RCTimer ArduFlyer (APM2.5)

[Dusty]

it's arrived and here are some piccies, I'm getting a bit nervous about soldering the headers though, really REALLY dont want to mess it up, it looks so beautiful up close













already flashed the latest arduplane onto it, the mission planner software certainly doesn't seem to have any issues with this hardware and I have high hopes for it.

Intend to use it initially in the Bixler2 as stabiliser and RTH function, but the GPS cable is too short for me to install into the originally intended location (inside hatch, just under wings) so I'll have to have a re-think

[Dusty]

this GPS is a pile of S**t, so just ordered the mediatek one designed for ardupilot mega instead... really would like to get this installed soonest

[Hazel1994]

Whoa, this is the one we've been waiting for! What soldering iron do you have? If you can, get a weller Temperature controlled pencil (TCP)  cause I stand by nothing else (except a metcal).

You can get one off Ebay cheap.

[Cupid Stunt]

I have one of these irons
http://www.maplin.co.uk/60w-professional-lcd-solder-station-with-esd-protection-511927

I've not used it yet though, it really needs some low temp solder to make best use of it as ordinary solder requires max temp which defeats the object of having an iron for delicate work

[bigMouse]

I used to use Antex ones, somewhere 25w or under are nice for pcb's, £10 to £20 ebay.

It helps if you use thin solder, 22swg (0.7mm) would be fine. I still use 60/40 tin/lead but that is personal choice!

What's wrong with the GPS?

[Cupid Stunt]

this GPS is a pile of S**t, so just ordered the mediatek one designed for ardupilot mega instead... really would like to get this installed soonest

Isn't the uBlox one the better option ?

[Dusty]

I have connected the GPS to the FTDI usb adapter, and I've downloaded the U-Center program.... program connected to GPS and the LED on the unit comes on, but I'm getting no data in the U-Center and am unable to change the baud rate to the required value, or the refresh rate. It's all greyed out. proper doing my head in.

the ublox lea is the "best" gps according to DIY Drones, but this is a cheaper cn-06

I've bought the mediatek one for £28, preloaded with diydrones firmware and settings for ardupilot, save me the hassle.

[bigMouse]

Yes uBlox has the on-board EEPROM, first use will take the normal time to acquire satellites, but once the data is written to EEPROM. All following start ups can be considered as warm boots! On average I get 3d fix in 10 to 30 secs.

Active antenna, so yes more sensitive, can get 3d lock in my house.

Positional accuracy is generally much better which is probably down to design, coding, and refresh rate, but all GPS have to compete with atmosphere, sunspots, multipath, how far the satellites are spread out, etc. The advantages of the uBlox will probably show up best in a multi where small movement errors are more noticeable. for an aircraft maybe hard to detect any obvious improvement other than fast boot time.

[bigMouse]

First establish a connection on 9600 baud.

Have you got the tx, rx leads the right way around?
wrong way around and it will look dead.
It won't harm it if they are wrong, just try both ways.

Once there is data appearing in uCenter we have a connection.

go to http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/source/browse/libraries/AP_GPS/config/3DR-Ublox.txt?name=ArduPlane-2.50

Click on the  'view raw file' tab
copy and paste that page into notepad and save as 'something.txt'

Select Tools>GPS Configuration

Write the file, this will fail halfway through, at the point of changing to 38400 baud.(Ardupilot uses this baud rate) because the connection will then fail.
Connect on 38400 baud and rerun the file, this time it will complete...

Wish I had done a video of it now!

[Hazel1994]

Remember, you want your iron quite hot, in fact using a lower temperature means you have to keep the iron on the joint for longer time before the solder melts, this allows the heat to transfer which is when the damage happens. So try 3 - 4 seconds at the most.  Also, wiggle the iron tip for good solder coverage and use distilled water on your sponge.

You are not soldering the pins of any components from what I can see (just PLUG pins) so you have no worries. (plus no one has to ever see the bottom of the board )

[Hazel1994]

How's that soldering coming on? 

I heard that the Arduflyer board is made in the same factory as the 3DRobotics board!

[Dusty]

havent started, a friend has said he will solder it for me... I just need to send it to him. I keep forgetting. Looks like this project will stay on hold till after christmas

[Dusty]

ta da!!!

I got over my fear of soldering and managed to do a pretty decent job, even if I do say so myself (could be better I know).  All pins are completely soldered to their pads with no joined pins.... which was my biggest concern.









oops lol

[Hazel1994]

Amazing job!

It's a very beautiful circuit board. That color is growing on me 

Are you going to get one of those DIY Drones cases for it? http://store.diydrones.com/Ardupilot_Mega_2_0_Case_p/ac-0004-01-apm2.htm

[Dusty]

Are you going to get one of those DIY Drones cases for it? http://store.diydrones.com/Ardupilot_Mega_2_0_Case_p/ac-0004-01-apm2.htm

nope, I'm getting this one:
http://unmannedtechshop.co.uk/ardupilot-mega-2-5-case-top-entry.html