RC India

           
                  It was in June or July, rainy season here in kerala , I was scrolling through the arduino playground pages... Then came across arduino controlled multicopter - The term multicopter struck .. have heard about Remote control planes helicopters and drones - But arduino controlled - why haven't I tried this before, As a electronics hobbyist from childhood I always dreamed of autonomous robotic systems that have so many applications in everyday life, but the idea of a autonomous drone or copter or whatever haven't strike me up to that day ..........and that lead me here....

              Up to this date i could swear there was no single day I brows through the net for build logs, theories , PID control loops, Electronic and electric components , etc.. etc.. .Learned a lot on quad copters, multi rotors etc... but I know I am not accomplished & I haven't really flown anything with a Remote control yet -( All that I could make airborne was those paper rockets - And I could say I have tried wide variety of designs with them , I have even succeeded making those that flips over and comes back to the start point !!!   ;))

              The real problem came when i finally decided to make one and started searching for parts - You may laugh - But what I found was Motors that costs around 1000 s and dedicated speed controllers also in same price range  :banghead: - well If this is the case I am never gonna make it !!  :(. After searching and searching and again searching every day , comparing prices through different LHS, International hobby sites, decided to buy from ebay , And I could say I got some really good deals. ;)

               There is RTF , PNF and ARF , but that is not my passion , I want it my own made and that way I could save any one rupee I can.

               The packages started coming IN around middle of this month and already got motors , props , connectors , and some other electronics for my DIY multiwii flight controller The SimonK 30A ESCs are yet to arrive.

               As for the flight controller I am using multiwii with custom h/w as of now there are plans for later upgrades.  (The build thread for this Flight controller will be updated and is under the DIY projects board) .                                :hatsoff:

   

Before going in to the build details, let me thank ,

• arun.sreelakam , -my native- for giving guidence and giving a Flysky 6Ch radio   :hatsoff:
• Anja Babu , for giving two good batteries   :hatsoff:
• Vishal sir - For sending me a battery for free !  :bow:
• And many others who gave helpful advices

 
(  There was bad experiance too  .... Not saying it now  :(  )

So This weeks works included making the frame and soldering gold connectors to motors.
Also checked the multiwii firmware with MPU6050 -( details in flight controller build thread.)

Designed and made the frame using 16mm (3/4") aluminum square tubes and some cut out plastic sheet for center plate , all was done the previous Saturday  . But I am not satisfied with this design will make another - very soon.

the first frame pics.

Just put some colours......

Still, I have to upgrade the center plate to Fiberglass PCB or hylin sheet.
And motor mounts need to be made,
Now I am zip tying motors !!

Any suggestion with the material for center plate ?
I am planning to use GF copper clad sheet (which we normally use for Etching PCB !!)

Also I am struck at, with what I should make motor mounts...
Shall I zip tie it always, or bolt it to the Aluminum booms itself ?

Try plywood for the center plates, its good at absorbing vibs and light weight. Lots of people zip tie their motors. In case of a crash the ties just break absorbing the force.

But sir light weight Thin plywood, suitable for that purpose seems not available here in my place :(.

What about Glass fiber Clad sheet or thin Hylin sheet (switch board plate material) ?

or where can I get Glass fiber or carbon fiber.

Have a look here http://www.quadkopters.com/product/diy-parts/easycopter-hub/ (http://www.quadkopters.com/product/diy-parts/easycopter-hub/)

350 RS ?????? + shipping extra..
That's not possible, better make my own,....

dont zip tie the motors. though its easy way but ve got its own disadvantages. once u fire up the motors there ll be a lot of vibration n this ll lead the motors to tilt slightly. this ll affect ur  flight stability. try it slowly u ll realise. better go for screws.

Yup.... I just used zipties for setting it all up and testing.....

Will surely upgrade.

But shall I get extra motor mounts or directly bolt the motors to aluminum booms ?

what is the weight of your frame without electronics?

Weight of the 4 Aluminium booms only is 120Gms. (weighed)
Center plate is plastic- may be less than 50 Gms.

So the main remaining weight of frame will be of the nuts and bolts.

