Birth of Octocopter :)

3689441582?profile=original3689441607?profile=original3689441582?profile=original3689441652?profile=original

Almost there!
After countless hours of fitting and soldering, the thing is starting to look like something that will
actually fly! I had to make custom 3 degree mounts for the motors as they are too big for the frame.

Amazingly enough, the whole build was without any serious issues. Just niggly little gremlins that
were thwarted quickly.

Setup the APM1 board and all the esc & RC connections.
Loaded the latest firmware using MP.
At first it wouldnt arm, so I re-did the radio calibration and all worked flawlessly.
Im quite surprised as I had ENDLESS trouble with my arducopter but then again those were the
fresh n00b days. Im definitely on the road to not-so-fresh n00b :)

Thanks everyone who helped!

One thing I did notice is with the copter powered up, when I connect the USB to the PC. The
one motors spun up for like 100ms. Shouldnt be a problem. Havent connected via the xbee yet.

Today I plan to loctite all the motor screws and CAREFULLY give it a little test flight this
afternoon, as long as the wind dies down.

Hoping im not going to have too much stability issues.

One last point on vibration. The motors vibrate a little, and in turn vibrate the frame.
The electronics bed (clear polycarbonate) is mounted on 4 anti-vibration mounts.
They work alright, halving the vibration. The APM is mounted with 3 layers of foam double
sided tape. Im happy to report theres virtually NO vibration on it! W00t!

Will post some videos later!

G:)

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

  • very nice :)

    Just curious, what is (or will be) securing the props? Are they just pushed onto the shafts for the photos?

  • I read your build post, but the frame makers don't say much. Can you tell me the diameter of your center plate?
  • I was testing the motor in the CLI, so obviously I had to have them plugged in. But always lipo on first, and off last.

    Normally i remove the motor connections when Im not doing anything motor related :)

    G

  • Distributor

    Great pictures and it looks like a fine build! 

    one thing to remember concerning your motor moving when you plug to USB is this: 

    (REALLY IMPORTANT TO AVOID BURN OUT MOTORS!)

    brownoutwarning.jpg

     

    Cant stress it enough... 

    Send us more info/video, this build looks great! 

    Dany

    www.canadadrones.com

    canadadrones.com
  • Thanks for the info. Thinking of upgrading my quad some time. Can't wait for some videos.

  • Its a MK octo-xl frame (aluminium)

    I truly didnt have time to build my own frame!

    Heres all the components i used: http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/frankencopter-build-coming-...

    G:)

  • Very nice !!! Can you maybe upload some specs regarding motors, ESC and prop size. Did you build the frame ? Is that the 10mm x 10mm carbon fibre sqr tubing from Hobbyking that you used for your arms ? 

This reply was deleted.