APM2.8 quad build, Issues

[AxeGrinder]

Hi, I have posted here, but it was quite some time ago.
My quad project is well on the way, with all of the motors running via 30A esc's via Arducoptor APM2.8 . Motors are confg'd for H> quad, props balanced. It runs up very well, however with props on it flips on take off... When hand held, tilting the chassis doesn't change the motor speeds.

Does anyone have any experience? I have posted on Arducopter site, but no response yet...

 

[GlassKnees]

Did you successfully complete all calibrations? Using Mission Planner, and hooking your computer to the APM via USB, the first thing ou want to do is the accel calibration - that tells the APM which is up, down, etc.

Also, did you check to make sure that you mounted all props so that they spin in the proper direction?

 

[AxeGrinder]

Hi, yes, yes and yes... Accelerometers done, compass done, mission planner complete...

 

[GlassKnees]

One other, somewhat remote possibility is that your APM may be bad. I've had to replace two APM's over the course of my building and flying. I have now built four multicopters - all have used APMs.

 

[AxeGrinder]

I have wondered about whether it may be bad... I have continuous problems, which change intermittantly... it's driving me nuts!!!

 

[GlassKnees]

Trust me. APM's are really great flight controllers. But occassionally you do get a lemon. I bought my last one from Amazon for $37 - works great. My only complaint is that the pins are on the top, not on the sides and I had to lengthen some wires due to how it's positioned on my quad. If wire lengths are an issue pay close attention to the ad to make sure you get one with the leads on the sides.

 

[AxeGrinder]

Trust me. APM's are really great flight controllers. But occassionally you do get a lemon. I bought my last one from Amazon for $37 - works great. My only complaint is that the pins are on the top, not on the sides and I had to lengthen some wires due to how it's positioned on my quad. If wire lengths are an issue pay close attention to the ad to make sure you get one with the leads on the sides.

Not flown it yet, but I seem to have it running, and motors spin up/down as quad is rotated, so that's positive! Some more testing, and hopefully, we'll get some airtime tomorrow

 

[AxeGrinder]

Wow... messing up again! ha!

I am now wondering if it's my RC receiver... It is quite random whether the Mission Planner shows RC connection or blanks... Tx always turns the Rx light on so am thinking there's a dodgy output someplace. It's 3 years old and been in a heavy crash... I tried a new set of wires, but no change. a freind is going to have a look if he has a spare to try.

 

[GlassKnees]

I had an Spektrum AR8000 that was in a crash. When I put it on my new quadcopter I'm building, It's light would come on regardless if the transmitter was on or not. Could not do the radio calibration, so I replaced it with another six channel receiver and it's working. The quad is not ready to fly though - waiting on a GPS module.

 

[AxeGrinder]

I thought two of the pins on the large chip look odd, but my eyes are too bad haha, I could set up my macro bellows on my full frame camera (that means lighting also, which is all a bit much haha) but I think board has just gone bad, perhaps in the crash... this actually might explain why I could never get the old KK board running post crash!! That however is good news, as I'd hoped to use that board for a 3 axis gimple