17 replies to this topic

[JakeOz]

Starting this thread to document my first attempt at building a quad, hopefully this will be interesting and possibly helpful to others...

As always, I am open to suggestions and any insight you all might have.

I finally received my first package from Hobby King yesterday….I then of course spent all afternoon and night playing with my new parts and getting organized. I am still waiting on 2 shipments right now. These contain my batteries, radio, propellers, and power distro board so looks like I still won’t be in the air for a while yet…

Here’s a rundown of the main components I plan to use in my first build:

- HK Quadcopter Frame V1 (to learn with - until I can step up to a Hoverthings model )
- Turnigy Aerodrive D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motors
- Turnigy Plush 30A ESCs
- HK Power distribution board
- GWS Props (various sizes to play with, 10x4.7, 9x5, 8x4)
- HK Multi-Rotor Control Board V2.1 (a stand in for the CC as I eagerly await the new revision )
- Turnigy 9X 9Ch TX with receiver V2 (been backordered forever)
- Turnigy Nano-tech Lipos 3S (2200 & 3300mah 25-50C)
- Turnigy Accucell 6 Lipo Charger/Balancer

And of course all the random cables, connectors, fasteners, etc.

Here’s a picture of the first shipment and a few of the frame build…Thanks for looking!

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[bmilleker]

I have heard that the wooden frame from hobby king doesn't stand up well to crashes. Expect to crash a lot when starting out too. What a lot of people do is make there own first frame. This way you know how to repair any damage that might happen when learning to fly.

[JakeOz]

I have heard that the wooden frame from hobby king doesn't stand up well to crashes. Expect to crash a lot when starting out too. What a lot of people do is make there own first frame. This way you know how to repair any damage that might happen when learning to fly.

Yeah I figured it wouldn't be that durable when I ordered it. I'm hoping to get a few runs on it before I manage to break it...

I'll certainly look into making my own frame once that happens though, thanks!

[chris_andersson]

I've just bought the same frame and wanted to try it out since it was super cheap I haven't gotten any other parts like engines or ESC's yet but will most likely order a bunch of stuff soon, just need to figure out what I need first.

[Golden]

Figure I should chip in here as well, completely new to the hobby. Still getting my shipments in bit by bit, probably at least a month from getting in the air. Quick question, would you mind linking which cables, connectors and fasteners you went with? Also, I don't see any prop adapter kits in the first image, did they come with the motors you picked up? Still waiting on them to be off backorder for the engines I went with (NTM Prop Drive Series 28-26A 1200kv / 250w motors).

Once I get my frame in I suppose I'll start a build thread also, the more the merrier!

[JakeOz]

Figure I should chip in here as well, completely new to the hobby. Still getting my shipments in bit by bit, probably at least a month from getting in the air. Quick question, would you mind linking which cables, connectors and fasteners you went with? Also, I don't see any prop adapter kits in the first image, did they come with the motors you picked up? Still waiting on them to be off backorder for the engines I went with (NTM Prop Drive Series 28-26A 1200kv / 250w motors).

Once I get my frame in I suppose I'll start a build thread also, the more the merrier!

Sorry been a little busy lately, and still waiting on my other HK orders so I'm kinda stranded with my build right now.

My motors did come with prop adapters, just the standard collet style, I'll try to post a picture of them soon...

As far as connectors and whatnot I went with regular bullet style for now, XT60 plugs for battery connections, and nylon standoffs for the frame. Here are some links...

http://www.hobbyking...idproduct=20228

http://www.hobbyking...idProduct=10253

As for the cables, I just kinda guessed for now, got several variations of servo extension cables and just some regular 14ga silicon wire.

I'll probably end up needing more but can't say for sure until I get my other orders and continue building.

Hope I was able to answer some of your questions...

[JakeOz]

Here's a couple pictures of the prop adapter as promised....

I plan on running 8" props so hopefully the collet style will be strong enough and not come flying off the motor shaft...

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[snafu]

The NTM Prop drive motors have to have the adapter kits ordered seperately..
Make sure you have ordered some.

