Hello everyone,
I have finally completed the build of my UAV platform. I'm talking just the plane here; the autopilot issue is a very different one and I'm still experimenting on it.
I always like to give back to DIYDrones, which conveys very valuable information to me daily, so here you have it.
Here is photo gallery. If anyone needs a parts list I'll be happy to provide one.
Side View
Under-Side PaintJob
Direct USB Connection Port
GPS and Receiver Installation
Battery and Differential Pressure Sensor Placement
USB Port Hatch
The Carrying Case
Made out of PVC tubing
Inside its Belly
Thanks for watching!
Comments
Can I ask where you got the landing gear?
No biggie.
Brilliant idea! I also put a capacitor on the input side to prevent brown outs as well. Thanks for the response.
In this particular BEC unit, as with most, the two power leads are practically identical, they are shorted together. It's the same output with two plugs servicing it.
In fact, I plugged those outputs onto a "power rail", and made them available to the rest of the equipment.
The first BEC rail services the electronics, while the second BEC services only servos.
I haven't flown for so long for faults to appear and prove me right, but I feel that providing separate power for the servos is a good practice to avoid brown-outs.
I know that with that Ubec there are two leads that come off the output side. Do you still find the need for two becs to power the APM?
The also are some bits and pieces in there as well, feel free to ask what you don't recognize.
Someone asked for a parts list, so here it is:
1. RCTimer Voltage & Current Sensor 90A - Current sensor
2. RCTimer MAVLink-OSD V1.0 - OSD, not installed yet
3. Airspeed Kit with MPXV7002DP - Airspeed kit
4. FTDI Basic Breakout Arduino USB-TTL 6 PIN 3.3 5V - FTDI board, for programming purposes
5. 433Mhz ArduFlyer V2.5.2 UAV GPS Flight Control System - Full Arduflyer suite
6. New 2013 skywalker 1880 - The airplane
7. Rear wheel for skywalker, TYPE B [WLB] - Real wheel kit, needed modification
8. Hobby King 60A ESC 4A UBEC - ESC
9. APC Style Propeller 12x6 - Propeller
10. TURNIGY 8-15A UBEC for Lipoly - x2, BECs for electronics power supply
11. ZIPPY Flightmax 5000mAh 3S1P 25C - x2, Batteries
12. AX2814---special customed for skywalker [BEV-AX2814 motor] - Motor
13. BEV-ES08MA [BEV-ES08MA] - x4, Servos
Not in the list:
The light, cheap, pan-tilt gimbal from BEV RC, with 9g servos
To buy:
14. Mobius camera
15. Video TX/RX system
16. Antenna tracker assembly
17. Telemetry long range antennae
The differential pressure sensor is used in conjunction with a Pitot probe to for an airspeed sensor. The Ardupilot has innate support for such a sensor and by using it, it can regulate the airspeed of the airplane.
Thanks Georacer,
Sorry yes I meant UBEC when I typed SBEC, but yes split outputs, I didn't see any of them connected in your photos.
Thanks for the link re ground current loops, I'll go and read it now.
Regards
Martin.
Hello Martin,
No, I don't use a 3DR power block. I didn't have a real reason to use one.
It is a linear BEC (UBEC) not a switching BEC (SBEC). It doesn't really have dual outputs. It has just split the output wires onto two plugs. Nothing too fancy.
I have connected the one UBEC output to the APM input rail. I have connected the other UBEC output directly to the servo power rails. I have NOT connected the servo power rails to the APM output rail.
Please take a look to this "schematic" (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25194082&postcoun...) to take a general idea. This is about eliminating ground current loops that can "fry" your sensitive electronics. This is a real concern.
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