Problem connecting Pixhawk and Futaba receiver

Two of my customers have trouble setting up the Pixhawk - I myself have a Pixhawk, but don't use a Futaba receiver, thereby I can't replicate the problem (I would like to find out if the problem is connected to the receiver they use, or something else).

Both use a Futaba R7008SB receiver.
Both managed to upload the Firmware to their Pixhawks - but they are not able to do the radio calibration (the Pixhawk doesn't "see" the receivers, the bars in the calibration are all grey).

They have nothing else connected to the Pixhawk, except receiver (connected to the right port / RC), buzzer, safety switch and USB cable.

The Pixhawk signals via the big LED "pre-arm check failed" (which makes sense ;)

They power the Pixhawk via USB and at the same time with a LiPo (via the Power Module).

The receiver is "found" by the remote, the LEDs are on, the setting of receiver and remote (regarding the use of the SBUS) seems to be right. They use the right port of the receiver to connect to the Pixhawk.

I am happy about any suggestions ...

Thanks a lot in advance

Felix

Hi madhuraj,
No problems, that's the safety switch! You are required to depress the switch each time you arm the copter, it has 3 light displays. Quick and constant blinking is it performing a system check, just wait until it finishes- it should then go to slow constant blinking meaning that it is ready to arm. You should only need to press it for a few seconds if you have waited until the checks have been completed. It will then go to solid red meaning that it is ready to arm on your transmitter. Sometimes it will take a long time to arm as it performs the pre arm checks, especially if you are trying to take off in a gps assisted mode as it will wait until the gps is up and running (30secs or so). If so try arming in stabilise but do give it time before going to GPS assist modes. I always arm in stabilise but check GPS status beforehand. You can disarm the safety checks in mission planner but I do not recommend it unless you are well aware of the system, it is there to look after you!
Hope it goes well, let me know if you have any issues,

Martin

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Oliver Volkmann March 19, 2015 at 3:08am

Yes, I have managed to do this but I believe I accomplished this with an R7008SB receiver in mode D. I dont have the unit anymore but I had to upgrade to firmware 3.2 from 3.1.5 for it to work. What firmware are you on?
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- Moderator
  
  RM Aviation October 28, 2014 at 10:58pm
  
  Hi madhuraj,
  No problems, that's the safety switch! You are required to depress the switch each time you arm the copter, it has 3 light displays. Quick and constant blinking is it performing a system check, just wait until it finishes- it should then go to slow constant blinking meaning that it is ready to arm. You should only need to press it for a few seconds if you have waited until the checks have been completed. It will then go to solid red meaning that it is ready to arm on your transmitter. Sometimes it will take a long time to arm as it performs the pre arm checks, especially if you are trying to take off in a gps assisted mode as it will wait until the gps is up and running (30secs or so). If so try arming in stabilise but do give it time before going to GPS assist modes. I always arm in stabilise but check GPS status beforehand. You can disarm the safety checks in mission planner but I do not recommend it unless you are well aware of the system, it is there to look after you!
  Hope it goes well, let me know if you have any issues,
  
  Martin
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- Moderator
  
  RM Aviation October 26, 2014 at 3:25pm
  
  Hi Madhuraj,
  
  Great to hear from you and im glad to gear things are improving! When you refer to the reset switch are you talking about the fmu reset switch located next to the USB port on the side of the pixhawk or the safety switch?
Aaron Serafinowicz September 23, 2014 at 7:39pm

I am using the 14sg and 7008sb on a 3Dr Aero and it works fine. I cant get the 7008sb to even work on arducopter latest version even with a PPM encoder? Any thoughts as to why?
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  - Aaron Serafinowicz October 25, 2014 at 4:11pm
    
    I tried everything I could find on the net. I followed the directions to set the mode but it always stayed in mode 1/A. Had it plugged into ch8/ sbus and also tried sbus2. nothing worked. I ended up buying a r2008sb and it works great. maybe I will use it on my next copter or plane.
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  RM Aviation September 16, 2014 at 11:44pm
  
  I understand your point xian, but for the sake of a $25 ppm encoder you could be flying today whilst we are waiting for the sbus to be incorporated into stable.
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- Moderator
  
  RM Aviation September 16, 2014 at 9:17pm
  
  Right now I would use the ppm encoder and the stable firmware unless you are very experienced. It will all come in time, as each new tx/rx comes on the market it takes more and more work for the volunteer devs to incorporate them into the firmware. The encoder is very inexpensive and easy to use in the meantime.
  
  Best of luck
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    - Moderator
      
      RM Aviation September 16, 2014 at 11:41pm
      
      No probs! All the info you need is here http://copter.ardupilot.com
      Click on instructions and it's all there. If you have any problems feel free to ask. There is a lot to read but then this is an amazing flight controller. The wealth of info available via mission planner is simply staggering but don't expect too much too soon as it takes time to get to grips with it (but then that's half the fun!)
      I would start with stabilise then loiter and keep it fairly close to you whilst getting used to the controls, be prepared- your first auto mission is like a child leaving home (although you want the aircraft to come back)
      Enjoy!
Eagle Wong September 14, 2014 at 11:39pm

I have the same issue, connect with futaba 6203sb. In qgc, rc signal cal. Normal, everything normal, however, after push safety button and arm stick position, lights ready, the motor no reaction with the throttle. Then i flash back to apm firmware, everything goes alright, can fly immediately. The problem should be the firmware pwm output problem.
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- Moderator
  
  RM Aviation September 15, 2014 at 3:01am
  
  Hi madhuraj and eagle,
  
  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, been making the most of the good flying weather. That setup looks ok. I am using the 14sg and 7008sb too, if you see earlier in the thread I had issues too. The beta testing firmware did allow me to calibrate but I had terrible control issues and the aircraft was unflyable. The solution was to use a ppm encoder and re flash the stable firmware, I have had no issues since then. I would highly recommend doing the same until the beta becomes stable. It will be resolved in time , I'm sure. The ppm encoder is cheap and it has the bonus of extending your mounting positions ;-)
  I think if you do this all your problems will be fixed, everything else seems fine. Let me know how you go.

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Problem connecting Pixhawk and Futaba receiver

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