FT VersaCopter - Race Quad Build

by FliteTest | September 23, 2015 | (8) Posted in How To

We want to thank you for your purchace of the FT VersaCopter! We hope this frame will grow with your interests in the hobby, wether it be racing, AP, or just fun flying. Today, Josh will show you how to assemble the race quad setup. Keep a look out for more setup videos featuring different addons in the future. 

For this build, the electronics we will be using are from our Power Pack E. If you are using a different electronics setup, the build process is exactly the same. 

The Delrin body gives space and functionality to grip carbon fiber booms, however, you can follow this build video and simply sandwich square dowels between the VersaCopter plates if you don't want to use carbon fiber.

Check out the instructional video below and have fun!

 

SUPPLEMENTAL VIDEOS

 

LINKS


- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

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COMMENTS

The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 24, 2015
It's finally here!
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 24, 2015
Is it possible to route the motor wires through the CF booms?
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Krümelmonster on September 25, 2015
No, because you need to get the wires out anywhere to the speed controller. And since you don´t wanna drill holes in your boom, its not possible.
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 25, 2015
How about using two booms instead of one?
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Bchesler on September 26, 2015
Why wouldn't you want to drill a hole the boom? I understand that drilling holes will weaken the boom, but what if you drilled a single hole in the middle of the boom? Theoretically, that means that the force of the impact would have to break through both of the boom mounts on either side before putting stress on the hole. With that kind of impact, I don't think the boom is going to be the only thing to worry about being broken.

If you were to drill a hole, you would definitely want to use a grommet so the sharp edges do not to cut your wires and fry out electronics.

Note: This is not a tested theory. I do not have a VersaCopter as all of my money is tied up in our newborn fund. Hoping for a Christmas present...
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onelesseye on September 24, 2015
I have heard on 2 different videos that the mz-12 is available with the gr-18 receiver for 200 dollars. I can't find that anywhere. On the Flite Test store page, I can only see the mz-12 available with the gr 16L, which does not have the flight controller built in and it is 150.00 dollars. I want to know where to get the mz-12 with the gr-18 (the receiver with the flight controller built in) for 200.00, and if it is going to be available on Flite Test at any time. Just wondering. I have been considering a new radio, and that looks like a good option.
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 25, 2015
You can probably find it on the Graupner website; it should be on the FT Store in the future.
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onelesseye on September 26, 2015
I looked, it's 250, not 200 like Josh has mentioned. Just saying.
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 26, 2015
Yeah, 200 sounded a little fishy... Maybe they got a special deal?
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gsgraber92 on October 1, 2015
TowerHobbies has the combo, stock number LXFLKB $199.00 and the receiver by itself for 99.00, stock number LXFLKA $99.00. Looks like they will be available in Oct.
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on October 1, 2015
Thanks for sharing!
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gsgraber92 on September 25, 2015
Does anybody know if the "Graupner GR12 6Ch HoTT +3xG+3A+VARIO Telemetry Receiver" is the same as the "GR18" just 6 channels instead of 9? The information I can find on it seems as though they are both Gyro/flight control based receivers. Any thoughts?
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 25, 2015
I think that it's only for fixed-wing.
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UncleMoses on September 25, 2015
You guys have done a fantastic job at making these available to less experienced people and people just starting out in the hobby. I had bought a ZMR250 frame just a couple weeks ago because my wife wanted to build her own but she's completely green when it comes to soldering. With the VersaCopter there is very little soldering involved and everything it tucked away so neatly, it really makes it easy for the new guys. I would definitely recommend this to anyone getting into the hobby and even more experienced people, its a quad for all levels, because it looks tough. Great job guys!
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wingless on September 25, 2015
Just out of curiosity, for just flying around, would a multi wii board work for this? ( I just happen to have one)
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UncleMoses on September 25, 2015
You bet, you would have to configure your own sketch and of course the setup process for your receiver would be different, but seeing you have that kind of board you probably have experience with it. It is definitely a more involved process but doable.
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davereap on September 28, 2015
Please do us a plan so we can make a wooden version.. for us DIY'ers
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Vance Allen on October 3, 2015
I'm looking to build a versa copter but I'm not sure what exactlly is necciary to make it work and the cheapes way necciary while still being good.
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terry1 on October 3, 2015
Whats the diameter of the booms??
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skibum315 on October 16, 2015
Can the GR18 be used with a non-Graupner Tx? Or is it only compatible with Graupner MZ transmitters?
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rdiericx on October 21, 2015
i have a gr-18 and a mz-24 but i can not figure out how to set the reciever for a quad
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sidneyki on October 26, 2015
In the Naze32 setup w/oneshot video it was mention to download the PID setting to go to the flitetest.com/setup webpage. I get page not found. Could you tell me where to get the PID setting for a 3s setup please.

