I have the following configuration:
- APM1 and oilpan with magnetometer and GPS
- 4 RC Timer 30A ESCs
- 4 RC Timer 750kV outrunners
- latest APM1 firmware and APM Planner software
- Fubata T8UHPs heli radio configured for ACRO and Mode 2
- Futaba PCM receiver
- 3DR PDB
I have configured the ESCs manually - they spin fine when connected directly to the receiver but when attached to the APM1 they only twitch every second. I can arm (solid green led) and dis-arm the system via the radio and chXin and chXout parameters appear to have reasonable responses to the radio (increase in ch3in results in equal increases in ch1out, ch2out, ch3out, and ch4out) - but motors won't spin up. LiPo plugged in, trimmed down 8 clicks, the only mode available is Stabilize, CLI switch is forward for flight.
I have re-configured and RTFM'd until I am blue in the face.
I have ordered a Turnigy radio...
Am I doing something stupid?
Replies
If I have read your post right, You stated you removed the Red AND Black wire from each ESC. Please correct me if I got this wrong.
Your ESC's require the White AND Black wire to receive the signal, as in "Signal" + "Gnd"
To disconnect the BEC you just lift the Red wire. This is standard practise in a lot of electric installations I do on planes where the ESC's BEC cannot cope with the servo loads and I run a separate BEC and power supply.
Without the Black GND wire the ESC won't see the signal.
First of all, thanks to everyone for their thoughtful response. I will try to respond to each in this one posting.
Chris: No, it is not cold indoors or outdoors. Not in Atlanta. In July.
Randy: The motors turn fine during configuration so I don't think the bullet connectors are a problem.
When I replaced the output to ESC with a servo as you suggested, the servo did power up (stiffen) and I was able to control it via channel 3 (throttle).
Rui: I will provide pics if all else fails. Is there a way to export a snapshot of stats?
JasonShort: I did reinstall everything (again). No luck. I know when the ESCs get an invalid value - they beep very fast. That is not a problem here.
Mike: Yes, I had already reversed channel 3 (throttle). The APM1 is able to recognize arm and disarm commands so I think I've got that part right. I do not think that the ESCs are in program mode because they do not exhibit the 12345 tones of RC Timer ESCs in program mode. I am able to configure them for control throws.
MartinT: The RX is powered from the APM1 board to the channel 8/Battery connection. Since I am able to see chXin values change, I believe the RX is working correctly.
I did calibrate the ESCs (several times) manually per RC Timer manual. They do spin up fine when connected to the RX.
You said, "As said above this could also be the “min” throttle setting not being correct." If so, how do I determine this? I tried setting trim down 8 clicks on throttle and yaw but no luck.
Once again, thanks for all your comments (and don't stop now).
More parameters: APM shows a voltage of 4.35V. Is that nominal? I tried a duplicate Turnigy 2200 mAh battery and got similar results.
APM1 PPM blue led is flashing indicating that PPM is working. My radio is PCM. Am I missing something here?
Yellow MUX led is solid.
Would I be better off with a simpler ESC? Turnigy Plush? Suggestions?
Regards,
Tom
I know this is probably too obvious, but Futaba throttle is reversed from all the other brands.
If the ESC just keep beeping every second they may be program mode.
Have you tried reversing the throttle?
Best thing to do is start over and reload the SW.
I had a similar problem and I realized I accidentally put the plane firmware on. The I put the AC firmware back on and didn't realize the parameters were all screwed up. Each time I tried to start up the ESC beeped like crazy.
Starting from scratch only took 5 min and fixed everything.
Can you provide detailed photos of your connections ? PDB, ESC wires to the APM, motor connection to the ESC ? Are the ESCs connected to the PDB ? If so, try to connect them to the APM directlly. Fully connect the ESC nr 1 servo cable to APM's OUT 1 ( signal top pin , red 5v to mid pin and black ground on bottom pin) and the other ESCs, use only the white signal wire connected to the top pin of each OUT.
I would check the bullet connectors on the ESC. I had a similar issue with just one engine not turning reliably and that was the cause. I resoldered them and it was fine...of course maybe your issue is different.
If you replace the ESC with a servo (i.e. plug a servo in to where the esc is plugged into the APM1) does the servo move correctly? Note that you may need to provide 5V power to that rail on the APM1 (it depends upon how old it is)...i..e the bottom pin on the back of the APM1 should be GND, the middle pins should be 5v..the top pins are the pwm signals (in and out).
Is it very cold? I have similar setup (APM1, rctimer motors and escs) and it works fine in warm weather but the escs seem to go crazy in the cold (e.g. -4 centigrade).