This is my first quad copter build.
please see the previous thread where I was trying to finalize components.
I completed the build with below. In case any one would like to see the exact part I bought, I am linking them.

• F450 Frame
• KK 2.1.5 Flight Controller HW Ver 2.1.X FW Ver 1.9S1 Pro
• Non Branded A2212 10T 13T 1000Kv Brushless Motor
• DYS 30A Brushless ESC Simonk Firmware x 4
• TATTU 3300mAh 3s 35c Lipo
• Orange HD Propellers 1045(10X4.5) ABS Props x 2
• 3.5mm Bullet Connector pair x 12
• XT60 Male Battery Pigtail Cable
• 220mm Battery Tie Down Strap (there may be better option for this)
• JST 2 Pin Connector Pigtail
• I am using 4 channel Flysky FS-i4x Tx Mode2 and FS-A6 Rx. Neither this Tx/Rx or KK controller has fail safe feature. I guess, if we lose power on the Tx or go out of range the quad will simply fly away.

I mounted the KK board for 'x' mode on the top quadcopter frame plate using double sided tape. Also used some 1/4 inch thick thermocol packing material for absorbing vibrations. Rx is also placed on top plate behind KK board using double sided tape.
Used 2 Battery Tie Down Straps to hold the lipo in the middle compartment.
Used some thermocol packing sheet between motor and frame to absorb vibrations.
Only AIL to CH1 I used 3 wire servo cable. Rest all channels were connected using single wires.
ESCs and Motors are soldered with bullet connectors. I used below method and was easy.


After completing the assembly,
Performed a factory reset on KK like in this video.
Did ESC calibration like this.
Loaded quadcopter x mode.video.
Performed ACC calibration on KK with quadcopter placed on a flat surface. video.
Performed receiver test on KK and trimmed all values to zero like this. I had to reverse Elevator and Rudder channels in Tx.
Set Self Level to 'Always'.see here.
I have left all PI value stock.

Only problem I faced was, Initially board was placed in '+' shape and motor layout loaded was for 'x' mode. This had caused the quad flip as soon as it lifts. Fixed it by placing KK in x mode.

Here is the maiden fly video.
My only experience on quadcopter flying is with toy grade cheerson cx-10. And that was some 3 years back.
I know the fact that this quad is not to be flown indoor and the risks of doing it. I had no other place to try.


Some observations,

I had flown for continuous 10 minutes.
Stopped when KK showed 11.6V. But both multi meter and lipo volt checker was showing 11.3~. So I guess I stopped at right time.
Temperatue of Motors were 135F~ and ESCs were 95F~.
KK board showed temperature 30c.
Occasionally while flying, the quad is rotating (yaw) to left slightly. Any idea how to fix it?

Some pictures.

Happy to know the flight was successfully completed


"Used some thermocol packing sheet between motor and frame to absorb vibrations."
Using something like this will be better.

I have the metal motor motor mount which came with the motor. I thought that would add weight.

This is a silicone rubber mount ,, to cut high frequency vibrations entering the FC

Mostly caused by vibrations picked up by the frame. Sometimes isolating the flight controller/gyro solves it, but in really bad cases fixing the source of vibration is the only solution. It may also be due to a vortex created by the prop wash that causes the yaw, and is not detected/corrected by the yaw PID. Motor misalignment can cause this i.e. motor's Z-axis is not exactly matching the quad/FC axis. Try removing the thermocole stuff you said you've added between motor and frame, they could cause this.

Actually the vibration is not because of the motor, It's rather the propeller to be blamed. Using a good prop can actually make a difference in vibrations as well as sound loudness. Matching the right propeller to the right motor can make a large difference in the vibrations, though a considerable amount of vibration is inevitable.

Actually yaw left issue not really big, its very small amount and nothing uncontrollable. Could more wait on the left
side cause this? My XT60 connector pigtail is on the left and so the lipo side connector also goes to left.

I was also thinking how to to reduce the propeller loudness. There is no visible vibration on the motors.
Anyway this weekend, I am planning to install the Racerstar BR2212 980KV motors and gemfan slotted (dji type) 1045  props. Lets see how that going to perform.

