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Want to build a quad but have no idea?

8K views 39 replies 11 participants last post by  Peachey 
#1 ·
Hey guys as the title states i want to build a quad. I have been flying a buzzybee micro quad and twister quad and have been really enjoying it, so thought it was time to step up to a real quad. Eventually i want to fly it FPV so having the lifting ability to carry all that gear is a must. What i was wondering is can someone give me a rough idea on what i need to get, if possible i want it all to come from HK.
This is the frame i want to use, so am looking for motor/esc/prop/flight controller ideas as well as anything i might overlook.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__22397__Turnigy_Talon_Carbon_Fiber_Quadcopter_Frame.html



Thanks for the help
 
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#3 · (Edited)
might as well start off with i have owned a quad, and then merged everything over and made up a hex, so i suggest going hex for fpv for the following reasons

quad, as great and light as they are, if a motor fails you WILL fall out of the sky (it has happened to me prop and motor) with a hex if a motor or prop fail there are motors either side to back it up and keep it flying.
with that in mind, once you move onto fpv, you will have

a camera on-board (i recommend a gopro, it is superior quality over most cameras, it can record and output its full quality)

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/gopro-hero3-silver-edition/MTAwMjE4OQ_A_A

video transmitter (recommend going fatshark for all of the video rx/tx and goggles)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...o_Transmitter_FatShark_compatible_600mw_.html

these things cost money, around $400 worth and if that falls out of the sky it might break and you dont want that happening

i suggest you get the apm2.5 board, it is far superior to most flight control board (better sensors, i know iv had the kk2.0 and miltiwii board)

here
http://www.baskindustries.com/aerospace/store/products/ardupilot-mega-2.5.php
or here
http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=818&productname=

keeping in mind this place i dont think sell the case for it, the bask industries do and i got it separately off them pretty cheap

you will want to get carbon reinforced props, they are nice and strong the size is up to you, i use 10x4.5

http://flyduino.net/Multikopter-Propeller-CW-CCW_7?jtl=v

get the fatshark dominator goggles and the fatshark 5.8ghz receiver and the circular polarized antenna
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...inator_3rd_Generation_modular_FPV_System.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19447__FatShark_Dominator_5_8ghz_Module_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__27750__5_8GHz_Circular_Polarized_spiroNet_Antenna.html


25amp speed controller should do the job if your using a normal motor, 40amp if you have the cash to splash
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2163__TURNIGY_Plush_25amp_Speed_Controller.html

these are the motors me and my other 2 mates are using and we havent had any problems with them (except a few bearings failing prob due to a crash here and there)

we have run a tonne of packs through these.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._28_26A_1200kv_250w_short_shaft_version_.html

me and one of my mates are using these frames, they are great for hiding the fc board and receiver etc between the frame and it looks super neat.

well enough of that, here are pics of mine. these photos are a bit old but not much has changed.

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Wood stain
Drone Table Rotorcraft Toy Helicopter rotor
Passive circuit component Circuit component Hardware programmer Resistor Electronic component


oh and get this gps, as expensive as it is i have used 2 and my mates have this one and it is heaps better. the gps positioning and holding from it is near spot on.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_w_Built_in_Antenna_2_5m_Accuracy.html

oh and make sure you dont plug **** in the wrong way, this stuff isnt exactly cheap so you dont want to be forking out money and or waiting for a silly mistake, i have blown up heaps of crap cuz of wrong wiring (from factory and my own fault) and its frustrating, use a multimeter and play it safe with everything....

here is your library from now on...

http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/APM25board
 
#35 ·
this is mostly what i have.

might as well start off with i have owned a quad, and then merged everything over and made up a hex, so i suggest going hex for fpv for the following reasons

quad, as great and light as they are, if a motor fails you WILL fall out of the sky (it has happened to me prop and motor) with a hex if a motor or prop fail there are motors either side to back it up and keep it flying.
with that in mind, once you move onto fpv, you will have

a camera on-board (i recommend a gopro, it is superior quality over most cameras, it can record and output its full quality)

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/gopro-hero3-silver-edition/MTAwMjE4OQ_A_A

video transmitter (recommend going fatshark for all of the video rx/tx and goggles)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...o_Transmitter_FatShark_compatible_600mw_.html

these things cost money, around $400 worth and if that falls out of the sky it might break and you dont want that happening

i suggest you get the apm2.5 board, it is far superior to most flight control board (better sensors, i know iv had the kk2.0 and miltiwii board)

here
http://www.baskindustries.com/aerospace/store/products/ardupilot-mega-2.5.php
or here
http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=818&productname=

keeping in mind this place i dont think sell the case for it, the bask industries do and i got it separately off them pretty cheap

you will want to get carbon reinforced props, they are nice and strong the size is up to you, i use 10x4.5

http://flyduino.net/Multikopter-Propeller-CW-CCW_7?jtl=v

get the fatshark dominator goggles and the fatshark 5.8ghz receiver and the circular polarized antenna
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...inator_3rd_Generation_modular_FPV_System.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19447__FatShark_Dominator_5_8ghz_Module_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__27750__5_8GHz_Circular_Polarized_spiroNet_Antenna.html


