My 1st Scratch Built Micro Quad Copter Project
For more stability I used these aluminum arms from old computer parts. (dimensions - 13in x .5in x or 330.2mm x 12.7mm) I also used an old network card and removed all the integrated chips and soldered parts. Then I cut it down and applied it as a base for the aluminum arms.
Parts List:
- Turnigy 1811 brushless Outrunner 2900kv
- TURNIGY Plush 6A /.8bec/6g Speed Controllers
- 5030 Propellers (Red) - 3xCW and 3xCCW
- KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board
- Multi-Rotor Power Distribution Board
- Turnigy 1000mAh 2S 30C Lipo Pack.
I used five 1" servo leads and connected them from the KK2 to a Turnigy 9x8cv2 receiver board. Used two more capacitors and glued them to the foam and receiver board with enough clearance to still access the KK2 programming buttons. Finished up by connecting the signal leads from the esc's to the KK2 starting with 1,2,3,4. Please note that 1,3 are cw and 2,4 are ccw.
Maiden Test Flight
After the maiden flight and while close to the ground the copter did an erratic flip after about 3-4 minutes of flight time. I was pretty confused as to what happened so I took the copter inside and started thinking weight and possibly the kk2 board settings. I ended up taking the battery holder off and attaching the lipo to the bottom with velco. I ran a few more tests and still only 3-4 min of flight time on a fully charged battery. Thinking about weight, I started to google the flip issue and read on the forums that some folks were isolating a failing ESC. Before replacing the motor I decided to test this setup again. Reproduced the erratic flip and immediately made contact with all the ESC's and motors. I felt motor #1 and it was well above the normal temp. So I decided to re-soldered the #1 motor and ESC's connections and "BAM" I was now getting 6-7 minutes of flight time without any erratic flips. Now having a good battery, ESC's, and motors I was able to then work on the kk2 board settings. I read a lot about various KK2 settings and tested many configurations. Let me know if you need help....I will try my best!
I also made some mods to the design to try and make the quad lighter - removed the foam and the battery holder for starters. Took off the capacitors and used standard nylon stand off's. I added some cheap landing gear. Picked up a pack of these at Party City - nifty idea - these are just plastic table cloth clips. They provide some cushion and are cheap and easy to replace.
2nd Test Flight
I decided to push this little quad and try my luck mounting a GoPro to it. My goal was to get some flight video. This is what I can up with - cheap piece of dollar tree foam, wire ties, and some velcro. I did not know what to expect, but the video came out pretty good -no jello or crazy vibration.
1st GoPro Flight Video with my 1st Scratch Built Micro Quad.
Please note that I am still learning how to fly and still need help turning around and flying back. Any feedback would greatly be appreciated!
I hope this build helps some of you folks that love to tinker as much as I do!!!
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