Johann Van Niekerk
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Johann Van Niekerk's Discussions

APM 2.0 Died overnight! Flased both Mega2560 and PPM encoder and still dead !!!

Started this discussion. Last reply by Johann Van Niekerk 1 hour ago. 3 Replies

Hi Guys. Just a requiste if someone else has encountered this. last week saterday I flew my APM 2 in a plane all was fine, and today I tried updating firmware and it did not work anymore over USB when clicking on the firmware of my choice, (acro) it…Continue

Tags: Firmware, flashing, working, not, APM2

APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.

Started this discussion. Last reply by Bill Bonney Mar 15. 86 Replies

Hi guysRecently A friend Louis and I bought a complete APM 2.5 setup for x8 flying wingsAPM 2.53Dr radio 433 MHzUblox / Mediatek GPSAirspeed sensorAnd the 3DR power module , we completed our setup and started testing the configuration for elevon…Continue

Tags: module, power, 3DR

Ublox LEA 5H module still working with current APM 2.5 ?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Johann Van Niekerk Dec 25, 2012. 1 Reply

Hi I was wondering if there is still someone that is using there old Ublox 5 GPS ? My GPS was not used for a few months and after trying to test it the other day it did not want to lock . I trying in u-center to upgrade the firmware , tried FW 5.0 ,…Continue

MediaTek GPS with DIYD Adapter board interfaced with Arduino UNO?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Rick Eis May 4, 2012. 2 Replies

HI GuysIv been through the search tab countless times and can seem to find anyone that succesfully interfaced the MediaTek GPS with a UNO before . So im asking Has anyone got the DIYD mediatek GPS working with UNO?Must the Enable pin be pulled high…Continue

Frustrating compilation Errors

Started this discussion. Last reply by Tom in ON Mar 3, 2012. 2 Replies

Guys Iv seen a few people that is haveing trouble compiling the ArduPlane and ArduCopter code with Arduino 22 relax , Arduino 100 relax . always seems to be ether"bootlean not declared" or "AP_int16 not name a type " Any of one that got this working…Continue

WIKI setting prop direction page is wrong , recheck your prop directions dont just swap the props

Started this discussion. Last reply by Dave Feb 19, 2012. 3 Replies

this page at the bottum , the sown why creates the opisite direction of what is shownhttp://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/AC2_Props_2Continue

Adding a Hall sensor to brushless motors ?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Dusty Starbucks Feb 4, 2012. 5 Replies

Hi Guys .I found this video. and I was wondering isnt  there any use in adding hall sensors to the motors on your copter to give feedback to the controller of how fast each motor is spinning ? this would make fualt finding on underperforming…Continue

APM 1280 board Redundant ? or just undiscovered for secondary use!

Started this discussion. Last reply by Andre S Mar 28, 2012. 7 Replies

Hi guys as many of you, after upgrading im sitting with a 1280 APM board still a perfectley good board. shouldnt we try and find a secondary use for it . like camera scypt . gimbal stabilization , pan tilt contoller for FPV flights ? what other…Continue

Magneto meter Issue cause of yaw problems ?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Owly Jan 17, 2012. 12 Replies

 Hi Guys Have any of you seen this happen after loading new code and reseting APM . setting declination my APM board magneto meter seems to be drifting . my board is on the table pointing north and in the APM planner you can see it does a full 360…Continue

Does Motor test in terminal window still work ?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Olivier ADLER Oct 7, 2011. 12 Replies

Hey guys just a qeustion , does the motors test still work in the terminal window or is it just me copter ? I have updated from older firmware to new one and cant get the motor test working not a single movement and also cant get flight , wondering…Continue

 

Johann Van Niekerk's Page

Latest Activity

Johann Van Niekerk replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.0 Died overnight! Flased both Mega2560 and PPM encoder and still dead !!!
"Hi Soren  I flashed the mega 2560 chip with the stk500 file attached and the PPM mega32u2 chip with the 2.3.16 firmware version also attached, I erased the firmware i AVR studio on the board and reload the firmware to the board. "
1 hour ago
Søren Kuula replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.0 Died overnight! Flased both Mega2560 and PPM encoder and still dead !!!
"Hi, Can you describe what you did when you successfully reflashed? With an ISP programmer? What did you flash, bootloaders? Do you know Arduino, do you have it (the special Ardupilot edition) and can you upload a simple example…"
1 hour ago
Johann Van Niekerk replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.0 Died overnight! Flased both Mega2560 and PPM encoder and still dead !!!
"No one ?"
yesterday
Johann Van Niekerk posted a discussion

APM 2.0 Died overnight! Flased both Mega2560 and PPM encoder and still dead !!!

