Apologies for a long post as my first one on the forum but I wanted to set the scene.
OK so I'm a newbie into the world of UAV and quadcopters in particular - though I have fiddled with PIC and STAMP based robotics for years. at some point I must get round to adding UAV to my junk bot hexapod
my plan to try a simple entry into the technologies without breaking the bank, so got myself a Quanum Nova (AKA Cheerson CX-20) from hobbyking which my research said was a good entry point. Also, my thinking was that this is open source and I would be able to hack it once I'd found my feet with the tech. Unfortunately, I've broken the damn thing before I really got to grips with it and need a bit of advice.
The info on the Nova says it's "based on an Open source APM 2.5 design" After dealing with huge quantities of misinformation, I managed to get my RX installed and connected to mission planner before experimenting with the servos for gimbals underneath.
The wiring from self explanatory and the videos and supplied info is incorrect and contradictory (I attach my diagram for the inquisitive ). The short and long of it is I fried my RX... :-(
Since then I replaced he RX but now I also seem to have issues either with my GPS and / or my flight controller - as it will no longer connect to Mission planner (says no Mavlink connection) it won't come off locked rotors setting (I believe the correct terminology is won t "arm" ?) and the GPS light no longer lights. I have checked and the GPS is getting a 5V supply from the Flight controller, and there is no visible damage except on the removed RX which I smoked. The new RX is working as I can power directly connected servos to the gimbal ports on the bottom.
I guess there isn't some simple protective fuse or other that I just need to replace - that would be hoping too much
you can see what it now does here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh4VXwAo9Pc
So here's my questions,
1/ I don't want to carry on buying stock quanum parts, Can I add an alternative APM2.5 (maybe 2.6?) based FC ? they seem a fraction of the price.
2/ - Assuming I can use an OS flight controller is there an easy schematic to show which cables plug to which ports - is there a one-to one mapping to a generic APM ?
3/ Will any AMP 2.5 compatible GPS work with the Nova flight controller ?
4/ finally - I'm using Mission planner ( advised by hobbyking) - is this the best software to use ?
I'm a newbie in this world, though reasonably savvy in electronics and software, so happy to tinker, but having blown one component I'm cautious about expensive errors
.Great to be here and I really hope you can help
Replies