FPV Quadcopter basic parts list (JABcopter)

[protocol]

Getting the Hubsan X4 V2 as an xmas present for my dad as he's into his remote controlled helicopters and stuff (but a bit of a novice). Chose the V2 (H107L) version as from what I've read it's a lot more robust then the V1 and I think the LED lights will be useful for night time flying.

[plexer]

Twas a bit too windy today for flying so only had a short flight to try it out when weather is calmer will take some video now has a lid on the enclosure as well I printed that this afternoon.

@JAB1a The motors are connected to the mounts with small cable ties so hopefully in the event of a forced landing they'll break before anything else.

 

Ben

[pcstru]

Slightly off topic (only by three rotors), a box with one of these :

Found it's way onto my doormat. I always explain to Mrs pcstru that I'm baffled how they do that. I've only put in a few short flights but it seems a very nimble yet quite stable heli, fully 3d capable (collective pitch) but also comes with a fixed picth mode which is easier to get the hang of.

 

There is a Hubsan X4 on my Christmas list and there are most of the parts for a bigger quad waiting ... still.

Edited December 20, 2013 by pcstru

[plexer]

@JAB1a video of lil blue Lil blue - YouTube

 

Ben

[flink]

Hi ppl!

 

I'm surprised to see this thread still alive! I guess this multirotor thing is getting pretty popular!

 

Since I posted here in October saying I'd start my own quad, I managed to gather the parts, the material and (most importantly) a friend to build the machine. Although basic, it's now done and the maiden flight (outdoors) was yesterday! Family and friends gathered for the event and it was amazing!

 

I'd really like to thank Jab1a for sharing the material list and his tips, and mainly for giving us all the idea the project is not that complex (and not that expensive). This notion really got me going after a lot of hesitation.

 

The OSVI is still flying great, even after a couple of ugly crashes (one of wich destroyed the protective XPS-based body, quickly repaired), and in the second battery we even managed to attach a Raspberry Pi with it's camera to record the flight from the quad's point of view. All in all a success!

 

So, again, thank you Jab1a, and thank you all guys for your tips and sharing of experiences!

 

Let's start 2014 with the same attitude!

--

Óscar

[hallb15]

I got my first Quadcopter in December - a Hubsan X4. Its great fun flying indoors but I got over confident and smashed it into the TV after which it dropped to the floor and broke one of the arms.

New body and spare rotors are on the way though.

I would recommend anyone who is thinking about trying out a quadcopter gets an X4. Its so much fun and a great way to get used to the delicate control skills required.

[TwoZeroAlpha]

Bit of a resurrection here, but I finally have video.

 

Nothing like @JAB1a's flying and the image quality is absolute rubbish so sorry about that.

 

Next task is to build a proper battery caddy so it doesn't fall out in the rougher landings then learn to fly properly and FPV here I come. Very happy.

Totaled everything up today for a friend, from having nothing (apart from tools) to in the air ~£280 (then crashed it badly on first flight and spent more), could have been cheaper but I went to local model shops for parts and advice rather than risking ebay for a couple of bits. Got an ESC tuning card which was invaluable. I think doing that manually would have driven me nuts.

[plexer]

Wohoo nice one another one in the air, I've rebuilt mine 3 times already.

 

Gotta do a parts list for a friend.

 

Ben

[JAB1a]

@TwoZeroAlpha Excellent video mate, the quad looks very stable and plenty of power and at an excellent price as well. Well done I look forward to seeing things improve over the coming months and maybe even see some FPV from you if I'm lucky

[Kurgan]

Yep +1 on the Hubsan. I lost my first one, was flying in quiet car park with wood then busy main road - I give it some high up turned into the sun and it disappeared (being small)... dunno where it went lol

Second one had lots of fun with it but one arm is broken now, so taped it up but its not what it was!

[JAB1a]

Yep +1 on the Hubsan. I lost my first one, was flying in quiet car park with wood then busy main road - I give it some high up turned into the sun and it disappeared (being small)... dunno where it went lol

Second one had lots of fun with it but one arm is broken now, so taped it up but its not what it was!

 

So much fun can be had with the Hubsan, my friend recently purchased a new Hubsan X4 to learn some skills before he gets a Phantom (against my recommendations lol), toke quite a while to get it back air worthy but its now dialled in and I'm having so much fun indoors while this weather is crap.

 

The new Hubsan is built VERY well, the hits and knocks my mates one was getting would of ruined my hubsan in the first 2 hits. Well done Hubsan for a great improvement!

[Kurgan]

So much fun can be had with the Hubsan, my friend recently purchased a new Hubsan X4 to learn some skills before he gets a Phantom (against my recommendations lol), toke quite a while to get it back air worthy but its now dialled in and I'm having so much fun indoors while this weather is crap.

 

The new Hubsan is built VERY well, the hits and knocks my mates one was getting would of ruined my hubsan in the first 2 hits. Well done Hubsan for a great improvement!

