Silly me. I just checked out the GY-521 board with an Arduino. For almost no cost, this functionality is already pretty well-known. I’ll need to configure the PID myself, however. Thanks for listening, but I know what to do now.
Cheers!
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Please Help! I’m stuck!
Here is my attempt for a mower. Use a car alternator to charge the battery and do skid steer by running a chain from the back to the front wheels. Use a hotspot to convey Ntrip to GPS. Set up base station on my roof.
Unfortunately, I have a BIG problem. When the flight controller boots, but before arming, the mower moves forward slowly. When armed & remote is turned on, it stops moving but jerks around a bit. Am I missing a setting?
Thanks, Allen
Sometimes it might be better to start a new thread as probably the problems are different.
And always are informations about the control system are needed. In your case I am very sure this problem has nothing to do with Ntrip, GPS, Roof base station but for sure with some settings or the general electric setup.
So show which FC, which Firmware, which ESCs and which PARAMS you are using.
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As things boot up, it’s not uncommon for the flight controller to throw out momentary signal pulses. When received by ESCs controlling big motors, movement can happen. Easy fix is to not give main power to the ESCs until after boot up. A simple switch will do. Good Luck!
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Thanks, and my apologies for the misplaced reply. I found the solution with MOT_SAFE_DISARM.
You just need to enable the gimbal mount control on the flight controller and it will keep it level for you you don’t need an Arduino
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Thanks! My aim is just to have a stable platform, and I had considered a Pixhawk to do it for me, but a 6-dof IMU board came with the Arduino I already have. That and a little programming solves the problem. Good to know that there is a gimbal mount control already in the Pixhawk.
I’m new here but planning to do a Z turn Ardupilot conversion this winter. Where can I stay up to date on the 2025 MowStock? I’m in middle TN and will try to come this year if I can make the schedule work.
Welcome to the Ardupilot experience! I am sure if you monitor this thread we will make sure information about MowStock pops up. I also plan on being there at Mowstock and I have been there the last 2 years. It is great for a new builder and you learn a lot. I have built one zero turn, helped other builders, and I am also in the process of building another mower. This time it is going to be a small one to do the detail mowing.
Thanks, I’ll monitor. These forms have been a huge help with planning this build!
You may also want to check out the following thread of a recent build.
What kind of zero turn are you starting out with as the base mower? Also the selection of the flight controller and the servos (if it is a gas mower) are key selections.
Base mower is a Kubota Z723. I plan to post a full list of the components for feedback before I order everything, I just need to spend some focused time reading through the forms to finalize that. Rough idea of electronics would be large AFGRC/Happymodel servos for drive/parking brake, Cube orange or the cheaper equivalent board from matek (I think it was matek, Yuri rage mentioned it, need to go find the exact model number), Holybro dual RTK reciever/antennas, Holybro base station + Some sort of NTRIP setup for mowing multiple properties easier. I know is a massive project but it looks like a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it over the winter! I’ll be responsible for 10-15 acres once or twice a week this summer and don’t want to be stuck on the mower the whole time lol.
The Holybro Kakute H743-Fixed Wing Flight Controller is a good low cost flight controller. I plan on using it for my build.
I think this might be the dual unit RTK system you mentioned. I have never used it, but a lot of people have and Yuri gives it high marks. I plan on sticking with 2 of the ArduSimple RTK2B F9P boards. Partly because I already have them and I have experience with them.
I used Ardusimple survey grade antennas - the “economy” version - they work fine, and are pretty robust at defending against the mesquite I have on the edges of my mow plans. Totally happy with my HappyModel servos, but had to step up to 28v from the mower’s 12v system. I put my system in the belly and removed the factory fuel tank, but am reconsidering that with a move to place the flight controller in the center, and my antennas more in line.
I’m happy to throw what I know at your project and @SJohnson really helped me with my build, including showing up in person and accelerating my progress (thx Steve!!!). If you’re near Austin, Tx, I can do the same. . .
Post your build as a new topic and we’ll jump in!
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Do you have a build thread for this anywhere? Particularly the motors @apHawk
I do not. I think I should build one. Would you recommend starting a new thread?
It’s up to you, but you might be better off starting a new topic just to keep all of your information together and to make it easier for people to do searches. I guess it would be best to start a topic under Rover 4.6 (Since we don’t have an Ardumower forum). All the experienced members will be able to find your post just fine (especially if you leave a reference to it behind in this thread). I will start a new topic over there when I start my new build of my little 20" mower.
Yes, start a new topic.