Ardupilot Mega v1.4 problems
I have assembled a new APM from the diydrones store and uploaded the newest code for Jan.3 (1.01).
When I have the APM/IMU installed in my Easystar, the PPM light flashes and the A B C light never go into a flashing state for calibrating the gyros. All of the airplanes control surfaces and throttle work normal but the ailerons have a twitch that matches the pulse of the PPM light.
On the benchtop, I have a BEC powering the APM with 3 servos connected. Upon powereing up, the ABC lights flicker as normal and the aileron servos no longer twitch. When I try to use my transmitter to control the servos, they work normal but after a few seconds of inputs the APM resets into calibration mode.
I've tested the flight sim and everything works on that end. My older APM works with the newest code from Jan 3rd just fine on the Easystar.
I think the issue may be bad firmware for the PPM Atmega328 chip but I wanted to run this past ever one before ordering an AVR programmer.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by The Old Flyer on -
Thomas,
I double checked the solder on SJ1. It's OK.
I think there must be a break in the trace from SJ1 to the +5 trace. I soldered in a jumper wire from SJ1 to the +5V pad on the GPS port. I get the same results you did.
All seems good now! No resets.
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AdminPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on -
@Irvin,
Excellent! Good flying!
Regards,
TCIII
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Permalink Reply by eyesopen45 on -
I just wanted to report that I am experiencing the exact same reaction from my APM as shown in Peter's video. A friend of mine ordered a v1.4 on the same day as me and is experiencing this as well.
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Permalink Reply by Pete Birley on
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I have just received a replacement board from Chris to test, once I get home tonight I'll get it soldered up and report the results.
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Permalink Reply by Pete Birley on
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The replacement board has reacted in exactly the same way. Neither board functioned from a BEC set at 5V ether - the new board took out my USB controller in my laptop too. I am sending both boards back to Chris to have a look at in addition to the IMU as this may potentially have some involvement in this.
I am using this BEC in case anyone's interested with a 2s Cell.
I have ordered a replacement system in the meantime and will report back with results - though I'll be treading very carefully from here on..
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Permalink Reply by TONY H. MARANLI on -
i sent mine too..waiting for answer or replacement...I understand how you feel...good luck..
regards..
Tony
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Permalink Reply by Hans-Ulrich Mahr on -
I
had a similar problem two days ago. Erratic behavior of APM- resets during IMU initialize, flickering of the yellow Ardupilot board LED, noisy servos when idling etc. The problem did not occur on the bench when BEC and USB cable were connected. Checking the APM supply voltage with a scope uncovered the suspect. See attached foto. (2Volts/Div). Obviously my BEC was could not deliver sufficient amps. I put a 5V voltage regulator (7805) in parallel to the BEC. Not quite state of the art but solved the problem.
Model: modified Easy Glider
2 Lipo Cells, 30Amp brushless controller with BEC, Spekktrum 8000 receiver with telemetrie module, 5 servos.
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Permalink Reply by Hans-Ulrich Mahr on
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sorry for the missing foto. next try to upload
- Attachments:
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Scope.jpg, 126 KB
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Permalink Reply by Hopper on -
I'm getting similar results. I've got a 1.4 board. Everything works great when the USB is connected. However, if I try to power it via the ESC only, it never boots (no ABC LED activity). I get power LED, servo twitching, blue LED activity.
I've pulled down latest code and replaced the entire Arduino directory (libraries included). No joy.
I checked resistance between SJ1 and my UBlox "+" terminal (with power off): 90 ohms. Solder blob isn't shiny but it looks good otherwise. I checked the output of my airtronics receiver when using a 12vdc benchtop supply and it's about 4.8vdc.
The only diff between my bench and field setups are the usb cable, and batteries instead of benchtop power.
Everything works great (manual, stabilize, HIL testing) when USB is plugged in. CLI adc test result:
ADC
1694 1629 1621 1424 2062 1990 2459 2853 0
1693 1629 1621 1424 2062 1990 2458 2851 0
1693 1630 1621 1424 2062 1990 2459 2850 0
1693 1629 1621 1424 2063 1990 2458 2849 0
Not sure what each column represents, or why the last one is 0.
Is there more tests I can do to isolate this?
Here's a pic of my setup:
Any help/suggestions appreciated.
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DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on -
Hello hopper,
If you have no BEC or any other power connected to the boards, and plug in the usb do any of the leds light up on either board?
Regards
Martin
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Permalink Reply by Hopper on
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Yes. The APM boots fine, ABC LEDs show correct sequences, ending with B and C fully lit and I can do CLI, GCS, etc. But obviously, the servos don't move and the receiver does not receive anything from the (airtronics) transmitter until I turn the ESC power supply on.
I thought I was ready to do my first test flight until I tried everything without the usb connected, and discovered that the APM didn't even go through its boot sequence (ABC LEDs) and no output was visible on the XBee receiver side.
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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on -
It could be that your ESC isn't supplying enough power and APM is browning out. Try disconnecting some servos. Does that make a difference?
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