New to APM2.5

Hello folks,


I am relatively new to drones, especially the APM2.5 and am planning my first build.

The only real problem i have come up against is that i cant figure out how i am going to power the APM2.5 board!

I have read through all the pages i can find, and what it keeps coming back to is something like:

You can power it from the RC input, but also from the output with an ESC.

Now does this mean i can plug all my outputs from my 6ch RX into the inputs on the board, with the BEC from the ESC still going to my RX like normal?

Or does it mean i have to do the above - like normal - then plug some other power supply into one of the outputs on the APM2.5?

I understand the ESC must be in the outputs so the APM2.5 can control the throttle, but how can the board possibly get power from the input of the ESC?

Hope all that makes sense!

Any help would be much appreciated - as once i get this sorted out i can start assembling the parts!

Thanks

Tags: APM, APM2.5, BEC, ESC, Power

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Finnius on October 28, 2012 at 5:03am

How many amps do i need on my BEC if i have 4 micro servos and an APM2.5 with sensors? 2A, 3A, 5A?

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Csvop Potovic on November 14, 2012 at 1:55pm

Quick question, since I forgot my electricity classes:

Why are all of my four 3DR 20AMP esc's showing 10v output on my multimeter when its written their output should be 5v 2amp?

Permalink Reply by Csvop Potovic on November 14, 2012 at 3:14pm

Well, since my USB cable is powering the input rail with the same multimeter reading, I guess I need to re-learn how to read the said multimeter...

Regarding JP1, if I just connect the output and input rails on +- row, thats the same effect than closing the jumper?

Permalink Reply by Finnius on October 17, 2012 at 8:22pm

Thanks guys!

I think i have the APM2.5 power supply sorted out now:

- leave the JP1 jumper in place

- 800mAh 3S w/ 3A BEC connected to one of the APM2.5 outputs

Cheers

Permalink Reply by ALK on October 23, 2012 at 5:18pm

Is anyone using a dual power setup? 

Thanks! 

Permalink Reply by Peter Meister on October 23, 2012 at 5:59pm

I prefer using dual power. It works great, the extra weight is minimal if you choose the right battery and I feel a lot better knowing that my power is split between 2 batteries. I had a lot of brown outs in-flight both on ardupilot and arducopter. I spoke with Jordi over email, and we determined I may be seeing a dip in the power which is resetting the board. This was the case, after going to dual power - I have never ever encountered a reboot/brown out again after over 50 flights since the the last reboot. 

Permalink Reply by Boston UAV on October 23, 2012 at 6:26pm

Keep in mind that with two batteries you've actually increased the chances of failure (although there are advantages - GPS always locked, motors powered down for safety, etc).

To properly power the APM you simply need a dedicated BEC (such as link or link).


DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on October 25, 2012 at 6:40pm

I completely disagree.

Sure, you now have two potential failures.  But that does not mean that you have twice as much chance of failure.  The dual power supply is probably 1000X less likely to cause a flight failure.

Fact is, on the single power supply, power failures are happening *a lot*.

Permalink Reply by Boston UAV on October 25, 2012 at 7:02pm

To clarify:

  1. Probability of battery A failing
    1. P(A)
  2. Probability of battery B failing
    1. P(B)
  3. Powering the APM on a single battery and the motors on another, separate battery.
    1. P(A) + P(B) - P(A∩B)
  4. A second battery in parallel.
    1. P(A)*P(B)


I was under the impression Peter was discussing option 3, which has an increased likelihood of failure.

The practical reason Peter would no longer be having issues, is because the second battery is regulated somehow, most likely via a dedicated BEC.


DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on October 25, 2012 at 7:09pm

Ok, I see your point, and it is possibly correct.  Sorry, I misread. I still do wonder at some effects where power drawn from the battery by the motors cause fluctuations which cannot be accomodated by the BEC, and you get a brownout anyway.

It's not a straight forward problem.  There are going to be cross-interactions.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Cooper on October 28, 2012 at 7:47pm

Wouldn't putting a large capacitor between 5v and GND be a simpler way of dealing with brownouts?

Permalink Reply by Finnius on October 25, 2012 at 6:29pm

Do you need to have the JP1 on or off for this?

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