APM2.5 Power Module Burned Out

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1

Some of the older APM modules have a tendency to burn out. However if you feel that this has happened (you dont see any lights on the board when you plug it in), read below on a possible way to fix it.

If you purchased your APM2.5 board recently you will probably not have this issue as the new boards have been modified to avoid this problem!

The Solution

NOTE: I’m assuming no responsibility if you destroy your board, if you are fine with that, read bellow

There are 2 different components that could have been fried, first one is a diode and the second one is a fuse.
In my case, the diode was fried and I took another smt diode from an old computer mother board and replaced the one on the APM.

The diode it’s there for reverse polarity protection, and if you don’t have one to replace it, you could just solder a wire to bypass it. The fuse is there to limit the current to 500mA.
Let me explain to you how you’ll find out which of the two components it’s the problem.You’ll need a multiplier for this.

Measure the the voltage between GND and point A (I marked on the APM 2.5 picture bellow). You should get 5.3v. That means that the juice gets to the reverse polarity protection diode.
Now measure between GND and the point B.

  • If you have 0v, the diode is fried.
  • If you have 1.3v, the diode is fried.
  • If you get 4.7v or more, the diode it’s good

. If you get 4.7v
or more, you have to measure the voltage after the fuse C. If you get
0v, the fuse it’s fried.

If the found out that the diode is fried, you can plug the power module into the APM board, and with a piece of wire short the two terminals of the diode, the APM board should start up (that proves that the diode was actually fried).

Same goes for the fuse, if you found out that the fuse it’s the problem, you can short the terminals with a wire, the board should start right up.

Be best fix, it’s to find replacement components for the fried components and replace them. But -on your own risk- could just take them out of the equation by replacing them with a wire. You need ANY smd diode, you’ll find lots on an old computer motherboard.

OxR2ZXT.jpg1091×739 319 KB

The “new diode” it’s the diode that got fried on my board.
The “new fuse” it’s the brown component between point B and C.

More info at here

2

I have read your guide however when my module is turn on with usb or battery, the voltage i receive from point A B C are all 5volts flat. May i ask which component is fried?

3

It doesn’t sound like there is any issue with the diode on your APM board. If you can let me know what the issues it I might be able to help.

1 Like
4

Firstly I think that i have accidentally shorted my telemetry side 5V to ground, and i saw smoke coming out from my APM

Fortunately, I am still able to power up the APM via USB, (Haven tried with battery). The APM (with nothing else connected to the APM) will turn on and i can connect the board to mission planner. However, if i connect for example an RC to the input pin, once the RC 5V and GND is connected to APM, the board automatically turns off.

5

When plugged in with USB initially, all lights are able to light up. Once the 5V and GND are plugged from the RC to the Input side of the APM, all lights went off.

6

@unmannedtech do you have any suggestion for my problem here?

7

Sorry about the delays in getting back to you, It sounds like something has been damaged so my suggestion would to try contact the shop you purchased it from to see if they can help with a replacement/repairs. If you ordered your APM board from us please send support an email and we will help you out.

However if your board is not under warranty anymore then you can try to power it via your ESC by placing the jumper over JP1

8

from GND to A 2v, B 4.5v and C 4.5v

Is it all right or is it fried?