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building_and_fpv_quadrotor [2016/06/28 23:41] keitaronishimurabuilding_and_fpv_quadrotor [2017/11/14 13:37] (current) keitaronishimura
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-=====Building FPV Quadrotor=====+=====Building an FPV Quadrotor=====
  
-**Edited By:** Micheal Salinas+**Edited With Help By:** Micheal Salinas
 \\ \\
-**Date last modified on:** 06/27/16+**Date last modified on:** 06/30/16
 \\ \\
 **Keywords:** Tutorial on how to put together a FPV 250 quadcoptor     **Keywords:** Tutorial on how to put together a FPV 250 quadcoptor    
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 ====Motivation and Audience==== ====Motivation and Audience====
 \\ \\
-This tutorial's motivation is to educate readers on the hardware and shareware necessary to get a 250 fpv quadcopter working. Readers of this tutorial are assumed to have the following background and interests:+This tutorial's motivation is to educate readers on the hardware and shareware necessary to get a 250 fpv quadcopter working. Readers of this tutorial are assumed to have the following background:
 \\ \\
 <fc blue> <fc blue>
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      *Knows how to problem solve      *Knows how to problem solve
 \\ \\
-     *Is interested in flying a quadcopter+     *Has already flown a quadcopter in a simulator
  
  
 </fc>   </fc>  
 +If you haven't flow using a simulator go [[Using flight simulator | here]] first.
 \\ \\
 The rest of this tutorial is presented as follows: The rest of this tutorial is presented as follows:
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 |A computer with a GCS software| |Your Cubicle| | |A computer with a GCS software| |Your Cubicle| |
 |A USB to mini USB cable| |Someone's cubicle| | |A USB to mini USB cable| |Someone's cubicle| |
 +|A Lipo Battery Charger| |Battery Table| | 
 + 
 ====Construction==== ====Construction====
 \\ \\
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    *Electronics    *Electronics
    *Mounting    *Mounting
-   *GCS Setup 
  
 ===Frame=== ===Frame===
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 {{:frame_no_top.jpg?250}} {{:frame_no_top.jpg?250}}
  
 +\\
 +I would suggest that you start to charge the lipo battery you plan to use as you build the frame. This way it will be ready for you when you need it later. Make sure to 'balance charge' it to the appropriate voltage and amperage.
 +Please read this [[Battery Management]] wiki to learn how to manage lipo batteries if you haven't done so before.
 +\\
  
 ===Electronics=== ===Electronics===
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    *ESCs    *ESCs
    *Motors    *Motors
 +   *Controller reciever
  
 ==PDB== ==PDB==
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 The box that the motors came in should have also came with some screws, and maybe an allen-key. Don't lose these screws since you will be using them to screw the motor onto the frame. If they didn't come with an allen-key first find the correct allen-key to screw them in. Then check the mounting on the bottom of the motor, and see how it aligns with the mounting holes on the frame. In our case since the mounting pattern on the motor and the screw size were different from that of the frame we used a dremel to widen and elongate the mounting slots on the frame. The box that the motors came in should have also came with some screws, and maybe an allen-key. Don't lose these screws since you will be using them to screw the motor onto the frame. If they didn't come with an allen-key first find the correct allen-key to screw them in. Then check the mounting on the bottom of the motor, and see how it aligns with the mounting holes on the frame. In our case since the mounting pattern on the motor and the screw size were different from that of the frame we used a dremel to widen and elongate the mounting slots on the frame.
 A tip I would give is to check which direction the propeller nut goes onto the motor. It will either go on cw or ccw. Reference an image of what direction the motors need to go (this is different depending on the frame type or number of motors) and mount the motors so that the direction the nuts goes on is the same direction the motor spins. This is to prevent the motor from spinning off the nut mid flight. Once they are properly mounted connect all of the motor connectors to the ESC, don't worry about order since it can easily be changed later.  A tip I would give is to check which direction the propeller nut goes onto the motor. It will either go on cw or ccw. Reference an image of what direction the motors need to go (this is different depending on the frame type or number of motors) and mount the motors so that the direction the nuts goes on is the same direction the motor spins. This is to prevent the motor from spinning off the nut mid flight. Once they are properly mounted connect all of the motor connectors to the ESC, don't worry about order since it can easily be changed later. 
 +\\
 <fc red> <fc red>
 Do not put the propellers onto the motors yet!! Do not put the propellers onto the motors yet!!
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 {{:frame_motor_expand.jpg?250}} {{:cc3d-quad-motor-prop-direction.png?250}} {{:frame_motor_expand.jpg?250}} {{:cc3d-quad-motor-prop-direction.png?250}}
 +
 +
    
