Y6 not lifting off

Posted by Ben Snyder on April 21, 2014 at 5:12pm

I'm trying to get my RTF Y6 off the ground for the first time. 

I calibrated the ESCs, checked motor spin, ran the calibration wizard in MP (Turns out I had to run a virtual machine on my Mac to use MP, because APM Planner wouldn't work on it for some reason; this cost me a couple weeks of troubleshooting). Everything looks good. 

I arm the PX4, arm with transmitter, transmitter in stabilize mode, props spin (in the correct directions, with writing facing toward the sky, on both top and bottom propellers). Throttle is responsive, pitch and roll are responsive. 

But, the copter won't leave the ground, even with throttle maxed out. It's like it just doesn't have enough power to fly. 

Any suggestions? 

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Replies

  • Serge B May 21, 2014 at 5:28pm

    I have the same problem. I've  APM 2.09 with hex x6 When I calibrate esc I have full power. When I arm in stabilize, I put full throttle and the propeller turn only at about 30%. Can't lift.

    It is my first hexa with apm. I already used an hexa with dji naza and wookong.

    Everything is calibrate and seem to work.

    any suggestion?

    • Pedals2Paddles > Serge B May 23, 2014 at 4:02pm

      Did you read this thread??  Look at your THR_MAX parameter.  It should be set to 1000.  It is probably set to something incorrect.

    • Pedals2Paddles > Pedals2Paddles May 27, 2014 at 1:50pm

      In the FULL PARAMETER LIST

    • Serge B > Pedals2Paddles May 27, 2014 at 1:48pm

      I can't find this parameter. Where I can find this? I have the APM 2.9

  • Developer
    Randy April 21, 2014 at 10:56pm

    I agree with Chris that it's most likely that the factory config has been overwritten or that the propellers have been put on the wrong way.  It sounds silly but it happens.

    You can check the motor order with the CLI's "test", "motor" command.  It's documented on the wiki here.  If all the motors spin in the correct order and the correct direction then next it would be best to carefully look at the propellers and make sure they're spinning the right way.

    Posting a close up video of the copter while it's running the motor test will probably let us see what the issue is.

    • Ben Snyder > Randy April 22, 2014 at 12:08am

      Cheers, Randy. Thank you for your reply. All the motors are spinning the correct direction and the propellers are installed properly. I haven't checked the motor sequence, yet (i would test it right now, but my 5-day old son is asleep in the next room and it's LOUD when I power up the drone, heh).

      Anyways, the difference in power delivery to the motors between full throttle in ESC calibration and full throttle in Stabilize flight mode is dramatic. 

      It seems like I should be able to start fresh and rewrite all the settings in the pixhawk and make it stop limiting power delivery.

    • Developer
      Randy > Ben Snyder April 22, 2014 at 4:39am

      Hmm, that's weird about the difference between ESC calibration and stabilize.

      The only way I can imagine a difference is if the THR_MAX is set incorrectly (it should be 1000) or if the radio calibration hasn't been done.  If you post a dataflash log file I can have a quick look at the params.

    • Ben Snyder > Randy April 22, 2014 at 9:00am

      Interestingly, there is no THR_MAX parameter to set on my PX4. I see THR_MIN and THR_MID, but no THR_MAX. 

    • Developer
      Randy > Ben Snyder April 22, 2014 at 5:58pm

      Ben,

           Normally the THR_MAX should never be changed so it's on the Advanced Parms page (or in the full parameter list).  If that's not visible then in the mission planner select Config/Tuning, Planner and check the Advanced View.

    • Ben Snyder > Randy April 23, 2014 at 8:48am

      THR_MAX was set at 80!! I changed it to 1000, sent params to the board, powered down, powered back up and the motors sound much more powered! Time to fly! THANK YOU. 

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