my project of the past few months  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2010, 11:05:52 pm
content: << open source quadcopter.http://aeroquad.com<< if you want to check out what I followed, or sourcecode or even start your own.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 10:09:10 am
content: nice! but just what happen to the copter... if it lost communication with remote controller? (suddenly, temporarily or permanently out of RF range) its the thing thats always in my mind for this type of remote control project, esp something equipped with gyro/accel and magneto meter sensed by programmable mcu.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 12:17:19 pm
content: Quote from: firehopper on November 02, 2010, 11:05:52 pmgood job! building something like this is a big commitment. a lot of time and research even if you follow a well documented project! congrats!thats a big bird! what size motors / battery / esc did you go with?i haven't started building a quad/tri yet... i have everything but the 3 or 4 matching motors. i'm leaning towardShrediquette DLX. his DLXm is insane! i would build, but im trying to stick with 3s1p 2000mah sized models. cheaper if everything uses the same battery!-sj

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 12:44:30 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on November 03, 2010, 10:09:10 amthe rf links are usually not the weak point. even the low end hobby grade gear will exceed visual range. if the link is dropped, it recovers very quickly in most cases. with diversity, dropouts are very rare. most often, its mechanically induced electrical failure that causes crashes. ie: wire fatigue, wicking, cold solder joints, connector vibrated out, poor crimping, etc.heres a vid of my dad flying a 450 with mid-air loss of power. i think static was the culprit.http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=2727456&d=1251700771

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 01:20:27 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 03, 2010, 12:44:30 pmjust as contingency plan, so you have something to answer instead of diverting the question to the other fault. who knows, one transistor/component in the controller might fail. Cheersi have one suggestion, but until after the OP suggesting something, i would like to hear from him... the original maker.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 01:29:26 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on November 03, 2010, 10:09:10 amthat all depends on the brand of controller.. some have built in failsafes, some do not, this one has a built in failsafe, but on most it will shut down and drop like a rock.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 01:41:05 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 03, 2010, 12:17:19 pm

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 01:49:03 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 03, 2010, 12:17:19 pmit was a big commitment, most of it was waiting for parts, I was on hold for 4 months waiting for esc'sroughly 20 hours was spent when I did have all the parts putting it together. I'm still not 100% pleased with it, the booms wiggle back and forth a bit in the center pvc holder. so I have to figure out how I'm gonna fix that. (Maybe wood plugs in each end to give the bolts something to squish against. or fill it with epoxy. not sure yet.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 03:11:11 pm
content: "but on most it will shut down and drop like a rock"well, thats the answer! let me tell you a secret that i've keep holding in my mind. why dont you program the Arduino/receiver, to guide the copter back home in case no RF transmission is detected. assuming from its calculation that even if it reach the home and still no rf, then it will slowly land. that could be a cool failsafe feature on the copter/receiver side to tell the world, but programming effort is required! if it want to drop, let it drop at home, sure you dont want it to drop anywhere else that the kid found it think santa has give him a gift toy from the sky. just a thought

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 03:22:49 pm
content: You generally dont see someone flying their quadcopter 100 feet in the air 400 yards away. They are meant to be operated with high precision in tight quarters usually.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 03:27:22 pm
content: the failsafe can detect battery depletion too! and can you increase the movement response? something like this ... haha, Time did it first! i was about to provide the link from a thread herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=914.msg11502#msg11502

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2010, 03:28:38 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on November 03, 2010, 03:11:11 pmeventually it could do that, mine does not have the required sensors to do that yet.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2010, 09:19:30 am
content: Quote from: firehopper on November 03, 2010, 01:49:03 pmcool. do you have a equipment list for your build? i thought aeroquad merged with arducopter?i have some ideas for the center hub for mine, i just need a mill.-sj

