Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on June 12, 2012 at 6:02am

5 Volts and ONLY 5 volts.

http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/APM2board

Warning: Do not exceed 6.0V DC of power supply input voltage or you will damage your board.

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Permalink Reply by Andreas Breitenstein on June 12, 2012 at 6:05am

Thanks Vernon,

I should have read a little more.

Have you guys got any idea what the current draw would be on the APM without any servos connected?

Thanks

Andreas

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Permalink Reply by Andreas Breitenstein on June 12, 2012 at 6:21am

I am using the 1.4 board. I would like to supply the board via a powerbox installed in the Plane via the receiver output for said powerbox. However the powerbox regulator is only good for 1A on the receiver outputs. All other Powerbox outputs are delivering +- 6.5V.

I am not convinced that 1A is sufficient for the APM especially when telemetry, compass and airspeed are connected.

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Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on June 12, 2012 at 6:47am

Board version doesn't matter greatly, the same basic types of sensors are on both systems and further, I know for a fact I have powered from USB limited to less than 500mA . In other words, I've powered telemetry radios (3dr or 900mhz Xbee pros), GPS, speed sensor (draws nearly nothing), compass, sonar, optical flow, all from a USB limited to 500ma max and never had a brownout.

The APM2 by itself draws relatively little current (200ma range) and a power source capable of providing 300 - 500ma will provide plenty of margin.

Also are you saying you are using one of these systems? http://www.powerbox-systems.com/e/powerbox_systeme/produktuebersich...

Honestly, I have both APM 1.0 and 2.0, neither complete system with all sensors draws that much. If it all was drawing even near 1 Amp, then that's 5 watts of heat, and I assure you, there is not 5 watts of heat coming off all the electronics, otherwise, where would have to be heatsinks.

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Permalink Reply by Alexey Kozin on November 13, 2012 at 4:26am

you had experience with powerbox?
what voltage it gives to the power of the receiver? ardupilot targeted at voltage of 5 volts, the instructions indicated on powerbox use  6-7,4 voltage range

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Permalink Reply by Andreas Breitenstein on June 12, 2012 at 7:44am

Hi Vernon

I am using 9 Digital high torque servos on this plane and I do not want the APM to control all those servos and supply current to them at the same time. So, I am splitting the signal wire from the servos power wires. All this is no problem for me.

I was however a little concerned that the 1A might be too little if everything is running.

Thanks for the help.

Andreas

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Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on June 12, 2012 at 10:05am

That sounds like a good plan.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dunlop on November 13, 2012 at 5:43am

Apologies for the ad.

Perhaps consider one of these.  It will give you 1Amp at 5V as well as >10Amps at 6V, and it will operate directly from up to 42V (unlike the Powerbox devices).  Also has dual (redundant) power inputs, etc.

Cheers,
Andrew.

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