2665 replies to this topic

[kevinv033]

Woohoo

Randy, perhaps you can take some pics and maybe video. I'll be flying a QAV with CC3D.

I'll connect with you via PM today. I'll let you know where I am staying and we can figure out what to do. When will be arriving? I'm getting in Sunday night.

2 QAV500s fit in a Pelican 1610 rather nicely ( with the landing legs removed of course ).

[bluehash]

2 QAV500s fit in a Pelican 1610 rather nicely ( with the landing legs removed of course ).

Good luck at the show.
Could you send us a pic of the two packed in the case?
Which one would you suggest for packing 1 qav?

[timnilson]

@kevinv033 -- I forgot that you'll be bringing two builds. Make that 3 QAV500s at AUVSI!

Anyone else going to AUVSI with a QAV500?

[kevinv033]

I'll try to take some pics this weekend. Basically, the 1610 comes with 3 layers of pick-n-pluck. I just removed shape of the QAV from two layers, with a layer in the middle. The QAV layers are separated by one layer. I think you could probably fit 3 QAVs with "pancake" motors into the 1610. The frame fits perfectly in a single layer.

It looks like the 1610 is the best with the pick-n-pluck foam. I wasn't able to find another one on their site that came close to the length and width of the interior...Perhaps the 1600 may work, but the interior width is 16.50" where the 1610 has an interior width of 16.69". Nearly 1/8th less on each side. The motor mounts press into the sides of the foam very snugly. This might be a bit too tight in the foam of the 1600 case. http://pelican.com/c...ze=Large%&New=%

[actionplus]

I have 2 Pelican boxes. Both will fit the 450 sizes
But I tried it out on the QAV. No go The box is too small for this monster.

Sure, Kev. I'll bring in my cams to take pics and videos.

[bluehash]

Thanks guys. Take alot of pics.

[k_g]

Jealous, I won't be able to get away.

[scphoto]

Hi QAV'ers

Wanted to share some footage from an unfortunate incident today. Filming at a local sculpture park and tree branch jumped out at me.

https://www.dropbox....he aluminum.mov

Evidently the landing caused a short between the + and - layers of the pdb

I know that Tim has made mention of protecting the pdb from wear and this is the reason why. I've brought this to Tim's attention and, as usual, he stands by his product and is doing right by me. I would suggest immediately placing nylon washers on both sides of the hardware mounting arms to frame and perhaps dipping the arm ends in liquid rubber - found in hardware stores to coat tool ends. I'm sure Tim will weigh in here to make further recommendations

Luckily the only damage was to the top and bottom boards of the dirty section and the arm. Motors, esc's and CC3D board are ok. I haven't checked all the cells of the battery yet.

The person you see in the camera is JRegulator - my trusty companion and co-pilot at the shoot today - he reached the quad first - I can be heard saying "whoa it melted the aluminum"

Attached Files

•  photo 1.JPG   114.85K   149 downloads
•  photo 2.JPG   109.54K   189 downloads
•  photo 3.JPG   101.63K   179 downloads
•  photo 4.JPG   95.22K   170 downloads
•  photo 5.JPG   104.17K   134 downloads

[scottevil]

holy smokes! Ok, so i took my QAV apart today and after putting it together i found that it was shorting out and couldn't figure out where, so i took all the screws out and put nylon washers, and dumped a grip of hot glue on the PCB where all the esc's connect and it fixed it

i can't believe you didn't crash after hitting the first tree! That could have been a super recovery!

[bluehash]

Thanks for this. Hope you get back in the air soon. Mine is on pre-order and will also wait on what Tim has to say for steps to prevent this from happening.
Did the short occur after the rough landing taking the coating away?

good save from the first tree. The second one was nothing compared to the first.

[Terrier]

Damn!

[BayAreaCrasher]

that smoke looks very familiar. was it coming out of the motors or ESCs? or was it the actual PCB at those points?

[scphoto]

It was coming from the pdb. So far as I can tell everything else is ok. Even the battery seems to be charging and balancing all cells fine...

[kevinv033]

This is very scary...I am getting some nylon washers right now.

[scphoto]

maybe I should get a fire award? Or a hookah for the smoke?

[kevinv033]

This is very scary...I am getting some nylon washers right now.

Although...that won't help in a crash...

[kevinv033]

There needs to be a "crash and burn" award...or "down in flames"...

[Terrier]

Kinda demonstrates the power of a LiPo, doesn't it?

[ov3rmind]

wow man. This built-in pcb stuff scared me a bit on drilling and stuff, but this is good for everyone to know for sure! I guess not so much of an issue with plastic arms, but aluminum, in hindsight, probably not the best idea given it's a matter of WHEN not IF someone crashes. I guess that's why with so many products (OP hardware including) there is so much emphasis on pre-release testing before going full scale public.

No doubt this will be taken seriously by Tim and result in strong v2 release.

[timnilson]

What happened to Steve is terrible and I'm very sorry that happened. When I tested the frame I did many flights (but had no crashes) and to this date I had no issues with my PDB. If I would have known this could happen as it did to Steve, I would have done something about it. Adding nylon washers is a simple fix and I will include them for the next batch of frames about to go out.

I've also revised the PDB design which is currently manufactured as a prototype to confirm the new layout. The new design removes all copper from both layers from under the arms and bobbin connections. It also ads large 7mm diameter clearance around all the spacer screw holes.

The simple and low cost fix for everyone flying with the current frame and PDB is to:

A. add nylon washers for the screw heads sitting on the PDB surface (get M3 washers)
B. double check your motor mounting screws and make sure they are not driving into the motor windings, which can cause a short by itself and in combination with a scratched PDB

I don't think you need to wrap the arms as long as you have nylon washers. You just need to prevent the short on one side.

I am thinking about how to make the new PDB available to current customers that would like to update their PDB once it's available (it will be at least 3-4 weeks). It's probably a lot harder to de-solder the ESCs than it is to add nylon washers. Any suggestions on how to offer the updated PDB to current frame owners once it's available, please let me know.

Edited by timnilson, 25 July 2012 - 02:23 AM.