APM mini 3.1 not providing control signal to ESC

I'm building a quad copter with an APM Mini 3.1. Using Mission planner V1.3.35 and AC v3.3.3 firmware, although the banner on the mission planner screen displays AC V3.2.1.

I verified that the individual ESCs and motors respond to PWM signals from the receiver when the throtle is advanced. However, when I connect the APM and all ESCs into the circuit and use the ESC calibration process in Mission Planner software, the 4 ESCs do not sync together. Based on the the out-of-sync beep sequences emitting from each ESC and motor pair it appears that the "all in one" calibration process is not working. I have successfully calibrated each ESC individually, but have not been able to confirm they are callibrated and would like to understand why I can't sync all at once with the MP software.

After calibrating the ESCs individually and reconnecting the APM, I am unable to control the motors using the throtle control on the transmitter. When I measured the APM output signal it shows a voltage increase to ~3.6V but no PMW waveform. I measure a 1000 to 2000 PWM signal at the receiver. It appears to be a problem with the APM but not sure is a softwear/firmware or harware. Would appreciate any solution or suggestions for other diagnostic tests.

Components:
Flysky FS-I6 Transmitter/receiver
Turnigy Nanotech 3 cell LIPO battery
APM 3.1 mini
Emax Simon series 12A ESC (4)
Emax MT1806 Motors (4)
External compass/GPS
5.3V DC BEC APM Power Module

APM:Copter 3.2.1 is the last version that will load onto an APM. Even though it says 3.3.3 it actually loads 3.2.1

That said I have had NOTHING but problems with emax 12a ESC and eventually gave up on them completely and instead now use Little Bee.

Anyway you should use the old method of esc calibration. With no power to the apm, turn on your TX and then set throttle to max and plug in the apm, wait a few seconds for the led to flash red/blue on the apm and then unplug the apm. Plug the apm back in and as soon as you hear the motors beep put the throttle to 0 and wait for the motors to beep a few times and now the escs should be calibrated. Test by raising and lowering the throttle a few times. Unplug the apm and you should be good to go.

Make sure you do this with the props OFF.

Sometimes though the emax escs will go into "program mode" and it's a real pita to set them back up unless you have a programming card which, other then them burning up, is why I stopped using them.

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Jeremy Stromsoe March 6, 2016 at 5:38pm

I always just do the calibration with one ESC at a time, your receiver, and a battery. Sometimes it helps to simplify the problem. You don't have to use the all in one calibration, just do them one at a time with your normal receiver, not the APM board. Good luck! And DEFINITELY do not do this with the props on :).
Craig March 6, 2016 at 12:35pm

APM:Copter 3.2.1 is the last version that will load onto an APM. Even though it says 3.3.3 it actually loads 3.2.1

That said I have had NOTHING but problems with emax 12a ESC and eventually gave up on them completely and instead now use Little Bee.

Anyway you should use the old method of esc calibration. With no power to the apm, turn on your TX and then set throttle to max and plug in the apm, wait a few seconds for the led to flash red/blue on the apm and then unplug the apm. Plug the apm back in and as soon as you hear the motors beep put the throttle to 0 and wait for the motors to beep a few times and now the escs should be calibrated. Test by raising and lowering the throttle a few times. Unplug the apm and you should be good to go.

Make sure you do this with the props OFF.

Sometimes though the emax escs will go into "program mode" and it's a real pita to set them back up unless you have a programming card which, other then them burning up, is why I stopped using them.

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