RC India

I've been waiting since a couple of months to write this post and I'm very excited now! I've just finished making my first quadcopter (there was a "failure" quad before this) using the CRIUS MultiWii controller board (v1.9). Here's my build log:

The List:
1. HK dt700 motors x 4 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6246 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6246))
2. HK 18-20A SS series ESCs x 4 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6548 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6548))
3. Zippy Flightmax 3S1P 3000mAh x 1 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8851 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8851))
4. 10x6 props (3N+3CR) x 1 pack (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11333 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11333))
5. XT60 connectors (5M+5F) x 1 pack (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9572 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9572))
6. XT60 two-in-parallel harnesses x 4 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10265 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10265))
7. 3A UBEC with Low-voltage buzzer x 1 ( (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=22494 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=22494))
7. Aluminum square channels x 4 (From rcelectro.com, I can't find it on the site now)
8. 3.5mm Gold connectors x 12 pairs (http://thehobbyshop.in/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=51 (http://thehobbyshop.in/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=51))
9. Aluminium plates x 2 (From a local store that sells kitchenware, utensils, etc.)
10.Heat shrink tubes 5mm x 2mtr (http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/electronic-components/heat-shrink-tube-5mm.html (http://www.nex-robotics.com/products/electronic-components/heat-shrink-tube-5mm.html))
10.CRIUS MultiWii controller board (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MWC-MultiWii-Lite-lightweight-version-4-axis-flight-control-board-QUADX-X4-         /220907041736)

I use the basic HobbyKing 2.4GHz 6 channel Tx and Rx.

Build Log

I thought of purchasing a hand-drill as suggested by Dharmik, but bought an electric drill from ebay so that it can be used for other works at home too.

The packages arrived one-after-the-other without any problems at cutoms.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06718.jpg)

The Aluminium parts for the framework:

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06720.jpg)

The power harnesses

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06729.jpg)

This is how I mounted the motor:

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06741.jpg)

The "QUAD-X" structure

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06737.jpg)

The battery is placed between the two plates.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06751.jpg)

The battery is secured using shoe lace. (Sounds cheesy, eh? I couldn't find anything better than this!)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06757.jpg)

Plastic spacers (made out of a ball-point pen's body) ensure that there is enough space between the plates to accommodate the battery.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06755.jpg)

A switch to toggle ON/OFF the WHOLE system.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06761.jpg)

The Receiver is attached to the bottom surface of the quad.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06763.jpg)

I saw people mounting their contoller boards on soft and spongy surfaces. So I tried it out.

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06772.jpg)

So after putting everything together, this is how the central-portion looked like:

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06782.jpg)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06768.jpg)

A quad without LEDs.......... I wouldn't want that at home!

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06788.jpg)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06795.jpg)

The LED strips

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06780.jpg)

And I was so excited that I didn't even test-fly it! I'll do that by this tuesday (11-apr) and post the videos, pictures. (And because this is my first quad, I may also expect to have some troubles. I will discuss them, if any.)

So, any comments and suggestions???

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06740.jpg)

Fully assembled (without LEDs)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06781-1.jpg)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06787.jpg)

(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/vineet_punyamurty/DSC06793.jpg)

 {:)} {:)}Really beauty it is ....I would love to build it , one day.

My biggest resource for ideas, plans, etc. was this post: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1566841

Thanks RC_DUDE. :)

Nicely builtd! And the LEDs look awesome! {:)}
Good luck for your maiden!  :thumbsup:

Wow nice build bro. 1 of ESC looks different i mean diff brand.

Nice build and very helpful close up build pictures :thumbsup:
How do you like the dt700 motor? any specific reason you chose them over dt750?

DT700 runs smoother than DT750. I have used both of them. Also DT750 draws little more current than DT700. But as such I dont feel much significant difference between these two.

Great, thanks! What board have you used them on?

