Situation: installed APM 2.5 in EZ with traditional magnetic canopy/hatch hold downs not to mention the brushless motor magnets. I had done a bench top system test and all worked fine including compass pointing.
Issue: Once installed in EZ, the magnets got the APM compass confused. I removed the closest magnets but still erroneous compass readings. Tried the MP calibration procedure. The result was better but still an error of 30 degrees.
Help needed: What is the weight of the compass on the overall flight and control algorithm? In others words, will the APM2 still operate acceptably or should I disable compass or ?
Any thoughts or opinions greatly appreciated. Also posted in MP forum.
BR,
Steven
Replies
Good questions.
Another member asked about the magnet before building installing and I suggested he do some testing.
I predict he will find what you have found that any magnet, or even significant ferrous material, near the APM magnetometer will skew the sense.
You have asked a better question in that how important is the compass to autonomous operations?
The GPS is certainly weighted heavy in the log results. I could only find one clear reference suggesting the compass, Target Bear:
So let us see how the developers respond.
-=Doug