Hey,
  From my experiance in dealing with drones, i guess it flies pretty decent for a quad with kk flight controller. And from the video, i think to actaully to get a stable flight (a little more stable one), you should actually climb at least till you waist hight. I guess you are flying too low from , very near to the ground and there are objects (irregular objects) nearby which creates irregular vortex while flying nearby. so try climbing till your waist height (i know its hard to do it indoor, that too with too many objects nearby), then you'll understand whether if its stable (i dont advise to fly indoors).

Suggestings:
 While flying indoors try to fly with prop-guards. Its available for F-450 frame. around 400 INR I guess. and instead of thermocoals  , try using smiley sponge balls. Those guys can give some good damping when landing. 

To reduce sound:
 I guess, from what i know, the bigger the blade and lesser the RPM, the lesser the sound. 1000kv motor with 1045 blades are pretty noisy. I guess you could APC blades. They are pretty stiff and flexible and doesn't wobble mid-flight. But damages made by them are greater in event of a crash when compared to the ordinary ones.

Hi, nice to see fellow RC people from kerala...

Nice build Simon... Just wanted to ask something unrelated to the topic :-)

Just wanted know where you guys fly?

I installed new Racerstar BR2212 980KV motors and Gemfan 1045 Carbon Nylon DJI (slotted) props.
Made sure that there is no vibration coming through the arms. (I used ios app to test).

• Removed all thermocol.
• Did a factory reset.
• Loaded quad x layout.
• Set self level to 'Always'
• Did ACC calibration.
• Did ESC/throttle calibration.
• All PI values are stock like earlier.

The quad is now shaking slightly. Definitely the previous setup was better. Only thing changed is the motors and props. Any thoughts?

Here is the testing video,

I tried disabling auto level and shaking had stopped.
Enabled it back and adjusted the auto level p gain from 75 to 50.
Its flying good now.
With yellow smiley balls installed, its looking good and cushioning well when hitting ground.

With new racerstar motor and gemfan 1045 props, I am getting continuous flight time of 11 minutes with throttle at mid position. I stopped when lipo reached 11.4 (at rest)
Temperature of motor 100~110F
ESC were 90~



I also tried it with my Gensace 5300mAh 2s 65C. There was no change in flight time. 11 minutes continuous. But I had to give more throttle. I stopped when lipo reached 7.6 (at rest)
Temperature of motor 90~100F
ESC were 80~
Flying with 3s was much smoother than 2s.
I just wanted to check if my bigger 2s give more flight time than 3s.



I tested fail safe method. And there seems to be NO fail safe at all for Flysky FS-i4x.
I gave little throttle so the motors were spinning, and walked away till the Rx blinked and motors were still spinning.
Without getting a better Tx/Rx, I don't think I will fly this outdoor.

Do you know any place selling them? Robu.in has 2 for 620INR (out of stock). Again that is for 13inch prop.

Are you suggesting to use same size prop from APC brand?
I tried Orange HD 8045 props. Sound has reduced once its at waist level. But flight time reduced to 8 minutes.

Tried it outside with cheap sq11 camera mounted. Footage isn’t great.
I got around 7~8 min flight time.

7 to 8 minutes is a bit less without a HD camera and gimbal but depends on how you measure. What was the start and end voltage?

Lipo start voltage - 12.6V
Lipo end voltage - 11.4V (at rest)

Lipo - Tattu 3300mah 3s 35c
Quad weight inducing lipo - 1060g.
Motor - 980kv
Prop - 1045

I have a similar 450 quad it gives me around 10 mins with 2200 mAh 3s with 920 kv motors spinning 1045 props( without any payload). I now  upgraded to a 5200 mAh and will be going for a test flight soon.Also are the props balanced ?
Regards

I do not have a prop balancer to do that.
I will try to do that with two tall glasses and a stick.

You can also try this for balancing prop and motor.

Yes. The problem is holding the frame stable. I have tried it.