I am using HK KK V2.1 board

I heard the lower the kv, more the control (but yes, the kv has to be optimum, not too low). SO I bought dt700

Yes, I fried one of the HK ESCs a little back. So at the last moment, I bought this Power HD ESC from Jack's Hobbies, offline. But the different brand of the ESC doesn't matter, at least according to me. :)

Thanks! :)

You are right. Lower the kv more the control. But in case of DT700 and DT750 kv difference is not much significant unless you are using it for very very precise application. In my opinion, for regular use both the motors perform more or less similar .

btw, Nice quad!
Just a suggestion. don't use all led of same color. Use different color depending on you flying configuration + or x. It helps identifying orientation while flying.
And balance props properly. It helps a lot in reducing vibrations.

 {:)} {:)} {:)}

Good analysis.... I didn't think of the LEDs helping in finding out orientation... The props are to be balanced yet, I'll do that. Thanks. :)

Thanks! :)

Thanks a lot!

Huh.. All my excitement's lost, I am disappointed. The quad doesn't fly! What do you guys suggest? Balancing the props? Calibrating the ESCs? All my channels are roughly between 1000 and 2000 and centered at 1500. What else am I missing? :(

What happened bro?

Please explain specifically what is problem.
Follow instructions step by step and carefully as mentioned here
http://www.kkmulticopter.kr/index.html?modea=manual

This is what that happens. The motors arm, I set the throttle to 100% and they don't provide enough thrust... Maybe the ESCs...?

Ok.. Your motors are DT700, i read somewhere that their response time especially when used for multirotors is less with 3S battery due to low kv and big props. It hovers at above 70% with 3S pack. These motors are for heavy lifters. You have to try 4S but make sure your ESC supports 4S.

Thanks for the reply. :) .But HK's test data and test data on 2 other sites shows that a 3S should perfectly do the job... But after seeing the test-fly, the motors didn't seem to be running at their full-capability. I strongly suspect the ESCs. I need to specify their throttle range by programming the ESCs, right? And most sites recommend setting the ESCs to Ni-MH mode even if we use LiPo... I'll try out that too. Anything more that may help? Thanks. :)

Yeah do that first. Try 120 EPA on throttle. And set throttle range. Atleast it should hover. When your battery goes down, ESC cuts power if lipo selected and it will flip your quad in mid air. Nimh mode is good for that reason.

Thanks Dharmik. I'll do them all and hope it all goes fine and my quad lifts-off.  :)  :)  :)  :)

@ dharmik how can i change mode lipo to nimh battery

@rajsigma

Refer to ESC manual.
First you have to set the throttle to maximum and plug in the battery to ESC to enter into programming mode. After entering into programming mode, ESC beeps specific sound which is different for different ESC and its meaning can be found in manual. You should then change throttle stick position according to manual to change ESC settings.

@hyd_quads it will fly for sure and it has to. :)
@rajsigma
Bro there are two ways to do that. Using programing card or by tx. If your esc programable then it comes with settings like brake,battery type, angle of entrance. By keeping throttle stick at full(without prop) when you power up your esc it will enter into programing mode. You have to check manual of your esc. I have changed mine to nimh and now when battery goes down escs slowly reduce speed of motors instead of shuting down suddenly.

Thanks spitfire &dharmik

Hi. I have a problem... The MultiWii quad that I built a week ago wasn't just flying, so I tweaked the arduino sketches and re-uploaded onto the board, and the thrust seems to be enough now. But I still have a problem: the quad lifts-off to about 1m vertically, then, it vibrates as hell (very violently) and then comes down. (Will post a video soon) Can anyone help? Please!! ???

---

Moderator Note: Merged with you existing build log.

Please post test video bro, it might help either it's gain issue or something else.

@hyd_quads I've split and merged you post in your existing build log for the sake of continuity. Please keep all posts related to this build in one thread as other members like me might be following your build :thumbsup:

Thanks sunlikestar. I thought I'd get some help at the other thread as it was active. Thanks, anyway. :)