Hi Guys. Just a requiste if someone else has encountered this. last week saterday I flew my APM 2 in a plane all was fine, and today I tried updating firmware and it did not work anymore over USB when clicking on the firmware of my choice, (acro) it would down load from the internet status would change to " reading hex file" that would then go to about 90% and then it will report a " communication error" . I have tested on two different PCs and then I tried over 3 Dr radio ! it works ! but I…See More
Wednesday
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"Pins 1&2 are 5v i.e. positive (+'ve) Pins 5&6 are GND Pins 3&4 are used for current and voltage sensing. see the "mystery port" in this diagram http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/apm2-5-5v-vcc-schematic"
Mar 15
Russel Callen replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"Bill, thanks for your continued support.  I was traveling for business and couldn't address this while away.   I will try to get a photo taken that shows everything clearly.  You mention the "+'ve" line, do you…"
Mar 15
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"Hi, The current figures look normal to me when using a BEC.  >with just signal cables going to the corresponding APM input ports for each channel. Do you have GND connected to the Receiver as well from the APM?  Can you check the 6 line…"
Mar 10
Russel Callen replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"Bill, I appreciate your offer of assistance.   I connected everything up to run off my Mastech via my Watt's Up, which is likely the most precise measuring device I have at the moment.  Since the power module is connected in with my…"
Mar 9
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"The Power Module can power the APM/3DR Telemtry Radio & r/c receiver At 250mA current. The setup you have should work perfectly. It's not clear why you are having problems. Can you post a diagram of your wiring setup? Can you power the…"
Mar 9
Russel Callen replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"I've attempted to power my receiver (AR8000) from either the input pins or the output pins.  If the receiver is connected the APM never initializes.  If I have the receiver disconnected it powers up, connect the receiver and the APM…"
Mar 8

3D Robotics
Chris Anderson replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"If you've got a faulty Power Module, please contact technical support and get a RMA for a replacement. "
Mar 3
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"There's work being done on the wiki to clearly document powering options. What you describe sounds like a faulty PM. The main issue that you might have is that you are close to the 500mA fuse limit. There's a protective fuse between the PM…"
Mar 3
Russel Callen replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"I am encountering a similar problem with my APM2.5 Power Module.  I am using the same components, however I do not have an airspeed sensor.  I am using a 900Mhz 3DR telemetry radio as well. Everything powers up fine off the APM, but if I…"
Mar 2
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"OK this assumption is wrong. Oh well.... THE ADCs are measured against Vcc, if Vcc is not stable you will get the wrong readings. You can calibrate the calculations by setting INPUT_VOLTS parameter to measured Vcc that is applied to ATMEGA chip. By…"
Feb 23
Peter Klimon replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"I have come to find that it's a waste of time to use the Spektrum t1000 telemetry with the APM 2.5. I use the telemetry option on my 3dr hexa-b which makes the t1000 moot. Unless for some reason you want to capture telemetry to an iPhone or…"
Feb 12
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"I was concerned about that also, but I have just learnt that the ATMEGA chip has an internal 1.1V reference built in. This means that as long as the ATMEGA is within operating voltage, the ADC will be stable in reading. see thislink for an…"
Feb 11
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"You connect the ATTO the same to APM2.5 as it has the same pinouts as APM2.0 see http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Voltage#APM_2:_Using_the_AttoPilot_sensor_to_measure_both_current_and_vo you connect to A1 and A2 ports as described"
Feb 8
mack goodman replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"okay...  Voltage is working fine, no I have not measured it yet..   I have an apm 2.0 in another plane that I will dig  out to get the attopilot and try it with my apm2.5.. I was mainly interested to know if  I am connecting this…"
Feb 8
Bill Bonney replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"It's on topic, but its sometimes good to start your own posts and these things tend to get long and unruly. Have you measured the voltage on the I sense pin with a multimeter? What's the output at zero amps? There's an AMP offset…"
Feb 8
mack goodman replied to Johann Van Niekerk's discussion APM 2.5 and 3DR power module failure.
"I hope this in on topic here.. I want to power the input side of my APM 2.5 with 10A bec.  I also want to use a 90A Attopilot to monitor current and voltage. I have it set up very similar to my APM 2.0 and have used the same pins as…"
Feb 8

Profile Information

About Me:
Electrical Technician, A lot of expierance with Camera's and hardware setups and configuration in small spaces.
Tell us a bit about your UAV interest
Aerial Photography for Research and mapping , would also like to build a truley APM inspired airframe.


http://groups.google.com/group/gautengsa
bambum0125@gmail.com
Hometown:
Johannesburg SA

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Johann Van Niekerk's Blog

The Three Dealers Challenge

Posted on February 8, 2012 at 1:00pm 63 Comments

Join us or you will miss out big time !

 

 

Three Ardupilot dealers have teamed up to bring the first three dealers challenge, ArdiDrones in South Africa,…

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ArdiDrones.com is Back Restocked Reopened and Bigger than ever !

Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:09pm 10 Comments

 

Hi Guys

For those of you that have been around for while may remember the name ArdiDrones.com , well I am glad to announce that after…

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APM home made vibration reducing methods useless ?

