Sub 250 Gram Pixracer Build - Parts - ArduCopter User Group

Since my Sub 250 gram pixracer is complete I thought I would share a parts list and some build pics.

The FC is a small 36x36 Pixhawk based, its capable of full autonomous waypoint flights, ACRO, has 5.8 GHZ Video, I added an inline DVR for doing real time recording. It even has a Wifi module for telemetry over Wifi. All in a small package that does not need registration.

I recently moved all the GPS and Video Tx inside to protect against damage in a crash
Also added aluminum standoffs for strength and moved the battery to the top.

Frame: http://www.banggood.com/Diatone-Blade-150-Carbon-Fiber-Quadcopter-Frame-Kit-Only-20g-p-982271.html?p=I32013833408201410RW

Motors CW : http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=505_506_749&products_id=5052

Motors CCW : http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=505_506_749&products_id=5051

ESC: http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=505_507_699&products_id=4919

Props: http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=534_539_567&products_id=4928

http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=534_539_567&products_id=4929

Pixracer FC and Power Module: http://auav.com/

Battery: http://www.getfpv.com/batteries/flight-packs/lumenier-800mah-3s-20c-lipo-battery-jst.html

Strap: http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_160&products_id=3735

FPV Camera:

http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_62_12&products_id=1275

Video Tx

http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_30_33&products_id=5190

Later upgraded to green aluminum standoffs

https://aerialpixels.com/shop/tools-hardware/metric-standoffs/m3-x-35mm-aluminum-round-step-standoff-green-4pcs

https://aerialpixels.com/shop/tools-hardware/metric-screws/m3-x-6mm-aluminum-socket-button-head-metric-screws-green-4pcs/?ref=isp_rel_prd&isp_ref_pos=4

NOTE, I was using this with DVR, lag was horrid, so dont use it, its impossible to race with.
Video Tx: http://www.overskyrc.com/mxvtxb-video-tx-micro-video-tx-6g-p-549.html

DVR and FPV Camera: http://www.overskyrc.com/micro-digital-camera-10g-real-time-dv-output-p-541.html

Replies

Quadzimodo April 19, 2016 at 5:52am

Nice rig. That is what the PixRacer was built to do! Love those tiny props, but worry they would be a mission to balance. Best of luck with your PIDs.

Still waiting on my order from auav, but it shipped a week ago and thus can't be too far away. I have high hopes for this exciting new FC.

That little camera and DVR combo unit looks interesting. What is the latency on the live output like?
- Edgar Scott > Quadzimodo April 19, 2016 at 8:07pm
  
  latency is bad, I also have a RMRC micro one and that one seemed so much quicker, but no DVR.
  
  There is a FPV video in the top of this post so you can see the recording. Its not much but its a start.
  
  This video was done before I got it flying as good as today so don't expect much in the way of flying, but you can at least see the video quality.
  
  Here is today's test with new standoffs and PIDs, you can see how much better its gotten.
This reply was deleted.
- Edgar Scott April 17, 2016 at 4:02pm
  
  I got it from Phillip @ http://auav.com/
  
  ACSP5
Marcus Wright April 13, 2016 at 9:08am

I always break the FPV antennas off when connected straight to the board. A short pig tail zip tied to the frame for strain relief works well. But then again, I crash more than most!!!
- Edgar Scott > Marcus Wright April 17, 2016 at 3:52pm
  
  Funny you say that, I lost it on my last flight, they are like 25 bucks at getfpv
DG April 12, 2016 at 7:38pm

What ESC's?

Which PM did you use?

Not sure how involved you want to get, but here's a video on tuning:

I had problems with my big Y6 1 1/2 years ago, but had the advantage of Leonard Hall intervening and get me close enough to do auto tune. Watching yours do AT would be a real hoot!

Have you checked vibration levels in the logs? Also, what do the THR_OUT look like at hover? I'm wondering what the thrust is of those props vs weight

BTW, you've inspired me to build a sub 250g fully autonomous quadcopter. Thanks a lot for your efforts!!
- Edgar Scott > DG April 12, 2016 at 9:06pm
  
  DG,
  
  Thanks for the video, I did not notice I forgot the link to the ESC so I added them to the post
  http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&a...
  
  At the moment Stab/Rate Roll/Pitch are all at the minimum to keep the vibration down, it wont let me go any lower, PIDs are also posted at top.
  
  Attached are the logs, I hovered in the house, landed then hovered again.
  
  I look at it but have no idea if this is good or bad :D
  
  2016-04-12 23-54-32.log
- DG > Edgar Scott April 13, 2016 at 9:12am
  
  It's just over 30% throttle at hover.
  
  I can't say for microquads, but on my larger copters when overpowered like that they like to dance around in the slightest wind no matter how much it is tuned. I put smaller props on, re-tune it and viola!, makes a huge difference.
  
  No expert tuner here, just giving my observations.
MR60

Forrest Frantz April 12, 2016 at 7:17am

Agree ... amazing. Can you post a captured FPV video of it in flight?
- Edgar Scott > Forrest Frantz April 12, 2016 at 7:21pm
  
  Forrest its a long way from my vortex but here is a first glimpse of its first FPV flight, i went out and tried it for you :)
  
  Battery is bad and props chipped so its pretty shaky, new battery and props should be here this week so hopefully this weekends flights will be more impressive.
  
  My PIDs just to get it not to jitter are the lowest possible settings, wonder if there is anything I can do to help make it not vibrate so much. The APM Mini was a lot smoother for sure, but I think its because I'm not tuned yet.
  
  For first flight I guess its okay.
  
  YouTube

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