Hello, I built a submarine using a vectored array and I’m using a 40A bidirectional ESC for each motor. I’m using a power distribution board and an AC-DC power supply to power the ESCs. I chose the Pixhawk 2.4.8 board, but when I connect the ESCs to the board and power them, some motors start working automatically. As I mentioned, I’m using Ardusub and QGROUNDCONTROL as the computer program. The board connects, sensor calibrations are done, I connect a Logitech F310 controller, and I make the necessary arm/disarm assignments, but it doesn’t work. I can’t do manual control in the motors section either; it shuts down on its own. Also, when I do auto motor detection, thruster 1 works, displays a “failed failed” message, and the motor stops. What do you think the problem might be? I measured my power supply with a multimeter, the current and voltage values are good. I tested the ESCs one by one with a PWM generator and a Flysky receiver-remote control, and they are working. The motors move forward and backward without any problems. So the problem is either with Pixhawk 2.4.8 or QGroundControl. Also, I checked from servo_function1 to servo_function6, the signals are set to 33-34-35-36-37-38, neutral value is 1500, maximum value is 1900, minimum value is 1100. What do you think the problem is, and how can I solve it? I’ve been struggling with this for days. I hope someone can help.
Hi @the-ebu -
Welcome to the forums.
When you conduct the auto motor direction detection, was your vehicle immersed in water and free to react to the thrust from your motors? If not, it will always fail!
Are you using BlueOS? How have you connected the Pixhawk to your computer if not?
What version of ArduSub and QGround Control are you using?
Hello again, I connected my Pixhawk device to my computer with a micro USB cable. I don’t know my ArduSub version and I’ve tried QGROUNDCONTROL versions 5.1, 5.0.8, and 4.2.3. The latest version, 5.1, gave me the error “Missing parameters: 1:ARMING_CHECK”. And I’m new to this; the device was on the table while auto-detection was working, the motor wasn’t pushing the device.I can’t test it right now because it’s nighttime in the country I’m in, but I plan to try auto-sensing underwater tomorrow morning by placing the card inside the sealing tube. Is there anything else I need to be aware of or check? (I haven’t used BlueOS or any autonomous control software since I’ll be using a joystick.)
Hi @the-ebu -
ArduSub is typically used with a Raspberry Pi companion computer running BlueOS - this handles streaming video over the network link the tether provides. It sounds like you’re controlling your vehicle with an RC controller, how are you getting signal to the receiver when underwater? You’ll need to configure the correct parameters to use a RC controller joystick, and your receiver needs to be connected to the pixhawk via sbus.
Note that auto-detection requires the pixhawk to be coupled to the motors of the frame, with the entire setup floating freely in water.