Crash and freeze

[Jahn Otto Andersen]

Now the following has happened to me quite a few times with different codes. Latest code I've tried is 2.1. APM is version 1:

I'm hovering in stable mode. In flight, the quad just tips over and crashes. After that, one of the motors is squeaking loudly without rotating.

Moreover, the arducopter does not respond to any stick movements. The leds are on, but I'm unable to disarm it. I need to disconnect and reconnect the battery to get it responding again.

Any ideas? Faulty APM?

[Jahn Otto Andersen]

Just joking -- I'm busy with my new helicopter ;-)

[Arild]

I know ;-)

[Randy]

Excellent news that the problem is fixed!  I delayed a long time before updating my ppm software..it always seemed like it was too core to change...but I'm also very glad I did.

[malcolm churn]

So should we all change the PPM firmware? 

[Randy]

My personal view is, 'yes' for heli users.  I can't remember what version of the ppm hardware is going out from 3drobotics in the current boards but i'll double check.  For me, I never saw the problem on my quad..I think it's just much less likely in situations where you don't have tons of servos hanging around causing quivers in the power supply...but clearly it was the cause in this case.

[Arild]

There was one other thing I forgot to mention in my update.... I do not know if it matters. But I discovered that one of the components on the GPS-adapter was missing. So I removed the GPS before the indoor session yesterday. New adapter-board is purchased from the store.

Is there any interest if I try to see what happens if I mount it and fly in stabilize mode only with the missing resistor/capasitor?

[Arild]

@Jahn Otto

I am still wondering why this APM needs a second battery while others can run from the BEC in one of the ESCs....

Did the quad flip over surprisingly when it was new, or was this behavior something that developed over time?

Arild

[Jahn Otto Andersen]

It's always been a little dodgy. I blamed the first crashes on loose propeller adapters and poor motor connectors, but it may have been the same problem since day 1.