After gathering information and taking advice from members of this community I have updated my parts list.
Parts List
Frame, Motors, Blades, ESCs- DJI 450 Kit
Flight Controller- 3DR Pixhawk
GPS Reveiver- ublox LEA-6H Module with Compas
Receiver and Sat- Spectrum 7ch with Satellite receiver
Battery- Zippy Compact 4000mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack
Remote- Will be using a DX7 already owned.
Add-ons I plan to add to the build later
Convert to TBS Discovery
Original Post
Hey guys,
I have long been looking around on the DIY Drones Website and recently signed up to be a member. I have decided to make my first post on here about my first quad build. I have spend list last few weeks scanning the internet for information about good starter parts and where to start. Below is the parts list I have come up with:
| Part Type | Model |
| Frame | HobbyKing X525 V3 |
| Flight Controller | Crius AIOP |
| GPS Receiver | U-Blox CN-06 |
| Motor | Turnigy D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motor |
| Props- Black Left | SF Electric Prop 9047SF- 9 x 4.7- 4pc (Black) |
| Props- Black Right | SF Electric Prop 9047R SF- 9 x 4.7- 4pc (Black) |
| Props- Green Right | SF Electric Prop 9047R SF- 9 x 4.7- 4pc (Green) |
| Props- Green Left | SF Electric Prop 9047 SF- 9 x 4.7- 4pc (Green) |
| ESC | Turnigy Multistar 30amp Brushless ESC 2-4S |
| ESC (OPTO) | Turnigy Multistar 30amp Brushless ESC 2-4S (OPTO) |
| ESC Programming Card (Optional) | Turnigy Multistar Programming Card |
| Battery | Zippy Compact 4000mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack |
| Breakout Cable | HXT 4mm to 4x 3.5mm bullet Multistar ESC Power Breakout Cable |
| Battery Strap | Turnigy Battery Strap 330mm |
| Receiver | OrangeRx R710 Spektrum DSM2 Compatable 7Ch Receiver |
If anyone is willing to take a moment and help me make sure I am not missing anything I would be greatly appreciated, of if you have advice as to a different part that might work better.
I have decided to go with the Crius AIOP 2.0 because I know what I will want to be able to have some of the more advanced features later on, so I would rather spend the money now then go with the KK2 board. I am pretty sure that all the ESCs and motors will work find together but someone may know something I dont. I Plan to use the MulitWii but have also looked at MegaPirate, any reason I should go with one or the other?
I plan to use this for FPV in the future and to carry a goPro like most people, Considering this I have wondered if this is the best frame for that or if should look more at the Q450 for the two ledges that it has, it is also smaller and lighter which I would think would equal more flight time.
What is the expected Flight time on a frame this size? if anyone knows.
Thanks in advance for all the advice and I hope I can not only learn from this site but be able to contribute my experience with this.
Replies
So I am back and I have been busy! I hope to be able to do a full write up on this build but I just wanted to share where I am at.
So over Christmas I have gotten most of the parts needed to build my quad, all I needed was the flight controller. IT FINALLY CAME IN! I dont know if anyone else ordered from 3DR recently but they Pixhawks where on back order, bummer.
With this in hand though I have made some great progess.
Here is a video Link of the first test lift off, The balance was off because of the battery and no weight in the front but it got off the ground. I have fixed this and once I put a go pro on it shouldnt be an issue.
I am using:
TBS Discovery Plates
3DR Pixhawk Flight Controller
3DR GPS and Compass
DJI F450 ARF Kit for the motors, arms, ESCs and props
3DR Radio kit for telemetry to ground
Spectrum DX7 remote
Spectrum Satellite Reciever
Venom 4000 3s Lipo 20C battery.
5V BEC- Now this part is not needed for my current setup because the Pixhawk Comes with a Power Module that goes between the Battery and the Power Distribution Board but it provides power to the back rails, so If I want to run a wireless Video Tx off of it or some LEDs I can since it is already in place.
If you have any questions with a similar build feel free to Message me directly as I am more than willing to help, hope to have a full write up soon.
Thank you for you post, I am doing an identical build and this was very helpful!!!
I am glad this could help you. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have, I am always willing to help. I have been flying mine for awhile now and I LOVE IT.
