I've got a problem, hopefully someone can help...I've got a stock Hawk Sky, with a 2200mAh lipo, that I am trying to set up an APM2 in. With the APM2 installed, and powered through the input output rail, I'm only getting 20 to 45 seconds of flight time before the ESC hits the low voltage cutoff, and shuts down the motor. I get 8-12 minutes of flight time with the same esc/motor/battery combo if I don't run the APM2. By watching the telemetry, I can tell that the voltage drops very quickly. I've tried unhooking the xbee and current sensor from the APM2, but I still have short flight times.
I've been struggling to troubleshoot, and have no idea why the AMP2 would cause such large voltage drops. I thought the APM2 only draws 300-400mAh, so it shouldn't cause such a large draw.
Would using a separate BEC (pulled off the same battery) for the output side of the APM2 help, or do I need to step up to a bigger battery, or should I replace my ESC?
Replies
Do you have a spare ESC that you could try?
Are you sure the battery is getting a full charge?
Paul
The diode on APM2 output side is only rated at 500mA, if the voltage is dropping as fast as you say it is because of some short then the current would be way higher and would've blown that diode. The voltage anyway on that side is only 5V and your flight battery should be 12.6V (3S) or 8.4V (2S) (you didn't say). The flight battery should be connected directly to the ESC and not go anywhere near the APM.
Measure your flight battery's voltage directly not through telemetry and then try, see if you get the voltage drop then?
Hmm, I'm a multicopter hobbyist at the moment so I have not set up a fixed wing bird.
To measure current, you would have to have an adapter wiring to allow in series connection of the power to the APM2. Break into the red lead but use a servo extension for this, not your original wiring.
The connections would run through the current inputs of your DVM. DVM usually have a separate 'A' jack or something like that. Check out THIS video. In your case, I would start with the '10A' jack.. if you have one.
If you put too much current through the lower amp jack, you may blow the internal fuse. If you blow the 10A fuse with the APM2 in series. Something is seriously wrong.
When this does not work, is the ESC throttle line being driven by the APM2, or is the APM2 only leeching power from the ESC and the throttle being driven by the receiver output?
What else is connected to the APM2 when this condition occurs?
Do you have sufficient adapters to measure the current drain of the APM2 in the 'bad' situation?
You should be able to remove your prop and set this up on a bench to test it -- minding heating the motor and ESC.
Is your APM2 powered through the ESC output?
The max input voltage for the APM2 is 5VDC.
Some ESC outputs are programmable and can go to 6VDC to support receivers/servos that use it.