Great info. I have an APM 2.6 and am ordering an APM mini soon. I did not realize the power modules were wired differently. You saved me from the magic smoke. Thanks you!
Thank you for this video, I bought a power module from ebay described as a 3.1 but if you hadn't posted this up I wouldn't have thought to check and discovered it was the 2.5/6 module. So thanks again and for the series on setting a 3.1 up on a fixed wing saved me hours of head scratching and a fried circuit or two.
The pinout of Hobbyking HKPilot Mega Micro 2.7.2 is the same like you see at 2:45 right hand side. i've just done a try on my own HKPilot. works fine! great job painless360
you can switch the pins that connect towards the mini apm 3.1 around so that it corresponds with the right pins on the mini board. I find that to depin these molex connectors, its so easy to break the tab holding the pins in place. I might need to order a few just incase I break more.
Hi again Painless360, you done it again and got me out of the doubt. But i have another; so i just solder the Power Module to the Power Distribution Board and the other side goes to the battery? That is, the battery is not connected to anything but the Power Module, is that right? If is right then The Power Distribution Board only has the 4 ESC´s and the Power module soldered to it. Thank for your help
Painless360 I see, thanks a lot. Another question that is bothering my mind. By using the power module with the APM2.6, i read that i have to connect just the first ESC with the three cables, and the other four with just the signal cable. Is that right? Thanks in advance
Thanks for that, that's useful to know. I've also found that some cheaper APM 2.x power modules DONT include a BEC but instead just output the battery voltage on what should be the +5v pins. Also it's worth noting that the 5v from the power module generally only has a low current capacity, so you risk a brown out if you power too many 5v accessories directly from your APM using the power module.
Blimey! Outputting the full battery voltage would fry the board. Do you have vendors who sell these so we can avoid them? Agree on the relying on the BEC from the PM alone. Watch ruclips.net/video/in3TWNRcFzI/видео.html about 18:00 to see me use an external BEC to avoid potential issues when building. Happy flying!
Painless360 I don't recall now, but they were one of the 'cheaper far-east' versions. Fortunately it just blew the 'fuse' on the board, and I had intended to use separate BEC's anyhow.
Hello. Wish I had watched this video before I made my purchase. I have the "Micro HKPilot Mega Micro Sized Flight Controller and Autopilot with Leads 2.7.2 (APM)" and the "HKPilot Power Module with T-Connectors and 6 Pin 150mm Cable" both from Hobbyking. The six pin connectors are not the same. Can I purchase a 6 pin JST SH plug with wires and arrange the pin outs from the power module to match the ones on the flight controller?
Hey, thanks for linking me to this video. I quite have a general idea how to connect power module and USB cable at the same time now. I don't want to cut off the 5V connection on power module as i might need it in the future if i'm using OPTO esc. However, will a data-only USB cable will work? Have you tried that? I don't want to get into any trouble before i proceed. Thanks again for the replies on my questions, really appreciate it!
Thanks for your help with the power module. It works perfectly now. Now I am having trouble calibrating the compass on the apm with mission planner. Values are too high. I think it is getting magnetic interference from something else on my quad. How do I disable the hkpilot flight controller compass to allow the compass on the hkpilot gps to work? Your help is greatly appreciated. Kirk
+Painless360 I understand. I just have one more question. I watched your video of you setting up the apm 3.1. You used stand offs in the mounting holes of the flight controller and then set it up in mission planner as if it were installed in a quadcopter. Do you think this is a good work around to eliminate any magnets forces generated by the other electronics present in escs, receivers, etc...?
You need to re-do any calibration once the board is fitted to the model. Testing it's all ok before going to the work of wiring it in is always a good idea.. Happy flying!
Man!, you are the expert on all APM 3.1 Can I ask you for a tutorial then?. . . how about showing us how to flash the PPM to utilize SBUS. I have done this with my 2.6 and 2.8, and have seen some jpg's on flashing the 3.1. But, honestly, it is not as intuitive as the 2.8 and the pad that is shown to connect the 'reset' button leg is covered by a conformal coating on my 3.1 board. Have you done this? I sure like the added channels available with SBUS.
love your videos, I'm wondering about APM 2.6 and APM mini 3.1, what is different between them ? could it be the small size is more stable ? or APM mini was only made for 250 frame ?
