PPM LED Problem

Good day,

I am having problems with APM v1.4 and its PPM encoder (I guess this is where problem comes because blue PPM light is always off). Ardupilot Mega was bought a year ago, with the two shields already soldered along with a Mediatek GPS and 3DR Radio Telemetry.

I connected APM to the computer (USB) in order to update Arduplane version, all seemed to go fine, ready to be used for a flight. I plug in 3 servos and ESC with battery in Out pins and 5 conections between receiver and IN pins, just as it is said in the manual. Problem comes when I move sticks in the radio and I try to see radio calibration values, it seems as PPM encoder is not sending values to Mission Planner but servos move normally and as I said previously, blue PPM light has never been on,

I surf a lot in the internet as well as in the DIY Forum, but I don´t find any people with the same problem.

When dos blue PPM light comes on an off?
What can be causing this problem?

If it is neccesary I can upload an image showing the problem.

Thank you so much for your time.

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Replies

  • Admin

    @Carlos,

    I assume that this statement: "I am able to move servos when I move stick in the radio but Mission Planner does not seem to recognize them." means that the R/C transmitter and radio are bound and communicating by themselves.

    Either you are not powering the radio correctly from the APM input power rail or you have a bad ppm encoder on the APM. You need to indicate how you are powering the radio with the APM.

    Regards,

    Tom C

    • As you can see in the image below, I am plugging Arduino through a USB cable to PC. In Out Pins I am connecting 2 servos (first and second pin) and the propeller and ESC with battery (third pin) and in In Pins I am connecting radio receiver.

      In the image you can see as well how PPM LED is not iluminated.

      Perhaps I am doing something wrong, but I do what it is said in the manual (https://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/RC).

      I am really looking forward to any solution.

      Thank you Thomas.

      3702471312?profile=original

      • Admin

        @Carlos,

        What is the output voltage of the BEC in your motor ESC?

        Are you saying that you can control the servos and motor with your R/C transmitter with your radio attached to the APM, as in your picture, but cannot see the channel bars move in the MP Radio Calibration page?

        Regards,

        TCIII ArduRover2 Developer

        • I finally updated PPM Firmware to the latest version (APM1.x / PPM encoder ArduPPM v2.3.16 for ArduPlane). After this update PPM led blinks but not in the correct way. I uploaded a video in You Tube to show PPM led blinking:

          Anyone knows why is this happening?

        • Thomas, any news or ideas so far?

          What do you think about doing this? :

          - Update/Change PPM firmware version.

          - Pushing reset button on IMU shield would fix anything? 

          Thanks so much for your support.

          Regards.

        • Output voltage of the BEC is 4.95v. I think this value is correct, isn't it?

          You are right, my problem is exactly as you mention in the second paragraph.

          Thank you for your replies. Any idea?

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