Discussions

PixRacer with Ardupilot

Posted by Randy on February 9, 2016 at 4:47pm

This is a discussion to focus the feedback and support of ardupilot on the PixRacer board from AUAV.co.

We believe that all teething problems encountered are now resolved and so we recommend people load Copter-3.3.4 which is available for all multicopters through the Mission Planner's (and other GCS's) Install Firmware screens. Note that because regular Pixhawks are still on Copter-3.3.3 the install icon may show Copter-3.3.3 but rest assured, Copter-3.3.4 will be installed (you can check the version by looking at the very top of the Mission Planner).

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apm:copter, arducopter, ardupilot, pixracer

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Replies

- - Tim Gold > Phillip Kocmoud March 9, 2016 at 9:42am
    
    For a while ArduCopter has implemented the RSSI via a dc filter but has not yet implemented the PWM option that is currently available in ArduPlane. Maybe there is something that was missed in the implementation of PixRacer. I haven't tried it but intend to use the RSSI option when I get PixRacer, so hopefully it does work.
Joe Breznai March 5, 2016 at 11:03pm

With Pixracer, and Copter-3.3.4-pixracer does the LED on the safety switch blink when unarmed or does it remain solid red at all times?

Thanks

Joe
- Scott W > Joe Breznai March 8, 2016 at 1:15pm
  
  It remains solid/armed at all times.
  - Joe Breznai > Scott W March 8, 2016 at 4:12pm
    
    Thanks, Scott.
Scott W March 2, 2016 at 9:53am

Has anyone successfully calibrated their ESC's with APM/MP and the pixracer?
I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to figure out my issue, if it's simply not working.

(otoh, it's my first time w/ blheli ESC's, so maybe something is different w/ them?)
I've discovered my manual calibration via PWM must be different than the PPM signal through the controller.. I have a dead spot between motors spinning at idle, and spinning via throttle. Thr_min does not seem to be the issue (but I'm open to advice, if someone thinks it could be settings related).
Phillip Kocmoud March 1, 2016 at 7:35pm

Seems like a bad current sensor. Bridge current sense pin with the voltage sense pin and see if you register current. Both at 0 to 3.3 volt inputs.
- Scott W > Phillip Kocmoud March 1, 2016 at 8:02pm
  
  Bridging the voltage, which is at about 860mv shows about 28amps in MissionPlanner.
  It sounds like this might not be arducopter related, so I'll email you tomorrow, and can do any other testing then.
This reply was deleted.
- Developer
  
  Randy March 1, 2016 at 4:04pm
  
  Andreas,
  
  "latest" (aka "master") will also work. We did the fixes in "latest" as a first step and then back ported them to Copter-3.3.4.
  
  In general I'd prefer if people used the official release (i.e. Copter-3.3.4-pixracer) because it's been more thoroughly tested. I've got a big set of changes that will go into "latest" in about a week and I worry that "latest" could be a bit unstable for a few days at least.
  - Edgar Scott > Randy March 1, 2016 at 5:56pm
    
    Where can we get Copter-3.3.4-pixracer...or is that still to come?
    
    Thanks, Ed,
    - Richard Kennedy > Edgar Scott March 1, 2016 at 6:03pm
      
      I believe if you install it via MP it will detect it's a pixracer.