ArduPilot Purple + Skywalker X8 + FPV = Summer Loving
So I have some vacations coming up and already have some quads and a hex I figured I needed a fixed wing to round out my aerial camera fleet. (for now) heh. So I took the plunge and picked myself up an X8 to fill up with electronics.
I'm running an ArduPilot Purple, with a Castle 75 esc waiting for Hobbyking to drop of my new Scorpion motor until then I have a 700W max 50Amp local hobby store motor to power the bird. I'm running 1.2 video feeding through MinimOSD with a Sony 720 line mini cam. I have a roll and tilt GoPro mount in the works that I'll post up some pics when I can get some play time on the router this weekend. Communication is done through a Futaba 10C 72Mhz and some 900Mhz XBees.
I've only made a few mods for now like adding a second motor mount plate that bolt through the foam to the outer plate.
I made some electronics trays and filled in the lower camera cut out with some foam and Gorilla glue.
I ended up bringing the control linkage up through the wing, leaving it on the bottom seemed like a bad idea for a belly lander. I have never flown a or built a fixed wing, but I said the same about the multirotors and DIYDrone's gear and community made it simple, awesome and enjoyable. Only crashes were ah-hem user error. So I'm hoping for the same luck with this bird. I do have tons of hours now on RealFlight sim just to make sure I feel comfortable with the controls. That being said any input from from you guys will be greatly appreciated. I'll update this blog as things progress and as I get the camera mount going. But for now heres some more eye candy. Be happy and safe all!
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Comment by jamie delarue on June 19, 2012 at 2:47am -
looking good
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Comment by ThomasB on June 19, 2012 at 5:36am -
I just read that the X8 has a valid payload between 1000-2000 g. Whow!
What's the flight time of such a big bird ?
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Developer Comment by R_Lefebvre on June 19, 2012 at 5:57am -
Wow, that's a really nice setup you're doing there, and some top notch equipment. Nice radio. The 10C is a great choice because it is a nice Futaba transmitter, good feel and great quality, but it still uses "modules" so you can switch between 72MHz and 2.4GHz as required.
Does the 10C 72MHz have any failsafe function though? You might want to look into the FrSky 2.4GHz modules.
Also, the Turnigy Nanotech battery packs are probably overkill. I'd have just used some cheap 20C packs, it's more than enough. I have a bunch of them and they are possibly more durable (long term performance) than the Nanotechs. It's just sort of hearsay at the moment, but it might be true.
Lastly, you should replace the screws you have holding down the APM2 with nylon ones, just to eliminate the possibility of mag interference.
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Comment by Jason on June 19, 2012 at 7:44am -
What Scorpion motor are you going to add. You have inspired me to start on my X8.
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Comment by Muhammad Al-Rawi on June 19, 2012 at 8:45am -
Wowow that is beautiful.
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Comment by John Moore on June 19, 2012 at 8:55am
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You said youre taking the X8 on vacation with you, how are you planning to transport it? I was thinking of getting one of these because of the removeable wings.
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Comment by Crasher on June 19, 2012 at 9:25am
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You my friend are fully geared up for summer!!
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Comment by james sowell on June 19, 2012 at 9:55am -
did u put any antivibe in the mtr mount im working on mine now got 3020 890kv 4s they are geting 1 hour with 2 5000 batt.very nice
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Comment by Toby Mills on June 19, 2012 at 3:38pm -
Hi
I have pretty much the same setup as you, have you flown yours yet?
This is really the perfect APM platform, it flies so well and easy.However, I'm having a real battle with the PID tuning on this beast. Its so sensitive, getting the Servo and Nav tuning is turning into a bit of a nightmare. Do you have a working param file for the bird yet? Or does anyone have one they could share. Even just a screenshot of the PID settings would be good.
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Comment by kevin kitchin on June 19, 2012 at 7:05pm -
How are you planning on launching this thing again? Meanwhile, awesome work!
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