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2010, 12:45:46 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 04, 2010, 09:19:30 amlets see, 4 trex 600 clone tailbooms, 1 - 1/2 pvc 4 way, 1 aluminum project lid from rs, 1 thin plywood board 1/8th inch thick, 1 trex 600 clone landing gear.3/4" aluminum c rail.1 arduino mega1 aeroquad shield 1.71 sparkfun 5dof imu1 sparkfun ixz5004 rctimer 30 amp brushless esc's4 turnigy 2217 16 turn 1050kv brushless motors2 12x3.8 slow flyer apc props2 12x3.8 slow flyer pusher apc props1 turnigy 3cell 3600mah 25c battery.then for controll you just need a 6 chan rc transmitter/reciever combo, dont matter what freq, or even how fancy it is. a standard bare bones non computer will work just fine.I'm using a Hitec Aurora 9 9 chan 2.4ghz model, cause thats what I had on hand

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 01:01:57 am
content: Quote from: Time on November 03, 2010, 03:22:49 pmI guess we all have our preconceived notions of what people do with them. That video looks like a DoD research ad to me. Most of the people I know who build quad copters are photographers looking to do unique panoramas and group portraits. I've seen some really neat footage taken with high quality cameras in both video mode and panorama mode. Seeing from the horizon to the ground with no obstructions through a 6mm lens is pretty cool!Another oops on my part. Turns out most of the copters my friends are using are octocopters - not quad copters.

author: .o:0|O|0:o.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 05:12:33 am
content: Nice stuff! How high can these things fly? I would love to build something like that.(At one point I was going to make some form of weather balloon with camera, sensors and radio link, but I live in a busy city under a flight path and you have to inform the authorities if you want to launch something into the airspace...)Excellent stuff..o:0|O|0:o.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 10:29:26 am
content: Quote from: .o:0|O|0:o. on November 05, 2010, 05:12:33 amwell beyond visual range.not sure about fpv w/quad... probably about the same as a plane, a couple thousand feet if you are good.-sj

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 10:35:45 am
content: Quote from: firehopper on November 04, 2010, 12:45:46 pmthats a whole lotta bird!i don't think i'll ever try one that big, but i would like to pick up a 600 at some point!i take it this isn't you 1st and only model if you have an aurora... ? i fly spektrum. its aight.-sj

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 10:53:41 am
content: according to my math...4x30amp esc = 120A3x3.6AH batt = 10.8AHthis thing will fly only for about 10.8AH/120A = 0.09H = 5.4 minutes?at maximum throttle, and... ideally?

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 01:07:26 pm
content: you don't add the mah for series cells. 3600mah = 3.6ah120a is a max rating. id guess hes probably pulling about 40a or so. 10 min sounds about right.-sj

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 01:28:32 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 05, 2010, 01:07:26 pmi thought it is 3 units in parallel, now its worst than my calc. this thing cannot do evasive action for a long time, its more towards... "comfort cruising experience" i think.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 04:28:41 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 05, 2010, 10:35:45 amno its notI have 2 edf jets, a cessna 182, a pterodactl, a mini ultra stick, then 3 tiny park flyers, and a tiny rc heliI also have a spektrum dx7 for use in my park flyers and cessna<< the one edf jettwin poweredits power hungry though..you can hear it screaming

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 04:30:57 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on November 05, 2010, 10:53:41 amwell according to the amp meter I put on it, I was pulling about 20amps at hover.. I'll have to put it on again to make sure..I have a eagle tree dataloggerjust checked, average of about 20 amps in flight.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 10:36:01 pm
content: i would turn that f15 into a lawn dart if i was on the sticks.so no scratch builds other than the aeroquad eh? my best flying plane is made out of about $3 worth of dollartree foamboard.i killed my dx7 upgrading the power regulator... everything went smooth, current consumption went from like 160mah down to like 60mah, then i pulled the probe off the battery instead of powering down with the switch. low voltage took out the eprom.heres a transmitter i built. its got a acrylic base & lcd now though. rf deck is a spektrum dm9. a much more "intuitive" interface.you tried fpv yet?-sj

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2010, 11:39:15 pm
content: here ya go shafri. you'll like this one. this guy is a badass!

