found workaround for arming
Hey Greg,
I think I've found a workaround for the arming issue. Like you my biggest issue seemed to be gettting the motors armed, the blue light would come on to initialize but would not stay on to indicate armed.
Here's what I figure(hopefully others will chime in if it is problematic). There are 2 aux ports on the multiwii flip 1.5 flight controller. one is needed for the stability mode switch(accelerometers turned on). Crash discusses setting this up in the "flip 1.5 for dummies" video we've both watched on Youtube.
He mentions how the signal wire is the only one needed for all of the controls(rud, ailerons, yaw), except throttle which gets connected with 3 wires to get voltage to the receiver. A 5th channel provides the signal for the stabiity mode(or acro mode when off). I use one wire from aux 1 signal to channel 5 signal on the receiver. In MultiWii Config program he checks a box for the low value of the 'angle' line for aux 1. To enable the motors to arm I've done the same thing. Using another single strand I go from the aux 2 signal pin on the flip to channel 6 signal pin on the receiver. In Multiwii Config I check the box for the low value of the "arm" line for aux 2. On my transmitter I had to make sure that both aux channels were enabled, default is null, aux 1 for gear, and aux 2 I set to "throttle hold". Then because the switches are not defined on this transmitter, I had to flip switches while in Multiwii config to find which one changed the values and indeed turned the blue light on and off.
So perform the above in this order:
1. Set wires up between Flip 1.5 and receiver(at least 6 channels). Single wire lead from signal aux 1 to signal channel 5 for the stability mode. And single wire lead from signal aux 2 to signal channel 6, for arming.
2. Turn on transmitter. Enable aux 1 and aux 2 in settings on transmitter
3. Power quad, attach usb from flip to computer, open Multiwii config, select com port and start.
4. Check boxes for "angle" - low under aux 1; arm - low under aux 2.
5.flip aux 2 switch on transmitter to check for change in value on screen and/or blue light on flip fc. When active move throttle on tx to check for motor movement. Motors should rev. Any joystick movement should make desired change in motor rpm.
6. Write or save any changes to flip fc.
7. Stop communication, disconnect com port, then disconnect quad from usb. Should be good to go then.
Few things I don't like about this versus method that is supposed to be built into chip already.
1. Switch arms/disarms. Accidental movement of this switch in flight turns quad into falling rock! I don't know if signal could recover mid fall or not. The response on the ground seems fast enough but falling quad may be out of control. I'll have to check this out on/after maiden flight.
2. Loss of aux port/channel to something that should already be there. Could affect future use of lights, gimbal, or any of those bells and whistles which we think we might want/need.
good luck. Let me know if this helps.
Chris
Any feedback from midnight or cranial or others would be welcome. Thanks.