Using Apm 2.5 on large gas UAV

Im considering fitting an apm 2.5 to a large mugen 50cc uav with 3m wingspan, my concern is vibration, I am firmiliar with the Panda autopilot and DJI for helis and multis, I dont doubt the fact that there are thousands of happy users using the apm 2.5  out there but commercial use is different to hobby use. Are there any users out there using this system on a large gas aeroplane. I do understand that like me a lot of people flying UAVs commercially dont discuss what they use and how on forums like this, but i would appreciate some input, im based in south africa, alternatively you can email me @ aerialinspection@gmail.com. Thank you

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  • sos apm 2.5 rip all mounted engines and gas well but does not accelerate but if I give the stick if the gas engines work only serves to start and stop engine

    assistance that may be

    graacias
  • sos apm  2.5 todo montado arranco los motores y bien  pero el gas no acelera  pero si le doy a los stick  si funcionan los motores el gas solo sirve para arrancar y parar los motores

    ayuda que puede ser

    graacias

  • Developer

    Hi Wayne,

    At CanberraUAV we fly an APM2.5 on a Mugin with 50cc petrol motor - exactly the setup you describe. See our site at http://canberrauav.com/

    When we started with APM vibration was a significant problem, and we put a lot of effort into vibration isolation in the Mugin. Since then we have made a lot of improvements to the vibration handling in the APM software, and it is now at the stage that I happily fly my IC plane without any vibration isolation at all. We still have the anti-vibration mount on our Mugin, but I suspect if we removed it and mounted the APM directly to the fuselage then it would fly fine.

    Cheers, Tridge

    CanberraUAV
    Open Source Civilian UAV Development
  • Hi Wayne,

    I don't fly non-electric, but either the APM 2.5 or new PX4 is potentially an excellent choice.

    Certainly you need to isolate and dampen the board from the engine vibrations, but that should be fairly straightforward.

    The primary vibration dampening needs to be carried out at the board and materials like Sorbothane (30 durometer), Alpha Gel and Kyoso Zeal tape will work (just use 4 small under half inch pads) and there are also a few EAR shear type grommets that are nearly "light" enough to use as well.

    The main thing to keep in mind is that the flight control boards are very light and it is hard to find (or make) a dampening / isolation solution designed to work with such a small mass.

    You also have an opportunity to dampen and Isolate the engine mount to reduce the primary vibration inensity and there are several Lord type stud mounts with either urethane or silicone rubbers that should work appropriately but here you have to design the system not only for the weight of the engine, but also for it's thrust and torque loads (possibly higher temperature operation as well.)

    If you follow these guide lines vibration control should be manageable and the APM or possibly even more so the PX4 should provide a reliable and useful controller for your use.

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