Not a huge post today, but thought I'd show off the new build. Still got to tune it a bit, but runs pretty tight already. But here are a few simple mods you can make to improve your 2014 quad, that are really easy to do, yet will significantly improve performance. And if you're into aesthetics, it still looks completely standard. Unfortunately, it won't decrease it's surprisingly heavy weight...
1. Use rubber risers for the electronic plate.
Really simple mod has two functions - reduces transfer of vibration, and rises it above the noise a tiny bit more.
2. Use a 1/4 wavelength antenna.
For us EU 433 users, this will improve your 3DR telemetry range a bit. Remember and bump your tx power to 20, of course.
3. A 4-in-1 ESC
...makes for a cleaner build. But you should solder in a 3DR PM as well - compassmot works better on CURRENT. I'll do that eventually, but I've getting volts/amps etc from the immersion OSD. I should go to minimOSD at some point to save weight, and clean up the back plate a bit.
4. 35mm risers
Allows you to fit an ant-vibe platform, and raises the compass yet further
5. Anti-vibe plate
The 3D printed version!
I went with tmotors and 12" props (because that's all I had lying around).
..and that's it. Told ya it was a short one...
Comments
Very nice. Feel free to update with current/additional mods.
Pretty!
Nah, I'm just using a trace-cut 2.5.2 and the external compass/gps. Not moved to pixhawk yet - APM is servicing me just fine at the moment.
Very clean indeed! Just a quick consideration on the 4 in 1 ESCs... if you are using a Pixhawk not all models are compatible... (got something to do with the startup sequence and delays... 3DR said they were working on a fix but no ETA)
@ Gary - no problem - borrow away :-)
I did the "all at once" ESC calibration - the only difference this time, is I used the provided 4 into 1 servo lead. Normally I do it with APM in the loop. No problems though - maidened it tonight, and all was well:
Re: the anti-vibe platform...remember to get the blue and black one to match the frame :-) This is my results in loiter. Remember that these are some old, very crashed motors. Pushing it around at full sticks, it's up to -6 to -14.
+1 on the 4 in 1 ESCs, that is an excellent design consideration.
I did a review of this anti vibe Platform here : (is created by Guy, a member of this forum)
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/review-of-the-apm-2-x-anti-vibr...
Hi Euan,
Really nice Quad, where did the anti vibe platform come from, I've just been using stretched O-rings to the risers to hold mine.
I use the dual vibration suspension too, frame plate plus suspended APM gets it down to sub 1/10 G accels.
I'm using the 4 in one ESCs too which seem to work well, although I have a question, when you spool yours up, does one motor seem to lag when you first start?
When first starting I have one motor that actually seems to spin backward for a fraction of a turn then reverses and works fine.
Do you do individual or combined ESC balance?
I'd like to include this in my dronesarefun.com website if you wouldn't mind, it seems to be a very functional build.
Best Regards,
Gary
Re: antenna - I got mine from readymaderc, along with the SMA adapter. Some experimentation is to start with range. I also have a 1/4wl on the groundstation as well.
Re: mavlink on immersion - there isn't any. I get the usual OSD bits from immersion, but I will replace it with a minimOSD at some point, and then I'll be be using the mavlink.
How does your immersion OSD get the mavlink telemetry to display it ?
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