Beginning assembly of my first quadrotor UAV

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My primary purpose in this new project is photo/video, as opposed to acrobatics and agility.  I started out focused on a Phantom 2.  But I quickly realized I would be better off building my own custom multi.  I need a hobby, I like to tinker, tweak, build, and modify things.  Building my own custom multi would let me build it my way, and let me expand on it in the future. With a Phantom or other pre-made models, it basically is what it is.  I quickly switched gears from DJI Naza to the ArduCopter controllers for the same reasons.  The things I can do with ArduCopter are the things my dreams are made of.  Next I went back and fourth between a Quad and a Hex.  I wanted a hex for photo/video stability and redundancy.  But for now I ultimately settled on a quad. Since I'm new and learning how to fly, I figure the quad will be easier, and with less to break.  I picked a quad frame large enough to handle some nice big props, so I'll get the extended flight time while hovering or moving slowly.  I'm not buying the photo/video gear just yet.  No sense in flying around an extra $1000 of stuff while I'm busy learning and crashing.

Quad Frame: Turnigy H.A.L. (Heavy Aerial ift) (585mm)
ESC: Afro ESC 30Amp with SimonK and a USB programmer
Motors: AX-2810Q-750KV Brushless Quadcopter Motor
Props: Slo-Fly 11x4.5 black and green
Flight Controller: 3D Robotics APM 2.6 with GPS and data link
Transmitter: Turnigy 9XR with the OrangeRX DSM2 module
Receiver: OrangeRX R910 9-Channel receiver
Battery: Zippy compact 5000mAH 4S 25C (2x in parallel)
Charger: Turnigy MAX80W 7A chargers
Charger P/S: HK 105W 15V/7A Switching DC Power Supply

 

 

 

Once I'm good at flying this thing, and I trust myself to fly with another $1000 worth of gear attached to the belly, my future plans include:

  • Gimbal for a camera, to be determined by the type of camera.
  • HD camera of some kind, yet to be determined.
  • FPV transmitter, goggles, and monitor.
  • OSD for flight data
  • Rebuild into a Hex or Octo
  • Sonar and image sensor for low altitude stability

 

Frame completed.  Landing skids going on last since they would be in the way.

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Powerplant

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Flight controller, GPS & Compass, datalink radio, and controller

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Avionics deck made from standoffs and CDs.  The ESCs and a HK power distribution board will be going between the bottom deck and the frame.  The flight controller and radio receive will be on the middle deck.  And the GPS will up on the top deck.  The datalink radio will be mounted to the bottom of the frame as far from the flight controller as possible.  The batteries will be strapped to the bottom of the frame.

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Made my own jumpers to go from the motors to the speed controllers.  Lots of solder and heat shrink.  The motors did not come with connectors on them so I had to add those as well.

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That's all for now. I'm waiting on the radio receiver and power distribution board to arrive this week so I can start final assembly.

 

 

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Comments

  • So you used O-Ringers on the motor mounts? Did you find that added to the vibration dampening?  I like that idea.  I've seen people try putting actual dampening gel or foam under them and it just made things worse.  But I can see something small like that helping a little bit.

  • I used common Gel pads for tennis shoes and cut them for anti-vibration pads, I also used rubber O rings instead of washers when attaching the engines and other components, it worked great! Nice job and let me know how things turn out, Steve, steveb@grpc.com.

  • Yep. I actually ordered the Kyosho Zeal vibration dampening gel and a Du-Bro prop balancer. I was trying to find those items locally so I wouldn't have to ship them. But alas the hobby shops around here leave a bit to be desired.  I was originally going to go with moongel since it seems to be better. However, it is too hot in the summer for moongel here.

  • You might also want to buy some anti vibration gel to place between the frame and your APM. I personally like the Kyosho zeal green gel, while others have other ideas. Vibrations are a killer and need to be isolated from your auto pilot.

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