When I bench test my ArduPilot Mega board, it works until I try putting it inside the Easystar. I did not change the code on the board at all between the bench test and placing all the components inside the frame. After it is placed inside the airframe, it stops sending signals to the servos. It will only pass through the radio command.
When I look at the Ground Station, I am able to see the plane pitching and rolling, and also the current way-point, but there is not output of commands to the servos.
This is also not the first time I have had a problem like this and the last time I ended up ordering new Oilpan and then everything worked again. Any suggestions?
Replies
Chris,
There are no differences in power or connections between the bench test and test with it inside the frame. Could it possibly be a hardware issue, because there are magnets near the system and it is near the battery. Could either of those things cause hardware problems? I believe it is a hardware issue because it no longer works outside of the plane now either.
Brad,
I am able to see the light switch when I change the position switch on my transmitter. It worked the all before it was placed inside the frame, like it was suppose to.
Chris,
In anwser to your questions,
1) Yes, the switch is in flight mode.
2) I had GPS lock on both tests, and before being in the frame on the bench test it also worked in stabilize without the GPS lock.
3) On the bench test, I had all the servos plugged in as well as the motor controller.
4) I have also ran the reset and the CLI radio set up before all the bench test and as something to try and fix the problem after it was placed inside the frame.
Thank you for your help
You'll have to tell us more to help diagnose.
1) Is the slider switch in flight mode?
2) do you have GPS lock?
3) did you test it with servos plugged in on the bench?
4) have you done a reset and setup your radio with the CLI?
if your in manual mode it will not try to stabilize ie move the servos unless you move the controls on your TX look at your mode lights and see if its changing .here the link to the lights http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/LED beyond that you might take a close look at the mux check the solder joints.
good luck