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Been in R/C and robotics for over 20 years


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Picopilot on 6ft Telemaster and Arducopter


Activity Feed

Neil Smith posted a discussion
I have no Idea what the latest firmware version is loaded into my Arducopter by Mission Planner. Is it possible to show it somewhere in the APM Mission Planner? Not The Mission Planner version but the Arducopter firmware version. Neil
Jun 27, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Neil Smith's discussion Latest Mission Planner Stabilize shows as Guided and Loiter Shows as FBW-A
"I mean Alt hold shows as FBW-A not Loiter.
 
Neil"
Jun 25, 2011
Neil Smith posted a discussion
I updated MP this morning and now Stabilize shows as Guided and Loiter shows as FBW-A. Is this an error? Neil
Jun 25, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Elijah Wood's discussion Unable to charge LiPos
"Overvoltage sounds like you might have the charger set for 1 or 2 cells. On the other one, Undervoltage could be you drained the lipo too much, you never want to take them below 3.3 volts per cell. 3 is even ok. So for a 3 cell pack dont take it…"
Jun 23, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Rui Manuel Cravo Marques's discussion Quadcopter / Arducopter with Ducted Fans
"Ducted fans are made to be moving through the air all the time so the loads go down. In a quad they would be mostly static and working very hard. Most fans have a warning saying not to run static too long or you will damage them. Also they dont work…"
Jun 23, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Elijah Wood's discussion One ESC getting hot, but controlling motor fine.
"Yes its most likely the one powering the APM and electronics. It should be fine but alot of people get a seperate BEC connected to the main power input from the battery and disconnect the red wire on the esc.
 
Neil"
Jun 23, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Sasha's discussion When switch alt_hold or loiter...its gets higher in sky (Stab mode ok) no sonars. (mag+gps)
"I had this issue and found that the sonar sensor was catching the very edge of my battery pack. (it has a very wide beam) Moved the sonar sensor lower and it works perfect now.
 
Neil"
Jun 23, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Jamie Ahmed's discussion Help please - attopilot voltage/current sensor on AC2
"I am assuming you are using it for total curent and voltage? If so, AN0 gets a 3.9k resistor. Then connect gnd to gnd, A3 on APM to current on attopilot sensor, and A4 on APM to voltage on attopilot.
 
Neil

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Jun 21, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Neil Smith's discussion Trying to configure Sparkfun Xbee pro 900
"Here is my setup:
Sparkfun xbee pro XBP09-DP modules. One with wire antena and one with 900mhz duck. Both have same identicle setup.
 
Neil
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Jun 20, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Elijah Wood's discussion Arducopter HELP!
"Pluged the arduino into computer? Do you mean the ardupilot mega with the APM pluged into the top of it? If yes, did you load the firmware with the APM mission planner? If so did the lights blink while it was uploading the code?
 
Neil"
Jun 20, 2011
Neil Smith posted discussions
Jun 20, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Wes Cravens's discussion One of the motors does not spin correctly.
"Odds are its a bad bullet connector. Try swaping a couple of the motors around and see what happens.
DO NOT PUSH THE STICK UP TO HIGH WHEN THE MOTOR STUTTERS OR YOU WILL BLOW THE ESC!
 
Neil"
Jun 20, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Jay Rama's discussion AC2 tilting on lift-off, and motor command in CLI not working
"Check to see if your quad is in balance. It could be you need to shift your battery a bit to get it as close as possible then use trims on your radio to fine tune if needed. I normally place my right middle finger under one arm at the tip and left…"
Jun 18, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Troy's discussion Right Motor ESC warm when motors not running
"I think its warmer because it is the one that is providing power to the radio receiver. As for the motor that dosnt spin as easy, it might have brake enabled. Depends on the make/model of the ESC. Im not familiar with jDrones esc's, check the…"
Jun 18, 2011
Neil Smith replied to Mike Walker's discussion 2.0.24 Beta Crazy yaw corrections.
"I pretty sure simple mode says it always points in the same direction (direction quad was in at startup) for beginners so they dont have to worry about the yaw and can concentrate on just pitch and roll. Sounds like the quick 90 turn made it want to…"
Jun 18, 2011
Neil Smith posted discussions
Jun 18, 2011
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