RC India

My first build log on RCindia  ;D
I was looking forward to build a pentarotor(Don't know if it would be correct to call it like that  :giggle:) but could never proceed with it because of the time not favouring it, exams and stuff. But as now I am free i can concentrate on building the beast!

Planing to build something like this:
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/mvi-0009-mov-00-00-18-00-still001-png_1425425208_zpsmbwdm7dy.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/mvi-0009-mov-00-00-18-00-still001-png_1425425208_zpsmbwdm7dy.jpg.html)


Things that I am going to use for this build:
1) D2836 Turnigy Aerodrive 1100 KV motor
2) F-30A ESC w/t SimonK(For flashing the ESCs please see http://www.rcindia.org/self-designed-diy-and-college-projects/flashing-esc-with-arduino/)
3) KK 2.1.5 or a DIY MultiWii Board(with Baro, Mag, Accl and Gyro)
4) Gens Ace 3300 mAh 25C battery
5) Futaba S3003 Servo(for tilt)



DAY 1:
Decided to go with the tilt mechanism build
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150619_001_zpscfjgxl9l.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150619_001_zpscfjgxl9l.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150619_002_zps2ryoozz2.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150619_002_zps2ryoozz2.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150619_003_zpsnt4y0gbv.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150619_003_zpsnt4y0gbv.jpg.html)
 

Testing the tilt mechanism! Successful! ;D

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150619_0051_zpsuvbd5wzu.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150619_0051_zpsuvbd5wzu.jpg.html)

first image belongs to Flitetest!!
Btw nice built :)

Yes it does! It was a image to show ppl what i was aiming at!  :hatsoff:

Nice Images. :)
Regards,
Aman.

DAY2:
Decided to build the FC...if i get time I'll try to write my own FC code using complementary filter
Here are few pics of the DIY FC

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150620_0011_zpsnns7zv5o.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150620_0011_zpsnns7zv5o.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150620_0022_zpsr2tfvstb.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150620_0022_zpsr2tfvstb.jpg.html)

Cool! It is awesome that you are building your own flight controller! Perhaps you could could start another thread on building it and setting it up. I would certainly be interested since I am planning to build my own FCB too. BTW, which sensors are you using?

Very good  :thumbsup:

Thank you SK and anilntny! :hatsoff:
@SK: I am using MPU-6050(Gyro+Accl), BMP 085(altitude sensor) and HMC 5883L(Magnetometer) on the board. For now it is going to run on the MultiWii Firmware.  :hatsoff:

But multiwii firmware doesn't have a 5 rotor option
Has Y6 and Y4
Can you tell which are you going to flash with?

Darshan did you read the heading? Tricopter on Steroids  :giggle:
The MultiWii is going to be in the tricopter mode only the signal wires to the escs will be shared by the two motors. The FC knows there are only 3 motors to care about but its unaware of the signals being Y'ed to the other two motors.
Advantages of this setup will be greater lifting capacity(near about a Hexacopter) more aggressive Rudder control and greater redundancy of the copter compared to the normal Tricopter. if one or two of the front motors fail the copter will still fly but yes if the tail motor stops then CRASH is inevitable!
How this answers your query! :hatsoff:

Sub'd  :thumbsup:

Clever. .. nice. I am  following

DAY3: couldn't proceed much with the build and heavy rain delaying my consignment :banghead: :banghead:. Did some testing of the tilt mechanism and started writing a code to control the RGB leds depending on the inputs from the Tx.

DAY4:
Bought aluminium for the booms
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150623_0011_zpseqkzkang.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150623_0011_zpseqkzkang.jpg.html)

All motors zip-tied
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150623_0031_zpsj8cfvj0t.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150623_0031_zpsj8cfvj0t.jpg.html)

Mocking up the setup
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150623_0041_zpsuqe1q1mg.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150623_0041_zpsuqe1q1mg.jpg.html)


A pic of the RGB light setup for the copter. The RGB lights react to the changes in the stick inputs..Like when the throttle is idle Green colour is lit and as the throttle increases the colour slowly undergoes a transition from Green to purple to Red. More update coming up on the lighting part! ;D
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150623_0051_zpstfq2n9ss.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150623_0051_zpstfq2n9ss.jpg.html)

The center plate is being made from FRC copper clad board. However there would be some delay in making the center plate as I broke all my cutting disc  :banghead: :banghead:! However Arun Sir and asupan Sir have been kind enough to offer me few cutting discs for free! Thank you very much for the kind gesture! Few other people (ahmed,RCNeil and sandeepm Sir) have also tried to help me by telling me the location from where i could procure those in Mumbai. Thank you so much! But the heavy rains are just not permitting! :banghead:

DAY5:
Was happy to find one Cutting Disc lying unattended.
The center plate was cut down from FRC sheet. Was quite lucky as the Disc broke as soon as I made the last cut for the center plate!
Test fitted the tail boom onto the center plate!
Here are some pics  ;D
Stay tuned for more updates! :hatsoff:
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150624_0021_zpsxtdritc0.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150624_0021_zpsxtdritc0.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150624_0031_zps52j1yse9.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150624_0031_zps52j1yse9.jpg.html)

DAY6: Drilled holes in the FC plate and Aluminium booms
The Tricopter config:
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150625_0021_zps7vj7reum.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150625_0021_zps7vj7reum.jpg.html)

After giving it steroids! :giggle:
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150625_0043_zpsiyuepz2o.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150625_0043_zpsiyuepz2o.jpg.html)

:giggle:

Nice build. Are the two front props overlapping each other. If they are, may cause problems (last picture above)

Thank you very much Ashok Sir!
Sir the last photo was just a mock setup of the configuration. I am going to mount the side motor upside down and even make a landing gear so that the props are well clear of the ground!  :hatsoff:

Great going  {:)} Why not paint them matte black ,just a suggestion

DAY7:
Designed the FC on Eagle CAD. Here are some pics
The FC is based on the MultiWii Design. If anyone needs the Eagle Files please feel free to pm me for it  :thumbsup:

Also added the electronics and used a double-sided copper clad board for the power distribution.
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150629_0021_zpsemwsschb.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150629_0021_zpsemwsschb.jpg.html)

The Copter now weighs 1.3kg with the motors, ESCs and Battery.