+Avo View They work the same (APM 2.6 = APM 3.1) but the form factor and pin-outs are slightly different. We cover this in the APM 3.1 series. Best of luck.
Love your videos! Very well presented and informative. I'm wondering if you'd consider doing one on how to get APM mavlink telemetry data to display on an Er9x radio with FrSky telemetry Tx module (or a Taranis for that matter)? Thank you!
hey again!! i have some thoughts about the powermodule i wanted to bounce!!....reading somewhere that the powermodule has a load limit of 90amp i was thinking...would it be possible/safe to use the powermodule as a current/voltage sensor only disconnecring both 5+ leads and running the module from a powerboard so to NOT connect it strait to the battery but to a power board output just like an ESC...APM power would in this case be supplied by an ESC bec or external ubec with the jumper removed....possible you think or does it make any sence?....reason would be to avoid brownout under heavy load on heavy setups
+DIY stuff If you are looking to pull more then 90amps then the power module isn't a good idea, regardless of the wires you use to connect it to the APM. I have heard of larger Power Modules that can handle more current for larger models. Best of luck.
Hi Geoff, this is like asking to choose your favourite child! It depends on what I want to do with the craft and, if for another, how comfortable they are with coding and computers. I have a hidden video that covers this that you may find useful - ruclips.net/video/k4tQAmg2ssA/видео.html Happy flying!
Hi painless 360, i am about to swap over my APM to an F3 based FC. I was wondering if i can make use of the Power Module in my setup. Will the current sensing line from the APM power module work with the SP Racing evo current monitoring?
+chris whitehead maybe, the flight controller needs voltage between 0 and 3.3 volts to detect the current. I'm not sure what the power module outputs, it might be the same. It's worth some more investigation. Best of luck..
We cover this in the APM series where we cover power. Depends on how you want it setup and what type of ESCs you're using. If I'm using a power module I'd remove the power wires from the ESC here...
I had the osd plugged into a bec and what it now looks like is the pixhawk power module does not deliver enough current to power the mini apm 3.1 when i unplug the bec from the osd off goes the mini apm 3.1 so what i thought was working isn't.
Painless360 just built it last night and powered up systems for a smoke test. Got a good voltage reading but couldn't get much of a current reading. I heard it doesn't read till about 3 Amps. I setup a current offset at my idle current of 0.5 amps will test running motors soon
Hello i have the same power module, it can take up to 6s, but i only use 3-4s on my f450 drone, and the power module i have has really thick wires 12 awg, do you think its safe i want to change it to a 14 awg wire, thanks
Depends on the current - meters.co.uk/american-wire-gauge-awg-cable-conductor-sizes/ - we tend to push the capacities in the hobby as they are only carrying current for minutes not for hours and days..
Hi! My plane was set up using cppm and they cinnected it to a frsky receiver that has cppm, i wanted to switch to orangerx module and put an r615x receiver. Does that make any difference to controls and etc? I swapped my module to orangerx because i can't afford frsky receiver. Hah
Thank you for all these nice tutorials. Always try the power module without any load for the first time use as I recently found that they can burn in flames and potentially kill your FC (dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2195412/pics/apm_mini_power_module.jpg) - bought from goodluckbuy.com. Luckily the FC board is in one piece. I just bought another replacement just in time and works fine.
Great info. I have an APM 2.6 and am ordering an APM mini soon. I did not realize the power modules were wired differently. You saved me from the magic smoke. Thanks you!
Thank you for this video, I bought a power module from ebay described as a 3.1 but if you hadn't posted this up I wouldn't have thought to check and discovered it was the 2.5/6 module. So thanks again and for the series on setting a 3.1 up on a fixed wing saved me hours of head scratching and a fried circuit or two.
thanks Lee I had the grounds and sense crossed. All is good.
The pinout of Hobbyking HKPilot Mega Micro 2.7.2 is the same like you see at 2:45 right hand side. i've just done a try on my own HKPilot. works fine!
great job painless360
you can switch the pins that connect towards the mini apm 3.1 around so that it corresponds with the right pins on the mini board.
I find that to depin these molex connectors, its so easy to break the tab holding the pins in place. I might need to order a few just incase I break more.
Hi again Painless360, you done it again and got me out of the doubt. But i have another; so i just solder the Power Module to the Power Distribution Board and the other side goes to the battery? That is, the battery is not connected to anything but the Power Module, is that right?
