Greetings to all

Volfe

Member
I am rather new to both the quad-copter and forum worlds. I hope that I am posting this correctly, but I am sure if I am not, someone will correct me. So moving forward.. My name is Volfe and I started out with simple RC helicopters. I rather enjoyed flying those around in and outside the house, annoying my cat, who would randomly take a swat at the pesky mechanical bird... After flying those for some time, I moved up and bought a cheap quad and got rather hooked on how responsive it was, along with the fact that it was a more stable platform ( my cat was not amused with the amount of down draft he would feel). Alas after a few months of flight, the cheap recharging cable melted to my dashboard in my truck. I decided I would try something a bit more complicated and decided to order my own S500 DIY kit. After waiting several weeks I got the main package containing the chassis, motors, ESCs, flight controller and blades. What didn't show up was the transmitter and receiver ( another is supposed to be on it's way, but the tracking code is not working.. grumble).

I know at this point this thread is sounding like a rant, and I apologize, but I am building to my point.. After talking to a few local hobby shops, I decided I needed to talk to some people that have been working with quads for a while (most of the local shops here don't know a lot, and want to pass me off to a "buddy" that works cheap). I bought my kit wanting to learn how to do this on my own. So a few questions..

1) Is there a recommended battery to use with the S500?
2) If I don't receive the transmitter and receiver from the seller, what is a decent, reasonably priced set up for this quad?
3) The last hobby shop guy was telling me I needed to cut some wires on my ESCs or else I would have problems with falling out of the sky..
4) When I finally get all the hardware, I know that I need to set up the software, any pointers?

In reviewing some other peoples posts, I shall attempt to answer any questions people may have. I intend to use my quad for aerial video work. I like to camp a lot and like the idea of maybe sending my quad up to scout the surrounding area, which of course means some where down the line adding FPV.

Thank you to all those that have wisdom they share.

Volfe
 
Welcome aboard!

1) Is there a recommended battery to use with the S500?
The more cells the more efficient, but at more cost. I would definitely go with a 6 cell setup if you can afford it, but your escs, and motors will determine what setup you can go with if you already have them.
2) If I don't receive the transmitter and receiver from the seller, what is a decent, reasonably priced set up for this quad?
FrSky - best bang for your buck IMO.
3) The last hobby shop guy was telling me I needed to cut some wires on my ESCs or else I would have problems with falling out of the sky..
BS - You may only need the signal wire, but you will not drop out of the sky. Which escs do you have?
4) When I finally get all the hardware, I know that I need to set up the software, any pointers?
Depends on which flight controller you go with. Naza, Tarot, etc....
 
So an update to my story. Finally got the transmitter/ receiver combo from the supplier overseas. Had to acquire the necessary connections from the receiver to the flight controller, but now everything is connected and I begin figuring out calibration and flight modes and the like. I have powered the quad up and tested the motors, and found the two motors needed to be swapped, but hey it's a learning experience. I'll post a picture at some point.. Thank you again for the information thus far.
 
While testing motor directions and making sure I put the props on facing the right direction, I noticed that one of my motors doesn't spin up with the rest when I raise the throttle slightly, but if I give it more, eventually it spins up with the rest. Did I miss something in calibration, or do I have a crap motor, or ESC? Thoughts, ideas please..
 
You have given no details. What flight controller for one.

Arducopter 2.6, sorry not enough caffeine in my blood stream. The ESC's are readytosky simonk30a, and are the motors are readytosky rs2212-920kv. Overseas supplier. The tx/ rx are flysky fs-i6 . Appreciate the assistance and patience with my lack of info.

Also using Arducopter's software on my desktop.
 
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So an update, I resolved most of my issues with my quad. I failed to wired the ESC's to the flight board correctly, and two motors needed to be reversed. I have gotten several successful flights before the weather here has turned nasty.. Thanks again for the info, next task is to trim and learn the extra features..
 
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