Hi all
I think I'm eligible for the 'who's got the most stubborn platform' award
I went out to do a test flight with my X8, my new set of ESCs (all properly calibrated, and not being powered by 5V when they didn't need to be ) but now I have my next problem.
On applying power to the ESCs and AQ, the ESCs make their start-up chime (three ascending beeps) ... and then they just sit there indefinitely. No amount of arming / disarming the AQ (with the rudder stick), or throttling up and down gets the ESCs to arm.
Here's what I do know:
– If the AQ and ESCs are connected to a bench power supply (set to 25V, 2A current limit), when the PSU is switched on, the ESCs make their start-up chime, and then emit a beep every second until I arm the AQ. They then all arm simultaneously – this happens every time I turn on the PSU.
– As soon as I swap to the main battery, the ESCs make their start-up chime, but then refuse to make their 1-beep-per-second "I'm waiting for good PWM" noise, and they refuse to arm.
This is where it gets more confusing
- If I connect one of the ESC signal plugs (just signal and ground) to a battery-powered servo tester set to output 1000µs, and then connect the ESCs and AQ to the flight battery, the ESC connected to the servo tester arms correctly, whilst the remaining 7 ESCs stay quiet.
What is the difference between powering up the ESCs and AQ with a flight battery vs. with a bench PSU, and why does using a servo tester get around the problem? Does the AQ output good PWM a moment earlier when using the PSU?
I'm really puzzled (and slightly annoyed) by this one, and any input is most grateful received – I want to get this thing flying!
Many thanks, David