If is right then The Power Distribution Board only has the 4 ESC´s and the Power module soldered to it.
Thank for your help
Fernando Calatayud Zepeda That's right.
Painless360 I see, thanks a lot.
Another question that is bothering my mind. By using the power module with the APM2.6, i read that i have to connect just the first ESC with the three cables, and the other four with just the signal cable.
Is that right? Thanks in advance
Watch my ESC and RC power videos for the answer. It depends if the ESCs are switched, linear of Opto BECs..
Best of luck.
Thanks for that, that's useful to know. I've also found that some cheaper APM 2.x power modules DONT include a BEC but instead just output the battery voltage on what should be the +5v pins.
Also it's worth noting that the 5v from the power module generally only has a low current capacity, so you risk a brown out if you power too many 5v accessories directly from your APM using the power module.
Blimey! Outputting the full battery voltage would fry the board. Do you have vendors who sell these so we can avoid them?
Agree on the relying on the BEC from the PM alone. Watch ruclips.net/video/in3TWNRcFzI/видео.html about 18:00 to see me use an external BEC to avoid potential issues when building.
Happy flying!
Painless360 I don't recall now, but they were one of the 'cheaper far-east' versions. Fortunately it just blew the 'fuse' on the board, and I had intended to use separate BEC's anyhow.
Hello. Wish I had watched this video before I made my purchase. I have the "Micro HKPilot Mega Micro Sized Flight Controller and Autopilot with Leads 2.7.2 (APM)" and the "HKPilot Power Module with T-Connectors and 6 Pin 150mm Cable" both from Hobbyking. The six pin connectors are not the same. Can I purchase a 6 pin JST SH plug with wires and arrange the pin outs from the power module to match the ones on the flight controller?
+Kirk Dockter That's what I would do. Best of luck!
Hey, thanks for linking me to this video. I quite have a general idea how to connect power module and USB cable at the same time now.
I don't want to cut off the 5V connection on power module as i might need it in the future if i'm using OPTO esc. However, will a data-only USB cable will work? Have you tried that? I don't want to get into any trouble before i proceed.
Thanks again for the replies on my questions, really appreciate it!
+Saiful Raznan always used a normal USB cable here. Best of luck!
Thanks for your help with the power module. It works perfectly now. Now I am having trouble calibrating the compass on the apm with mission planner. Values are too high. I think it is getting magnetic interference from something else on my quad. How do I disable the hkpilot flight controller compass to allow the compass on the hkpilot gps to work? Your help is greatly appreciated. Kirk
+Kirk Dockter You can normally cut a track on the PCB to disable the on-board one. I've not used the HK version myself...
+Painless360 I understand. I just have one more question. I watched your video of you setting up the apm 3.1. You used stand offs in the mounting holes of the flight controller and then set it up in mission planner as if it were installed in a quadcopter. Do you think this is a good work around to eliminate any magnets forces generated by the other electronics present in escs, receivers, etc...?
You need to re-do any calibration once the board is fitted to the model. Testing it's all ok before going to the work of wiring it in is always a good idea.. Happy flying!
Hello, excellent vide, do you know if this power module is compatible with a Pixhawk 2.4.8?
If you're upgrading I'd upgrade all of the pieces.. Best of luck!
Man!, you are the expert on all APM 3.1
Can I ask you for a tutorial then?. . . how about showing us how to flash the PPM to utilize SBUS. I have done this with my 2.6 and 2.8, and have seen some jpg's on flashing the 3.1. But, honestly, it is not as intuitive as the 2.8 and the pad that is shown to connect the 'reset' button leg is covered by a conformal coating on my 3.1 board. Have you done this? I sure like the added channels available with SBUS.
love your videos, I'm wondering about APM 2.6 and APM mini 3.1, what is different between them ? could it be the small size is more stable ? or APM mini was only made for 250 frame ?
+Avo View They work the same (APM 2.6 = APM 3.1) but the form factor and pin-outs are slightly different. We cover this in the APM 3.1 series. Best of luck.
Great video found it
Oops too late, I already have the wrong power module. Can I still use it if i swap the wires? Is there anything special I'd need to do?
Love your videos! Very well presented and informative. I'm wondering if you'd consider doing one on how to get APM mavlink telemetry data to display on an Er9x radio with FrSky telemetry Tx module (or a Taranis for that matter)? Thank you!
