A beginner's quad-copter. What should I go for?

[Arxangel]

Hello everyone!

I am new to helicopters, I do own a couple of LRP helis, and am awaiting the arrival of an LRP Star Chopper 440, but that's as far as I am willing to go with helis. Recently I've discovered the wonders of quads and FPV and would like to get into that as well.

I would like to start with something small and relatively cheap that I can put together myself. I have found some stuff that I think, to the best of my knowledge, would be sufficient for a first quad and would like to get some feedback from you guys. I am also open to suggestions in regard to any of the components. Please note that I am trying to keep costs down on this first build. The idea is to get into quads and learn about them through experience.

So here goes:
Frame:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3306502439...ht_3843wt_1163

Motors and ESCs:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1606794139...ht_4911wt_1033

Multicopter board:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Loader...ht_4155wt_1033

Stabilization controller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DJI-Naza-F...ht_4921wt_1163

2.4 Ghz 6ch Transmitter /w receiver:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPRINGRC-G...ht_5471wt_1396

In my view this should be enough to get me started.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.

[Tomstoy2]

Wish this was out when I started.
Go for the DJI Flame Wheel with Naza combo.
Comes complete with everything you need minus radio and battery.
At $460 it's a steal.
Quality is phenominal!

As far as a radio goes, look at the for sale ad's here and elsewhere for a used dx7.

[Arxangel]

Wish this was out when I started.
Go for the DJI Flame Wheel with Naza combo.
Comes complete with everything you need minus radio and battery.
At $460 it's a steal.
Quality is phenominal!

As far as a radio goes, look at the for sale ad's here and elsewhere for a used dx7.

Hello, thank you for the recommendation, I will keep this kit in mind, but my idea is to get everything separately in order to go through all of the setup, tweaking, ups and downs of a custom build, since I would like to do something more serious as a second build.

I have been going around the forum last night and I noticed that a better option for the control board would be the Hobbywing V2 board. Is it really easier to program and setup than the Multicopter KK 5.5 board?

Also I might get one of those folding frames from China since they are not that much more expensive that the one I have chosen and are NOT made of wood.

Is anyone using the HoverFly Pro board?

[Tam_T]

I don't have any experience with the hobbywing or KK boards. I do have an openpilot control board and really like it. Unfortunately, they have been out of stock for a while now and who knows when they will be selling them again. There is a lot of info over on RCGroups. There are a lot of people over there that have done DIY builds with all different kinds of boards. Until we get more interest here on Helifreak, you may want to check out their multi rotor forum, at least for your build info and all kinds of info on all the control boards.

Don't forget to get back to this forum and let us know what you've decided. It's always coolmto here what parts others have bought and how their unique build turns out.

Good Luck!

-tam

[Arxangel]

Thank you for the input Tam. I am following RCgroups as well, haven't registered there though. With people taking so long to respond here I couldn't wait anymore and yesterday I ordered all of the stuff that I would need for my build.

It costs more for me, as this is my first build and I needed some additional stuff and instruments.

So here is my parts list:

1. Frame - x525 Fiberglass frame (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320832597581?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1046wt_1163)
2. Motors - 5x Turnigy D2830-11 1000kv (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12921) (with a spare)
3. ESCs - 5x HobbyKing 30A BlueSeries (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13429) (with a spare and a programming card (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13431))
4. Control board - HobbyKing Board V2.1 (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=19534)
5. Programmer - USBasp AVR (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=21321)
6. Propellers - 5 pairs (CW & CCW) from eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130632483720?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3138wt_1396) and 6 pairs (CW & CCW) from HobbyKing (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11331)
7. Radio - HobbyKing HK6DF 2.4Ghz (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16239) (don't judge me, I will get a better one later on :) wanted the Turnigy 9x but its on BK)
8. Male to Male servo leads (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=21759)
9. Wattmeter - HobbyKing P1 High Voltage Wattmeter 100Amp (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=17142)
10. Li-Po alarm (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270895824673?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1950wt_1163)
11. Prop balancing stand (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7702)
12. I also ordered an extra set of prop adapters, some 14 and 10 AWG wires, wire mesh guard (not sure if I am going to use it, but its nice to have), 5.5mm and 3.5mm bullet connectors, will use the 5.5mm on battery, for everything else 3.5mm (decided to go with larger connectors since the motors and ESCs can take 4s Li-Pos)

So that about wraps it up. I would appreciate some feedback on the parts, and maybe suggestions for possible future upgrades. :)

[jamesb72]

Thats very similar to my quad which I'm really pleased with, my only suggestions would be:

- get some orange/bright coloured props for 'front' as they help hugely with orientation.
- programming the controller is the awkward part, try to get some help with this from someone who has already done it, as you can waste hours trying to get programmer/drivers working !
- use a plastic tub or similar to protect the controller in case of a crash.

[Arxangel]

Thats very similar to my quad which I'm really pleased with, my only suggestions would be:

- get some orange/bright coloured props for 'front' as they help hugely with orientation.
- programming the controller is the awkward part, try to get some help with this from someone who has already done it, as you can waste hours trying to get programmer/drivers working !
- use a plastic tub or similar to protect the controller in case of a crash.

Thanks for the suggestions. The list above is just the parts that I have ordered, otherwise I will find something to cover the controller. I've already installed the USBasp driver and the Lazy Zero Flash Tool on my Win 7 and everything seems to be working for now, will see how it goes when the control board arrives, but I am optimistic about flashing it with the 4.7 X software. As for orientation, at this point I just want to get it to lift up and be stable, it is humid and snowy here right now so I would not be flying it outside at least until March. On my next order from HK I will be getting some LEDs with orientation in mind. :)

[Arxangel]

Also, can anyone explain to me the deal with props. I still do not understand a lot there. The ones I ordered are just sizes I picked up from a couple of threads with similar builds. I am going to focus on FPV and the likes so I need a slow flyer, will NOT be doing aerobatics and fast flying, I need a stable, slow flying video platform, or at least this would be a stepping stone to achieving it.

[jamesb72]

The props are so cheap I'd suggest you get 8x4.5 and 10x4.5 and compare for yourself, I don't carry any payload and both work OK, the 10x4.5 are slightly more efficient (hover 12.5Amps vs 14Amps for 8x4.5), and give quicker response for flips, but vibrate badly at full throttle, I suspect cheap prop adaptors and long motor shafts are the cause.

Also, I found I needed 30/40C lipo (2200 3S), 20/25C weren't enough (lipo alarm goes off at full throttle even only one minute into flight due to voltage drop)- this surprised me as I fly 450 heli on 20C packs with no problems.

[Arxangel]

The props are so cheap I'd suggest you get 8x4.5 and 10x4.5 and compare for yourself, I don't carry any payload and both work OK, the 10x4.5 are slightly more efficient (hover 12.5Amps vs 14Amps for 8x4.5), and give quicker response for flips, but vibrate badly at full throttle, I suspect cheap prop adaptors and long motor shafts are the cause.

Also, I found I needed 30/40C lipo (2200 3S), 20/25C weren't enough (lipo alarm goes off at full throttle even only one minute into flight due to voltage drop)- this surprised me as I fly 450 heli on 20C packs with no problems.

Yes, I read your thread, I am aware of the battery issue. I have 3S Turnigy 4000mah batteries, and they are 30 or 35C, I think it should do, besides, as I said I am not going to be doing flips or any other aerobatics, and I am definitely never going to full throttle it, I am shooting for something slow flying and stable. Aerobatics do not interest me, they tend to get expensive. :lol:

I will balance all props when they arrive, before the first flight, so that if I break anything I would have a balanced spare to put right away.