I haven't completely dialed in my ArduCopter yet, but I did something the other night I thought I'd share. I know you are supposed to take off the props whenever you do anything in programming when you have it on the bench for safety reasons, and there is another procedure recommended which I have tried that are less labor intensive than removing the props I have tried and that is to pull the 4 conductor cable from the APM leading to the PDB. When I did that once, the esc's seemed to lose their programing and I have to go through the calibration, ESC programming and Failsafe setup again. (Probably didn't have to do all that, but being a Newbee, that was the only way I could get the ESC's happy again.
This might not be approved, but for a quick way to do a procedure, and wanting to be safe without removing the props, i did this; I restrained the props by putting a velcro strap around the boom and props just in the unlikely case that the UAV would power up the props and take off from my living room table.
Actually, I thought it was an unlikely scenario, but maybe not so unlikely. I uploaded a new set of configuration data (PIDS for Arducopter I found on the Downloads site) and upon completion of the PID upload. the ArduCopter throttled up and became unresponsive to any control. No problem, it didn't go anywhere, and It was easy to disconnect the power. Upon powering up again, and verifying the PIDS, all looked good and I removed the velcro straps and did a test flight.
Anyway, it may not be a substitute for removing the props, and IF I upload PIDS again, thats what I will do. but it is a quick easy thing to do if you are doing something that you don't think has any danger attached.. Just as a safeguard!!
check the photo to see.
Comments
Well KernalPanic, the point of me using the velcro straps was to immobilize the propellers in case of accidental power up, so they would not be a danger, which absolutely did work, as you would expect. they propellers were trying to spin, but couldn't. finger saved!