25amp speed controller should do the job if your using a normal motor, 40amp if you have the cash to splash
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2163__TURNIGY_Plush_25amp_Speed_Controller.html

these are the motors me and my other 2 mates are using and we havent had any problems with them (except a few bearings failing prob due to a crash here and there)

we have run a tonne of packs through these.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._28_26A_1200kv_250w_short_shaft_version_.html

me and one of my mates are using these frames, they are great for hiding the fc board and receiver etc between the frame and it looks super neat.

well enough of that, here are pics of mine. these photos are a bit old but not much has changed.

View attachment 23466 View attachment 23474 View attachment 23482

oh and get this gps, as expensive as it is i have used 2 and my mates have this one and it is heaps better. the gps positioning and holding from it is near spot on.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_w_Built_in_Antenna_2_5m_Accuracy.html

oh and make sure you dont plug **** in the wrong way, this stuff isnt exactly cheap so you dont want to be forking out money and or waiting for a silly mistake, i have blown up heaps of crap cuz of wrong wiring (from factory and my own fault) and its frustrating, use a multimeter and play it safe with everything....

here is your library from now on...

http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/APM25board
 
#4 ·
I'm going to go against just about everything revo just said. I do agree with his setup but i think if you are starting out, get something that is cheap to practise on.

So, my personal preference is to go with a tri. they are easier to transport and in some respects fly better than a quad. obviously if a motor fails it falls, but that's why you build it cheap.

I guess the first thing you should ask yourself is what are you using the multirotor for? Is it for FPV flying or for aerial footage, if it's FPV flying, screw the go pro and just have a cheap yet very usable FPV camera.

Back to the build of the multirotor, either buy a frame or build one yourself that uses wooden booms, you WILL crash, so by using wooden booms you make everything cheap and easy to replace. I think in the heli section is my old tricopter. At first i broke a few booms but with them being wood everything was cheap and easy, then i made the booms able to swing, reducing breakages even more.

Chech out rcexplorer.se there are some very good tri designs there and all of them are very durable.

Another tip is to zip tie everything, including your motors, these become weak points and will break before the boom.

As for the main board, go with a cheap KK2 from HK, they're not the best but they will be pretty good and do you want something that flies for you or lets you fly, with the KK2 you'll have to fly the thing.

Motors, Again check my tri thread, those DT750 motors aren't the best but again they are cheap and reliable, makes it easy to have a few on hand.

ESC's - just make sure they have a decent frame rate, RC groups should have a thread with good multirotor ESC's listed.

I hope this made some sense i know i just spit stuff out and hope it makes sense most of the time. i'll try to do a better thing of my opinion later but i'm rushed for time now.
 
#5 ·
Thanks so much for the effort you put into that post it helps alot. The AP/FPV will be a long way off and i want to build a quad as i can see it getting destroyed eventually so would rather build something a little simpler to learn both the build and how to fly correctly outside.

How much run time are you getting with the 2200mah?


I was looking at this flight controller

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__12974__Hobbyking_i86_Multi_Rotor_Control_Board.html

ESC

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ar_45_Amp_Multi_rotor_Brushless_ESC_2_6S.html

motor

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21479__NTM_Prop_Drive_28_26_1350KV_310W.html

Would this be suitable for a basic learn to fly quad that has 3D capabilities for later on?
 
#6 ·
Oh and before you go and spend a lot of money on gear, go and look through the goggles to make sure you do not end up disorientated by them as I do. I have looked through Revo's FPV system while he was flying it and while the imagery is bloody amazing, I felt light headed and dizzied by the experience.
 
#7 ·
you said you have been flying a micro? they shouldnt be much difference in flying.

i regret spending so much money on cheap stuff, it only caused problems. now i know when i take my hex out it will fly and wont crash (unless something major happens like my fc board dies or battery goes flat)

iv used other cameras for fpv and the quality is rubbish, the gopro quality through the goggles is amazing (pretty much what you see on a pc screen, only smaller)

with frames costing $20 y wouldnt you just buy one? they come with the integrated pcb board so all the power points for the esc's are all hidden, grab some more arms if you think you will break em, $4 each why not

http://www.uavproducts.com/product.php?id_product=34

and the kk2.0 board is good in the sense its extremely easy to use, with the screen right on top of it you can change all your gains and update and change the firmware as you please, im in the process of setting mine up in my plane with some firmware to stabilize it

if you are in brisbane come along to the next bash session we have organized and ill show you the fpv and the hex setup.
 
