Compass/GPS without mast?

Posted by Pedals2Paddles on July 14, 2014 at 6:55am

Does anyone have any practical experience with the compass not using the mast?  Just having it sit on the top deck?  I keep breaking the mast and at $10/ea, it is not a practical part.  I'm going to do a compassmot test later tonight or tomorrow.

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Replies

  • DG July 14, 2014 at 8:10am

    Please post your results. Broke 3 masts here, epoxied/super glued them back together; good to know I'm not the only one breaking them LOL, putting the last new one on tonight.....and it will be the last one from 3DR. I do know a loose mast messes up GPS/compass.

     Also, the surface the mast sits on seems to promote vibration as it sits out with no support under it. The higher the GPS unit sits, the more exaggerated the vibrations will be.   I'm to the point of designing a shorter mast that still yields a good compassmot test and 3d printing it.

    Is there any documented history of interference issues that required a tall mast?

    • DG > DG July 14, 2014 at 8:59am

      The mast breaks at the base BTW. IMO there is more potential for damage to the GPS/compass with a tall mast than with it attached directly to the base plate.

  • Pedals2Paddles July 14, 2014 at 7:49am

    Thanks guys.  I love the compass mot of 4% with the mast, but if i'm going have to go offline for repairs every time I tip over or knock into it, it isn't practical for me.  My agenda for tonight includes calibrating the power module and doing a compassmot comparison with and without the mast.  If it is < 25%, I will be doing away with the mast all together.

  • Joel July 14, 2014 at 7:43am

    If the actual mast is breaking, take some heat shrink tubing (might need 2 layers depending on the type you have) and reconnect the two parts together.

    If it's breaking at the base, get some plastic tubing and make your own mount.

    The general idea is to introduce an inexpensive failure point that will break, before the expensive parts do, but it will need to hold up to some airspeed so it needs to be stiff.

  • This reply was deleted.
    • Tim Painter July 12, 2015 at 9:08am

      Hi

      Same here no mast mount, gps on top plate clear sky view .

       my top plate is made from copper clad PCB which is grounded

      To act as a ground plain ( slightly stronger signal strength)

      compass offsets are low ( battery slung underneath)

      Tim

  • Flying Buddha July 14, 2014 at 7:13am

    I have never used a mass on my 3DR 2013 Y6 (its a basic 3DR DIY kit) and haven't noticed any issues. I've been using it for capturing aerial photography in small areas and an occasional video. 

    Im not sure if this an indication of a bad GPS or interference, but it will typically land within 6" to 24" feet (15.24 cm to 60.96cm) of its home position when using RTL.  This is OK for needs at the moment.  I have never performed a compassmot test (I might try to do one this week).  

This reply was deleted.