Hey everyone,
So I know it has been awhile but I wanted to give a status update on this build. I was told I had to wait until after Christmas to build this baby and I have waiting long enough. I have some of my parts ready to go but I need some help on a small question.
Parts List
Frame, Motors, Blades, ESCs- DJI 450 Kit
Flight Controller- 3DR Pixhawk
GPS Reveiver- ublox LEA-6H Module with Compas
Receiver and Sat- Spectrum 7ch with Satellite receiver
Battery
Remote- Will be using a DX7 already owned.
3DR Radio Kit
TBS Discovery Plates
So these are the parts that I have on order or already here. I have the Frame mostly put together, the motors mounted and the ESCs mounted an soldered down to the plates (Using the TBS Discovery Plates) I was looking at the ESCs though and they have OPTO on them which if I understand means I will need a BEC. This is the ESC that came with the kit.
So am I correct in thinking that I will need a BEC or (Might be a dumb question) would this be built into the Pixhawk or in the frame somehow? if I do need this which one should I look at and how to I hook it up in the grand design?
Thanks for everyones feedback. CANT WAIT TO GET THIS THING IN THE AIR!
Gary m,
Thanks for the great info and Links I will be sure to take a look over all of this and repost my new build list.
Ok guys, So after taking into account Gary and mP1's advice and continuing my research I have made a few changes to my parts list and it has increased the value but I am a little closer to decided and I have nailed down what I want to do with the quad.
My end goal is the have a FPV Setup similar to Team Black Sheep's Discovery. My plan is to start with the F450 Kit and move onto the TBS Discorvery Plates and FPV Setup. There are still some things I am unsure about though and was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction.
So far I know that I will need the following to get the quad in the air
F450 Kit with Frame, Motors, ESCs and props
A Flight Controller. I am trying to decide between the Cruis AIOP v2 and the Naza (Naza v1, Lite, or V2
A TX and RX, I already have a Spectrum DX7 and was looking at getting the Spectrum 7CH with telemetry
Battery and Battery strap.
Between the flight controllers I am still not sure the differences between the Nazas, What I am looking for is one with Gyro Stabilization, Self Leveling, Care Free, Altitude Hold, Position hold, Return home and waypoints. I understand the Nazas have some addition features but I am still not sure how the waypoint feature works on the Naza v2. Any light someone can shed on this for me would be a huge help.
After awhile I would like to move to the FPV setup with the TBS Discovery plates and use their Video Core and camera. If I go with the naza how would I achive the OSD stuff, would I use the same reciever that they use that has it build it or could I make this work with the spectrum one I am looking at? I know they use different long range stuff but can i start with just short range FPV and move to long FPV?
If anyone can point me in the direction of good material to read to learn more about this it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again for the information thus far and to come.
I would suggest buying 3 - 4 batteries in total. With one you barely get outside and perhaps make a few adjustments and time is up. At least with a few batteries you can spend one on adjustments still have 20ish minutes to fly about.
Hi Cody, I started with a KK X525 which is very similar to setup you describe here.
I am going to suggest instead DJI Flamewheel F450 ARF kit as a super good low cost way to start lots of places sell this and price is usually around $190.00 for frame, motors and opto 30 amp ESCs.
The Flamewheel frame is much tougher than the KK type frame you are looking at and survives inevitable learning mishaps much better, also the DJI motors and ESCs are as good as you can get for anything like the price, they are reliable, rugged and durable and will last through many unfortunate occurrences.
Here is a link to the page I put together for assembling a DJI F330 Flamewheel which I also like (I have both) but I suggest starting with the F450 which will build the same: http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/dji-f330-flamewheel/
Here is a good reliable US dealer to buy from: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/2_382_2405_3233_...
The one thing I would suggest you upgrade to at some point are the GemFan DJI hub compatible 10" carbon filled props.
They are quite inexpensive, work a bit better than the stock props and are very hard to break (unlike the stock props).
This will cost you just a little more to start, but it will last you at least 10 times as long.
I would also suggest watching out for assorted inexpensive high end clone flight controllers, easy to run into setup or installation issues and then have no way to fix, makes nice paper weight.
If you want a cheap starter flight controller with no smarts, the little hobbyking (KK) one with an LCD will get you flying cheaply and adequately, then when you are ready you can get a real controller (APM or Pixhawk.) the copies look good, but especially for newbies often fall far short of hopes (or working for that matter).