Actually I haven't yet weighed the whole frame set up.
will do it soon.

well there is one way. If ur are using hard plastic i mean thick one, then cut a piece such that one portion is round where u can mount the motor with four holes for fixing the motor screws, the other end should be rectangular extended till the aluminum booms. put two holes at this end. This end will be connected to the booms via screws. I think this design is rather inexpensive and easy.

But won't the plastic bend - What you mean hard plastic ?

Now I got another idea, use the same PCB (GF) which I use for center plates too.
I can cut out this PCB in to motor mounds , , But problem is whether plastic or PCB, this will brake upon a crash, So what about bolting the motors directly to frame ?

u can also use acrylic sheets they are strong enough similar to plastic bt try them

Great work. Go ahead :)

Use zip ties. Tighten them nicely. They work very well.
Use gf to make centre plates and all the parts like mounts.  Gf is best.
Screws are not the best option as it is a point force on thin aluminium walls and it will cause bending on slight crash. Take gf sheet and make rectangular(1.5 inch x .5inch)mounts for motors and mount motors to it and connect those to arms with zip ties.

I personally had some bad experiences with zip ties, so am saying to avoid them. u can use copper claded board used for manufacturing pcb. it ll cost around 30 bugs which is sufficient for 4 motors. its rigid ll not bend or break easily.

thanks for suggestion,  What is this acrylic sheet?

@ radiocraft - thanks,
How is the radio deal going ?

Won't that come off?

Yup, that's my option , Thanks a lot. :hatsoff:

I am also saying use pcb which is same as gf. To make mounts but connect those mounts to arms with zip ties instead of screws. Use screws only to connect gf sheet mount and motor. Tighten it well no problems. I flew stunts with it. There is no reason for having problems with vibration shaking it as vibration is something u should not have at all. Some other problem is causing failure.

See attached pics. I just cut a plastic sheet to show how. Make the White sheet out of pcb. This is just example.


See video of this guy- http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aP2h53Nwn9Y (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aP2h53Nwn9Y)

Thanks a lot for the trouble you took :thanks:.
But you are using only zipties I don't see screws anywhere ???

I won't take such a risk. I ll post some pics how I ve zip tied . I need some aluminium booms do u ve any.

You can get it from Aluminum fabrication workers - I got this 4 peices of 40CM long for free from some local fabrication workshop (scrap cut peices)

okay thanks, I ll check out.

@soorajp. Use screws only to connect mounts and motor. Connect the whole thing with zip ties to arms like in previous pictures. Zip ties have more than 20kg shear strength. It's some other problem causing problems.

@miginstruments. U can buy aluminium tubes in sp road.

Don't know if you can check out or check in , in  these local workshops, I don't think of such a need.  :giggle:
Just check it out in a workshop .
Ha ha, jus' joking........

@pravesh736  , I got it..... :thanks:

thanks pravesh. thank sooraj

The zip ties will tear before the shafts bend, if your quad crashes. I use zip ties. There are two types of copper clad. You need to get the FR4 one. Usually the substrate has a greenish tinge to it and is translucent.

.

Yes I have the same - didn't knew it's name though (FR4) !!.
This board is original Glass fiber.
Thanks for suggestion.

Check out my flight videos, watch in HD, and please mute audio *(it won't be interesting !! )

thank you all for the support you gave me . :thanks:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6FSuqgml5hI (http://) (http://)

Ha ha, I was wondering how to embed the video - now learned it :)

That's a really nice quad  :goodjob:. Keep us updated on any upgrades (FPV, GPS?) and all the best!

everything is in plan - and will be updated along.
A multiwii flight controller with GPS  is currently being built .
Always in the look out for a cheaper deal in 5.8GHz 200mW FPV transceiver.

Now I am upgrading my frame to metal center plates, As I got my SMPS burned last week :banghead: I will be using its box (hard, light weight ) for center plates, got it cut in to shape today.

