The "Everything" Question

[Post]

I've been flying pre built quads for about a year now, buying replacement parts for my brand as needed.

Now, I'm at that point where I really want to build and tinker with a 250-sized quad, from scratch. I'm not against buying a kit where all the parts have been sourced for me, but I have many questions about later upgrades and parts in general. I'm confident that I could successfully assemble and fly a quad-built-by-me if I was just sure of some answers. Please consider taking a moment to help a new guy out.

1. When buying parts, can I basically match any PDC to any Flight controller to any ESCs to any appropriately sized motors? (As long as, for example, all 4 ESCs are the same.) If Yes, skip to question 3.

2. If no - How exactly do I know which parts work together and which ones don't? This is the big question that I cannot find simple answers to.

3. Another big question: can I also match any TX/RX to any flight controller? If for example, I like the Spektrum DX6 (good balance between number of channels and price), can I just buy that, plus a receiver, and have it work with any quad I build? If not, how do I know what it will work with and what it won't work with?

4. Are there multiple versions of receivers for the Spektrum DX6 that will give me poorer / better range? Most DX6's seem to be sold with an AR610. Is this "good enough"? Is it the ONLY thing that works? Is there something better to be paired with the DX6?

5. Can I later hook up a camera to any flight controller? Will there simply be a "camera" connection? Can I basically hook up a camera to any quad? Or does the camera hook to the PDC rather than the flight controller?

6. Batteries. If I build a quad, can I swap out 3S and 4S batteries without changing any settings? Or is there something I need to configure on the quadcopter in order to let it know it's got more power?

7. Low battery warnings. Are the $2 buzzers from Amazon what I want? I just want something that stays on the quad while I fly and makes a loud noise so I don't discharge my battery too much.

I feel like I had another question or two, but can't think of it at the moment. I think answers to these questions should pretty much get me where I need to be.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Post

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate
question 1...... yes
question 3.....I use Spektrum the new DX6 is really good you can use any receiver I use Lemon receivers as they are smaller and have a really good range try and use the DMSX receivers the protocal on DMSX is better , for any basic quad you only need 4 channels so any thing over this will leave you spare as for receivers you can bind an 18 channel receiver but can only use 6 due to the transmitter is 6 channel
question 4 most of the spektrum receivers are full range ( not park flyer receivers ) you can do a range test any way your find the they are good for well past for how far you can see 1/2 km
question 5... No ? you can power the camera but your need a FPV camera and transmitter receiver which can be a stand alone set up , but just to record flight an action camera will work
question 6.... You need to buy motors and ESC that will take 3 or 4 cell most do so your not have much of s problem but you may have to drop prop size if you go up to 4 cell and also check the 4 cell will fit on a 250 racer
question 7 .. I use the battery alarm / battery checker when I first fly plus I time the flight so you can set up the timer in the DX6 this will give you count down time , you can set up so it will tell you every min then when you get to the last min it can count down 40 seconds 30 seconds 20 seconds then to the last second
this is what I use
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Te...1485277178&sr=8-1&keywords=lipo+battery+alarm

 

[Post]

Thank you, holtneil. This helps a lot!

 

[Jackson]

I like the Spektrum DX6 (good balance between number of channels and price)

6 channel at $200?

This would be my choice. Tested range at 2+k and 10 channels. And extra RXs are quite inexpensive.
http://www.banggood.com/Flysky-FS-i...6B-i-BUS-Receiver-p-1090406.html?rmmds=search

Here's a decent guide to get you familiar with the basics.