Help first build??

[cedho81]

I have decided to build my first quad copter . Currently I have a frame that I 3d printed but Im not sure if my choices of hardware will allow me to fly. my frame size is small and only 250 mm similar to a flame wheel design

These are my choices so far. I'm not sure if the motors I have chosen are correct for my quad copter weight
FRAME : http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34552

Motor: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...rushless_Motor_for_Multirotor_2300KV_24g.html

ESC: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21247__HobbyKing_10A_ESC_1A_UBEC.html

Battery: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21346__ZIPPY_Compact_2200mAh_3S_25C_Lipo_Pack.html

controller board
: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...ntrol_Board_With_6050MPU_And_Atmel_644PA.html

reciever and remote:
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...HK6S_2_4Ghz_FHSS_6Ch_Tx_Rx_White_Mode_1_.html

i will also make my own PDB


I am on a really tight budget . Am I missing something? And can anyone suggest a better or more efficient build. Also online at Hobby king it labels two weights... is one of them the shipping weight while the other one is the actual products weight??

 

[Mike]

I'm assuming you'll be running 5x3 props based on the motor/battery combo. I'd go with a SimonK ESC if you can.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...eed_Controller_SimonK_Firmware_Version_3.html

Those afros don't come in 10A, so you'd have to go 12, but it's 2g more per ESC and a bit more costly, so your call.

Make sure you know the difference between mode 1 and mode 2 on your tx (whether you prefer throttle on the right or left):

I noticed most people lately ditching KK boards for Naze32 and especially for smaller quads since it's a much smaller/lighter board.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...ontroller_Soldered_version_Vertical_Pin_.html

On HK, the weight shown down near quantity/price is the shipping weight - which actually matters quite a bit if you're ordering from the main warehouse in China.

The weight of that battery might kill you too. Looking around at other 250 builds, I'm seeing a lot of 1300mah max recommendations. That's going to be ~75 grams rather than 150-160. They are cheap though, so you could always order more so you can change them out and get more flights.

 

[cedho81]

Thank you so much for your response. I didnt notice the two modes so thank you!! Also what would be better about the naze 32??

I believe all my hardware matches up, yet Im still confused as to how to program the ESC's?? I saw a programming card on Hobby king for my ESC. Is it necessary?? All the tutorials I have seen have just used the hk board to
measure the leveling of pitch yawn and roll, check the counter rotation and finally calibrate all the ESC's by pressing buttons 1 and 4 while turning it on.


Is it hard to calibrate the Esc's and will I need to load software onto my board or anything else?

 

[Mike]

I've not flown with Naze32, but there has been a lot of buzz about it in the past year or so. There are a lot of pilots, especially with mini quads who swear by it. The hardware is better than the KK and smaller/lighter, and supposedly it's pretty much dialed in out of the box so you can get flying without much tuning. There's also the CC3D board, which HobbyKing now sells a version of. I have flown with CC3D and when I went from KK to CC3D, the difference was amazing. KK took a lot of tuning and never quite felt right, but the CC3D was awesome out of the box and the setup is extremely easy with the wizard in the GUI. Also, both CC3D and Naze32 have USB interfaces so you can connect to them easier if they need to be flashed/updated and/or you want to set them up. KK is still a good board, and some people swear by it - but I'm starting to see/hear a lot of people ripping and replacing all their KK boards with Naze32 boards.

SimonK firmware is specifically for multirotors, so usually no need to program them. This is why you'd want SimonK firmware.

You'd still need to calibrate throttle, but that's easy and can be done with your transmitter, or some boards (cc3d at least) will let you do it from the software.

If you go other ESC's, get a programmer to have just in case and follow whatever the tutorial you're following does as far as settings go. There are also a lot of youtube videos on it. I have a programmer, but I haven't programmed any ESC's in a couple of years since I only buy SimonK flashed ESC's now.

 

[cedho81]

Ok I have changed my esc to preloaded firmware with simonk and have decided to get the cc3d becauae I have heard it has an easier gui for a beginner to use...
is this true? I have all else set yet need help with the set up of the board. I have seen many videos for the cc3d and it seems fairly simple... just load the firmware and calibrate your remote with it. This seems straight forward... is it? Any other good links or recomendations for a beginer??

 

[Mike]

cc3d is much easier to set up in my opinion, and it's a better board overall. When these came out, they were around $79 and sold out within hours and then would sell for over $200 on ebay. Now HobbyKing makes a version (since it's open source) and you can get it for $30. I would definitely go that route. OpenPilog GCS software is great too and it has a wizard that walks you through the setup.

There is a ton of info out there on so many different builds, so it's hard to point you in one direction, but it definitely seems like you're on the right track. One thing though - I mentioned I'm seeing a lot of 1300mAh max battery recommendations, but I've since seen some builds with bigger batteries, so if you're following a proven build that someone else did and posted about online, definitely stick as closely to the build as possible as far as specs go when it comes to the battery/motors/props. That's really what needs to be dialed in to lift whatever all up weight you end up with. ESC's are also a part of the power system, but as long as they can handle the current your motors will pull, you're fine there - and obviously SimonK is specifically build for multirotors, so definitely go that route.

 

[cedho81]

Ok I have looked at many builds and I am conflicted as to what strength kv motor to get. I have read that lower kv motors are easier to control and can use bigger propellers, yet most lighter veichles use higher kv motors with smaller propeller... Is this correct? I have my build at about 700 grams with everything on it, yet I am not sure if my quad copter will fly well with 2300kv motors.. is this not a good ratio for my weight?? I understand their is alot of math to this but can anyone tell me if this will fall within the acceptable range?

 

[Mike]

When it comes to high vs low kv, it's typically in the sub 1000 kv vs. over 1000 kv and it's talking 8 inch props vs 10+ inch props. In your case, since you're building a 250 class (mini) quad, you're definitely going to have to go high kv because you're not going to be able to fit big props and a bigger battery on there.

http://flitetest.com/articles/choosing-multicopter-motors

Check out the article and calculator on that page. It's very helpful and much easier than eCalc. I ran your weight + 5x3 props + 3s battery in there and it said between 2000-2400 kv. I did it quickly though. You should go through that with your exact specs and check it more thoroughly. I feel like 2300kv motors will be great though.

Here's a 2300kv motor at HK with tons of good test data listed regarding different battery/prop combinations and lift at hover & full throttle:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...300KV_Multi_Rotor_Motor_CW_Prop_Adapter_.html