openpilot cc3d advice.

[Andy Sayle]

Hi folks,

I'm just blundering through setting up a quad on my first Openpilot CC3d board.  So far, I have everything working okay according to the groundstation software, all the rc inputs are being read correctly.  I have calibrated the escs, and setup the neutral points to what I think are correct.  I was hoping I could bounce a few questions off someone who has a bit of experience operating a CC3d?

Firstly, when setting the throttle channel RC input, where should the neutral point be set?  I originally had it at 1500us (i.e. centre of the total travel available from my tx) but when I arm the craft, the motors will not spin up until approx half throttle.  Should this really be set at 1000us (i.e. the throttle low position)?

Secondly, I don't want the motors spinning all the time when the craft is armed.  However, I want to avoid the motors shutting down in flight, unless I tell them to.  So when I arm the craft, and then raise the throttle, and take off, what is the normal behaviour if I were to lower the throttle stick completely (by accident, say)?  Would the motors stay spinning at the neutral output, or would they stop completely?  I'm just wondering whether to setup an "idle" switch to ensure it cannot happen in flight..

Thanks!
Andy

[Brucey]

Did you use the wizard to setup your tx? That sets up the input cenre points as they should be.

As for not spinning the props on arming but not having them stop when reducing the throttle to zero, I dont think its possible through the cc3d, but I suppose you could setup something on your tx?

When you calibrated your esc's did you do it through the op software using the sliders on the outputs screen?

[mrwilljackson]

hi Andy,

I'd check in with the openpilot forum (if you haven't already!).

I've set up three cc3d's so far and none of them spin the props when armed and the throttle is at minimum - i think that means i've got something wrong TBH! Its far safer for them to be spinning at low revs when the copter is armed, so there's no confusion that the throttle control is activated.

I've been 'bitten' before  :-X - your post is making me think I should revisit my setup and run through the calibration steps again  ;)

[mrwilljackson]

Motors spinning / not spinning when armed:

When you have the cc3d plugged in and GCS running, click on the 'Configuration' tab on the bottom of the screen and choose 'output' on the left hand side.

Below the list of assignments (motors or servos) 1 - 12 there is a small ticky box "motors spin at neutral output when armed and throttle below zero"

If this is unticked - your motors will not spin on min throttle and the copter is armed.
If this is ticked - your motors will spin (on tickover) once the copter is armed.

I'm pleased i went back to search for that  ;D HTH