Posted on November 26, 2011 at 1:00pm 76 Comments

Hi guys after some extensive testing trying to see which way is the best to reduce vibration reaching the APM I am left to be lieve corrected in saying all efforts are useless ! below is a view views on raw sensors reporting back with different mounting methods of the APM.

 

First image is the control to compare everything to this was just with APM mounted to the copter with nylon nuts and bolts in the standard 3 holes provided…

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Hexa copter design now available for download.

Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:20am 2 Comments

Hi Guys

 

A while I go I started designing my very own copters on Google sketchup and found a Application to convert to DWG this made it possiable to draw complex designs the easy way and still be able to send it straight to the Lazer cutter.

Because I designed this by a freely available software I geuss the best thing todo is freely share my designs with the community and hope that someone finds it usefull.…

Continue

Comment Wall (17 comments)

At 2:07pm on October 31, 2010, Rory Paul said…
Johann

Drop me an email and I will put you in contact with a guy in SA who has a fully functioning UAS which you could do a proof of concept with without having to get everything up an running yourself. Also have some leads on low cost thermal imaging equipment that will not be a pain to get into SA
At 4:19pm on October 31, 2010, Rory Paul said…
No do not go the route of a Predator. You are going to need something that can lug the visual and thermal imaging cameras and all the associated gear so it will have to be bigger.

I suggest that you plan this project in two phases. One with a cheap foam airframe (Cularis, Maja or similar) or maybe to learn all the problems associated with autopilot flying then a composite airframe with better capacity etc.

You are going to need to determine if this is going to be a gas or electric system. You can get better duration out of gas but it comes with vibration problems and integration issues. You also need to determine if you want the cameras to be mechanized or fixed.

Regards

R.
At 5:45pm on October 31, 2010, Rory Paul said…
I am not sure how effective a low light camera system would be at night. There was some talk a while back about using a ir illumination on the UAV (banks of ir LEDs) to try and improve the image quality.

Think less about the wing span size and more about the internals cargo bay and how easy it is to change configuration and how rugged the thing is. Landing a UAV during the day is hard enough but landing at night on a dirt road in the bush is going to be very very difficult. So you are going to need an airframe that can take plenty of punishment, can be fixed in the field and spare parts do not cost and arm and a leg. The Maja may be a good bet or something based on a Raven like airframe with a longer wingspan (improved duration) and ailerons (better handling). Look for something that can be hand launched (bungee) or catapult launched and can take a belly landing.

Regards

R.
At 5:55pm on January 19, 2011, Andre Henrico said…
Hi Johan, Fine thx. In Pretoria, as a Gis consultant, and you? How is your project going?
At 3:34am on February 13, 2011, optional said…

Hi Johan,

 

I'm researching the almost same setup, but for neighboorhood watch. Thinking of a autopilot  quadcopter with thermal video and day video. In Pretoria. The aim would be to identify criminals within a 20 minute flight window.

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance. Most appriciated.

At 11:50pm on February 24, 2011, Marius Liebenberg said…
Thanx Johan, Ek is bly om te sien dat daar nog slim ouens oor is in SA. Ek sal sekerlik met jou kontak hou. Ek is besig met n projek wat n quad plaform gebruik om video en enkel skoot werk te doen in die veiligheids arena. Seker maar een van die areas wat ons almal raak ne.
At 12:53pm on February 27, 2011, John said…
Hi Johann. I have a question about Magnetometers. Can I use the Sparkfun Triple Axis Magnetometer Breakout - HMC5843
sku: SEN-09371 on the ArduPilot Mega IMU Shield if I solder the 3.3 volt jumper next to the dip switches and use the 3.3v supply from there to power the Sparkfum Magnetometer, or must I use the DIY Drones Store
HMC5843 - Triple Axis Magnetometer Rev 1.2 only. I can get the Sparkfun Magnetometer locally in South Africa, so if it will work then it will be easier to get it here.

best regards
John
At 2:16am on April 4, 2011, Bryce Fraser said…
hi johann

help please
i have a the same problem with no lock on ublox 5
can you send me your config and firmware version
At 2:22am on April 4, 2011, Johann Van Niekerk said…

Hi Bryce

 

Ill try help you first few questions.

1)  has the Ublox worked before?

2) have you formatted Epromp before installing the latest version of APM code?

3) is the Ublox bought from DIYdrones or other source?

 

KInd regards PM me and we can see if we can get it working I use Ublox myself so should be able to help.

At 2:36am on April 4, 2011, Bryce Fraser said…
yes, unit was puchased from diy drone ,

i have the 5v jumper set on adapter board
I get fake get long and lats and no satellites, when viewing in cli mode on AMP
Raw gps data is coming through in cli mode

When using U center 6.10 I can flash firmware to V5.00 for Jordi's tutorial and load his config file and the Satellite bars pop up full, No Lock.
If i use Chris's tutorial on version 6.00 with his config file, I don't get any satellites popping up in u center.

Binary data is streaming in u center. I have seen the satellite bars turn blue and some of the and some going's on on the other screens briefly and then it goes away.

Thats about it.....

Thanks
Bryce / John

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