Really nice. Your DIY skills are impressive. i wouldn't dare scratch build a frame for my first quad. This set looks good: http://www.quadkopters.com/product/fpv-kit-and-accessories/fpv-kit-5-8g-200mw-av-txrx-system-with-sony-ccd-420tvl-camera/ (http://www.quadkopters.com/product/fpv-kit-and-accessories/fpv-kit-5-8g-200mw-av-txrx-system-with-sony-ccd-420tvl-camera/)
Sadly it's out of stock. 4950 is a good price since a similar set is 54 dollars on Hobbyking without the camera.

4950 ???
haha , hey dude, my whole quad with radio costs only below 9500 !!
I am in look out for ebay deals - FPV transceiver costs around 35USD for buy it now. but I am waiting to get a even cheaper deal by bidding, as I don't have even that much money now :giggle:
well, why I DIY ? , because, I can save some more bucks there ;D

9500!! WOW! Only my kit with frame, motors, ESCs and kk 2.1 was that much. LiPo, transmitter, charger, and accessories were all extra! What is your complete setup?

well this 9500 is managed by getting transmitter, LiPo etc... second hand.

Here is the setup

motors : 4x XXD 2212 /13t 1000Kv with two pair 1045 props : 2000Rs
ESC     : 4x simonk 30A for 1800Rs.
Flysky radio and receiver FS-T6 for 3000Rs.
LiPo - 2200 mah 3S 30C : 700/-
KK 2.0 : 1300/-
some other h/w and stuff : 500.

well this even don't sum up 9500 - have other expenses too -
But I know altogether I spend around 10K .

Done some upgrades on the frame  - New Landing skids from plastic shirt hanger :giggle: thanks akhil eattan, (Akhilzid) for this Idea .
New bottom plate with fiber glass PCB (the old plastic center plates bend easily
Stronger motor mounting
And new yellow props - thanks Arun eattan (Arun.sreelakam)
So today I made the first RC Air Show in our college - Proud of that !! (even though it was mainly hovering around the ground and inside our auditorium - No much acrobatics as I ain't an experienced drone flyer :giggle:)

do u have a video of the show ? can u post it pls

May be tomorrow - As I had the Tx in hand couldn't take Video.
Some of my friends should have taken videos, so will upload tomorrow .

Here is few pics from college, videos soon.
Main attraction is Landing skid from Shirt hanger - Found out the versatility of these - can be used as prop guards too. Thanks Akhil eattan for this idea.

shirt hanger that's awesome  :giggle: :giggle: :giggle:

Credits to Akhilzid !

It seems, there is lot of interest in my other thread - DIY multiwii FC, And many people asked is this quad currently Flying with that board -
NO - I am currently flying the above quad with KK2 board.
Multiwii is tested on this quad - but not flown too much.
Now I am gonna get back to my DIY FCB.

Good idea
Sooraj, looks like your creation is attracting your collage girls.. ;) huuummmm.

:giggle:

Most of the students where in front of me, so not in the frame.

Hey if ur using multiwii v2.5 I mean if u had used it can u send me the firmware and pid values ??

Well, currently it is flying with KK2.0
But I can send you latest multiwii firmware.
But PID values differ for each build, so you have to tune it yourselves.

@cyberhack, Check mail.

thank u sooraj :)

pretty cheap price for the stuff you bought..... How ??...

Though it is, cheap, Goes well.
I got it for these prices by bidding.

alright.

at college.

Flying well after PI tuning, Flying to the heights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipD0x466kuU# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipD0x466kuU#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRUtiPZzWA# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRUtiPZzWA#)

Nice flying  :goodjob: I still have not got a chance to go that high. It has started getting very windy now.

don't fly with KK2 in High currents, it's not safe.

Awesome man.... :thumbsup: (:|~ {:)} :bow: Very nice and stable flying. :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

@Shijin, Thanks.
Eagerly waiting for your Heli !

the stability of the quad is impressive.
could you tell me from where you learnt about the pi tuning?
ive been through many resources but havent managed to perfect it
thanks :)

Wow.
That's really stable.
Ad perfect landing.
:thumbsup:

Oops how did I miss this.... Pretty good and stable build in budget...

