Hello Forum Members,

About a week ago I bought a mini RTF quad (icoptor) from RCBazaar. pune.

Love the way it flies....still learning not to crash it 

This Small little quad inspired me to build a bigger quad, which I was planning for quite some time....lets say almost a year now...

This is will be my First quad project, hence all possible help from senior member will help a lot....

Till now I have acquired the following components from Various LHS and forum members.
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APM 2.6
NEO-6 u-Blox GPS with Compass
Minim OSD v2 (latest) 3DR Robotics
Sparkfun Minim Osd Programmer
915Mhz 3DR Robotics telemetry kit 100Mw
3DR Power & Current Sensor module
SONY FPV CAM 
FPV Pan Tilt With 9G Servos
X600 Fiberglass and Aluminum Frame with Short Stands
3.5mm Gold Connectors 10 pairs
XT60 to 4 X 3.5mm bullet Power Breakout Cable
Boscam RC 805 5.8G A/V Receiver (Rx)
5.8Ghz 500mw Video Transmitter
Male to Male Servo Lead (JR) 10CM10pcs
2x 11—4.7 Propellers Black
2x 11—4.7 Propellers Orange
4x SunnySky 2212 980KV
4x SimonK ESC 30A
SD DVR
Turnigy 9x (with frsky DJT) /Frsky 8ch RX

IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells
4x 2200mah 3s 25c Batteries
1x 3300 mah 3s 25c Battery
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Now the main question is what else do I need to build the quad...



I also need help with the setup of APM2.6

Has any one in/around pune built a quad/hex using APM2.6



All the help and support will be highly appreciated....

Regards.

Mada

IMO APM is advanced for the first quad...better get kk2.1, good for beginner...

Thanks for the suggestions @  VTOLkarthik.

I need altitude hold and auto hovering....which I don't think kk2.1 will provide..

Oh I do realize that... I saw that you need to use it as fpv...but my suggestion is that you start the quad with kk2.1 without fpv and add fpv and then move to APM with fpv...

Aquif trust me for your first quad you don't need altitude hold and auto hovering.

It should just fly stable. Once that is done then you should play with APM.

APM is complicated stuff.  Lets meet sometime to discuss more.

@ karthik....I already have a mini quad for learning to fly a quad...why do you emphasize on kk2.1

remember you are trying to build a quad of bigger size and the mini one doesnt have kk board...
kk board is the basic stuff without much complications...many regret that they bought apm instead off kk board... tats why I told you to get kk board first and then go for apm...but still its my opinion...
you can decide what you want to do with suggestions

I would still like to go with APM 2.6.

I understand its not going to be easy enough.

but once all set....it will be nothing like it....

madaquif, if I were you, I would heed to VTOLkarthik's advice and get hold of a 'used' kk2 or kk2.1 to start with. Flying a 'mini' 'rtf' 'toy-grade' quad is no way near as flying a 'big' one with *10 inch props.

Your call! (and money)
Cheers!

EDIT - *Even bigger 11 inch props...!

Yup recently I sold my kk 2.1 and now bought APM 2.6 with GPS .. After I receive the product will start configuring. But yet again i have many doubts about APM and its modes.. Any1 here who is using APM and can guide me .?? Will be great help. Thank you

I will go with KK2 or kk2.1 if really necessary...would prefer a used one though (good condition)


@ aeroempire.... how much did u sell ur kk2.1 for

I really don't see any problem with using an APM straight-away. You could build a low cost test rig and tune all you want.

I have tried flying on both the kk2.1(without the lcd) and the kk 2.0(with lcd) and then moved on to the APM. KK2.1 is not for beginners. KK2.0 is ok but IMO, for learning to fly the APM is the best. It may take up some time to set and since you have the telemetry kit it would be easier for you. There are a lot of tutorials out there for the apm and if you follow them it is easy enough. Start off in "stabilized" mode to get familiar with the quad and then switch over to the "ACRO" mode. You need to learn to fly on the acro mode.