[KillaX]

Looking good. Those are the ones that came with the collets right? If so I have the same exact 'set' you do. I have been using mine on 10" props, and have done 8". Im no super flyer or anything, but i havnt had a single issue once, with them coming off. I have before given the throttle a jolt to shoot the copter up fast, on 10", and never had a problem.

Let me know how they work. I love them
http://i.imgur.com/Y3rLw.jpg Old picture but, Same motors

Edited by KillaX, 31 March 2012 - 06:26 AM.

[Golden]

Yup, thanks for following up with those picks and links. I went a pretty similar route, but just non-protected bullet connectors that I'll heatwrap. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.

[JakeOz]

Looking good. Those are the ones that came with the collets right? If so I have the same exact 'set' you do. I have been using mine on 10" props, and have done 8". Im no super flyer or anything, but i havnt had a single issue once, with them coming off. I have before given the throttle a jolt to shoot the copter up fast, on 10", and never had a problem.

Let me know how they work. I love them
http://i.imgur.com/Y3rLw.jpg Old picture but, Same motors

Thanks, glad to hear you haven't had any issues with them coming off. I got a couple 10" props along with the 8" ones to try out.

[JakeOz]

Yup, thanks for following up with those picks and links. I went a pretty similar route, but just non-protected bullet connectors that I'll heatwrap. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.

Not a problem....I'll try to keep this thread regularly updated as my build progresses.

[JakeOz]

After a long hiatus, including moving to a new state and starting a new job, I’m back!

I recently unpacked the boxes with my quad parts and other toys and got right back into it.

I took it outside to tune up the HK control board and in the process, the inevitable (and previously foreshadowed) happened….I came down too hard and snapped the frame.

Now the break wasn’t that bad, likely still flyable, but I had already been looking for an excuse to build my own frame and I just didn’t trust the cheap HK frame anymore.

So anyway, I spent this past weekend modeling my new plan/design for the quad and it’s pretty much ready, I think.

I wanted to post a picture of it to share and get any suggestions/opinions you guys might have.

Thanks for looking!

Attached Files

•  Quad_CAD.jpg   104.3K   33 downloads

[JakeOz]

Once again I'm back after a break....Had to find time to build my new frame design between grad classes and work.

Here is how my 3D CAD model turned out in real life. Pretty good although I did make a few tweaks along the way.

Still think that I could make some improvements, like constructing the arms out of a single tube of aluminum, but I did it this way for easy repair purposes.

I also ended up putting the HK KK board on a stand-off/spring assembly. Hopefully this will help mitigate vibrations. Yes, I'm still using the KK board right now while I patiently wait for the new great OP hardware!!!

Did some initial tuning tonight and put the frame on strings to get the gains dialed in. Hopefully I'll be able to get outside tomorrow and get some air.
 

 

 

 

[JakeOz]

Well I thought I had my gains tunned decently from the string testing, but once I got it in the air it is still quite unstable.

 

Question to everyone....

 

How important is getting the COG spot on? I assumed that if it was close enough the FC would handle leveling everything out. However, my quad seems to always roll to the slightly heavier side no matter what amount of roll gain I set. Maybe I need to rebuild my frame and pay more attention to symmetry??

 

I'm really pulling my hair out trying to get this guy to acheive a stable hover in my garage.

 

Should I just scrap the KK board and get a DroTek CC3D?

 

Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks.

[k_g]

You can trim weight distribution problems with radio trim if you can't rearrange things on your multi.

[JakeOz]

You can trim weight distribution problems with radio trim if you can't rearrange things on your multi.

Thanks k_g, I'll have to look into that as a possible solution.

[JakeOz]

Finally getting some air time somewhat reliably on my new DJI frame.

 

I'm still battling some 'twitchiness' in flight but maybe that's due to not balancing the props yet or some settings on my 9X radio?

 

It would be nice to get everything a little smoother and not have such abrupt changes to stick inputs.

 

I'll try to get a short video up soon to demonstrate. Currently trying to find a decent space outside to fly as I have very limited room at my townhouse....

 

I have noticed that I lose altitude quite significantly while yawing, is that normal? Anything that can be done to eliminate that aside from giving more throttle while yawing?

 

Thanks.