Thanks everyone,
@pushpreet, The landing, is hard learned - I now understand why experts always wish a newb "Happy landing" than Happy flying !!
@yashd91, I followed the same steps in kk2 manual, however , I will post the same again.

Sooraj nice quad. Please ensure flying exactly over the head can cause brown out.

thks, but what's brown out ?
all i know on that term is "A brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. "
but how it relates here ???

As per my Tx manual, the signal is weakest in the axis of the antenna. Perhaps he means that if the Tx and Rx are aligned (like over your head) there may be a signal loss (brownout).

oh I see, but I have Rx antenna horizontally laid down (parallel to the ground),and I usually have the Tx antenna folded, not pointing upward -
Anyway I haven't experimented with these antennas at all, and will be doing so next time :)

Here's a screenshot from my manual. Just to illustrate. If your Tx antenna is not pointing directly at the Rx antenna, it should not be a problem.

Yeah, I get it, I keep Tx antenna not pointed , it is usually kept folded, to a side.

UPGRADE TIME !!!!!!

Wait for ver. 1.3 !!

Full black Frame

New PCB center plates with Integrated power distribution HUB.

A tidy design

New three blade props .

:goodjob: Photos please. What did you use for etching? Ferric chloride?

Still uploading - thanks to super fast Idea Internet :banghead:

Yes I used ferric chloride.

EDIT : Photos uploaded , had to compress it to lowest size for uploading :(

Here is the bottom plate with Ugly power distribution hub .
Actually this was not preplanned, But while searching for some thing else found This copper clad board in my junk box  ;D , Took a permanent marker, drew that artwork (May be it is modern art) by hand - no any pre plans, just drew a track. - Put in Ferric chloride (Have lot in stock !!) - Had to fight with mom for getting a ceramic plate and boiling some water from Kitchen  :giggle: .

 Drilled it Last day and put it all to the frame yesterday (New year eve !!)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/PDB_zps7730d487.jpg)

The frame just put together to check alignment.

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/assembled_zpsc02a0dc8.jpg)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/frameassembled_zpse8617824.jpg)

Here is Bottom plate painted black and ESCs soldered on .

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/ESCsolder_zps9af51bba.jpg)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/ESCsoldered_zpsac7f6525.jpg)

Now gonna mount the electronics, I currently have only a KK 5.5 board- so put it up :)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/FCboard_zpse94ef38c.jpg)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/partsassembled_zps32b2c657.jpg)

Now motor mounting - I am still satisfied with zip ties :)

placed a little double side foam tape just below motors this ensures motors stay put, and also reduces vibrations considerably.

A small hole is cut on the foam tape to allow motor shaft free space to rotate - thought there is no much protruding motor shaft, it may brush with the foam tape while mounting tightly.

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/motormount_zpsea5d8a5c.jpg)

All arms done with foam tape :)

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/softmotormount_zpsb3f729b7.jpg)

Motors and ESC mounted .

(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/fullyassembleed_zps55a6e8b8.jpg)

Now the new three blade props, thanks to parvesh sir :)

The full black version :
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/Fullblack_zpsa783d86b.jpg)

The Green and Black version :
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t471/soorajspn/Blackandgreen_zps80ad0352.jpg)


Now guys, which one is cool ?  >:D

Green? :giggle: :giggle:

Well, in photo it looks yellow !! or green ???, OMG Am I color blind ???

Well under the fluorescent tube in my room, it looks florescent yellow may be fluorescent green !  >:D

Color doesn't matter 8-), anyway nice progress   {:)} {:)}, waiting for FPV upgrade. (:|~

Me too, but I am already in debt to you  :giggle: - pocket is not permitting  :banghead:

Everything Should be alright Soon  :thumbsup:.

Had a flight today with a KK5.5 board, used the same trimming setup in Tx, that I have been using for the first frame - I had to set very high trims on elevator and rudder then, the quad showed tendency to flip on lift. So just centered all sticks, and again done trimming it level , happy to say it needs only one or two point trimming (For the old frame - used very high trims)

Is this because frame is balanced ???