If fine tuning is an issue with APM...

I have a real lightweight tab with windows 8 (windows surface pro 2) it has one USB port . which can be carried to the field easily.

Will try to install APM mission planner software on it ...

Dunno if it works on windows tablet PCs. The basic mission planner wont work on it though. There are many third party android applications like droidplanner and andropilot that support apm. Don't delve deep into the apm tuning from the start. And the frame you have selected does not sound beginner friendly. Get a dji flamewheel or clone 450 size frame and learn on it. They can take a lot of beating. As you get comfortable with flying it, move your electronics over to the 600 frame and add on the fpv gear. Another advantage of using the 450 frame is that the basic apm arducopter software seems to work well with these frames without any tuning.

@ LastRites


Do u really think I need a smaller size frame??

BTW...m planning to use spong/foam paddings for landing gear......just to be safe...

No you don't need one. But when you are learning to fly a multirotor, you will crash Just make sure your build is as light as possible. No huge batteries or fpv gear when you are just starting off.

That gives me some relief.

Already burnt my pocket with all the above things...

i m too having apm any1 using it.?
need help!!

@ Aeroempire......ur in mumbai my friend.

go to satya sir, dhruva, chintal....I bet these guys will help u for sure..

Just saw the frame. No one flies plus config anymore... Cover two of the arms(preferably the ones facing the front) with high visibility tape.

Yup but both stays far away from my place, which will take same time as travelling to Pune

Was traveling for almost a month now...started to work on the project again...

Painted 2 booms black .....

Decided to go with KK2.1 as FC.... bought from quadkopters.com ...will keep the APM for next project...

Test fitted the frame...

here are some pics...



not happy with the landing gear......seems too small with respect to the size of the frame...



any suggestions on upgrading or where can I find a better and higher landing gear....

here is my version, pretty close to what you have. hope it helps

Thts a amazingly stable quad....will need some help form u with configurations of my quad

@joeblack: Which size props & what battery are you using? Total flight time? My APM quad is giving me approx 4-5 min with 3s 2200mah 35C lipo.

@phanivyas: I am using 1045 with 2600 mah 30c turnugy lipo, I get around 8-10 mins depending on my throttle movement.

My f450 quad weighs around 1KG (without battery). I had around 10 flights with APM 2.6,each time I get approx 4 min flight time before battery voltage reaches 10.5V (checking in MP through Telemetry). Maybe quad weight is the culprit for getting such a low flight time.

Try re balancing your props

Whats the motor you are using?

2212/15 930KV motors with 10x4.5 props.

Those motors can take on that weight easily on a 3s 10" prop setup. It should be able to generate a thrust of 800gms approx each motor, total 3.2kg thrust. You should get a hover before mid stick and a flight time of 6-7mins. Vigorous flying may give flight times you mentioned. Also I usually fly till 10.2V, and batteries usually have another 30sec-1min of juice to fly.

Are you sure the battery is fully charged and working properly i.e not a puffed battery? If possible check current draw for each motor,could be a bad motor or esc.

The quad is hovering at mid throttle,no issues with that. I use Wolfpack 35C battery which is puffed up a little bit. I got another 3S 5200mah lipo which I have not used yet (weight 370 gms), will try with that next time.

Assembled the frame.

Attached the motors..

used "FEVIFIT 33" to lock the screws.

here are some clicks

Now here I need some help and recommendations from quad veterans.


I have purchased the power break our cable from quadkopters
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/xt60-to-4-x-3-5mm-bullet-power-breakout-cable/

I need to cut some wire before soldering the 3.5 mm bullet connectors to the ESCs.

which side of the wire to cut???   power side or the output side

please help  

also is there any way to hide these wires???

attached pic shows female connector soldered??
cut power side only if you need it. it's better to keep the cable length as it is.

female connector is from the power distribution board

male connectors came default with sunny sky motors