Quadcopter build no. 2, DJI F450 and Naza M V2 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 07:36:17 pm
content: I few weeks ago I entered the multi rotor scene with a 3D printed quad. It was very cheap, but handled like a pig and I eventually had to crash that quadcopter. I did however get bitten by the bug and I soon started to devise a shopping list of parts to build a "proper" craft that would be more fun to fly.I attended a local meet organised by members of this forum and got the chance to see what the Naza is capable of.So, I went for a DJI Flamewheel F450 and a Naza M V2 with GPS. An APM was on the cards, but due to the compass and GPS module being out of stock everywhere that I looked I dropped the idea.I opted for Turnigy SK3 2830 920KV motors and Turnigy Plush 30A ESC's which I flashed with the latest BLHeli firmware. The motors are turning 8047 propellers for now.So, on with build then.First, flash the ESC's with the latest BLHeli firmware. I use a spare Arduino as a flashing rig.All four are flashed and closed up again with heatshrink.With that done, we can start assembling the F450. Nothing unusual really, just solder the ESC power wires onto the lower PCB.I do have a bit of an OCD problem with flux residue, so after soldering it's all cleaned off. Ahhh, much better.Next, the Naza controller is mounted. I used a steel parallel to unsure it is pointing directly ahead.With the controller stuck down in place I have sprayed the solder joints with PCB insulation. This is a "solder through" coating, so any mistakes can be corrected, but it does provide good insulation.Now the arms and motors need to be mounted. Use a good thread locker to avoid anything coming loose. My favourite thread locker for this application is good old Loctite 243.Most of the arms and motors are mounted. Here I am calibrating the ESC's. The motors are very nice. They spin very smoothly indeed.Now, with the Naza normally driving non BEC ESC's, the positive wire from the ESC needs to be removed so as not to interfere with the Naza PMU which is perfectly capable of driving the electronics it's self.Now, I couldn't really find a good vertical spot the pointed directly rearwards for the LED. I found a bit of screap blank PCB and soldered it on the back section of the lower PCB. I shall stick the LED to this. On the other side of the vertical PCB is the Rx, you can see the two antennae sticking out.I wasn't extremely excited about the suggested way of mounting the base for the GPS mast. I decided to bolt it down instead. Here I have "carefully" drilled holes in the upper PCB to mount the GPS mast base.I did however make some errors in my calculations as to the positioning of the holes, so I just milled a 1mm flat off the heads of three of the screws to clear the plastic arm below.I also wanted the option to remove the mast from the base in order to ease transportation of the quad. In order to ensure that upon re-assembly of the mast it pointed the GPS module in the correct direction, I milled a little flat into the bottom of the mast.I drilled and tapped a hole in the mast base so that a screw can locate onto the flat of the mast and secure and locate it in position.It's all assembled. Now it's time to sit at a computer to program and adjust settings.After all that, it flies - very well. I am very impressed with this rig! :smiley:

author: Cones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 08:30:09 pm
content: Looks great.I used Velcro for the GPS and did not use the mast on mine. It saves it from taking all the impact should it decide to fly into the ground!I also added a few lights for that UFO effect....The Graupner props are a nice update as well. Runs with less vibration.HTHMark

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 08:55:03 pm
content: I will be getting some decent props once i am confident that I'll crash less. I have HK ones at the moment, floppy as hell, could do with higher gains to be honest, but good enough until I get stiffer props.

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2013, 09:39:42 pm
content: I have installed stiffer propellers and they are a lot better. The handling is a lot better and the craft uses 30W less power than with the floppies. This means that on a 2.2AH battery, I can fly for 9 minutes instead of 8 minutes. That's got to be good!

author: luispolaco
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 15, 2014, 02:53:35 pm
content: Hi, I'm building a Quadcopter with naza m v2, and Turnigy Plush 18amp escMy engines do not run, need to do some special configuration to esc?Thanks for your attention