Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Owen Booth on March 31, 2012 at 7:15pm

Hi Sandro

Followed your instructions, but no splash screen. I hit the reset button on the OSD, but nothing. Is there a default Firmware, and charset I can restore to isolate whether it's Hardware, or Firmware?

cheers

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Sandro Benigno on March 31, 2012 at 7:37pm

I'm pretty sure that isn't about the OSD firmware, due I have it working on all my prototype boards and also on the final production version ones.

We have to try some different approaches...

You said you had no problem on using the OSD Config, so there is no problem with the bootloader. It could be a problem on the last "CharSet Update"...

Did you feed the second stage (12V) during the CharSet Updating process?

Permalink Reply by Gábor Zoltán on April 10, 2012 at 2:33am

I also had a problem with MinimOSD

 

When I was useing a separated BEC (5A), and moved more than 2 servos, all data disappeared.

Than i connected my ESC-s BEC (2A) everything was as it should.

 

Do not really understand, what is happening. :) 

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Sandro Benigno on April 10, 2012 at 3:40am

@Gábor: It's not a defect of MinimOSD hardware. Every OSD out there in the marketing always recommends the usage of a dedicated video-battery to avoid servo noises. That's why MinimOSD has the option of being feed externally and also has two stages. That's why even APM has the option of a separated power line for the servo rail (apart from the logic circuitry).

Any servo introduces noises on the power line. The nature of those noises depends on servos brand and model. It would get worse on analog servos. So, it's difficult to filter it by just bigger decoupling caps. It would need fair-rite, multiple steps decoupling caps and not necessarily would be successful.

So, the external small battery is the best, clean and easy way to do it. Even better if you've not tied the two stages. Because it would breaks the electrical connection between APM and the OSD board, avoiding those noises.

If you've tied the power stages, don't connect +5V from APM. Just feed the entire board from a dedicated battery on video I/O pins.

Some guys have done it with a second source and a BEC from the video-battery, feeding OSD with +5V on the its FTDI pins. On my own setup I'm using a 800mah battery and a BEC feeding the board instead of APM.

In fact there are many ways to make it works. The newest MinimOSD hardware (v1.5) will turn it even more easy, due it has a switching power instead of a regulator, so you would tie the power stages and use the second stage to feed the entire board with up to 12V battery, without taking care of extra heating.

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Permalink Reply by Gábor Zoltán on April 10, 2012 at 4:44am

Thank you Sandro,

 

Your post is very useful to me!

 

Do you have any idea why is that, if i am useing my ESC-s BEC than this problem does not exist.

Only present if i use an external BEC.

The reason to use an external BEC is that my 25A ESC has only 2A bec in it, so i cutted the + wire, and installed a 5A BEC. This was the moment when this problem started.

 

Could it be, that this bec is produces noises itself?

I bought this one: (Might should have bought an expensive one....)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10312__Turnigy_5A_8_26v_...

 

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Sandro Benigno on April 10, 2012 at 5:35am

@Gábor: By the way you're describing, probably the noises are coming from your 5A BEC.

I didn't try it yet, but looks like there is a "Low Noise" class of Turnigy ones: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

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Permalink Reply by Gábor Zoltán on April 10, 2012 at 6:03am

Hi Sandro,

 

Thank you for your advice again. :) 

I also wanted to by that one. But it is on "BK".

Decided to remove my ESC  (25A / 35A, built in 2A BEC) , and bought  a new one. (40A / 55A  built in 3A BEC)

I will not use any external BEC. 

Hope it would be just fine for my Easy Star2. (will see) 

 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2165__TURNIGY_Plush_40am...

 

At first i tested everything on the table with my old ESCs BEC The camera, OSD, everything worked without any noise. I mean i did not see any on the video, have not checked with other instruments, except current draw. In loaded conditions the current got over 3A. It seams that my ESCs BEC can handle this on my table, but this should not be based on guesses. Wanted to be sure.
 

That made me, to use a bigger BEC. 

 

If i still need to use an extra battery this way, than i could say, i did try everything.... :D

Just trying to keep my plane light and simple, as much as possible. :)

 

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Permalink Reply by Ross on April 10, 2012 at 1:53pm

Sandro,

Can I return mine for you guys to test? I am pretty sure it isn't working correctly. I have one that works and one that doesn't...makes it pretty easy to test here.

If so I can provide my order details.

Thanks,

Ross

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Permalink Reply by Owen Booth on April 10, 2012 at 2:25pm

And mine, 3DR aren't responding to my email request for support.

thanks

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Sandro Benigno on April 10, 2012 at 8:57pm

Please, you should contact 3DRobotics support.

@Owen, what is the 3DR email address are you trying to contact?

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Permalink Reply by Gábor Zoltán on April 20, 2012 at 12:48pm

Today i made the first FPV flight with my New plane. 

The turnigy ESC did very well! :)

I had to make a filter to be able to use only one battery.

I had horizontal lines on video when engine was running, but filter solved this 100%. :)

 

Todays record is 2,24 km form home. :)

 

APM1 did well also!

 

Only one thing i did not like.

Minim OSD does not shows home altitude. It displayed 141m when plane was on the ground, before start. It should be absolute altitude, not relative. ? Dont know... 

 

Do you know why is that? 

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Sandro Benigno on April 20, 2012 at 1:45pm

Gábor, that's great news! What kind of filter you've added to your ESC? A parallel big capacitor or something else?

About the altitude: It depends on the type of your drone. ArduPlane HUD shows absolute altitude. ArduCopter shows relative altitude. Looking at the Mission Planner you should see the same value than at OSD.

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