Another Newbie

Britannicus

Britannicus

Member
I have just got my first quadcopter - on readuing all the advice and guidance, I got myself a Quanum Nova PnF (AKA Cheersan CX20 I think).


Big mistake as the RC and receivers I had for my amateur robotics projects didn't play ball, so I had to buy a new RC and TX from Nova anyway, and had to work out how to install it. I also got the Nova FPV video system which I have to say for 50 quid is remarkably good, and will keep me just as happy tinkering as with the more expensive kit for the moment at least.

I like the quad, though the instructions are completely insane (including a totally different RX to the one that I was sent !). Rather a lot of trial and error, swearing and Beeps from the quad later I got the RX and TX and finally worked out how the install work and have started to fiddle with Mission planner, and managed a few indoor hops with the quad (now on hold for fear of the missus as I wiped out a light :( ). I've yet to try the advanced modes for loiter and return to home etc.

Playing with the FPV - I'm trying to understand the configuration of the Flight controller

- I seem to have gimbal output for servos on the bottom of the 'quad - and when I connect an ordinary servo to them it draws power, but will not move

I thought these ran from the Aux 1 and Aux2 knobs on the TX, but wiggling these achieves nothing. There are 2 spare servo leads (2 wires and 2 wire) coming out of the back of the Flight Controller - and I'm wondering if these need to be connected in some way to supply signal ??

Hope you can help a newbie along

Cheers Andrew
 
Britannicus said:
I have just got my first quadcopter - on readuing all the advice and guidance, I got myself a Quanum Nova PnF (AKA Cheersan CX20 I think).


Big mistake as the RC and receivers I had for my amateur robotics projects didn't play ball, so I had to buy a new RC and TX from Nova anyway, and had to work out how to install it. I also got the Nova FPV video system which I have to say for 50 quid is remarkably good, and will keep me just as happy tinkering as with the more expensive kit for the moment at least.

I like the quad, though the instructions are completely insane (including a totally different RX to the one that I was sent !). Rather a lot of trial and error, swearing and Beeps from the quad later I got the RX and TX and finally worked out how the install work and have started to fiddle with Mission planner, and managed a few indoor hops with the quad (now on hold for fear of the missus as I wiped out a light :( ). I've yet to try the advanced modes for loiter and return to home etc.

Playing with the FPV - I'm trying to understand the configuration of the Flight controller

- I seem to have gimbal output for servos on the bottom of the 'quad - and when I connect an ordinary servo to them it draws power, but will not move

I thought these ran from the Aux 1 and Aux2 knobs on the TX, but wiggling these achieves nothing. There are 2 spare servo leads (2 wires and 2 wire) coming out of the back of the Flight Controller - and I'm wondering if these need to be connected in some way to supply signal ??

Hope you can help a newbie along

Cheers Andrew
Click to expand...
might not be for servo gimbals, also the gimbal should only move when there is a camera on it and the quad is armed.



 
Thanks for that - I should explain that I'm at the moment just trying to use the ports to drive an ordinary servo from AUX 1 and AUX2 - it's my intention to try to build my own gimbal (simple pan and tilt 2 DOF for a start - so wanted simply to create movement of a standard servo from the output, A rudimentary product doesn't look to complicated to make



I did a quick diagram of how I think it should be configured - so looking at this I don't see why AUX1 doesn't control it unless the Flight controller port is not what I think it is - can someone sense check this for me ??

The video clips are useful - 1 shows Aux 1 being connected to a totally different port, so nee to get my head round that, the other derives power from the 12 V port rather than from the servo 5V supply

Cheers Andrew



- nova Jpg.JPG
 
Britannicus said:
Thanks for that - I should explain that I'm at the moment just trying to use the ports to drive an ordinary servo from AUX 1 and AUX2 - it's my intention to try to build my own gimbal (simple pan and tilt 2 DOF for a start - so wanted simply to create movement of a standard servo from the output, A rudimentary product doesn't look to complicated to make



I did a quick diagram of how I think it should be configured - so looking at this I don't see why AUX1 doesn't control it unless the Flight controller port is not what I think it is - can someone sense check this for me ??

