Pixhawk and ESC - Problem with the ESC comunication [SOLVED]

Posted by Esteban Caligaris on October 12, 2015 at 4:26pm

[READ PAGE 2 FOR SOLUTION]

[Obs.: The ESC didn't have a Reverse Function so it wasn't compatible with ArduRover Default params, so I've adjusted the RC3_TRIM param in order to disable the Reverse function of the ArduRover]

Hello everyone.

I’m Esteban Caligaris writing from Paraguay.

I’m working in an especial project with ArduPilot. The idea is to build an Autonomous Boat that can detect a special substance.

I’m having troubles in the Autonomous part, because there seems to be a problem in the communication between the Pixhawk and my ESC (My ESC: Turnigy Plush-40A, with an incorporate BEC-3A/5V-Version3.1).

What have I done so far? First of all, I have uploaded the last Firmware Available of ArduRover and then gave it a try.

I found out that the Sticker for APM-Rover it doesn’t match with the Latest Firmware. The Steering Output it’s marked at the Main Out number 4, when it actually the Servo for Steering works on the Main Out number 1 (Found out that by trial and error, because my servo didn’t seem to work in the “correct” place and gave it a try with the PX4 Connection Configuration).

Now, my real problem it’s that I can’t manage to start up my motor, and it seems to be that my ESC it’s entering in a Programming Software and I can’t make him to finish it.

I’m working without RC-Transmitter and Receiver, setting the Params for the Pixhawk in order to predefine Auto Mode as the Initial Mode.

My Params:

                INITIAL_MODE: 10 (AUTO)

                CRUISE_SPEED: 20 (20 m/s)

                THR_MAX: 100 (100% of Throttle)

                CRUISE_THROTTLE: 0 %, in a first try and CRUISE_THROTTLE: 100 %, in a second try

                RC3_MIN: 1200, in a first try and RC3_MIN: 800, in a second try.

                RC3_MAX: 1900, in a first try and RC3_MAX: 1800, in a second try.

Here’s a Video of what kind of problems am having.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0iz70p53xxz4lvc/Pixhawk-ESC-Problem.mp4?dl=0

And here are some Pictures of what I’m working for.

3691249337?profile=original

3691249439?profile=original

3691249295?profile=original

Thanks for reading and for helping.

Esteban Caligaris

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Esteban Caligaris October 14, 2015 at 7:24am

    @TCIII, @David, @Grant

       I have really really really good news!
       I have solved the problems!
       I solved it by setting the RC3_TRIM param at 1100, matching with RC3_MIN param.

       Thanks for the help.

       Greetings from Paraguay

          Esteban Caligaris

    • Developer
      Grant Morphett > Esteban Caligaris October 14, 2015 at 5:22pm

      That's great.  That would mean your ESC doesn't have reverse (or its disabled) I would suggest.

      Thanks, Grant.

    • Esteban Caligaris > Esteban Caligaris October 14, 2015 at 7:26am

      I'll be posting my Ardu Boat Project soon.

      Regards.

  • This reply was deleted.
    • David Boulanger October 13, 2015 at 7:13am

      I looked up this Plush ESC and I don't think it has reverse.  Its probably going into calibration mode right off the bat because it is not getting a low PWM at start up.

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

    • Esteban Caligaris October 13, 2015 at 8:56am

      @TCIII

      @David

      I’m really appreciated for your replies. And what ESC and Motor do you recommend to use?

      Esteban Caligaris

    • Esteban Caligaris October 13, 2015 at 10:32am

      @TCIII

      You're right. My catamaran is relatively big (98cm long - 38,54" long) but weights 2760g (6,08 pounds) with the electronics components.

      I'm planning to use this Servo:

      http://www.gabahobby.com/airtronics-digital13-8-kg-hi-power-bb-mg-s...

      And this Motor: (Still not completely sure about the motor - should I choose one with higher KV? or higher Watts? or higher KV and Watts?)

      http://www.gabahobby.com/index.php?route=product/product&produc...

      I'm practicing with the components of the Video. I haven't bought the motor yet, so a friend lent me his airplane motor and ESC.

      Thanks

      Esteban

    • David Boulanger > Esteban Caligaris October 13, 2015 at 11:03am

      Esteban,

      My thoughts are:

      Have you thought about using Blue Robotics thrusters?  Your design will be a displacement hull and not a speed demon.  It should move along at 2 - 2.5 knots relatively efficient from a power stand point.  See my build in the link below.  I learned a lot building this and would do a few things differently if I was to build another one but it performs reasonably well.

      http://diydrones.com/group/arduboat-user-group/forum/topics/arduboa...

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

    • Esteban Caligaris > David Boulanger October 13, 2015 at 11:34am

      @David

      @TCIII

      Yes, I'm planning to use the T200 Thrusters from Blue Robotics, but in a Second Boat.

      This first Boat is for training, and I'm planning to make the first boat something like Harald Molle:

      http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/ardupilot-goes-into-the-water%20

      So mi motor and ESC are going to be on the top of the boat.

      Thanks for replying.

      Esteban

    • Esteban Caligaris > David Boulanger October 13, 2015 at 7:57am

      I think it doesn't have. Should I change the RC3_MIN param?

    • David Boulanger > Esteban Caligaris October 13, 2015 at 8:28am

      I don't think that will do it.  You're best solution in my opinion is to get the right type of ESC that the code expects you to have.  There could be a creative way to work around your problem but I don't know what it would be.

      Regards,

      David R. Boulanger

This reply was deleted.