Another UAV quad

[bigMouse]

Having had most APM versions since 1.4, wanted to try the pixhawk flight controller, so needed a suitable airframe!

I have some quad plates here that I cut about 4 years ago, they were used with arms 1000mm between motors, flew ok'ish, then cut them down to 800mm and it made no noticeable difference! Then that frame got shelved.

Resurrected it yesterday! No hard plan. First I cut the arms down again to 650mm between motors, try to make a more compact quad!

[xxpitt]

nice one bigmouse, how much did the pixhawk set you back? aren't they pretty pricey?

[bigMouse]

Already had 4 motors here to try! These are NTM 28-30S 900kv short shaft.

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=25081

with the accessory packs

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16719


Have ordered these multistar 30A ESC's , cheap as chips and they use an atmel micro so will be able to flash them!

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=62909

[bigMouse]

Dave you can buy the whole shooting match from here:

http://www.goodluckbuy.com/px4-pixhawk-v2-4-5-32bits-flight-controller-with-ublox-neo-7n-gps-3-axis-compass-combo.html

And that is the latest version, and I don't think you will get it cheaper (at this time),
Avoid HK that is an older version they are selling!

[bigMouse]

Center plates going together:

The old legs are just Birch faced ply cable tied to the arm, have used this extensively on my larger quads.

[bigMouse]

Battery platform added, this is under slung, have carried 10000mAh on that plate.

[xxpitt]

Dave you can buy the whole shooting match from here:

http://www.goodluckbuy.com/px4-pixhawk-v2-4-5-32bits-flight-controller-with-ublox-neo-7n-gps-3-axis-compass-combo.html

And that is the latest version, and I don't think you will get it cheaper (at this time),
Avoid HK that is an older version they are selling!

thats not too bad then, thought i'd seen them somewhere for like £250

[bigMouse]

Bare frame near completion!.

Some reasons for choices:

Proven general frame shape. Easy to repair AND CHEAP
Arms: 15mm sq alluminium Tube from Wickes
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-15mm-Multi-Purpose-Anodised-Aluminium-Square-Tube-1000mm/p/188276
Center-plates and battery plate 1.6mm Glass fiber sheet, cnc cut (but cheap 1/8 ply works just as well and is lighter)
Motors: Chose the NTM because they have good prop drivers, are balanced, and are 4S capable.
ESC's: Turnigy Multistar, Cheap, can flash with simonK, 4S capable

[bigMouse]

They have dropped a lot in price over the past year, Going rate for a 3DR bare pixHawk is about £160, then need several bits to get up and running!

The claims on diyDrones, that their pixhawk is being cloned is quite rediculous! Its all open source, so no matter who makes it, it will be genuine...

[MrBen]

Looking good there BM! Any more progress today?

[bigMouse]

Nothing today! ESC's should arrive tomorrow!

Been thinking on what shape decks to use and how to arrange gear.

Thinking will go for 2.4g RC, 433mHz telemetry, and 5.8g video. That should be good separation! I'll be happy with 2 km range, and should 2.4 fail at anytime will program fs to continue mission without rc Tx

Got most of that gear here spare so little outlay on this project...

[bigMouse]

power cut today, not much done! Here are the new multistar ESC's up close!

It uses the Atmega 8 with an external 16mHz xtal so should not drift with temp change!

I used to use exclusively DYS ESC's and flash them but they weren't xtal controlled and only 3S capable, and they now retail around £9 which is more than the multistars.

[bigMouse]

The multistar ESC's have very long signal leads, needed to cut them in half and resolder.

The output leads were too short so lengthened them with some household extension cable, I've used the method often and it works fine.

Note the decent solder joints on the close up, easy to do if you use flux.

[bigMouse]

Finally decided to design a suitable Flight controller deck

Just completed cutting it out!

[Ant]

Dave you can buy the whole shooting match from here:

http://www.goodluckbuy.com/px4-pixhawk-v2-4-5-32bits-flight-controller-with-ublox-neo-7n-gps-3-axis-compass-combo.html

And that is the latest version, and I don't think you will get it cheaper (at this time),
Avoid HK that is an older version they are selling!

Hi

Funnily enough I have one of these on order from goodluckbuy, gonna try it in a Quanum Venture.

Has yours arrived yet ?

Ant


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk