Advice for a noob building a Y6?

Posted by Felipe Rabat on November 21, 2014 at 12:28pm

My Y6 Kit should be shipped next week, and I have been reading quite a bit online.  

I ordered it along with 3DR's FPV/OSD setup (I plan to replace the camera with one I have with pan and tilt, and maybe use this headtracker later on) with the cloverleaf antena set with covers.  I also got me 2 of 3DR's 6000 mAh 4S batteries for power.  I have not yet decided on the gimbal (I am still debating wether I want a GoPro or something more robust, like a mirrorless camera).

In order to improve a little the distance for the MAVLink, I got a set of L-Com HG905RD-RSP - 900 MHz 5dBi Rubber Duck Antenna with RP SMA Plug Connector.  I also bought a MB1040 LV-MaxSonar-EZ4 High Performance Ultrasonic Range Finder and printed thisbase for it.

Now, what I want to know, is:

1. Is there any known pitfalls I should be on the lookout for when building this model?

2. I have read a lot about the location of the ESC; some say that the recommended way to install them by 3DR may not be optimal because it restricts the folding of the legs.  Where would you guys recommend I install them at?

3. Where do you recommend I install the antennas?  I have also read some debate about this online...

4. I want to have sonar to make object (and ground) avoidance as optimal as possible, but I have read conflicting threads on wether if the PixHawk can handle them or not for multicopter (I know it can for rovers and other configurations).  But I have found some owners that run sonar (see here).  Any advice on how best to set this up?

5. I also plan to use my Futaba 10C with this kit; hopefully, my Orange FASST compatible Rx will work, but if not, I will have to buy a PPM compatible receiver.  Anyone out there using an Orange FASST Rx?

6. Any advice on where to route the cables and how to connect the motors and ESC (bullet connectors vs direct soldering)?

7. Any advice on auto tuning and prepping for flight?

8. What gimbal would you recommend?  Ideally, I want a 3 axis one, but I may settle for a 2 axis one in the end...

9. Anything else you want to share?

By the way, I am currently in Panama (Central America) and will be moving to Costa Rica in January.

Felipe

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Replies

  • Felipe Rabat November 22, 2014 at 9:05am
    Thanks, DG; this is what I was looking for. Ihave been spending some time on the sim, as well as with my Estevez micro quad to get some flight time in quads, but I understand simulators for multicopter are not so realistic, and that the Y6 behaves a bit different from quads. I am just getting into multicopters (I have been in RC for years, but never got into this before). So far, I am trying to study as much as I can before flying this thing. I feel its better to spend more time prepping than repairing! So thanks for all the advice!

    By the way, I have heard the prop nuts can loosen from impacting grass and such; any advice regarding this? Loctite, perhaps?
    • DG > Felipe Rabat November 22, 2014 at 10:40am

      Loctite 222 is really what should be used for these size screws on the props, but many use 242/243. Read the specs on both and decide.

      I went into this about the same as you, but didn't use a Sim. Everything went together good. Takeoff was my problem as the copter was rolling right and pitching. Looking back I was too timid with the throttle to get the thing off the ground. If you put everything together right, do all the tests and are sure it is functioning correctly, my advice is to takeoff in stabilize mode (Simple or Super Simple OFF for that switch) with sufficient throttle. Don't feather it, gun it to gain some altitude. Then switch to Loiter  with Simple/Super Simple ON (I prefer Super Simple) if you feel you can't handle it. It will stabilize and hold steady assuming GPS and Mag is working correctly.

      One note: allow the GPS to lock on satellites and give it a good 5 minutes before going up. Don't just rely on the Pixhawk LED going to green. Also, check the Solar Flare activity (K Index) for the day. If you have an android phone, download the app "K-Index Monitor" or go to http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html. I believe it was high K Index that caused me problems in late summer. 

      At that point, gain some more altitude and try switching back to Stabilize and see how it handles. Always remember to keep the throttle at hover position or higher though before switching back to Stabilize! Otherwise, it could drop from the sky leaving you dumbfounded.

      With my new copter, I didn't repeat the same mistake on the maiden flight. It wanted to pull aft and left, but my flying skills are good enough now that it didn't intimidate me even with 3x more powerful motors.

      It looks like you're going about it the right way. At first I'd leave the video stuff off......just in case :)

      If Doug chimes in, he's a wealth of knowledge on flying these things.

  • DG November 21, 2014 at 8:21pm

    Is this your first multirotor? No spare props? :)

    1. Is there any known pitfalls I should be on the lookout for when building this model

    a) The CG needs to be correct and balance the props, motors too.

    b) Make sure the wiring is correct and test components before buttoning it all up

    c) I don't use the ESC BEC. Instead use this for backup power http://www.hobbywing.com/product_show.asp?id=209

    d) Be patient with getting the wiring to fit inside the frame, unless  you plan on spending several hours

        cutting to reduce the spaghetti bundle and resoldering.

    2. I have read a lot about the location of the ESC; some say that the recommended way to install them by 3DR may not be optimal because it restricts the folding of the legs.  Where would you guys recommend I install them at?

    a) I didn't have a problem folding the legs with the ESC's mounted per 3DR's instructions, but I ended up not folding the legs anyway. Again, it's how you organize the wiring.

    3. Where do you recommend I install the antennas?  I have also read some debate about this online...

    a) Telemetry on top next to Pixhawk is where I mounted that.

    b) I think the vx tx antenna should be mounted underneath

    4. I want to have sonar to make object (and ground) avoidance as optimal as possible, but I have read conflicting threads on wether if the PixHawk can handle them or not for multicopter (I know it can for rovers and other configurations).  But I have found some owners that run sonar (see here).  Any advice on how best to set this up?

    I have no experience with sonar.

    5. I also plan to use my Futaba 10C with this kit; hopefully, my Orange FASST compatible Rx will work, but if not, I will have to buy a PPM compatible receiver.  Anyone out there using an Orange FASST Rx?

     I use Taranis and Frsky X6R, can't help you there

    6. Any advice on where to route the cables and how to connect the motors and ESC (bullet connectors vs direct soldering)?

    Not much to recommend there other than I would never direct solder the wires for this copter. What a nightmare that would be. Just look at pictures of other 3DR Y6 copters to see how they did it and go for it. The bullet connectors are fine......a bit long on the wiring, but it will all fit and is snug.

    7. Any advice on auto tuning and prepping for flight?

    Lots of advice on this, but I'll just touch on a few.

    a) Take your time

    b) Read all available sources on setting it all up.

    c) In the parameter settings, zero out the x and y trim. Not doing this caused me some problems because

    the copter kept trying to roll right and pitch forward even though the CG was very well balanced. Consequently I went through a few GPS masts and props. Cause? Inexperience for one thing, but finally I figured out the trim settings were set by default off zero. Once you're ready for the maiden flight, if you try to feather it off the ground first time up, frustration will follow. After you're sure everything is working correctly and test the throttle, pitch and roll (to make sure they are correct), gun it hard enough to get in the air and switch to Loiter mode if necessary. Learn those flight modes and practice using them!!!

    d) Did I mention take your time?

    e) Auto Tune worked great for me. I did it twice, seemed to work better. First you need to adjust the trim; that's in the instructions as well.

    Above is just an overview and right off the top of my head.

    8. What gimbal would you recommend?  Ideally, I want a 3 axis one, but I may settle for a 2 axis one in the end...

    Can't help you there either. I only use FPV camera. Seems to me 3DR offers what works right on their website.

    9. Anything else you want to share?

    Take your time, and make absolutely sure the motors are spinning in the right direction (and in correct position) and do all the tests you can prior to mounting the props. Don't take any shortcuts. Make sure the failsafe is working, for both the battery and GCS. Learn what the different flight modes are, and have RTL ready to use in case you get in trouble. Also, understand the difference between Simple and Super Simple mode, and preferably have stabilize mode that doesn't use them in case the GPS glitches/fails. Read. Read. Read.

    Too much to list here. All I can say is use all the Arducopter resources. If you get stuck in one area, ask. Usually someone will help out, especially if you ask twice, nicely :)

    Good luck and have enjoy your Y6. If you wish, watch this guy's videos. He has lots of gear on his Y6 and some nice videos on his channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXTDXf3RrrE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpaRRjKNUZs

    http://www.hobbywing.com/product_show.asp?id=209
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