DROIDWORX CX4 with Arducopter & FPV

Lebdog February 18, 2012 at 12:26pm

I swapped in some APC 12x3.8 props today, I don't need the power of the 12x6 props right now. I ordered these props in glass and carbon fiber. I will only use the carbon ones for display for the most part..

Well, I am very happy to report that arducopter 2.3 is a little twitchy with the GAUI500X, but today I took the CX4 out for a short skip maiden flight and am more than happy to report it is more stable than the GAUI with the factory PID settings. In fact I had not a single twitch making a few nice skips, hops and hoverfloats:)

The only thing this newb noted is that the copter tended to float a little right and back and I have to use the sticks to maintain level flight. I assume this is because the CX4 and how it relates to the arducopter APM gyros, isn't perfectly level. I immediately noticed this when starting up the motors as one always (back right) started last and finished first. Since I am a newb and this was the maiden using stabilize mode only, I clicked in about 5 clicks of left trim and about 8 of forward. I will read a lot more this week about exactly how to address this, but I am so excited about the factory PID thing I am just gonna enjoy a successful day:) The copper really looked outstanding on the grass outside.

Lebdog February 15, 2012 at 6:24pm

Well, I spent some time looking at how I can put another center plate on top of the speed controller/power distributer plate and ended up just using stacked double sided tape. I hope the tape works well for vibration too.
After connecting the APM to the MK ESC's I went ahead and tested the motor directions. I had labeled them in the default MK setup, but as soon as I fired them up, they were spinning all the wrong ways.. This was easy to fix by swapping 2 leads to each motor from each ESC.
With this squared away, I put on some props and checked the controls (while holding the multi). Well, this was another surprise as the thing would have flipped right over had I not done this in my hands. Somethings way off...
I noted that MK uses a different orientation of it's motors, so I had to remap the MK orientation to the Ardu orientation.
I then checked the controls (again in my hands over my head).
Money:)
Now I do note a strange dip in the motors when I use the rudder, but I am not sure this isn't because I am using big motors on this thing... I will figure this out. Now it's time to set up the xbee's:)
Right now I am using 10x4 props and they are way too small.
I ordered some 12x3.8 props from Quadrocopter which should be in later this week..

I will get some pictures up in the next few days..
I am curious if my ardu GPS will work through my painted body or if I am gonna have to extend the leads and put it on top.. I will figure that out soon..

Lebdog February 13, 2012 at 3:55pm

Ok, well the AVROTO motors are tested with the BL2 ESC, but I am not too impressed with these motors so far. Basically, they are advertised for A/V specialty, yet they make a lot of noise, even without having a prop on them. The AXI's are a lot quieter, simple whistle. These AVROTO have a whistle with also a somewhat gritty sound:( At least the ESC's are configured and testing working with my RADIO....:)

Lebdog February 11, 2012 at 2:50pm

Cool, I made a few changes which I saw had worked for someone else's quad airframe, and they seem to be working pretty well for the GAUI500X. I am basically making hops hovering 1-3' and noted a far smoother hover, especially over 2-3' where the washout isn't an additional issue I guess.
I set the Stabilize P to 3.80 and the Rate Roll P to .1.
It's looking like the next thing I gotta check is the Alt_Hold.. I would just rather do that with my cheap clone, but sadly, I am still waiting for the frame parts which were omitted from my kit:(.. I will probably wait, just 'cause I don't want to pay to fix someone else's airframe.

Lebdog February 11, 2012 at 1:26pm

Well, I guess the inside term is PID values, which I am starting to modify. The GAUI500X has scorpion 960kv motors, and I am running a 3S battery with the factory 10" props.
I lowered a few of the factory values a bit and experimented with them. My last experiment had a little less oscillation, but was way sluggish, so I am going back to the drawing board.. These are good tests, as I assume the majority of those who dislike the arducopter fail to make these corrections properly. I know that I am no exception right now, but unless something crazy happens, I plan to stick with it.. Any assistance is appreciated..

I also note this latest MIssionPlanner constantly states there is an update available, I just cancel it, but I wish there was an option, "Do not automatically check for updates". This would be useful in this case, but who am I to ask.. Just noting in the case anyone who cares is reading this post..

I can't tell you how many products there are, where I read the reviews which basically trashed the product, then I somehow got myself the product, and by following the directions and applying logic and some experience, ended up noting the product worked exactly as they claimed.

Lebdog February 10, 2012 at 4:05pm

I found this page with tuning tips doing a google search:
http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/Quad_FlightTips

Here are some more useful links for me:
http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/Quad_PIDTuning

Tonight will probably connect up the MK speed controllers and check their functioning. Unless I get this arducopter dead smooth, I won't be running it in my CX, that's for sure. I have the GAUI and a basic clone framed quad to test with, so I am giving it some good time and effort. I know that I could use a different brand commercial grade controller that would not give me all the same, options, but would simply do the job without so much config..

Lebdog February 10, 2012 at 3:58pm

Well, I have been flying the Gaui500X in stabilize mode for the last week (about 1-3'), and though it's a little bit of a bucking bronco (oscillating), I am feeling more comfortable with Ardu and feel ready to slowly and cautiously, dive in and start adjusting the P value settings.
I am gonna spend tonight looking in to these p value settings, as I assume these scorpion motors are a bit more powerful than the udrones motors the multi is factory set for. Any assistance would be appreciated??

Lebdog February 1, 2012 at 5:22pm

I am gonna add the two nylon washers and I think that will do it. That looks like the ticket for me:)
Thanks to Droidworx for a quick support response!

Lebdog February 1, 2012 at 5:20pm

Here is the response I got from Droidworx today:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Caleb,

I cant really tell from the pictures but i think you need to place the 2 M3 x 5mm nylon spacers between the front body bracket and rails(see attached) to raise the bracket to its correct position. If you have done this then i will have to have a re-think.

Please let me know if you have any more concerns.

Regards

Tom

DWX_IMG_0548.jpg

Lebdog January 31, 2012 at 6:13pm

Well, I didn't have much to do this Christmas, so I picked up a Parrot AR Drone to fly inside. This toy is actually what got me looking at the market of multis. A lot of people have been critical of me for choosing Arducopter, but I prefer to work within a community and really liked the potential I saw for Arducopter.
Getting back the the Parrot AR, well, I had flown over a few fountains with fair luck, so I thought I would try another fountain I had never flown over. Well, the sonar showed it's weakness in form of cutting all power to the motors, where I landed smack dab in the middle of the spout;-) Fortunately I had my GoProH2 mounted to the ParrotAR, so that this costly mistake (1 main board, 1 engine $150), wasn't a total loss.
Here is the video of the fountain fail:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atIWhJ-CLA8&list=UUDnv_pQ_dAvZwg...

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DROIDWORX CX4 with Arducopter & FPV

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