Best Regards,
Sidney
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sidneyki on October 26, 2015
Could someone provide me with an updated Naze 32 rev 6 manual.
I can only find a 2013 rev 3 manual.
http://www.abusemark.com/downloads/naze32_rev3.pdf

Best Regards,
Sidney
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timbacct on October 26, 2015
Hi all, this is the first time I have ever posted "helpful" information. I am the world's biggest fan of FT. I have watched every show and seem to build almost everything. I look forward to Monday and Wednesday evenings!

Anyway - the helpful bit

It seems like I am the only one with the problem of trying to use a GR-18 receiver 33579 connected to a Graupner MZ-24 transmitter. Here is how I managed to do it after 3 hours of utter confusion:

1. First of all you have to realise that unless you get the GR-18 pre-configured with copterfirmware you will search in vain for the multicopter settings that Josh goes through with his usual clarity and helpfulness on the MZ-12. The GR-18 can either have plane/heli firmware installed or multicopter firmware not both. You can change between them.
2. Get the installer software for Graupner and the driver for the USB interface and the copterfirmware for the GR-18. I used the links on here: http://www.logicrc.com/default.aspx?s=c:0,c:ZZ-Support,c:ZZ-GRHoTT,c:ZZ-GRFirmware.
3. Next install the new firmware on the GR-18.
4. Then follow Josh's tips for setting up the ESC's etc but just be aware that when you are trying to move through the menus as Josh does with the right arrow, you have to use the soft "Ent" key on the screen of the MZ-24.
5. Good luck! I will let you know if mine works as soon as the current bad weather passes - could be next year...

Thanks to all the team! They got me into this hobby single handedly 12 months ago and I am now a complete addict.

Tim
Exmoor, UK
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timbacct on October 27, 2015
Sorry - forgot the firmware. I got it from here: http://taymodels.co.uk/radios-servos-etc/93-etronix-pulse-20-x6-24ghz-fhss-digital-proportional-6-channel-radio-system.html

Let me know how you get on. Skibum315 - did you get anywhere?
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timbacct on October 27, 2015
One more thing. I struggled to get the firmware installed. I kept getting a message saying that it could not find the target device. That is because I was following the instructions I had to plug the USB interface into port 5 on the receiver. It should be port 9. As soon as that was done the firmware downloaded immediately.
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sublimejackman on October 29, 2015
Please put up the recommended PID settings for a 3 cell running power pack E? I have no idea how to properly tune it and the clean flight defaults are ok but not great.
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gsgraber92 on November 19, 2015
I installed my gr-18 receiver into my versacopter, but when I bind it the motors/esc start beeping and don't stop. What am I doing wrong? I went back to my tx and setup a new model just to be sure. I am new to my graupner radio and still trying to figure it all out. Any suggestions would be helpful.
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codedshadow on January 28, 2016
could i use 1806-2280kv motors with this?

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codedshadow on January 28, 2016
i would like to carry fpv gear as well

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alex_diener_6 on April 22, 2016
Hey I was wondering what your fpv setup is for the Versacopter as I plan to buy one and use it for fpv
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FT VersaCopter - Race Quad Build