UDrones HexaCopter ARF questions.

Hi everyone !

I recently got the Udrone Hexacopter including the gimbal with the lot and have a few general questions which im sure others will also have especially if they have little experience.

Resources

It would appear that there are quite a few others that are hunting for general tips on the hows, whats and whys. Hopefully i can help new and future enthusiasts by compiling some questions if when answered help ARF know all that they need to know.

http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/

ESC Calibration

I personally did not have to do any. Using the remote everything seemed just right, spinning up equally at the same time. I have not confirmed but i think the guys at UDrones took care of that, so thats sweet. If you want to know for sure i would suggest you ask them.

Propeller balancing

I personally did not have to balance my propellers. I found a few particularly useful vids on YT. Ive included a link to one below for easy reference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N02NHYrpA0g

Propeller/Collar assembly

The kit comes with 6 small plastic packets, which contains the collets, a single screw, collar(hope i got that right), 4 screws and a piece i will call the cross which has 8 holes, two on each arm. It appears of course the screws fit on the inside holes.

<Cross over engine mismatch.JPG>

I can assemble the entire collar, propeller, and its fits snuggly without the cross piece. One can add the cross but it fits just as well without any noticable wobbles or movement without it.

There is also a gap between the bottom of this assembly when it sits on the motor and the top of the housing of about 1cm if i recall. Note that i have not added blue loctite which seems to be general advice and screwed everything tight.

<prop between collar without cross.JPG>

What is this cross for ? Given the propeller/collar unit has a clearance of close to 1cm, i cant spot any purpose for it. Is this some extra that may be used for other planes but is superfluous for hexas and quads ?

Flite modes

I know im getting ahead of myself, but i thought id ask just to make this more complete. The great MissionPlanner supports 6 different modes, however my switch only has 3 settings. How exactly does one map 6 modes onto a typical tx ?

Camera Gimbal

Ive read the main wiki about setting up the gimbal but im confused.

http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/AC2_Camera

Should i simply plug the servo on the gimbal to the APM pin #11 as in the pic about 20% down ?

http://wiki.ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/git/images/APM2/CAMERA_APM2.jpg

Sorry i dont know the name of these connectors, but im NOT talking about the OUTPUTS(which has 8) or INPUTS(8 again and pretty much filled with wires to the servos and from the RX respectively.

3DRadio

I have not had much luck connecting in the MP to using the radio. Ive installed the required driver and connected the TX to the USB. It lights up and flashes green. The rx on the hex also flashes green which means waiting for a radio. They never turn solid green which indicates a connection. I did manage to update the firmware but before and after that ive never been able to get a connection for traditional control.

When i figure this out i will add more comments.

Batteries

My hex comes with two XT60s. Ive noticed plugging in a battery to either is enough to light everything up and rev the motors. This leads to my question why are they using different gauge wires ? Does it matter, im kind of confused.

Im going to try with one 5000 and then later probably give 2x5000 when im more experienced.

Phew, thats a lot of typing and hopefully useful info. Any comments to make this more informative is definitely welcome.

Cross over engine mismatch.JPG

prop between collar without cross.JPG

Here's a link to the assembly instructions. http://stuff.storediydrones.com/HexaAssemblyInstructions.pdf it will helps with your question about the cross bracket (probably just supplied, since it come with the motor, but not needed)

As for the Gimbal Servo. I would recommend against powering it from A11 (or CH11 as it is also called). Power the servo from the PWN Outputs and connect the signal line. (White or Yellow) to the S line in the picture.

From: http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/AC2_Camera section Connecting APM2

Warning: When using the APM Power Module or other dual supply setup with JP1 off, don't connect power from the CH10 & 11 connector to the servos, just use the signal lines. Power the servos via PWM Outputs connector. Alternatively if you have digital servos you can assign the gimbal roll/tilt to RC5 to RC8 outputs, if they are free. These solutions will avoid the scenario that can possibly happen when the Pan/Tilt servo draw too much current and cause the APM to brownout (reset)

You say you have two XT60 connectors? That sounds strange, You should have your battery going to a connector that is the Power Module and then one from there that goes to the Power Distribution Board. If the PDB is not connected to the out on the PM, and you connect a battery which is now direct to the PDB and everything powers up, including the APM, that sounds a bit worrying, as it could mean JP1 is on on the APM and it should not be. Can you send a picture?

Replies

mP1 January 22, 2013 at 5:46pm

VIDEO RX LIPO

I found a store on ebay from HK that sells 4800 and 6800 batteries with the right jack powered by a LIPO and they come with a charger.

http://stores.ebay.com/ForceHobby/_i.html?_nkw=12V+BATTERY&subm...

Just placed an order, will let everyone now when i get it.
T3

Richard Boyhan January 22, 2013 at 2:58pm

Your battery hookup has a dean connector and then you am adapter for xt60. Remove the adapter and use the dean. The other xt60 is for a separate battery for your FPV and it needs to be 12V. Use the following link to configure you DX8. You need two switches to get 6 flight modes. One 3 position and one 2 position.

http://www.diydrones.com/forum/topics/spektrum-dx8-6-flights-mode-w...

Don't forget you need to set your transmitter for plane and not helicopter. You need the gear switch for your 6 flight modes.

Happy flying.
Richard
T3

Richard Boyhan January 22, 2013 at 11:07am

Kind of surprised you don't have to balance any of your props. The props you normally get are APC plastic props, which are OK props, but I've always found them to be bit out of balance. You are lucky with the ESC calibration. It's usually what hangs people up. With regards to flight modes and setting them on your transmitter, we need to know what model transmitter you are using? When you get ready to fly, start slow and low. Try to just maintain altitude in stabilize mode. Get a feel for your RC equines and what it takes to fly. Try to fly in a big field away from people. It's safer that way.
Developer

Bill Bonney January 22, 2013 at 4:40am

Here's a link to the assembly instructions. http://stuff.storediydrones.com/HexaAssemblyInstructions.pdf it will helps with your question about the cross bracket (probably just supplied, since it come with the motor, but not needed)

As for the Gimbal Servo. I would recommend against powering it from A11 (or CH11 as it is also called). Power the servo from the PWN Outputs and connect the signal line. (White or Yellow) to the S line in the picture.

From: http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/AC2_Camera section Connecting APM2

Warning: When using the APM Power Module or other dual supply setup with JP1 off, don't connect power from the CH10 & 11 connector to the servos, just use the signal lines. Power the servos via PWM Outputs connector. Alternatively if you have digital servos you can assign the gimbal roll/tilt to RC5 to RC8 outputs, if they are free. These solutions will avoid the scenario that can possibly happen when the Pan/Tilt servo draw too much current and cause the APM to brownout (reset)

You say you have two XT60 connectors? That sounds strange, You should have your battery going to a connector that is the Power Module and then one from there that goes to the Power Distribution Board. If the PDB is not connected to the out on the PM, and you connect a battery which is now direct to the PDB and everything powers up, including the APM, that sounds a bit worrying, as it could mean JP1 is on on the APM and it should not be. Can you send a picture?

http://stuff.storediydrones.com/HexaAssemblyInstructions.pdf

This reply was deleted.

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Replies