Joystick control

Posted by Richard Sterling on January 20, 2016 at 2:07am

Hello all,

I am trying to set up a joystick to control my boat via 3RD radios. AMP 2.6, 3DR radio, Orange LRS for RC, joystick is a "Thrustmaster: T.Flight Stick X".

Following instructions: http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/flying-with-a-joystickgamepad-instead-of-rc-controller/ 

Have check the SYSID_MYGCS.

When I set up the joy stick with the AMP connected via USB everything is fine, the bars are moving as they should on the calibration screen. I can switch between modes using the switches I have set up on the joystick etc.

But when I enable the joystick via the 3DR radios the throttle goes to 50% and the steering freezes and the connection between the joystick and the MP also gets lost. MP is working but not responding the the commands of the joystick.

From that point forward the APM will not download params and I get an error message cannot assign home point.

I have the RC fail safe disabled and have tried with the GS fail safe enabled and disabled and the same results.

So what setting have I missed?

Thanks in advance,

RS

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Replies

  • Richard Sterling March 27, 2016 at 8:40am

    @David, I was testing with my boat/joystick yesterday and I decided that I wanted to add Nav lights and stuff. So I got out a couple of receiver controlled swithches. I connected one to channel 5, I could get it to operate using one of the axis of the joystick but I couldn't map it to any of the buttons on my joystick.

    Any idea on the best way to go about this?

    Regards,

    RS

    • David Boulanger > Richard Sterling March 27, 2016 at 10:09am

      Richard,

      I'm not sure.  Never used the buttons for anything but modes.  I do have a little "hat" on top of the joystick that I use for some pass through functions.  I set it up on the same part of the screen that you set up your various axis controls.

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

  • David Boulanger March 7, 2016 at 11:57am

    In some ways it sounds like its going into HOLD but in other ways it doesn't.  I use a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick and a 64 bit HP computer.  Do you have another computer and a friend with a different joystick?   I'm at a loss as to any advice I can give based on my experience using the joystick.  Personally I love using it with the RFD 900 because of the robust link and range.  It worked fine also with the 3DR radios but at about 800 yds, I think, my packet loss was getting high.

    Regards ,

    David R. Boulanger

    • Richard Sterling > David Boulanger March 8, 2016 at 1:49pm

      Hi David,

      I think you may have touched on it. Yesterday when I was trying to set up the RFD my laptop wouldn't recognize the FTDI cable. I tried two and the same result. So I think it is the laptop.

      I grabbed a couple of laptops from work today so I try again tomorrow.

      I have also found a vurtual joystick app to try onece I get the RFD set up. if that doesn't work I'll purchase another Joystick. But I think its the laptop.

      I've had the RFD modems for a while but I have been useing the 3DR radios as I'm still learning . . . less range, less distance to run  . . . if you get my drift :-))

      The 3RD radios are great for learning but now I'm ready for a little more range.

      I'll keep you posted.

      Thanks for staying with me, really appriciate it.

      Regards,

      Richard

    • Richard Sterling > Richard Sterling March 8, 2016 at 2:04pm

      David, one question; are you using Mission Planner or APM Planner?

      Regards,

      Richard

    • David Boulanger > Richard Sterling March 8, 2016 at 2:19pm

      Mission Planner

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

    • Richard Sterling > David Boulanger March 12, 2016 at 1:08pm

      Well David,

      I am very pleased to report that I have it working. The down side is that I have no idea what I did differently to get it working.

      I uninstalled MP and reinstalled it and updated it. Then I reflashed the APM. I also undated the driver for the Joystick and it worked.

      This time I didn;t use the RC controller, which after thinking about it could have been the problem as I am using the open LRS tx/rx which has a fail safe. this could have been the problem. 

      I'll try it again tomorrow with the RC and see how I do.

      The main thing is that I have it working, which is such a relief, I can't tell you how relieved I am.

      One question though, when I have the joystick interface open to enable/disable the joystick I can't interact with the MP main screen, is this normal? If I try to interack with the mainscreen the MP freezes and is non responsive. Then I have to exit the program and restart it?

      I just wanted to say thank you so  much for helping me through this.

      Regards,

      Richard 

    • David Boulanger > Richard Sterling March 20, 2016 at 4:27pm

      Richard,  Is all well and still working?

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

    • Richard Sterling > David Boulanger March 21, 2016 at 10:52am

      Hey David, I got it set up with another laptop. I'm not sure why but my Dell (old thrasher) laptop was the problem. I looked at drivers etc and the MP, but couldn't get it to work. Set it up on on one of my work laptops and it instantly worked.
      I just got back from my first sea trial. How cool, I love it! I didn't even take my RC unit with me just pushed it out and let it drift while I got in front of my laptop and then piloted it with the joystick then switched to auto, then did a RTL was really a whole different experience. I'm hooked.
      That was with the 3DR radios.
      Thanks for all of your help with everything. The info you provided really gave me a base line to work from and helped me work through the trouble shooting work list.
      I'm going to have a look at using the RFD modems now.
      I set up RFD modems but haven't tried them yet. I'll make another post for that here in Arduboat for that. I know there is a thread for the RFD in other user groups but I thought posting it here gives us salty sea dogs something to talk about.
      Regards,
      Richard

    • David Boulanger > Richard Sterling March 21, 2016 at 11:25am

      Fantastic!!!  I use RFD's on both ends.  Your range will be limited by curvature of the earth!!  I thought it had to be your laptop or joystick.  If you have problems with the RFD set up just ask here.  There does seem to be a bit of a failsafe problem using the joystick if your computer crashes with regards to what you can then do with your RC transmitter but it is manageable.  I can elaborate on my experience with that later.  Very happy for you!!

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

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