Still I need to apply a little more trim to yaw right, the quad has tendency to yaw to left - why is this so ?

  i found a really nice deal on dx.com rs 1300 for audio video tx rx set of 200 mw i will soon post the link

www.dx.com/p/20mw-5-8ghz-wireless-av-transmitter-module-5-8ghz-video-av-receiver-set-for-fpv-system-256271 (http://)   here we go

Tanmay, thanks for your efforts :), but that is a 20mW Transmitter and we need to add antennas.

I have got a deal on ebay for 5.8GHz 200mW 8Ch Tx+Rx at 32$ (~2000INR) - Now have to arrange money :(

nice build.. :thumbsup:

:thanks: gunnu :)

sooraj bro, even I wanted one if you have a good deal :(

and if possible 2 pairs of prop savers too ? for 1045 props.
PM

Nice build Sooraj  {:)} {:)} {:)}

I liked your coat-hanger landings skids  :salute: May be its a better idea to change their orientation assuming your quad is facing towards the Yellow Only/Or Black Only directions. Hope to see video soon.

So sorry for my irresponsive reading but really found a 200 mw vtx and rx  for 1300 bout 2 months ago hope i will again find it .

Nice Build. It looks great in all Black. What bout the Props, I ve heard that 3 blade props produces vibrations. How was your flight.

Well Tanmay, don't worry on it dude :) Thanks for your help (Not all people will share what they know - only some helpful guys do that)

Thanks Samlikespad , Sir the Credit for Coat hanger landing skid and all the uses of hanger in multirotors goes to Akhilzid (cochin) in this forum :) Check out the other use he have found with metal hangers :giggle:

Well me too planned to change orientation, I have put the old bottom plate as top plate now (Hence decreased height more stability while landing), hangers are attached to this top board if I take the other side as front, the copter is not good looking :( so kept it this way - will change it once I change the top plate :) .

For the video, I don't have a cam right now, but I think I have uploaded my flight videos before upgrading the frame. will post links again soon :)

:thanks: Sir :)  3 Blade props are more smooth and silent than my old two blade ones, better response too . For vibrations, I don't know, because I don't really cared about it, still this upgrade is worth it :)

Links to flights with KK2.0 (consider muting audio :giggle:) :

My first successful flight : www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FSuqgml5hI (http://) (http://) (http://)


www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipD0x466kuU (http://) (http://) (http://)

After Fine tuning :  www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRUtiPZzWA (http://) (http://) (http://)

Okay Thanks for the Information. Someday I ll try my hand on 3 blades. Good Thinking, Good Going, Keep it On.

Nice flying dear, I have seen the first video before and was laughing all the way because of your camerawoman (guess it was your little sister "chettaaaa ingottu konduvaralleeeee"). I recently setup a KK2 quad for a fellow flier at our field and was quite impressed at the ease of doing one.

Yup!, My sister covered the Video (First one only) , and The Girl Who runs and Hide behind the wall is my neighbor .
KK2 is really easy to set up, a PC is not needed at most cases (If the board has correct F/W on it) - we can change motor config. and layout from the menu itself - which is an awesome feature .

Ha ha got it will soon find the rx   www.banggood.com/FPV-5_8G-200mW-Wireless-Audio-Video-Transmitter-Module-TX5823-p-84780.html (http://)

Here comes the rx  www.banggood.com/FPV-5_8G-Wireless-Audio-Video-Receiving-Module-RX5808-p-84775.html (http://)

Hi Tanmay, nice findings. Are these the actual boards inside Boscam Receivers and Transmitters minus Antennas, Aluminum covers and switches?

These boards are expected to work as an FPV system once we put in antenna, and Heat sink for safety , It will be using same chip set of Boscam (Hence the model number) - But it is not of Boscam brand and reliability won't be guaranteed .

@Samlikespad, Sir, Cheap complete FPV system are available in ebay.com and Aliexpress- cheaper than Hobbyking

I think they are boscams. But we can make clover leaves at home like the I.B. Crazy's and the wiring is quite easy its just needs some basic simple soldering. 

These the antennae www.banggood.com/5_8G-4-Leaves-Mushroom-Omnidirectional-Gain-Antenna-For-Receiver-p-922645.html (http://)