 +==Controller Receiver==
 +\\
 +Now it is time to connect the controller receiver to the FCB. Depending on what type of receiver and what type of board you get this will differ. If your board had the appropriate port for the reciever just plug it in, careful not to bend the pins inside. If it doesn't then you will have to find out where and how to connect them by reading the FCB manual or going to a forum. The cc3d has the appropriate port so this isn't much of a problem. Once connected find a spot on the frame to put secure the receiver (for me ususually on top of the frame).  
 +
 +Note: Please keep in mind that you will also have to put the battery,  
 +\\
 +Now if you want to you can put the top of the frame back on. But make sure the the usb mini port on the FCB is still accessible. You will be using that port in the next step.
 +\\
 +
 ====GCS Setup==== ====GCS Setup====
  
-\\ Once all of the components are on the frame of the quad you will need to find the usb port on the flight controller board and find the appropriate cable to connect it to a computuer with a ground-control-station (GCS) program on it. **Make sure that your flight controller board is supported by the GCS program before connecting it.** \\ +\\ 
-\\  Once you have the appropriate cable and GCS program connect your quad (with the battery unplugged) to the computer and start their vehicle setup wizard. Follow their instructions closely and read each instruction carefully. \\  +Congratulations, you are almost finished with making your first quadcopter! For the next step you will need these items:
-\\  After your done with that go onto the controller setup wizard. If you have any problems with the controller not registering on the computer, re-bind the controller to the receiver (if you don't know what that is google it), double check the connection between the receiver and the flight controller board. The connecting pins might be bent. Also try closing the program and opening it up again (i.e. turn it off then on again).  +
-\\  One thing you should be careful about during the controller setup wizard is the arming sequence. This is the sequence you have to follow to allow the motors to run. So after turning on the controller, then the quad on you have to follow this sequence before being able to fly. \\  +
  
-====FPV Setup====  +   *Quadcopter you have been working on 
-Setting up the FPV is simple; however it is important to double check what voltage each component is rated  at in your  system\\ +   *(Depending on what FCB you have) A fully charged lipo battery 
-The main components are the camera and transmitter,  these two parts work in a slightly independent system of the quad. \\  +   *Cable to connect the FCB to a computuer (i.eusb mini to usb) 
-\\ **1.** Solder the transmitter power cable to the power distribution board.\\ +   *Computer with a GCS program installed 
-\\ **2.** Mount the camera to the frame.\\ +   *Controller and controller reciever 
-\\ **3.** Connect the camera to the  transmitter.\\ +
-\\ **4.** Mount the Transmitter to the frame.\\ +
-\\ That is all that is needed to set up  the FPV on the drone. The Next step  is to get the headset you  will use to fly the multirotor.\\+
  
 +At this point you will need to either find a computer with a Ground Control Station (GCS) software on it or download one. The one we used is Open Pilot GCS. Unfourtunately this GCS is no longer supported and is not available for download online. I would suggest that you use [[http://ardupilot.org/planner/docs/common-install-mission-planner.html | Mission Planner]] instead. Though there are differences between the two, the setup wizard is similar for both. Even if there are differences, as long as you follow the directions closely there should be no problems. 
  
 +Before downloading any GCS software please check which boards the software supports. Sometimes an earlier version supported a board, but the newest version dropped supports. I had this issue with my cc3d and Open Pilot where I had to download an older version that supported the board.  
  
-===DONE!!=== +Follow the vehicle setup wizard to configure your quadcopter. Then after your done go onto the controller setup wizard. 
-\\  Once you have gone through all of these steps, you now have a working quad! \\ +
-\\  **Now go out and crash it!!!** \\   +
  
-===Test Flight of my drones===+Now it is time to tie/tape down all of the loose wires on the quadcopter down. Use what ever method you want to make sure that any wires aren't in danger of getting eaten by the propellers or shorting. Then it is time to put the propellers on.
  
