Seems I am corrupting the eeprom on my APM 2.6 almost every time I connect my batteries. I am using 6S 10Ah packs with XT60 connectors. Every time I connect them, I get a large spark. I am guessing this is what is corrupting the eeprom. Should I change to a protected connector? Use a power switch? Anyone else had this problem?
Wooah dude. If you are using the apm power module, it’s only rated for 4s. You will fry the board if you haven’t all ready. I wouldn’t trust that power module any more. That would explain the “large spark”.
Not good at all.
No, I am using the Attopilot 180A voltage/current monitor with the 3DR hex power distribution board
I looked at the schematic for the 3dr hex pdb and looked up the data sheet for the voltage regulator module. It is only rated for 18 volts input and you have zapped it with 24 volts. You either need to use a 4s battery or get a higher rated bec. As I said before, you need to check everything now for proper operation before flight as you have exceeded the maximum rating and the APM was not happy. See data sheet blow.
http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/117439/TI/PTH08080WAH.html
As I just said above, I am not using the 3DR power module. I am using the Attopilot 180 which is rated at 51 volts.
Well something is not right as you should not be getting the large spark. I know it will seem like an obvious thing, but are you sure you were sent a 180 amp version and not a 45?
OK, I don’t know how to take back my last post here. I must confess that yesterday I clicked on the wrong schematic file and actually was looking at the 3dr power module. I just looked at it this morning and saw the real pdb. I thought they put sensing and voltage conversion all on the pdb. Maybe they could? Having just said please disregard my previous advise, I would still look at the voltage going to your APM. BTW how are you powering the APM?
No worries. As for powering the APM, the six BECs (Hobbywing Platinum 40A ESCs) connect to the power distribution module in parallel. Each is rated at 5.25 volts, 3A. One small power lead comes off the power distribution module and is connected to the APM output. I checked the pins on the APM output and the voltage is correct. I am using the jumper to power the input/analog side of the APM. I have only sonar, voltage sensor, and the optical sensor in the analog pins. Camera was powered off the output pins but I have since disconnected it to rule it out.
I double checked the Attopilot and it is the 180A version. Lots of solder on there, but no visible shorts. I may bypass it anyway and see if that helps.
OK , etom. That expains a lot. Try just using one BEC to power the APM. I have heard that some ESC/BEC don’t play well in parallel. They can start fighting each other for the load and resonate have large voltage spikes. Other ESC’s can handle it. To be on the safe side just use one for APM/reciever power. One has many times more amps than you will need.
I fly a plane and I don’t use the BEC in the ESC because they are inefficient linear regulators, but I am running 4 servos. I use a 25 watt switcher for the servos and a separate smaller BEC for the avionics side. I also use an AttoPilot 45 amp and a lot of soldering to make the power wiring harness.
You want to keep the APM on a separate supply if you are using servos for a gimbal. If you overloat the servo supply, it won’t brown out the APM.
Ok. I removed the positive lead from all the BEC leads except one, reflashed the eeprom, got to the point where I could calibrate the ESCs and spin the motor, then the eeprom got corrupted again.
I tried with a 3S lipo instead of 6S; no luck.
I tried disconnecting the Attopilot signal wires from the APM; no luck.
I have not connected any gimbal servos to the APM.
OK. I’ve narrowed it down to the telemetry, sonar, optical flow, or attopilot. When I disconnect all of those, I can fly. I’ll double check the wiring. If I don’t find any problems, I’ll start plugging in one sensor at a time until I corrupt the eeprom again.
It turned out to be the optical sensor. Don’t know why, but whenever I tried to power up the APM with the optical sensor, it wiped out the eeprom. Since the position hold is so good with the GPS/compass module, I’m just going to remove the optical sensor.