adapter. PD charging is only possible using a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB PD chargers together. Adapters with USB-A output, even with a USB-A to USB-C cable **WILL NOT** charge a MiTail. The adapter should provide at least 9V - almost all PD adapters can. If the adapter's rated power is less than 24W, charging will take around 3 hours.
  
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   * Green LED: ON = USB power is charging batteries. Visible only on the PCB.     * Green LED: ON = USB power is charging batteries. Visible only on the PCB.  
  
-Please make sure the PCB has the latest firmware. Firmware may be updated from The Tail Company app, support Python utility, or directly (e.g. using PlatformIO).+Please make sure the PCB has the latest firmware. Firmware may be updated from The Tail Company app, support Python utility, or directly (e.g. using esptool).
  
  
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-== Copyright 2023-2025 © The Mechanical Tail Company Limited contact@thetailcompany.com. All Rights Reserved. ==+== Copyright 2023-2026 © The Mechanical Tail Company Limited contact@thetailcompany.com. All Rights Reserved. ==