MFD Autopilot

BigT · October 26, 2015, 09:24:17 AM

So after a 30 min flight yesterday the flight log said I had used 3670 ma, when I charged the cell I had used 6750. Does this mean I have a dodgy current sensor? I have checked the amps draw with a watt meter and that seems correct.

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BigT · November 21, 2015, 03:17:32 PM

Yes, let me look the thread up for you. Its to do with the drivers. If your new MFD is in a black case it will be the latest FW anyway. When you first boot up the AP there will be a splash screen on the OSD that will tell you the Firmware Version.

Make sure you are connecting the Dongle correctly. See this Video for help
https://youtu.be/3LZs9jiOMkg
and
https://youtu.be/rF9XudGq0eA

BigT · November 22, 2015, 08:10:49 AM

Did you buy from mfd direct?
Have you tried to connect to mission planner?

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BigT · November 23, 2015, 01:11:56 PM

That looks as if its the Dongle thats an issue to me but I am no expert. Have you spoken to FlyingWings? He may have an answer but to my knowledge the dongle comes with the AP in the same box. I asked where you bought it as there was a fake web shop selling fake MFD products earlier in the year. I am not suggesting that is the case with flyingwings though.

Try posting the problem on http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1982275&page=412

Thinking about this again, you should have a jumper. You only dont need a jumper if the AP has a power supply to it. So the AP need to be powered by 12 volts to connect to MP.

iPeel · November 23, 2015, 01:33:55 PM

Not sure if this is the same issue, but some FTDI drivers are funny about being opened at the speed they are configured for.

Whatever speed you are trying to connect at (57600, 115200 etc) go into Device Manager ( right click computer > properties > device manager) then find the FTDI device, right click and go into the driver properties, if it has a port settings tab then select the bps rate you are trying to connect at plus all the other parity, stop bits settings there and click oK.

I've had to do that with certain drivers before to get them to connect. If that doesn't work I haven't seen the chip you've got as my MFD stuff is older, but can head over to Robs and we'll take a look at a new set.

All FlyingWings' MFD products came straight from Charles, I know for sure.

ktnch · November 23, 2015, 10:13:22 PM

tried to get my mfd connected by bluetooth as well but never had no joy, it connected to the lappy as the mfd bluetooth status leds said it had yet no data was sent over to mission planner, tried different braudrates and went in to the mfd menu and turned btu on

oh did you go in to device manager then to system and right click on bluetooth and set that braudrate to match as well ?

iPeel · November 23, 2015, 10:15:28 PM

I never have from a PC but have from Android a few times.

ktnch · November 23, 2015, 10:21:34 PM

will have to try my andiod tablet will download planner now

ktnch · November 23, 2015, 11:07:53 PM

you update it from the gps module bud, just take the wires off and shove them in the supplied usb to ttl

ktnch · November 24, 2015, 12:08:45 AM

i have two of the usb ftdi units from charles at mfd, want one sending ?

BigT · November 24, 2015, 10:12:36 AM

Quote from: capn_banks on November 24, 2015, 12:03:56 AM
lol ktnch read above for the full problem.

Anyway guys all sorted and this is important information to anyone who gets the new MFD AP!:
I stubled accross this video by accident. Just a guy I recently subscribed to.
http://youtu.be/Ix4t-_RZ7NI
I had seen my PC register it as a CH340, which is what caught my attention, and it seems there are issues with these and in particular FTDI software/hardware (whatever that is I don't know but is supplied by MFD).
It didn't feel right downloading an unknown chineese .exe file but the comments in youtube were positive.
Basically after install I retried and finally it worked!

You should post this info on the RC groups thread as it's very important.

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BigT · November 25, 2015, 09:35:33 AM

I have also sent an email and what's app message to Charles re this issue and a request to update the manual. No reply yet. I do hope he doesn't start ignoring customer services, that's what killed Rlink and FY Tech for serious users in the end.

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BigT · January 20, 2016, 03:09:47 PM

Right, I have a weird one for you MFD AP ers.

My MFD has been working spot on with no issues at all, until this morning that is. After flying yesterday in near still air I was trying to get the in flight tuning to work with the model on the bench. (I dont have enough channels due to the stupid Futaba lack of 8 channels ppm, so can only get 7 out)). I was running through the switch assignments to check I had the correct commands on the OSD, model on the stand, props off, Luckily. Hit RTH and it went to full throttle. Now I can confirm that this has not happened before to me but I seem to remember it happening to Ian? Obviously I can engage throttle safety, but I have never had to before. SO whats changed, what have I undone or done? I thought there was a default that stopped RTH working below a certain height? I can also confirm that Home was set to my current location.

EDIT
Looks like I might answer my own question here:
20140509 (MFD_AP_V1.14)
1. Bug fixed: AUTOPILOT SETTINGS->KEEP ALT RTH function doesn't work. With firmware V1.13 the plane will dive to SAFE ALT when RTH if this option is activated.
2. With PPM connection mode, CH3/CH4 input channel will become PWM output port and output CH7/CH8 channel of the PPM input.
3. THROTTLE SAFETY will disengage when distance to home > 30m
4. Better AirSpeed accuracy.

If I accidentally turned throttle safety off this could be the answer? Solution, turn it on and dont hit RTH unless the model is more than 30 meters away?

BigT · January 20, 2016, 03:38:43 PM

Another question regarding ALT* When in ALT* the compass heading is adjusted by the rudder stick. How do I change the scale of change from 10 degree jumps to 1 degree?

Coyote · January 20, 2016, 04:40:03 PM

Quote from: BigT on January 20, 2016, 03:09:47 PM
If I accidentally turned throttle safety off this could be the answer? Solution, turn it on and dont hit RTH unless the model is more than 30 meters away?

Nope, I had throttle safety still on and it still can do it. Since the last firmware update I can't remember it doing it more than once though. All Charles had to do was put in a failsafe of [If airspeed <10kph disable RTH] There is zero point in a plane that is not moving trying to RTH in any circumstance so then it would never power up. Seems simple enough to add to the program, but did he ? Nope lol