Great going
... By the way what's the material used for the center plate? FRC ... ?

Yes its FRC

Does FRC.. Stand for Fiber re-enforced Composite ? ... I actually wanted to know what it means :-[

Yes sir FRC is Fiber Reinforced Sheet. The Sheet is fire-retardant unlike the normal fiber sheets which gets charred when exposed to flame.

Made the Landing Gear with the left over aluminium piece. The clamps have been cut off from the FRC board that was remaining after cutting out the Center plates. Here are some pics
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150629_0031_zps2vgxcaeb.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150629_0031_zps2vgxcaeb.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150629_0041_zpscoplbofx.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150629_0041_zpscoplbofx.jpg.html)

After joining the Landing Gear to the Copter Frame
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150630_0011_zpsublmgoh4.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150630_0011_zpsublmgoh4.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150630_0022_zpstc7qswfp.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150630_0022_zpstc7qswfp.jpg.html)

Now the total weight of the copter is 1.6 kg with the battery and the target to finish the copter with a weight less or equal to 1.8kg looks achievable!  ;D ;D

Things left to do:
1)Make the FC
2)Add the DIY RGB light which changes colour depending on the stick inputs!

Thanks Mr. Roy, May I know what is it called in lay man's language, and what is FRC usually used for ?
Regards

Sir the one that I use here is called a Copper Clad FRC board. Normally this board is used to make custom PCB boards. I am not sure what FRC is generally used for in RC its pretty useful! ;D :thumbsup:

Mounted all electronics. The first flight will be with KK 2.1.5, after that I would put the DIY FC
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150705_0031_zpsqtcdmeui.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150705_0031_zpsqtcdmeui.jpg.html)

DIY FC
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150704_0051_zpsq8kboefw.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150704_0051_zpsq8kboefw.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150704_0031_zpsg0wqxkrv.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150704_0031_zpsg0wqxkrv.jpg.html)

(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150704_0011_zpsktuelugr.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150704_0011_zpsktuelugr.jpg.html)

Currently I ran into an issue: The copter keeps on rotating before take off
Here's the post: http://www.rcindia.org/multirotors/tricopter-problem/msg230225/#new
If you know any solution please do post on the link! Thank you!  :hatsoff:

nice craftsmanship..... liked the FC PCB and design.... you can call it scorpion also.... it resembles a lot.... mount the tail motor a little higher to replicate sting....

Thank you rastsaurabh sir. Will try to make a scorpion sting using the left over FRC. Thank you for the idea

did you solve the rotation ?
this is because the gyro is reversed .
normally the motor tilt should be into the yaw i.e if you move tail right then motor
should also tilt right.

on the other hand if you give right stick input then motor should tilt left
i.e opposite to your stick direction.

Thank you Saikat Sir for the reply!
Sir I solved my problem
what I did was changed the frequency to low and in the mixer option in kk2.1.5 i changed the rudder value on ch4 from 100 to -100.
Now what is left is PID tuning

The DIY FC had some design error. By mistake i switched the SDA and SCL line causing errors. But now it has been fixed and the only thing left is the lighting system.
And if the weather god favours me the maiden will be done this week!  ;D

Flew it today but the tail motor was behaving strangely. The motor was sometimes spinning faster than the other 4 and sometimes slower.
I recalibrated the throttle endpoints of the motors and it seemed the problem was gone. But after few minutes of flying the ESC produced the magic smoke mid-air causing the copter to crash.
The redundancy of the copter was proved valid today when one of the prop from the front motor flew off(I did not tighten it much  :banghead:) but still it kept on flying! :)

The burnt ESC
(http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah197/Himadriroy1997/WP_20150712_0111_zpsjzv5nkio.jpg) (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/Himadriroy1997/media/WP_20150712_0111_zpsjzv5nkio.jpg.html)
The flying video will be posted!  :hatsoff:

The copter was flown on stock PID values..flew well but requires bit more of tuning

www.youtube.com/watch?v=17tYpGbfOLM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17tYpGbfOLM)

Better flying video after tuning!
It was quite windy today(You can see the copter is always tilted forward to maintain it position) but was able to get a good video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrEByQ2kp14

Nice.

Thank you sir!  :hatsoff:

nice built.

At 0:21, an aeroplane is flying above. Where are you flying?

Thank you Piyush. Yes its an aeroplane flying at a height of near 3000-4000 feet(Or even higher) There is a huge grass ground in koperkhairane(where I stay) which is used by joggers. Previously it was a dumping ground for the local civic body for 15 years. The airport is nearly 30-40km away from the place..and normal is windy throughout the day so flying high is quite difficult.

Aerial Video with the DragonFly Copter
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uJIdHvdAAo

nice! looks really stable! whats that thingy in the frame?

 on a side note, love the jello <3      :P

It says fs so it can be the rx (flysky)

Haha aniket the jello... :P I just strapped my phone on to the copter with zip ties..
And yes it is the flysky 9x receiver.

My copter wanted to be a pole hugger and see here's the result  :giggle: :giggle:
https://youtu.be/34Fn5FCyM2A