-Drone 1+Before putting propellers onto the motors and flying it is important to know that propellers have cw and ccw directions as well. You will want the high end of the prop to move around scooping up air and pushing it down. This lets you know whether it is cw or ccw. Put the cw propellers on the cw motors and ccw propellers on the ccw motors.  
 + 
 +Secure the battery to the frame using double sided tape or velcro zip-ties, and done! 
 + 
 +Now it is time to take the quadcopter for a test flight! 
 +Tip: Be vary, vary, vary easy on the throttle. The last thing you want is to explain why there is a hole in the ceiling.
  
 {{youtube>oruFaVJ_VBg?large}} {{youtube>oruFaVJ_VBg?large}}
  
-Drone 2+====FPV Setup====  
 +\\ 
 +Now that you have finished the quadcopter aspect you have to create the FPV setup to create an FPV quadcopter!
  
-{{youtube>BgxRu87piP4?large}} +These are the items you will need for this part: 
-  + 
 +    *The quadcopter you just finished 
 +    *A video camera 
 +    *A video transmitter 
 +    *The corresponding wires to connect the camera to the transmitter to a battery 
 +    *A video reciever (inside the FPV goggles) 
 +    *A video monitor (the FPV goggles) 
 + 
 +If you bought the bundle set I put as the link you will not have any issues with compatibly however if you buy the items separately this won't be as easy.  
 + 
 +      *1) Figure out how you will power the transmitter and the camera. The set that I linked earlier comes with a battery. However there are pros and cons to this. It is great if you want to keep the FPV setup independent of the quadcopter setup. This might be usefeul if your quadcopter runs out of battery and you lost physical sight of it. You can use the FPV camera to locate it by seeing what is close to the quadcopter. However this adds extra weight and is another point of failure. Extra weight can cut flight time and if the FPV battery dies out midf-light and your don't have a physical visual of the quadcopter you are flying blind. For a first time setup I would recomend using the battery since it is much easier and quicker to do. But after maybe 1 or 2 flights to switch over to using the PDB (remember the JST connector we soldered?) to power it.    
 +      *2) What you do next will depend on what you decided.  
 +             *If you decided to use the battery connect everything on a table and test the equipment. Toggle the channel finder to get the video feed and check that everything is working. <fc red> Do not turn on the goggle or video transmitter without connecting the antennas to them first. They will explode if you don't </fc>   
 +             *If you decided to power them from the PDB find out how you will power them.  
 +                          *Some video transmitters have a v-out out to the camera while others don't. If it does check to see that the voltage coming out of the transmitter is what the camera can handle. If it isn't either buy a voltage regulator or another camera/transmitter that can handle/give the appropriate voltage. Once done test everything out on a table to make sure that it works.  
 +                          *If the transmitter doesn't have a v-out then you will have to create a wire that can supply the appropriate voltage to both the transmitter and the camera. This will probably involve some kind of butchering of wires, and soldering other wires together to get the intended result.Once done test everything out on a table to make sure that it works.    
 +      *3) Now all that is left is to put it on the quadcopter. Find a spot on the front end of the frame to mount or secure the camera to. Use zipties, electric tape or double sided tape to do this. Then find other places to put the rest of your setup so that it isn't interfering with the rest of the setup.     
 +      *4) Time to fly using FPV! Be vary cautious and double check your surroundings first.  
 + 
 +{{youtube>hNAHqBH9X9o?large}} 
 + 
 +===DONE!!=== 
 +\\  Once you have gone through all of these steps, you now have a working FPV quadcopter! \\ 
 +\\  **Now go outside to a relatively large park with a couple spotters to let you know when someone is close by and crash it!!!** \\ 
 +In las vegas there is a quadcopter racing community, if you are interested in this check them out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lasvegasdroneclub/ 
 +\\    
 + 
      
building_and_fpv_quadrotor.1467182518.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/06/28 23:41 by keitaronishimura