Ap2000i questions.. again.. :)

[d-rudie]

Hey all,

Just a couple of questions regarding the Ap2000i. Now, I've been doing a lot of reading about this, but I've yet to discover the answers to these questions:

1. Does the Ap2000i offer any stabilisation of the heli without the infra-red module connected? How does the Ap2000i without the infra-red module compare to two GY401's on the cyclic and elevator servos? Even, how does it compare *with* the infra-red module?

2. How does the infra-red module function when the horizon is not flat? Ie. when there are surrounding mountains for example? Also, will the module function at low altitudes when there are trees around, or does it have to be above all of its surroundings?

3. How high are you willing to go with the Ap2000i functioning? Is it enough to allow the helicopter to be flown (well mostly hovered, but small amounts of movement) only with a live downlink feed?

4. Finally, how does the Ap2000i hold up to surrounding wind? Will it compensate and keep the heli level regardless?


Thanks in advance :)


Blake

[MarkWebber]

Blake

1 The IR sensor has to be used for stabilization. I've converted my R50 to flybarless head recently and have flown it with the 2 401's on cyclic. They must be in rate mode and do not assist in stabilization, per se. I have installed the IR sensor this week but weather has not permitted a test flight. Of course, there is no reason to suspect it will not perform as well on this flybarless head as any other. :D

2 Surrounding mountains are how close? Miles away you wont even notice. When close to object, you can do a calibration to hold hover near it. Then, if climbing above that object, you would just recalibrate to use the new horizon. I test fly in my yard all the time and am surrounded by trees. Works just fine.

3 DJ just posted a video of his logo at 600' doing piro's. He said he's watching the feed for 10 sec or so at a time. Reaquiring the heli when really high is probably the prime concern.

4 If you calibrate in the wind, it holds very well with some drift. If you piro after that, it will scoot with the wind when facing the other direction.

[MLaBoyteaux]

3. How high are you willing to go with the Ap2000i functioning? Is it enough to allow the helicopter to be flown (well mostly hovered, but small amounts of movement) only with a live downlink feed?Blake

How high can you go and still determine the orientation of your heli? :lol: The short answer is it will keep the heli level up to and beyond altitudes that you could manage the heli. I've been doing some construction jobs and land development which require vertical shots at a higher alititude. I have to be carefull while composing the shots that I don't let the heli climb too high.


4. Finally, how does the Ap2000i hold up to surrounding wind? Will it compensate and keep the heli level regardless?


I did a job on Friday with a 15mph south wind. Some shots I needed were downwind (easy) and some I had to shoot upwind while hovering tail into the wind (not so easy). For the upwind shots, I turned off the stabilization and trimmed the heli for a level hover as best I could and re-calibrated. No matter what I did, the e-raptor wouldn't hold a steady hover with it's tail into the wind. It took a lot more work to keep the heli positioned while trying to compose the shot with the cv-1's. Several times I found myself running out of back cyclic while trying to keep the heli from drifting. This is one time it would've been much easier to use a cameraman.

What worked best was getting the camera angle set where I wanted it, and then fly the heli into position and fire away.

I'm not knocking the AP-2000, it was just this was one of those situations where I was at the limit of what this specific heli and configuration could do.

[GJestico]

Since this thread is tilted AP2000 questions I will ask this here.

On my latest setup I am having an issue with the AP2000 unit. Everything works as normal (pitch elevator etc) as long as the stab gain is 0%.
With the heli setup on the bench and controls centered, If I dial up any gain the swash starts to tilt hard right and forward and at 30% gain the swash is binding against the mainshaft. I tried a different FMA sensor and same results. In fact it acts exactly the same if I unplug the 2 plugs that go the the sensor. I have the sensor type set to "IrX". If I set the sensor to "off" the unit works the ccpm servos as it should.
This is my second AP2000 setup, same transmitter, I copied the model in my transmitter to create this new one. So I dont think anything is off there.
What am I doing wrong ?

Greg

[dreslism]

I posted on RR, but did you happen to calibrate the ap2000i while you were near it?

Step away from it, re-calibrate it, and then staying where you are, dial up the gain. If it got calibrated when you were up on it, it will expect to see that "heat" when you turn the gain on, so recalibrate it and see if that helps.

[MarkWebber]

I've never unplugged the sensor to see what would happen. Try getting the calibration going as Scott said. Then see where you're at.

[GJestico]

I dont think this is a calibration issue. If this is the "in flight" cal feature we are talking about that memorises pitch/roll offset. I have never used that feature. Don't want to at this point.

Greg

[GJestico]

Well I think I found the problem. You fellows talking about calibration got me wondering if it was related to that.
I do not wish to use the in flight calibration option so i had set Scal to "off" in the menu. The "home" menu would always show "off" when I put the slider all the way to one side.
I decided to check the atv of the gain channel , It was at 100% each way,I reduced it to 75% each way and found that the home screen would now go from 0% to 100% . Restarted everything and all was good. Swash moves like it should now.
I think that the "cal" function may still have been active even though I set it to off in the menu. The low (100%) ATV I had used was enough, apparently, to drive the gain channel to the Calibration point. Interestingly the Home screen never went from "Off" to "Cal" as I understand it should have if the gain channel was low enough to activate the calibrate function.

Greg

[MarkWebber]

Glad to hear you've got it worked out, Greg. I'm not sure what might have been at work here but I did try with my wire disconnected last night. It did do similar to what you've described. When I did a calibration w/o the wire, the swash held level. However, if the screen never read "CAL" then "DONE", it was not doing a calibration. I've used the AP2000i both with calibration and w/o. I wouldn't do what you are describing w/calibration. Perhaps you had a loose cable connector?

Also, you might want to try the calibration feature. You may find yourself hooked as a lot of us have :D

[GJestico]

well I decided to see if I could replicate the problem again just to make sure its not some me-induced glitch.

Heres what i found. It seems that if the unit is programmed, specifically the "Stab" function in the menu is set from "off" to "IRX" with the cable and sensor connected it shows the swash tilt problem.
It deos not seem to matter where the ATV's are as I originally thought. The Key is having the sensor connected. Once it has the problem the only way to get out of it is too go into the eng menu and use the reset function, then start from scratch with all the programming.

I have tried a completely seperate sensor and cable and it does the same thing.

I did download the latest firmware just a few days ago on this unit. Perhaps there is a bug ? more likely Im the bug :badair:

Greg