Hardware weekness on APM 2. Can one reinforce GPS connection on APM 2 oilpan?

Anyone have an easy way to reinforce GPS on apm 2.0? I ask because when I was flying my quad at the local golf course (nice soft grasss to crash on:), I did a hard bank and the velco star gave and my battery popped loose ( new strapping coming now)..

  I was maybe 15 feet off the ground, and she came down perfectly upside down, landing square on the protective dome.  NOTHING BROKE! not even the props, though fantastic and even flew one more time after rigging a battery strap. I got home to my bench I notice the gps was popped up but still solid on connectors, I guess the simple gforce was too much for the sudden down force of the crash I pushed it down and connected via usb to see if it worked still.  It did not. SEE PHOTOS--> this is in the middle of my removal to inspect for other damage. the apm is mounted on thick double sided monutng rubber, and attached with rubber washers to the plate.  The straight force was too much for the GPS mounting to take, I may need to buy a new gps for this version, but for my second APM i would want to reinforce the gps...  Any thoughts how one could accomplish this...

Tags: 2, APM, GPS, LOOSE, POPPED

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Permalink Reply by Dave C on March 15, 2012 at 12:03pm

Ouch!

Hot melt glue is my best friend or, if you have 24hrs curing time to play with, simple clear bathroom silicon. It'll give 'bounce', water resistance and reinforcement to most electronic components without interference.

Permalink Reply by Ken on May 1, 2012 at 12:54pm

Silicone gives of acetic acid when it cures and should not be used near electronic connections as it will accelerate corrosion.

Permalink Reply by Dave C on May 1, 2012 at 2:09pm

Good point, well made. I'll sort through the collection of industrial adhesives i have, see what might be more appropriate. My favourite day-to-day grab adhesive has the fantastic title of 'sticks like sh*t" I always enjoy recommending that :) I'll have a look at the ingredients.

Permalink Reply by Ian forbes on March 15, 2012 at 1:16pm

Problem is gps isn't working at all now.  Looks like I might have to go external gps. :( Seems like a weakness that will haunt everone at some point.  If I get a new APM 2 I will want to reinforce it before I fly again... Might be a good idea in general to attach that better.  I am hoping I am just a fluke...

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on March 15, 2012 at 2:37pm

I think, when I order my APM2, I'm going with the external GPS option.  It's definitely more flexible, as far as placement.  That way, I can mount the APM2 safely inside an enclosure.

Permalink Reply by Ian forbes on March 15, 2012 at 3:05pm

Ellison, I think I have no choice but to go that route Well I might as well order one, Not like I cant use it in the future.  Any suggestions for a fairly precise affordable GPS module?  I will gladly spend more for acuracy, but well, the APM 2 pricepoint was "nice for the price" so affordable is good too... 

All else seems to be working, and I just got my FPV stuff working, should I turn off GPS?  I read somewhere about quads doing a 180 without GPS, due to Mag not being in sync because no gps confusion? Would I need to turn of mag then till I get GPS?

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on March 15, 2012 at 3:28pm

I flew 2.4.1, in stability mode, without GPS, and not problem.  I think it was a bug introduce in 2.4, but that should have been fixed.  I'm no GPS expert, but I don't think you can improve accuracy with a different GPS.  The best you can do is improve the update interval, but the MTEK coming with the AMP2 is already 10hz.  You can improve reception with a better antenna like the ublox with an active anntena, but it won't improve accuracy. GPS is GPS.

Permalink Reply by Dave C on March 15, 2012 at 5:59pm
Permalink Reply by Steve on March 20, 2012 at 5:58pm

Maybe this is another signal to DIY Drones that we need the APM 2.0 SD card breakout to be available in shop aside from ordering it with the APM 2.0 "External GPS" option. What happens when accidents like this happens and we need to replace parts? For those who have the APM 2.0 with onboard GPS...we're stuck with it.

Permalink Reply by Joe Allen on March 30, 2012 at 7:47pm

Available as a separate board next week at  DIY Drones store


DeveloperPermalink Reply by Andreas M. Antonopoulos on March 30, 2012 at 8:00pm

sweet! That's responsive!

Permalink Reply by Ian forbes on March 30, 2012 at 8:40pm

I got my external gps, and it works great, All things considered I would reccomend getting the external gps now!

 

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