I have all my props with the size and type print facing up. I verfied the direction of the props.
I'll verify each motor again but it looked fine.
I'm using a APM 2.0 controller, the GPS is on the back end right ? so if I want the quad facing away from me then the GPS should be closest to me ? Also I have the board positioned facing forward between the X.
I verified that I am configured for X.
Replies
Mike.. wow these NTM motors sound great! I got into an issue with simple mode. I waited for a gps lock. Armed, throttled up slowly, no flip! Hovered at 3 feet. I throttled up She flew! And man did it climb fast, but... I could not control direction well.
I calibrated the ESCs before flight. It appears I have 1 motor spinning faster than the rest. It might be because I drilled through the landing gear to make way for the rear shaft of the NTM 26-28A motor and I need to drill out 3 holes wider.
One motor spins much easier than the rest. I'm wondering if that's why steering is not reponsive. I'm attaching my
telemetry log. When the quad started getting out of hand I selected land from the r/c ... I had to steer clear of a tree but I didn't break anything. WOW... the short flight has a lot of data. I'm waiting for the quad to finish the upload.
Is there an issue with simple mode ? Also I'm using an maxbotix LV-EZ01 for a sensor since it was in my parts box.
This is almost always due to a problem with one of the things you verified ;)
Let's go through it one step at a time. Assume there *is* a mistake somewhere, and you're just not seeing it.
Everything I'll discuss is in the manual, much of it is here.
You have:
prop type for the specific arm
motor direction for the specific arm (and matched to the prop direction)
signal wire from the correct channel out to the correct/specific arm
orientation (and placement) of the APM on the frame matching the configuration (or the arms and X vs +)
ESCs calibrated
Good connections between ESCs and Motors
All motors/ESCs functioning with no errors
No damaged or faulty motors
I'll start with your questions. If you are "behind" the craft looking "forward", then the reset button should be on the right, the GPS module should be back towards you, and it should be diagonal between the arms.
The props, assuming you are using 3DR 10x45 or 12x45 EPP props, will be printed/textured side up if your motors are facing up/thrusting air down. They come in two varieties, those with an "R" and those without. In both cases, the label should be facing up for normal builds.
Hold the quad from the bottom, securely, and run the throttle up. Feel which way it wants to rotate. That may help you focus on one or more arms. The problem is usually on the "low" side, and is sometimes on the "high" side. Or both. However, if you have one thing swapped, then there will be two problems, yes? Be mindful.
Look at your quad. Stand behind it, or hold it from the back, looking over top towards the front.
Arm #1 is the front right (with you looking forward over the quad from behind) The prop needs to be CCW, and will NOT be labeled with an "R"
Arm #3 is the front left. It will need to be CW, and it will have an "R" in the molded model number along the top.
The two arms simply alternate, the back left arm is #2 and is also CCW
The back right is #4 and is CW.
If that looks right, and if all the props adaptors are right (no free spinning props) then (with the battery removed for safety - not of the electronics, but your fingers!) there are a few other key items to check.
The motors need to spin in the direction appropriate for the prop. Lots of ways to check this. One way is to remove the prop, and cup your fingers over to of the motor, and arm and run the throttle up a tiny bit. Feel which way it spins - #1 FR CCW, #3 FL CW, #2 RL CCW, #4 RR CW. If it spins the wrong direction, reverse any two wires between the ESC and that motor.
Another thing to check, while you have the props off, is to disconnect all four signal wires. Then, attach them one at a time, to ensure that only motor #1 spins when there is a cable plugged into the pin on the fastest right (again, from behind the board). Repeat for each motor.
Some people have a good ear, and can hear the flat whistle of a mismatch between prop and motor spin direction.
Others like to use the "hand held" method. A prop spinning in the wrong direction will not generate the proper lift, and the opposite motor (if correct) will overpower it.
Double check those things, have someone else do it while you describe it, if you cannot see an issue (but keep them safe from the props, they do mangle hands) and if you don't spot the issue, report back and we can cover the less common issues.