First Quadcopter Build.

I

iBainesy

Member
Hey guys, iBainesy here. I've just recently gotten into this hobby after viewing Adam Savages flight of his DJI Inspire, and I was just blown away by it. Started looking at eBay for some cheap Quadcopters, to see if I wanted to pursue the Hobby and Bought a Cheerson CX-10 just to try out. crashed it many times, broke props, (still waiting on a set of 40 from eBay haha) but only like a week after flying it almost non-stop I bought a Syma X5C-1 to get practice with a bigger Quad (much easier to control, except for anything greater than a slight breeze) Crashed it on my garage roof first flight, finger accidentally slipped onto the flip button and, yeah...

Anyway onto my First ever build. I'm excited, but also nervous, so many foreign things to me being new to this. Followed some guides but some things are not available these days, in my country where i'm looking etc. so I hope I can get the guidance from people on here.

Sorry, i've seen people put entire links into a "LINK" word but I just don't know how to do it.
The Guide I followed was
http://www.reddit.com/r/Multicopter/comments/2oj6ke/beginners_450_ultimate_parts_list/

FRAME:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...0mm_Integrated_PCB_Version_AU_Warehouse_.html

MOTORS:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Brushless_Outrunner_Motor_AU_Warehouse_.html
OR
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24529

PROPS:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...Props_Black_CW_2pc_CCW_2pc_AU_Warehouse_.html
AND
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ation_2_pc_RH_Rotation_Red_AU_Warehouse_.html

TRANSMITTER:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...er_and_6CH_Receiver_Mode_2_AU_Warehouse_.html

ESCS:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...rushless_Speed_Controller_AUS_Warehouse_.html

RECIEVER:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...6Ch_2_4GHz_Receiver_w_CPPM_AU_Warehouse_.html

Plus some Red & Black wires for extra wiring, sets of bullet connectors, zip ties, velcro strap for the battery, a Battery and charger etc.

I know the list isn't complete but a: i'm running out of time to write this, and b: I'd like to get input from the community aswell.

Now Question time.
1: With the motor sizes, how important with this build do I need to stick with physical sizes of motors? Following the guide I had a limited range of motors to choose from that matched the exact specifications. would it matter if it was much wider?much longer etc? heck even the numbers on the motors don't match up to anything on the specs for them sometimes.
2: Should I just go all out and get a 9 channel transmitter or stick with the 6 channel for now?
3: Both 3s and 4s batteries will work fine?a 4s battery isn't going to provide too much power and blow something up?
I thought I had more questions than that.
4: Should I instead get this kit from eBay? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/F450-HJ4...47?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3cfa8562d3
I don't know if I should go with this instead, it's got everything apart from a battery and charger, but obviously this would have to work, otherwise people would be flagging this item right? but then again the satisfaction that i'd get from choosing all the parts would also be good. I don't know, what do you guys think?

But yeah any help, suggestions is greatly appreciated and Can't wait to get building.
Thanks in advance.
iBainesy
EDIT: included pre-made eBay kit
 
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The receiver you listed is not compatible with the Turnigy TGY-i6 TX you chose, which includes a receiver in the price.

62709s5.jpg

If you wanted to add another RX there is also a PPM version available.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...FHDS_2A_Telemetry_Receiver_EU_Warehouse_.html
 
I'd suggest you get the Turnigy 9x (or R but it is a lot more by time you get needed accessories, a friend has it and really likes it.

This may sound weird, but I suggest you find how much thrust you may need (what type of flying; filming or racing), yours is more suited for filming, I can personally vouch for the Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 series and say that they are very well built. If you wanted to you could go up a size in props you probaly could but 10x4.7 will provide a lot of lift. You could probably handle 1.4kgs with enough overhead.

You may want to get a flash tool or/and some ESCs with Bheli or SimonK firmware.


I can really suggest that you get a nice transmitter if budget will allow( @holtneil and @HDtallrider will second that) as it will last you throughout the hobby (nice as in a Turnigy 9xR or something in the $100 price range) and work with many models. Don't get me wrong; a cheaper priced transmitter will work just fine and you can upgrade later.


With those motors 4s (14.8v ~ 17v) will be too much. Mutistar has some well made motors that will do 2s-4s and they are about the same price.

Getting a kit is easy and sometimes cheap, but you WILL be replacing most parts, nad many before you get it in the air. Not as much because they break, but because they are cheap and junky. Ask @Nick , @HDtallrider (or me xD we all have made the same mistake) or many others on that one haha. Bottom line on that is that it will get you in the air, but you may really be paying double while trying to save money. #Worn_out_record (I know they don't work but I decided to join the trend haha)
 