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2010, 10:10:07 am
content: who are you to judge what i like or dont like!though, i like how much they've put an effort on that video! and the heli! i hope they have the contingency plan as i've mentioned above, coz thats 5D (and the lens) is one heck of a "rock"! if its out of RF or mech failureps: contact Karl! he'll buy one of thoseand ya! thats cool, i can use the idea to get some money out of our cinematograhpy here.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2010, 10:16:48 am
content: in fact i already have that in mind, but just with smaller camera for surveillance purpose. but there is no strong reason for me to do that project

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2010, 10:45:55 pm
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 05, 2010, 10:36:01 pmnope not done fpv, need the proper equipment for that

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2010, 12:47:36 am
content: Quote from: shafri on November 06, 2010, 10:10:07 amit has failsafes in place for loss of rf. there is no flybar on the heli so that means it has to be electronically stabilized. you could switch off the transmitter and it will level itself out and hover in one spot until rf is reconnected or the batteries run out. LOTS of time/skillz to properly set-up.not much you can do about mechanical failure after the fact. motor or esc failure is recoverable as these will autorotate just like a full size heli. lots you can do preventative to reduce the chances of failure. use quality fasteners, everything metal to metal HAS to be locktite'd, attention to cable routing, proper receiver placement, routine rebuilds. all the same sorts of stuff they do with full size helicopters.Quote from: shafri on November 06, 2010, 10:16:48 amcheck out the808 camcorder. HD doesn't get much cheaper / lighter.hd herois a popular lightweight camcorderQuote from: firehopper on November 06, 2010, 10:45:55 pmi've got the equipment! just lack the skillz

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2010, 11:09:04 pm
content: nice video, too bad about the landing thoughlooked like you were repeatedly stalling, did it get out of range?

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2010, 01:36:05 am
content: the plane is grossly overweight so it needs to fly pretty fast. the porpoising is typical of a easystar with less than perfect cg &/or trim on the verge of stall. some of the odd behavior was me battling pterodactyl sized mosquitoes.things start going horribly wrong shortly after turning base (about 1:50). i lost all rudder control and since i have no ailerons, i was pretty much f***ed. first thing that popped in my mind was that a brownout caused the gyro to reboot and i needed to wait a few seconds for it to re-calibrate. well a few seconds and it was going to be out of site, so i decided to aim for the parking lot. NOPE, two women standing talking and a couple of vehicles! definitely didn't want to put it in the retention pond! so aimed for the face of the trees. overshot by about 30'. "landed" about 40' up and 30' deep into spider & mosquito infested swamp land! 3 miserable hours later she was recovered without damage.rudder worked fine when checked out on the ground. opening the servo revealed a broken tooth on one of the gears. i think the tooth likely got stuck during the flight and worked itself loose somewhere between the tree and terra firma. lesson of the day: if you fly anything of significant value, metal gear servos are a worthy investment!-sj

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2010, 02:21:59 pm
content: coolI have some new airplanes to play with after a fleamarket trip on saturday, got a Autogyro, and a rc eaglealso picked up a pair of IR tanks to play with, neither worked, but changed the crystals and now I have a working one, the otherone needs a few parts before it should be ready to go.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2010, 03:08:19 am
content: don't forget the video camera when you maiden that autogyro! i like going to flea markets, never seen any legit rc though...a tank sounds like fun! i have a couple of tracked tamiya robot kits, but they aren't really rugged enough for outdoor abuse.-sj

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 01:57:58 pm
content: the tankshttp://s597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/firehopper/Vstanks/the rest of the stuff. (Not all is mine)http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/firehopper/fleamarket%20stuff/One of the things I got was a small light video thingyso I'm gonna put that on the autogyro when it flysdont know if its gonna fly this year though, its getting very cold around here now.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 04:15:31 pm
content: tanks might be fun to mod! wonder how fast they'll go with brushless?those twins look expensive.im not a big nitro fan... too loud, too messy, too expensive, etc.-sj

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 07:30:47 pm
content: the two on the table he got for under 250 for both, so he got a good deal. the one in the box he had for a long time, has been trying to sell it for $600, something like $1K retail..nitro's okay once in a while.. that autogyro is going to be my first nitro plane. so we shall see how it goes

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 08:21:13 pm
content: fourth video. it flys better!

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 09:03:18 pm
content: I'll pay you to come mow my yard too.I think I am want to take a similar project now. This seems pretty cool.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2010, 10:54:41 pm
content: lolaeroquad.com << all the info you need to make one is here

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2010, 09:03:53 pm
content: video from a onboard cameratwo videos of it flying someanother vid