First is anybody else flying the X8?
I bought mine RTF to do Aerial vids with a Hero 3D rig. I bought an brushless RCTIMER ASP 2-Axis Nex-GH5 . It was fairly easy to get a sound install and finally figure out how to power up the gimbal and it's seems to be working fine. I had to add landing pads to the base of the X8 landing gear to give the Gimbal and camera space for landing.
I have begun flight testing the rig and found the simply to adjust the COB on the x* I hang two batteries as far aft as I could. they were two 3s 4200 mah. My early flights were short and damaging. As I have now learned to view the flash logs and T logs I could see that I had a serious power deficiency and he throttle mid point was way low. I have to run the throttle hover mid point at 600 to get loiter stable. Is that too high? I found I was running routinely at 70-80 amps with the 3s batteries that came with the machine. Flight time was barely 4-5 minutes was precipitous drop at the end.
I decided to try a 4s battery 4000mah and have noticed some improvement in throttle levels and stable fllght times. I think I am on track with the larger 4s for the added weight but I'd love to hear other ideas. One thing I have found out is it's easy to kill a good battery if you run the voltage below levels and I've done it to three already when I try to get the maximum flight time.
I still have no confidence in this rig for a mission. I have been hover around the backyard. Trying to get it stable and get predictable flight times. When the juice runs out this thing drops like a stone and unlike my Phantom there is no real warning time.
I can only conclude I need more and larger batteries to get my flight times up. I am running the stock rig shipped by 3D Robotics.
Is there a mentor out there that would tolerate my incessant question while I try and master this very hard to fly rig?
I attach an image of the present set up with my ears open for better ideas.
Jamie
Replies
Hmm. sounds like something is up Jamie.
You calibrated compass, Gyro,ESC's, etc as per Wiki?
Did you try auto trim on very calm day / indoors ?
Batteries at C of G?
Vibration low (aka did you balance props)?
Sorry for asking about the basics, but something is majorly off compared to ours.
Why so beefy? Second motor per axis, the X8 fly's well even after loosing a motor or ESC!
Also the damn thing hovers +/- 1 cm, without GPS (just alt hold), clearly the extra power helps, as none of my other airframes will do that.
You can try my config file tomorrow, but I suggest, something basic is wrong.
Would link you a video on how well ours fly's, but weather is sh*t all week. Maybe I will fly it around shop sometime this week to show you how well it works.
Since there is no help to be found with APM I will be switching to Naza v2 to se if I can make the x8 sellable. Never going open source on expensive equipment again and not buying 3dr.
Jamie, I'm about to get a 3DR X8 with the ASP 2-Axis. I will appreciate any advice you can give me about the batteries and the Gimbal. I'm planning to use a Canon SX280 or a NEX.
LiPo Buzzer
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/lipo-buzzer
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34120__Hobbyking_2_8S_Ce...
You should get telemetry setup and you should read and configure fail safes. Loss of radio signal should RTL. Low battery should and fail safe should land.
When you practice stay low until can fly well. Learn to fly in stabilize mode. I mean learn really well. If all else fails you need flight skills to recover when the automatic fail. After stabilize you should work altitude hold then loiter then auto mission. You need to make sure everything work in one mode before moving to the more advance modes.
The wiki is quite good. You should read and study it. It has a wealth of info.
Remember have fun and fly safe.
P.S. There are only 2 types of pilots. Those that have crashed and those yet to crash.
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