So Ive put together the apm and shield but I havent put together the frame yet because I feel like i should test the board first. And im wondering whats the next step now, is it possible to connect the apm+shield with usb to the computer and test the sensors etc without having the frame and motors on?
Or should I put the frame together motors and all and the apm and then connect it to the computer for testing?
I have a need of knowing that this step with the apm and shield connecting and soldering is successful before i continue, its unsatisfactory to continue without being sure that the first step went good. but maybe thats just me..
Replies
Martin, you can also test out some of the individual features on the board without connecting it to the frame. Make sure you copy all the APM libraries to your arduino libraries folder and restart your arduino IDE. Then under File, Examples you should be able to run these:
AP_ADC / examples / AP_ADC_test.pde <--- will stream out the raw accelerometer and gyro values
DataFlash / examples/ DataFlash_test.pde <-- will tell you if the black box logger is working
APM_RC / examples / APM_radio.pde <-- will stream out values received by the receiver (assuming you ahve it connected to the right-angle pins at the back of the APM)
-Randy
Check out the arducopter manual and go to the configurator section. Put your shield on your apm, plug your usb cable into your computer and into your shield. Make sure you don't plug any ESC's, motors or any of that in for now. Download configurator, open it up and pick the right com port and set the baud to the 115200 and hit connect. You should get all the axis readings and all that jazz.