Building my UAV Modular Test Platform

This week I started building my MTP or Modular Test Platform that will help me someday build a full/partial UAV that will cross all 3,000 miles of the U.S.*

I constructed the modular tail section that will be able to separate from the fuselage, nestled the servos in really good to reduce drag, and placed the control horns as closely to the pivot point to increase control surface range.

I tested my electronics: I took the Servo's, Tx and Rx from a crashed Wild Hawk RTF, and new 2200 mAh 20c batteries, 1,400 kv motor, 30amp Mystery ESC, and a 8x4 apc prop (all from Hobby King) and hooked it all up, then powered them up to see if all was well. And it wasn't!

My ESC/Motor set up was non-functional. I'm not sure which or if both are not functioning, and as this is my first brushless set up, I don't have other electronics to test it with. I checked all the connections to make sure everything was set up correctly, and made other efforts, but couldn't get them to function. I went ahead and ordered new parts to replace both, just in case, while I complete the airplane construction to stay on schedule.

I plan on completing it next week, maybe even making the maiden!

To see what I I did, check out the episode on YouTube above

*visit www.MyGeekShow.com for the full details of my 3,000 mile flight goal

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Comments

Trent at MyGeekShow May 31, 2011 at 8:18pm

Great idea! More Rx's so I don't have to yank the electronics each time I move to a new plane... smart. smart. smart.
Brent May 31, 2011 at 8:09am

Hope you get it working Trent, although you will need to consider a another TX because you are a tinker'er (sp)? and will sooner than later have a need for elevons, mixing and more than 4 channels! The turnigy 9X is becomming quit popular for a good price also many nice 72Mhz used TX/RX are comming up for sale cheap as peoiple switch over to 2.4Ghz.
Trent at MyGeekShow May 31, 2011 at 3:45am

I'll be getting new ESC and Motor in a week or so, and will test them all together on this Rx Tx, I doubt all 4 will be bad, so either it will work and one of the portions of my old set up is bad, or the rx/tx isn't providing the right signal. That would kind of surprise me though, surely I'm not the only one who has taken old parts from a wild hawk and put new brushless electronics on it?
Brent May 30, 2011 at 2:32pm

Ok. The throttle range on the W/H TX will not arm the brushless ESC. Been down this road in the W/H thread @ rcg.
Maybe a mod would fix
it?
Sebastian Gralla May 30, 2011 at 8:14am

Brent: that's not correct

brushless and brushed ESCs with only one direction look for 1.0ms

brushless and brushed ESCs with reverse capability look for 1.3-1.5ms

doesn't matter which TX you have, they will send the same values
Trent at MyGeekShow May 30, 2011 at 4:35am

Thanks Russell... I may just do that!
Russell B. Sutton May 29, 2011 at 8:10pm

HaHa LOL! Yes I do. I love my Turnigy Radio, It offers so much flexibility, but their are some things u should know about it. DO NOT plug the battery in to the Tx backwards, It will go up in SMOKE. For Realz. I'm waiting for my 2nd Radio as we chat. Before Flying take the Tx apart and check the solider joints @ the switches and Pot's. It has a stupid beep sound when your in the setup. Other than that Its THE BOMB. The next thing to do is add a Battery Polarity protection curcuit and flash the FirmWare with the ER9x. Trent it's the radio 4 u. Also pickup 2 or 3 extra $9 recievers for your next or other projects.
Trent at MyGeekShow May 29, 2011 at 7:11pm

Russell:

I took a look on HobbyKing at a Turnigy 9x, they look pretty good, and have good reviews, do you have any experience with them?
Trent at MyGeekShow May 29, 2011 at 7:10pm

Brent:

I've never heard of that, but it wouldn't surprise me, especially since the Tx is so cheap. Sad day... I may have to try the set up on a friend's Tx Rx that is higher quality. I'll let you know what I find out.
Russell B. Sutton May 27, 2011 at 9:23pm

Time to get a Turnigy 9x. LOL

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