The video clips are useful - 1 shows Aux 1 being connected to a totally different port, so nee to get my head round that, the other derives power from the 12 V port rather than from the servo 5V supply

Cheers Andrew



- View attachment 1036
Click to expand...

Your servos should be PWM, test them by plugging them into your rx. You also may have to change some settings on your radio to get the AUX to work.
 
Having looked at this in more detail - I have now made it work !! - slightly different config - what I didn't understand before is that SWA is also to SWB and the signal is a composite for the nova, so you have to plug the 2 extra cables into the AUX 1 and 2 ports for it to feed the gimbal servos - works a treat :-)

upload_2015-11-24_15-33-34.png
 

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Britannicus said:
Having looked at this in more detail - I have now made it work !! - slightly different config - what I didn't understand before is that SWA is also to SWB and the signal is a composite for the nova, so you have to plug the 2 extra cables into the AUX 1 and 2 ports for it to feed the gimbal servos - works a treat :)

View attachment 1040
Click to expand...
Hahaha, sounds great!
 
while I was working this out I managed to fry the RX . fortunately I had a spare and replaced it, and there was no apparent damage to any other component. but now the Gimbal servos work, but when I switch the power on, the TX and RX bind ( I get a steady light on the RX ), but I get the following problems :

1/ the Green LED blinks during power up, but then goes out (previously it stayed on to indicate a signal being received )
2/ The red LED blinks and I can't get the rotors to unlock.
I guess I may also have fried either my Flight controller, power board or GPS - or a combination of these - how can I diagnostic test the components to see what I have to replace ? I have mission planner so thought this might help me establish if GPS is fried at least. I have the usual sets of kit, multimeters etc.
 
Britannicus said:
while I was working this out I managed to fry the RX . fortunately I had a spare and replaced it, and there was no apparent damage to any other component. but now the Gimbal servos work, but when I switch the power on, the TX and RX bind ( I get a steady light on the RX ), but I get the following problems :

1/ the Green LED blinks during power up, but then goes out (previously it stayed on to indicate a signal being received )
2/ The red LED blinks and I can't get the rotors to unlock.
I guess I may also have fried either my Flight controller, power board or GPS - or a combination of these - how can I diagnostic test the components to see what I have to replace ? I have mission planner so thought this might help me establish if GPS is fried at least. I have the usual sets of kit, multimeters etc.
Click to expand...
Well first how did you fry it, what pins were involved, and what is the exact model of the equipment you are using?
 
OK - Fried it trying to install the gimbal servos, connected the leads from the Flight controller to AUX 1 and AUX 2 in my diagram - and I think I installed the lead back to from (rookie mistake) - I definitely smoked the RX (puff of smoke literally) but replaced this and now the quad fails as described above. no visible damage to the GPS or the Flight controller - I'm told the FC will not complete it's boot if the GPS is out of service, wondering if I fried the GPS, the FC, both or something else :-(
 
So was wondering if there is a way I can validate if a component actually functions - flight controller definitely outputs 5V to the GPS - don't know about the signal
 
If I have to replace my flight controller the spiel on Hobbyking says "based on open source APM Project from 3D Robotics". Would any APM flight controller substitute for the one supplied with the quad ? my reason for asking is they seem a lot cheaper - I'm happy to upload drivers etc for it if there is some set-up involved
 
Britannicus said:
If I have to replace my flight controller the spiel on Hobbyking says "based on open source APM Project from 3D Robotics". Would any APM flight controller substitute for the one supplied with the quad ? my reason for asking is they seem a lot cheaper - I'm happy to upload drivers etc for it if there is some set-up involved
Click to expand...
You can use about any flight controller with it, APM or MultiWii (I suggest APM) would be a cheaper alternative that had basically all of the fetures that you already have.
 
Cool - so would work with the return to base functionality and all that :-) ? I assume the same is true of the GPS unit - I just hope it comes with a better wiring diagram than the nova
 
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