#8 ·
Nice write up fellas, links certainly help, especially for newbs to quadcopters

I plan on getting into quadcopter fpv soon (ill slowly start buying as gear comes in stock at hobbyking)

My plan was to start with a blade mqx, and also start to practice on pheonix sim as they have a few quads now, then move onto a bigger quad and then a fpv quad lastly

Would this be a decent quad ?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ESC_Flight_Controller_PNF_AUS_Warehouse_.html
 
#9 ·
yeh that one doesnt look too bad. for the price it looks good. but as for performance etc it wont beat copters like mine, the better fc board improves flight dramatically and the barometer and gps etc are just a tonne better in terms of accuracy. not sure if you will be able to do much in terms of upgrading on that frame, but id say you could prob move half that stuff over to another frame. looks like it has the same GF props i linked to above.
 
#11 ·
Buy this http://www.dji-innovations.com/products/phantom/overview/ from here http://www.multiwiicopter.com/products/phantom-rtf-quad then read here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1774685

I bought one of these DJI Phantoms for basically bashing round the neighbourhood as it's purpose built for the GoPro and very easy to add a small vtx such as the Hobby King http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15295__5_8g_200mw_FPV_Wireless_AV_Tx_Rx_Set.html

All up cost less fpv monitor / goggles approx. $750 which may sound like a lot but once you outgrow it you can transplant virtually everything into a Hex. The Phantom has a full blown DJI Naza M flight controller with GPS & Compass which you will find is highly regarded by the multicopter fraternity. I'm enjoying the Phantom more then my S600 & S800 as it's just a matter of slapping a battery in and go fly. I've already modified mine for FPV and swapped the receiver over to use my 18MZ, maybe a custom paint job and a brushless gimbal for the GoPro.

The IdeaFly from HobbyKing looks good but by the time you add the radio gear and a camera mount + postage you're prolly up for close to $400 and will still need GPS.

Hit the multirotor groups on rcgroups and do some reading, I'm sure there's plenty of good options out there for $450-500 that will do the job.
 
#13 ·
I'm still going to go against the trend.

For your first quad, tri, whatever, go cheap. I did, never had a motor fail, never had a prop fail, never had any electronic failure.

The best thing about a tricopter is that with the folding front arms if you have an impact they will simply fold back, whereas with just about any other type of multirotor things are more likely to break. I know people here seem to be of the opinion of buy a full setup first go, but in my mind, if you're going to get into AP you'll end up with multiple multirotors. You can have a hex or octo with DJI GPS and RTH and all the bells and whistles but unless you have something cheap you'll always, or at least i would be, afraid to push the envelope and have fun. The best thing about a cheap multirotor is that you really don't car what happens to it, for under $150 you can have multiple of everything on the multirotor such that if you have a crash, it'll be an easy fix and you'll always have a spare.

Another great aspect of these types of multirotors is that you can build and design them yourself. I don't know about other people but i do like designing new things and having something that is unique, something that only i have, that i made.

Now when i bought my tricopter i bought it as a PNP, mainly cause i was in the same boat as you and wasn't sure what went into building a multirotor, however since then i don't think i could image myself purchasing a complete frame for a multirotor of my own.

Here's a link to my tricopter thread. http://www.ausrc.com/forum/showthread.php?28169-Mongrel-Gear-Wiilogy-Tricopter
Hopefully you may find some useful info there.

Again, this has been my thoughts mashed into words so really if you don't read it i don't blame you.
 
#14 ·
B$ i'm totally of your opinion, i like to design and build my own things instead of just getting the same thing as every one else just to have top of the line. All of my gear has been sourced on a budget, the biggest $$ item i have are my boats, the rest are all quality, but just at the lower/obscure end.

If i sink more than $250-$300 into this RTF i'll be too nervous to ever push it, i want to learn how to fly it hard as my plan eventually is to follow boats around the lake, we have a couple of Base HD cameras, they give good footage from the planes and boats, they are water proof,shock proof, float and at less than 1/4 the cost of a go-pro so will be using them so if the quad goes for a swim the camera is retrievable.

My whole plan was to do this and keep it on the cheap, one of my mates is on a pension and wants to build one as well so the cheaper the better, and if we can get spares as well for that 250-300 even better.
 
