Hey Smart Dave.
I knew that if it was running I2c as the data format that the TTL converter wouldn’t work. However one document indicated I needed to set it from TTL to I2C. However this doesn’t’ appear to be the case. Also I know about the Arduino work as I pestered the crap out of @ppoirier to get a working version in the past.
However TfMini I2C is now listed as a standard Rangefinder…so I should not need something in between. However I have yet to get it to work in it’s native format.
I have posted my questions in the forum section specific to I2C and the TF Mini but as yet there has been no response.
Yep, just tried my TFMINI PLUS in I2C with Bud Ryerson library and it works fine
To switch to I2C I send this command 5A 05 0A 01 from the BENEWAKE GUI
Question about sending commands in the GUI. Do you get a return code? In the docs it shows that if you send it this command you should get that command back. I have never seen a return. How do you know that the command was received successfully?
This is what I am referring to. I tried sending 5A 04 01 5F for a firmware rev but never got anything back after sending the command
Patrick I ahve the I2C version but when I connect it to the gui there is no data. I find nothing in any documentation that indicates it is in TTL to begin wtth. That said I can’t help but think that this must be the issue. But I am not sure how to prove it if there is no data on the gui when I make the connection.
This is the unit I have.
I am trying to make it work as I2C with my PIXHAWK, so far no reading
The GUI does not read status back
If you want to see it you can use Realterm and send Hex string and then freeze display (or set filter) to read back the TFMINI reply
I will triple check the connections tomorrow…but my config matches yours.
I assume thats address 16
direction down
type tfmini i2c
Can yo expand the variable column so I can see them easier.
@rickyg32 I just looked in the code and I can’t see any I2C handling for the TFMINI like yours unfortunately. May I suggest that you contact your supplier and ask for an exchange for the TFMINI PLUS ?
Well thats just poo-pie. OK will see what I can do. Any idea what the difference is. How you tell what type it is in comparison to the Tfmini Plus.
If you look at https://github.com/budryerson/TFMini-Plus-I2C
you can read:
The Benewake TFMini-Plus is a unique product, and it is not an enhanced version of the Benewake TFMini. It has its own command and data structures. This library is not compatible with the TFMini product.
If you bought from RobotShop, just give them a call
Thanks @ppoirier
I pulled it off the frame and replaced it with the IP65 version of the mini. It took 40 minutes to create the damn cable to test it and it worked fine. Connected it to the flight controller, configed it…that took 2 minutes and works great. Took longer to get the cabling sorted.
Thanks again for all your help…be safe.
Hopefully down the road the I2c version will be fully implemented.
cheers
I also ran into this rangefinder type greyed out problem when I tried to connect an old MB1200 (https://www.maxbotix.com/Ultrasonic_Sensors/MB1200.htm) to my Pixhawk on the ADC port (as per this topic - https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-rangefinder-maxbotix-analog.html) but I couldn’t get a reading from it.
Ok thanks . I have the UART version of this one. Before it went I2C and its great. I will add this to my shopping list then. Need another for a quad I have. Thanks very much Patrick. Happy Mommies day
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Last night I came across a few articles where people mentioned that whenever you make changes to the range finder settings you have to reboot the FC before it will work. I tried it with my problem and it is indeed so. Maybe somebody can update the Wiki to add this vital information as it is not mentioned there.
Hello,
May I suggest you open an issue with this ?
This is simple, jut go on the wiki page you want to report or add comment, and go on the bottom to open an issue. It is that simple and you help to make the wiki a better reference
Thanks I have done that now… 
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Just an update her, we changed the wiki definition to make it more explicit:
https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-benewake-tfmini-lidar.html
Note
RNGFND1_TYPE = 20 works for TFminiPlus or TFmini, via its UART connection. If TFminiPlus is connected via I2C to the autopilot, use RNGFND1_TYPE = 25 (Benewake TFminiPlus-I2C) and also set RNGFND1_ADDR = 16 (I2C Address of lidar in decimal). The sensor’s default I2C address is 0x10 hexademical which is 16 in decimal.