Looking for feedback on settings and methods?

[doug micheletti]

Hi,
Just had a pretty good (for me) morning of flying. Went thru 4 batteries - only broke 2 props and only hit one tree, a personal best. My morning was mostly devoted to trying different settings on my KK2.1.4 board with the Stevis 8.1 firmware. I had been using settings found on the web and they seemed to be a lot off compared to where I wound up (for SK450). It seemed to fly much better with 10", 4.5 pitch props - the 8", 4.5 pitch were harder to hover and more twitchey? I would appreciate input on why this is?

Here are my settings for comment please - I am a rank amateur at this and would like to know if I am way off base somewhere.
Pi Editor:
Ail & Elev settings:
P Gain = 35
P Limit = 50
I Gain =- 20
I Limit = 30

Rudder settings:
P gain = 60
P limit = 20
I gain = 30
I limit = 10

Stick Scaling : (looking for good settings to learn at - no acro for me yet (at least on purpose)
Ail = 35
Elev = 35
Rud = 50
Thro = 90

Self Level:
P Gain = 60
P Limit = 60
Pitch and roll at = 0

MPU6050 settings:
Gyro deg/sec = 250
Acc +/-G = 2
Filter Hz =256

My goal is to get stable flight that will allow me to keep it in the air longer and really learn the controls. I have been using self level for now until the controls become more natural to me. I am able to hover pretty well with these settings and can keep the quad in an area pretty well. I find that if I keep it right about head level and right out in front of me moving forward with me walking along behind - it is really helping me to learn the controls faster. I am open to other techniques as well. I had some trouble when I get further out with orientation of the copter - I think I need a bright light or something as that is how I found the tree...

Any input on my settings, obvious errors, etc. are most welcome as are tips for better learning the controls. I don't want to stay stuck in quadcopter 101 for too long.

Thanks!
Doug

 

[RGJameson]

It seemed to fly much better with 10", 4.5 pitch props - the 8", 4.5 pitch were harder to hover and more twitchey?

Your 10" props are probably spinning slower. What exact motors are you using, that will usually help with choosing the right prop.

I had some trouble when I get further out with orientation of the copter -

Are you using different colored props front vs. rear? Black props tend to disappear so keep that in mind.

A bet a combo of colored props and a ball thingy (cheap on eBay) will make life much easier.

 

[Jackson]

Don't know how well this will work during the day but sure looks good at night. All he has are those small 3 light LED strips mounted on top of the booms right under the props. No problems with orientation for him.

 

[doug micheletti]

Having complete confidence in my ability to break stuff - I purchased a sk450 frame kit on ebay and it came with the ball thingie. I have it mounted and it helps a lot up close, but not as much when it is far away. I had been using black at rear and green at front for props, but ran out of black so now it is all green. I have to order some more props - probably a case...

I do have some lights but have not mounted them yet as I waiting for my skills to improve where I don't break as much stuff. So far just legs and props - no arms or hardware.

Do my settings seem reasonable with no major errors inn setup?
Thanks!
Doug