How to run APM on a six cell lipo.

[paulshort]

I have a Huge hexacopter But the motors need 22.2 volts and the apm power module is rated at 14.8 volts. Is there another power module that I can use? I am using an auxillary battery at the moment but then the telemetry and fail safe dont work. What do you recemend that i use?


Paul

 

[joshuabardwell]

Isn't it the case that you can power the APM either through its power module OR by feeding it a 5v regulated supply on the input pins? In that case, why not just get a 6S-compatible BEC and power the APM off the main flight pack using that?

 

[paulshort]

If I do that I lose the voltage and amps reading on the apm.

 

[joshuabardwell]

If I do that I lose the voltage and amps reading on the apm.

Ah. I see the problem. Have you seen this?

http://ardupilot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=4731

We ran one inadvertently at 6S and it was fine, no heating or any other issue for the 20 minute flight but it's not recommended, the claimed max rated voltage is 18V. Alternative is to get one of the 50A or 90A non-3DR current sensors and pull the V & I off there and power the APM with a 6S rated UBEC.