#15 ·
B-Money, Pro.28 you both make valid points and it's a good way to go if you have the time to research the many different flight controllers, frame, motor and prop combinations. RTF in this case will cost more and you won't learn as much or have the joy of building it yourself. I did the hard yards on my 600 Hexa and really enjoyed the whole process. I bought the Phantom cause I just wanted something to bash around and not worry too much if I crashed it plus it's easy to throw in the boot and fly my GoPro almost anywhere within a few mins. It has all the right features, Course lock, home lock, altitude hold, GPS lock & return to home etc etc but it is at the upper end of $$

There's so many controllers out there and equally as many frames and motors so it's risky sometimes as you may end up spending $$ of parts that don't work together. I blew a $300 on ESC's that don't work with my flight controller, spent another $800 on a radio that had issues on my gimbal. I've learnt the hard way and paid a price but I consider it as the cost of knowledge :)

Final advice, set a budget, do the research and enjoy the experience.

I'm not a DJI fanboi, in fact quite the opposite but they did get it right with the Phantom and credit where credit is due. I'm contemplating a CarbonCore 950 as my next frame and I'll build that from scratch cause the DJI S800 frame is rubbish.
 
#16 ·
me and my mates had a chat this avo and we all agree, buying cheap components and then buying better stuff later on is stupid. if anything start with a tri copter and then built up from there. but do not buy cheap parts, get decents motors, esc's, fc board, batteries, controller straight off the bat so then all you have to upgrade is the frame (good hex frame is $20) more motors ($20-40 each) more esc's ($15-25 each)

the only stuff i buy off hobbyking is stuff for my now hexacopter. have a guess how many orders i have... 30 atm... each order being a fair bit over $150 with the exception of maybe 5-8 orders being between 50-100.

also, buy good batteries straight away, i have 15 lipos or so atm... i only just recently bought 2 5000mah 3s lipos to use for the hex, now all my 2200mah 3s packs dont get used much as the 5000mah packs are so much better. on a tri copter (providing you have the correct setup) should run for 15-20min off one pack.... where as now, going from a quad to a hex i was getting 8-10min off a 2200mah 3s pack, now i have to use 2 packs to get max 8min fly time before my alarm goes off. more reliability = more weight which = more power needed for the same fly time.
 
#17 ·
The more fpv I watch, the more keen I get to try it

I'm pretty sure I'd go with a dji phantom after my skills are sufficient, but I would like to start getting fpv gear

How do I know which gear to get?
Which fat shark goggles? Dominator predator?

Since I already have a spektrum dx6i would 5.8ghz be ideal?

A base station? What else is needed?
 
#18 ·
to start with, get this stuff. dont bother getting cheaper stuff, i did and i wasted around 200$ (didnt even get goggles with that)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...inator_3rd_Generation_modular_FPV_System.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19447__FatShark_Dominator_5_8ghz_Module_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...o_Transmitter_FatShark_compatible_600mw_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__27750__5_8GHz_Circular_Polarized_spiroNet_Antenna.html

i have those goggles and antenna, the vtx and vrx are on the way as soon as the vtx is back in stock (hoping the next week)
 
#19 ·
only 2 of those 4 things are in stock?

pretty slim chances of them all being in stock at the same time?

is there anything else needed? besides the flight rig?

is a base station needed?
 
#20 ·
you wont need a base station. thats what the receiver for the goggles is for. so all you take out with you is the quad/hex, goggles, and transmitter.

atm i use a separate receiver as its one i already bought, but i have the goggle receiver in the order waiting for the video transmitter.

i suggest you order it all in one hit and wait for each item to come into stock, once each part comes into stock it is held for your order until its all complete.

you could buy it all separately if you dont mind paying the shipping and get them to email you when it arrives into stock, problem with that is so many people do that, 5min after you get the email it could be sold out again
 
#21 ·
thanks, the goggles were in stock yesty, ah well, gotta wait 4 the rest of the stuff anyway

i have a gopro, are there any other cables needed? or any other parts needed?
 
#22 ·
if you have the hero 3 you might want these

http://arkrc.com.au/andmk-301-gopro-the-frame-hero3-cameras-only/

and this to go to the video transmitter

http://arkrc.com.au/hero3irc-gopro-hero3-camera-cable/

this cable provides power to the gopro hero 3 and has the wires for the video/sound output to the vtx (you must only send 5v to the gopro and you must connect it up properly)

http://arkrc.com.au/gpravout-av-out-power-cable-for-gopro-3/




or if you only have the hero 2 then you will need this cable and you will need to drill a nice hole in your water proof case

http://arkrc.com.au/ircgopro-goprohd-camera-cable-immersionrc-compatible-audio-and-video/
 
#23 ·
i have a hero 2
 
#25 ·
fatshark goggle battery?
 
#27 ·
ok, i have a few batteries, 3 i think

what kind of range will this system get roughly?
 
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