Introduction and build planning

Supra

Supra

Member
Hi all, new member here and starting to think about my first build. I'm in the UK and will most likely source most parts from China via eBay to keep costs down.

What do I want to do? Fun flying, photography (basic) and playing with sensors and software. The only thing set in stone is that I want the project to be based around ArduinoPilot software, as I'm quite familiar with arduino already. Not too fussed about FPV, perhaps that could be a future upgrade.

To start the kit off, I am considering this kit which is based around the DJI 920KV motors on an F450 frame.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=171560581326

Then I'll add

- ArduinoPilot flight controller - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181639194607
- Compass and GPS module - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=201305506729
- 6 Channel Tx / Rx pair - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=331520517457
- Battery and spare - 3000mAh 3s - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=331497807167
- Charger - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=251755022214
Now the obligatory questions for the experts:

1. Have I made any glaring errors in this spec or forgotten something?
2. I've pretty much made a guess on the battery size. Does it seem OK for 450mm and 920KV motors?
3. Will I need something else to power the flight controller etc? Unsure if the DYI ESCs have a build in BEC or not!

Any other tips or advice very much welcome!
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

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Looks good, but I would get a different Tx/Rx, because it is a knockoff of a FrySky, and will not be as good. You do need a power distribution board or cable.

The battery you have is probably compatible, but I could not find specs on your motor. Maybe @holtneil can confirm or deny this. If I were you I'd get a battery with a XT60 connector on it, because deans are slowly disappearing and feel better.

You are going to break some props, so I'd get some carbon fibre props to replace them with. 10x4.7 CF props should work. Just make sure to get half CW and half CCW. You could get a 4000mah battery if you wanted, but if I were you I'd just get an extra 3000mah to allow better flights, I have never seen the brand of battery that you have, but I would defiantly get a reputable brand.






xt60 connector
XT60-connector-battery-connector1.jpg
 
Supra

Supra

Member
Thanks for coming back to me, it's given a little bit of confidence to move forward.

The Tx/Rx issue was bugging me last night, and I'll need to research alternatives. That said. I do think I'll be using autopilot and a ground control station so perhaps a cheap controller won't be so bad for me.

Cheers:)
 
Supra

Supra

Member
OK, so I've order all the parts I specified (apart from the battery) but I've gone for a Turnigy 9x instead of the el-cheapo transmitter.

Also added a PDU board and some misc jumper cables and power connectors too.

I plan to power the APM from the BEC output on one of the ESCs. With that in mind, what's the best way to get low battery return-to-home or at least a warning?

Now for the waiting game... :)
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

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I was getting ready to suggest the 9x as I was reading your post. :) Tour flight controller has a built in voltage alarm. You can also get simple voltage alarms to use.
 
Supra

Supra

Member
Thanks mate. I'm going to have to look into the low voltage alarm thing further. I don't doubt you but the way I was going to wire things up meant that there is no direct connection between the LiPo and the controller. It takes its power from the BEC.
 
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Hi mate sorry I am to late to say buy from Hobby king uk its the cheapest place the 450 frame is about £9
The ESc have a BEC so you wont need one
 
Supra

Supra

Member
Yep a tiny bit late :) - would have been good to get it sooner, but the only thing left to get now are batteries, which I could get from there. I'm tempted to move away from the Floureon batteries as they don't seem to be well rated. What do you guys recommend for my motors and ESCs?
 
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Well if you want a good lasting high C rate then get the nanotech from hobby king or if you dont mind a lower C rate the turnigy blue I have both types and are well over a year old I just got rid of a nanotech and that was 2 years old and was puffy still worked ok but dont want a puffy battery in the house
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

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Really what ever you want to lift, but I'd suggest getting two smaller batteries as apposed to one big one, unless your doing a LRS. a 3000 mah is fine, you could probably handle a 5200mah battery if it is mutistar's .
 
Supra

Supra

Member
image.jpg

Hi Guys, quick update! All the parts except the GPS and the RC transmitter / reciever arrived this week, so today I have mostly completed the build and performed the maiden flight. It's all been a joy to put together and the first flight (well, controlled hover) went smoothly, even with the lack of transmitter.

Impressed with the quality of the kit, can't complain at all for the price!

Next step is to integrate GPS when it arrives and do some proper outdoor flying.
 
Supra

Supra

Member
No, I used mission planner and a joystick using the telemetry link. Pretty laggy but entirely workable.

I did however have to use an arduino to calibrate the ESCs initially, to give them the range that the joystick would provide, so good guess :)
 
Supra

Supra

Member
What was fun was initially using a joystick with no rudder control, the thing span round and around, but using a proper stick corrected that.

Fingers crossed the TxRx arrives tomorrow!

What I have found interesting though is that my APM 2.6 knockoff from China seems to have an internal compass, even though it's not supposed to. It's getting heading info from somewhere!
 
Supra

Supra

Member
Thanks, appreciate it. Just completed the first outdoor flight - it's pretty stable and very happy with it so far. Didn't go more than 1 meter up as my controls are so laggy and twitchy but great as a test.

Sadly the postman failed to deliver either a Tx/Rx or GPS module today, so I'll have to be a little more patient - but I'm actually surprised how well the USB joystick solution works. Only problem is there is absolutely no failsafe option.
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

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Supra said:
Thanks, appreciate it. Just completed the first outdoor flight - it's pretty stable and very happy with it so far. Didn't go more than 1 meter up as my controls are so laggy and twitchy but great as a test.

Sadly the postman failed to deliver either a Tx/Rx or GPS module today, so I'll have to be a little more patient - but I'm actually surprised how well the USB joystick solution works. Only problem is there is absolutely no failsafe option.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd be terrified of a fly away with no failsafe. You could always attach a string to it :).
 
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