question about ArduPilot

Hi there,

 

I intend to use an Ardupilot with IR thermopiles (full XYZ solution) and Ardushield on a glow-engine flying wing.

 

I have 2 high torque metallic servos controlling the elevons on the flying wing and 1 standard servo controlling the throttle.

I am also using a Lipoly battery (3s) and a 5 Volt BEC powering the RC receiver, servos and the Ardupilot. I know that the servos get the power through the Ardupilot board.

Due to the fact that I'm using metallic high torque servos for the elevons (as described above) should I expect any problems with the Ardupilot?

Are there any potential problems due to higher than usual current draw generated by high torque servos?

 

Thanks!

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Doug Weibel on May 1, 2011 at 5:23pm

Attach the BEC to the 4th servo connection on the AP board and there should be no issue if the current the servos are pulling is not so high as to heat the power and ground traces on the ardupilot board in the area of the servo connectors.  Their thickness is not readily apparent looking at my board with the headers soldered on, but you can look at the Eagle file to see their dimensions.  

 

If in doubt you can always wire up an external power bus.

Permalink Reply by Florin Mingireanu on May 1, 2011 at 10:40pm

Hi Doug,

 

Thank you for your answer.

 

The total current draw of my servos and long range radio receiver is close to 1.5-1.7 Amperes when powering everything from a 5 Volt BEC.

Should I worry because of heating of the traces on the ardupilot board in the area of servo connectors in this case?

 

Thanks!


DeveloperPermalink Reply by Doug Weibel on May 1, 2011 at 11:16pm
I'm assuming that is a peak draw when the servos are in motion...  Top of my head answer is probably no worries, but without looking at the eagle files I cannot say for sure....   To busy to do that right now.

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