 

the one with the LEDs on and some other improvements

[JAB1a]

the one with the LEDs on and some other improvements

 

haha sorry I said the whole sentence in my mind but only typed about half of it lol I meant I had to get mine (Hubsan X4 v1)back up and running, it was a fight but is n ow puring around the living room during this horrible weather. The new one has excellent improvments over the model I have..but equaly just as fun

[Kurgan]

yeh not much in it really. i once spent a fortune on a heli but never done much, with these quads they are reasonably easy to fly. Have you done the calibration thing to it made a huge diff to mine.

It was something like put on a level surface and do some stick motions (ill dig it out if u havent). It wasnt in manual

[pscott]

Missus got me a WLToys V959 for a christmas present, so I have begun my journey! Standard level control is fine, however I get in trouble as soon as I rotate it... Lot's of practice needed before I venture to any sort of altitude!

[JockWiz]

Looking forward to see another post. Thank you for letting us know. Cheers!

[Griff]

This thread is amazing...me and my colleague really tempted to build something at school

[JAB1a]

This thread is amazing...me and my colleague really tempted to build something at school

 

You wont regret getting into this hobby my friend SO much fun. I have found something even more fun than this build and that's a Mini FPV quadcopter. The power to weight ratio is crazy and the cost is a lot less (apart from having to by a ready made frame or make one)...

 

[Ant]

Time for an update! Thought it best to post in here as it was this thread that spurred me on to do this!

 

Having started building my quad over a year ago, it's finally finished and in the air. The small matter of having our first child and a tonne of DIY meant that I understandably didn't really prioritise building my quad.

 

Although I ended up picking and choosing my own parts, I bought the X525 frame @JAB1a recommended in the first post and made the rest up from there. Pretty much everything was bought from Hobbyking and eBay and as cheap as possible. No idea what everything cost in the end!

 

 

My parts list roughly ended up being:

X525 Frame

KK2.0 Flight controller - Firmware upgraded to 1.6 with battery voltage monitoring added

Hobbyking 30Amp ESCs - Flashed with SimonK firmware and re-heatshrunk

Turnigy D2830/11 Motors (prop adapter which came with these were rubbish, so bought new ones)

Orange R615X RX (I did start off with a Spektrum AR6115e, but it refused to bind)

Gemfan 9047 props (and spares!)

Zippy 2200mAh 3S 25c batteries

DX6i Transmitter (Planning on getting a Glasair Sportsman with my dad so went with Spektrum so we can buddy box)

Lots of cable ties!

 

 

That lot above ended up with a quad weighing in at just a fraction under 1kg which I didn't think was bad. I have only flown in the garden a few feet above the ground, so plan to use the school grounds to fully test it out. Initial flights went well.

 

I've already started thinking about what to change or modify, and I think the first to go will be the motor mounts. I don't think they're going to survive a crash, so will probably mount the motors directly to the frame. May also change the landing skids. The receiver supports CPPM as does the KK2.0 so will make use of this to get rid of the unnecessary amount of of servo leads. The props could do with balancing better too. I quite like the look of the F450 frames that seem to be popular, so if I have a big off, may try one of them. Not too fussed about adding a camera or FPV yet, going to try master los flying first.

 

I can tell you it was pretty satisfying seeing it in the air for the first time!

 

Big thanks for @JAB1a for starting the thread and for the ideas along with everyone else who have contributed to this thread.

 

A few pics of the completed quad:

 

Edited September 29, 2014 by Ant

[JAB1a]

That is excellent news and a great write up @Ant the beast is looking good and well put together. I enjoyed reading your update and well done on the new baby and DIY completion.

 

As you mentioned I would get rid of those motor mount ASAP and bolt the motors to the arms direct using 2 M3 bolts (don't use the horrible Ali X shaped mounts as they bend too easy).

 

Also I see you are using the 9x4.7 props, I found these too flexible when flying in any kind of wind, the quad would wallow around and get effected by any gusts, swapping to 9x5 props I found the quad felt locked in and it did not care about the wind, plus they are a lot more ridged so more efficient.

 

Next would be to upgrade those arms, I found under high torque the arms can twist and give adverse effects to your flight, also in a crash the standard tin foil arms do not fair well. I used this Ali to replace the arms

1/2 in x 1/2 in x 16 swg - Aluminium Square Tube : Ali Warehouse

 

Swapping the arms out for this Ali added on 80g of weight but the improved handling and feel was worth every gram, also in the last 3 years I have not had to replace one arm made of this stuff which is a testament in itself to the strength of the stuff.

 

Another mod is rotate or flip the top two frame plates so that the arms no longer fold up, I found if one of the arms are only a few mm out then it causes weird handling of your quad, swapping the plates stopped this from ever happening again.

 

If you ever get a chance to take a video of you flying it would be excellent to see it. Good luck with your multirotor adventure and keep us posted

[Ant]

Thanks for the tips and advice @JAB1a! Will take them all on board.

 

I'd read about the different prop sizes too, so I'll get some more to compare. I did think the current arms were a bit like tin foil, so knowing where to get some stronger stuff is very useful. Will probably get some now ready for replacing.