I would but don't have any FrSky kit to use sadly. Thanks for asking.
hey again!! i have some thoughts about the powermodule i wanted to bounce!!....reading somewhere that the powermodule has a load limit of 90amp i was thinking...would it be possible/safe to use the powermodule as a current/voltage sensor only disconnecring both 5+ leads and running the module from a powerboard so to NOT connect it strait to the battery but to a power board output just like an ESC...APM power would in this case be supplied by an ESC bec or external ubec with the jumper removed....possible you think or does it make any sence?....reason would be to avoid brownout under heavy load on heavy setups
correction...jumper would of course need to stay in place
+DIY stuff If you are looking to pull more then 90amps then the power module isn't a good idea, regardless of the wires you use to connect it to the APM. I have heard of larger Power Modules that can handle more current for larger models. Best of luck.
Hey bro, just wondering what flight controller you prefer and why?
Hi Geoff, this is like asking to choose your favourite child! It depends on what I want to do with the craft and, if for another, how comfortable they are with coding and computers.
I have a hidden video that covers this that you may find useful - ruclips.net/video/k4tQAmg2ssA/видео.html
Happy flying!
Hi painless 360, i am about to swap over my APM to an F3 based FC. I was wondering if i can make use of the Power Module in my setup. Will the current sensing line from the APM power module work with the SP Racing evo current monitoring?
+chris whitehead maybe, the flight controller needs voltage between 0 and 3.3 volts to detect the current. I'm not sure what the power module outputs, it might be the same. It's worth some more investigation. Best of luck..
ardupilot.org, looks like 3.3v, i'll give it a try.
Did this work for you? I was thinking of trying the same thing.
Question mate,using the power module,do you need to cut any power wires goin into the apm from ecs or to the reciever?
We cover this in the APM series where we cover power. Depends on how you want it setup and what type of ESCs you're using. If I'm using a power module I'd remove the power wires from the ESC here...
Painless360 unless you're powering a servo ! The PM is not usually designed to power servos only putting out 500mA
if you had a pixhawk power module and you re arranged the pins in the correct order for APM min 3.1 would that work.
Long Range FPV Quadcopter .TBS Discovery Should do. I'd be very careful and double check everything.. Do this at your own risk..
Done it and its working thanks :)
I had the osd plugged into a bec and what it now looks like is the pixhawk power module does not deliver enough current to power the mini apm 3.1 when i unplug the bec from the osd off goes the mini apm 3.1 so what i thought was working isn't.
The Pixhawk power module should be enough to power everything easily.
Best of luck with it..
should i see the light on with just the power module plugged in because i see no lights till the osd and bec is plugged in.
Will my current sensing not make much reading down at idle of 0.5A?
No idea, what troubleshooting have you already tried?
Painless360 just built it last night and powered up systems for a smoke test. Got a good voltage reading but couldn't get much of a current reading. I heard it doesn't read till about 3 Amps. I setup a current offset at my idle current of 0.5 amps will test running motors soon
At idle there won't be much current, best of luck with the maiden..
Hello i have the same power module, it can take up to 6s, but i only use 3-4s on my f450 drone, and the power module i have has really thick wires 12 awg, do you think its safe i want to change it to a 14 awg wire, thanks
Depends on the current - meters.co.uk/american-wire-gauge-awg-cable-conductor-sizes/ - we tend to push the capacities in the hobby as they are only carrying current for minutes not for hours and days..
Hi! My plane was set up using cppm and they cinnected it to a frsky receiver that has cppm, i wanted to switch to orangerx module and put an r615x receiver. Does that make any difference to controls and etc? I swapped my module to orangerx because i can't afford frsky receiver. Hah
jasferb Should work in the same way - make sure that the channel order in APM is right though. Use the radio calibrator/screen to check everything..
Does the orangerx(r615) has failsafe?? damn! i really like this channel! you respond very fast! Thanks man! :D
Yes it does. It covers this in the specification on the HK pages for them.
Never use a reciever without the ability to set a failsafe. .
What kind of plug is the PM plug ?
Not sure, I've not used this FC for many years. Best of luck
Thank you for all these nice tutorials. Always try the power module without any load for the first time use as I recently found that they can burn in flames and potentially kill your FC (dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2195412/pics/apm_mini_power_module.jpg) - bought from goodluckbuy.com. Luckily the FC board is in one piece. I just bought another replacement just in time and works fine.