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Thanks GJH.
With the 9X/R does the LIPO battery required act the same as other LIPO batteries? as in I need to drain it when not using it for more than a day, or is this one more forgiving than the other higher discharge LIPO's?
Thrust, no idea. This is my first build, I literally tried to follow guides step by step as close as I could. As I get more into the technical side of things i'll look more into it for my next build, but this one is just to get into the air. At this stage in time i'm hoping that down the track I will have at least 3 Quadcopters. 1 for FPV racing. 1 for aerial video/photography, and 1 for sh!ts n' giggles, experiments etc, this first one will probably be the latter.
Any particular preference with ESCs firmware? strengths weaknesses? I know people say either are good but is one better at something more than the other? and Whats the deal regarding BEC and OPTO? I read that atleast 1 ESC needed to have BEC on it, but should I get all 4 with BEC?
I messed up with the battery, I wasn't aware I could get a much larger mah with a 3s battery, I thought it only went up to a certain amount and then a 4s battery was needed. so i'll be sticking with a 3s for now. that's one of the many issues solved haha.
Yeah I figured as much with kits, I watched a video the other day, this guy bought a kit from eBay and his motors kept shorting out/cutting out mid hover. long story short some screws were too long and touching the inside of the motor and shorting it out. he was using a2212 motors though.
And I've just realized that the 2nd motors I have listed are actually not good for the escs. which I need to look into anyway. damn getting ready for work getting in the way of building my 1st quad...
Ok, thanks guys I'll look into it some more, keep feedback coming, really helps.
 
Hi mate Transmitter lipos are different to flight lipos they dont need to be at storage voltage if not used , they will cut off is voltage is to low to protect the lipo, as for ESCs if you use multistar motors then an ESC flashed with BLheli works better other than that simonk flashed are good to get , if you use opto then you will need a BEC to run FCB and receiver, If you get 4 ESCs with BECs then remove red wire on 3 just use the esc to motor 1 to power FCB etc
 
Hey guys, back again. So i've been looking around, taken some suggestions and I'm ready to update my list.

I already have access to a Soldering Iron and solder and Zip Ties extra screws so i'll leave them out.

FRAME: Q450 - Same as before.

MOTORS: Turnigy Multistar OR Turnigy SK3 Not too sure, most likely going to use 1047 props and about 2200mah 3s LiPo. Will I notice any difference, especially since this is my 1st one, and it's basically just to get it into the air. Most likely will attach a GoPro or a FPV setup down the track, should I go with the Multistar then since it has a higher watt rating?

PROPS: 1047's - Used to be 1045's Should I get a prop balancer, or worry about that later when i've had more experience?

TRANSMITTER: Turnigy 9X - I know, Mode 1. but I saw a conversion video on youtube and it looks easy enough to modify. Also comes with an 8ch Receiver. Can anyone recommend a battery for it?

RECEIVER: Comes with the 9X

ESCS: AFRO ESC - My reasoning is that 30A allows me some wiggle room down the track if I want to upgrade motors a little, that and they were only like $1 more than the 20A ones. Questions for these ones though. These ESC's have 0.5A Linear BEC built in, where others have 2.0A (either linear or switching) BEC built in. 1 post says that the techs from Hobbyking have said that the ESC's and the KK2.1.5 FC are not compatible (which got alot of flak from other commenters saying they don't know what they're on about) others say all the ESC's power the FC so leave the middle wire in and it'll be fine etc. Is this the case, just leave all the wires in and these ESC's will work with the KK2.1.5 FC?

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: KK2.1.5 - I forgot to include this with my original plan but it's what I planned to use all along. Should I get any accessories for this? low voltage alarm? USB cord to tune on the PC (if that's possible with this one, i've seen people hook up their quad to their comp using a program and adjust their controls etc, or is it all done on the FC for this model?)

BATTERY: Turnigy Nano-Tech 2200mah 3s - Unless people can recommend a different brand, again 2200 is just to get me started. I'll upgrade later once I have a better idea.

BATTERY CHARGER: I actually need help with this one. No idea what to get and I live in Australia, so i'd need to get a power supply separate from the charger as well.

Other things to get: eBay most likely, or local electronics store.
Bullet connectors.
Heat shrink.
Battery Strap

I don't what else I'd need. Once again thanks for any feedback.
 
I thought I'd also include what I believe to be the correct settings entered into eCalc. If that helps at all for feedback. the flight times don't seem right for some reason. people boast about similar builds and longer flight times. could it be that the motors I have chosen are too power hungry for the battery size? or something?
 

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It's been a while but i'm back. I'm ready to purchase things, I just need some help choosing a charger, and any other things people think I may need.
Thanks guys.
 
Get the Multistar motors:

Multistart: Max Watts(W): 165
Max. current(10s): 15 amps

Aerodrive: Max Loading: 10A
Max Power: 96W

I assume you are getting the mode 1 because there are no mode twos in the AU warehouse? Either way it is a really easy modification.


Here is a cheap battery charger that will work, but does not offer fast charge (though trickle/balance will be very easy on your batteies and help them to last long)
Here is a nice battery charger, it will do about anything you want it to do.

Your battery is sized for a 250, I'd get a 5200 mulltistar, or a couple 3000mAh batteries.
 
Those 4 button chargers just blast current using the main lead, into the battery and end up over charging individual cells in most cases, then balance (through the balance port) by discharging them to the correct voltage. This can happen multiple times during the full cycle. They are versatile, in that they can charge many types of batteries, but when it comes to LiPos it sure doesn't sound like the ideal solution.

Here is pic of a Hisky supplied charger of the type that is often denigrated.

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This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 800x313.
Bal_Hi_Sky_all.jpg


As can be seen this one uses 3 discrete charging circuits to individually charge each cell to it's proper voltage. Slower maybe, but probably the best way to go. This is no trickle charger, it's pumping out 1.5A according to the specs.

Charging circuits don't have to be expensive to work well. Here's a review of one that can be had for ~$1.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...056-controller

Food for thought.
 
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