Developer Comment by R_Lefebvre on September 18, 2012 at 8:34am

First, the obvious problems:

You have not done the power supply filter mods, this means adding a resistor and capacitor to the supply lines.  These mods are described in a number of places.  Second, you don't have a shielded wire for the sonar.  It needs to be.

Comment by Kur on September 18, 2012 at 8:51am

R_Lefebvre,

Is this wiki to add the power supply filter mods? "Adding Power Protection to APM 2.0" or you are referring to something else? If so, can you please link me to it?

And i believe, i don't need a shielded wire for the sonar. I have seen many people using the servo cable for their sonar. Is it really necessary to use shielded wire [asking because i don't have one ;)]

Cheers

Developer Comment by R_Lefebvre on September 18, 2012 at 9:23am

http://www.maxbotix.com/articles/035.htm

3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on September 18, 2012 at 9:23am

I'm also thinking that you'll want to shield the baro sensor. The airflow vortex created from the props really throws off altitude reading if you don't have the board in its enclosure, or don't cover it with a cotton pad. I'd recommend you get the enclosure. In the meantime, cover the sensor as shown here. 

Comment by Kur on September 18, 2012 at 9:46am

R_Lefebvre, Should i go ahead and buy these from RadioShack or you recommend something else? 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102510

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062338#

Chris, Yes, i already have the enclosure for the APM 2. I will try that first and see how it goes. :)

Comment by Michael Moore on September 18, 2012 at 9:57am

I have this same exact problem with my APM 1.  Check your sonar on the ground through Mission Planner.  Mine flickers anywhere between a half meter difference.  My system came to me ready to fly from jDrones.  When it came to me it flew perfect, truly a wonder to see.  I have built my own frame with enclosure which I have transfered my jDrones system to.  You described how mine flies; perfect in stabilize then in alt hold if it above two meters it drifts slow and stable up an up.  At low alt it bouces around violently.

Comment by Kur on September 18, 2012 at 9:58am

jasonshort

If you post the Flash Logs I can help. Most likely your sonar is blocked.

You should make sure you have flown in Stabilize for about 10 seconds to narrow in on your throttle hold center point for any alt hold.

Jason

I have created a zip file of all the logs files found in the Program Files/APM Planner/logs folder. LOL. Here is the zip: http://www.mediafire.com/?1di6oshtdc9m87k

Developer Comment by R_Lefebvre on September 18, 2012 at 10:02am

Kur, the resistor looks fine.  The capacitor is rated at a way higher voltage than you need.  This makes it bigger, but otherwise isn't a big deal. 10V rating is plenty, I think even 6.5V could be fine?

Developer Comment by R_Lefebvre on September 18, 2012 at 10:04am

Michael, in my experience, if the copter just keeps climbing and climbing, you probably have noise or vibration causing false returns.  It makes the APM think that it is close to the ground, so it ends up climbing endlessly.

The shielded wire and filter, and all the baro problems result in a more random wandering up/down and spikes on the motors.  But if it just climbs endlessly, probably a vibration issue.  That's just my experience.

Comment by airmamaf on September 18, 2012 at 10:57am

Maybe a simple reason, carbon is conductive and your carbon plate touch gnd and vcc of your sonar ... so there's a shortcut

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• …
• 6
• Next ›
• Page