Skywalker X8 Launcher Plans
I recently built an X8 launcher and thought that I would share the plans. The legs are removable, but at the moment, not adjustable. The trigger isn't anything special and I hope to modify it eventually. It currently is made up of a door hinge with springs welded between it and an extension on the top. The launcher that I built is rather heavy given that it is made out of iron, but the design it is based off of is made out of aluminum. Here is the link to the bungee that I…
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David- I watched your set-up video on your X-8, very good info. I have a question though, I'm using most of the same equipment including a Dragon LinkV.2 set-up (I know you are using older version) . When I go through radio calibration in the MP, all indications are that the APM is seeing my stick moves including 3-pos mode switch, 1094-1494-1891, however when I go to the next step, Modes, the MP does not react to my switch selection nor does it show up on the flight data screen. This is the first time I've used PPM output like you are using instead of 1 to 1 I/O's. I'm using Ch.12 on my DL Rx into input 1 on APM 2.0 with pins 2 & 3 jumpered.
Any idea's on why the mode change is not working?
Here is 2 screen captures of my X8 dropped from a balloon at 350 ft AGL.
Hit ground in powered dive at 67MPH.
Earl
I finished my X8 and it flies marvelously. Here is a video of my setup...
http://youtu.be/3GSG0TTeg5c
Hopefully this is helpful to anyone getting started with X8 and/or APM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgUoR_7gzzM
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/skwalker-x8-catapult?xg_source=...
@Glen Thomas: I think your motor failure on 1st and 3rd flights might be related to motor timing on the ESC. Check the motor specs, but I would try ramping the timing up to 15-20 degrees.
Sorry I do not have a video of the drag rudder configuration. I have seen one though, but I've been unable to get back to that link. I will keep looking for it and post the link once I find it again. I'll probably do the drag rudder configuration on a white X8. Currently I have the black one and I wanted to keep it stock. Hope you enjoy the manual I created.
do you have video of drag rudder in action? thanks
I was so excited to get my Skywalker X8 from bevrc.com as a Christmas present last year (2012). But as usual the Chinese often do not supply an assembly manual or any instructions at all for the Skywalker X8. After searching for the assembly manual on-line, I found several incomplete manuals written in Broken-English. That's OK, because I don't speak any Chinese, I feel far more inferior ... Well since there was no real good manual, I decided to decipher the two manuals that I found on-line and create a new manual. I think it is a complete manual for assembly, but it could possibly use some helpful tips. Please let me know if you like the manual of if you see any inconsistencies in it. You are more than welcome to email me at me@raygrauberger.com for a copy or download it at the following URL.
http://www.raygrauberger.com/DOWNLOADS/SkywalkerX8Assembly.pdf
The download URL is case sensitive.