Build.Crash.Repeat.
If you’re like me, rctimer.com seems to be down all the time. It is not. To access it, go to http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=shopbbs.dwt
Register using using the link on top. Then login. You must log in. Then add https to your url like https://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_search_list.dwt&gcat=143
You will be able to see the site and all their products now. We’ve drop them a mail but don’t know if it’ll ever be fixed.
Some local shops just sell you anything they can without checking. I found out the hard way…
Won’t power up, opened it up to take a look…
All it needed was a knock on the right side…wasted quite some time finding out why.
Broken GPS chip is common, placing it has a cheaper alternative! We ordered 3 for less than USD $50.00 INCLUDING Shipping. yeah, it’s only USD $6.64 each.
From http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=920&start=10
See the above GPS cracked?
Here’s it close:
Desoudered it, use the replacement gotten from Digikey and off we went flying again. No need to shell out USD$95 to USD $100 for the M Lite GPS Module or around USD $170.00 for a GPS module for the Naza M V2.
By a few especially if you have the Naza M Lite too. The chip is the same.
Direct link to buy http://www.digikey.sg/product-detail/en/GP.1575.25.2.A.02/931-1016-ND/2332643
While waiting for the F450 and the Hobbyking Alien to arrived, fixed up the good old F330, added FPV, swopped over to a Turnigy 9XR, tried out FPV, had a bad shock when mounted the Ricoh Theta to it when it almost crashed from around 10 meters in the air.
Then went hunting for a tricoptor build.
David should be starting his sale of the frames again soon this week. So hope either his stock or stock at Flite Test get replenished soon. His articles like this (KK setup)and this (Tricoptor 2.5) are great.
The Pro Tricopter Delrin Kit too is out of stock everywhere.
So that’s left with the Hobbyking’s Turnigy Talan Tricoptor. The “TTT”?!
We’ll hold the purchase for a while for now. We love options. There’s isn’t much as of now or convert the F450 that’ll be coming to a Tri. Kinda defeat the purpose of not having the arms in view of the camera that’s suppose to be one of the main advantage of us flying a tri in the first place but if it’s lying around, we’ll slap our KK2 board on it and see how it goes.
Converted stuffs that are 2 years old from jDrones running Arduino to Naza.
The F330 ARF Kit/ Frame
Can’t seem to find much information about connecting power/ Lipo but guessed correctly and soldered both the bottom plate of the F330 as described in the manual below (Point 2 of VU).
Rest of the build…
Arduino
It’s a good one and I’ve seen how it perform on another fully built multicoptor but it’s just too much a hassle to get started and I ditched it halfway into it anyway.
Naza M Lite
Decided on the M Lite after good experience on the ease of the Phantom FC40’s Naza M V2 and figured won’t need any of the advanced functions.
Mounting the Naza, GPS
This is straight forward. Mounted the NAZA on bottom plate of the F330. However the FrSky D8R II Plus does not have enough space on bottom plate. It’s mounted on top and using the provided cables, connect to the Naza M Lite.
Plotting over
Plot over the WFT09 and the D8R II Plus, transmittor and receiver using “traditional” connection
Traditional Setup
4 channels for aileron, throttle etc etc top down Channel 1 to 4.
U Channel/ 3 Positions Switch
We use 3 Position Switch “B”. The WFLY WFT09 auxiliary channel MUST be on channel 7 and we must use AUX Channel if we want to use End Point settings to setup GPS, ATTI and Manual. When we immediately plug in the Naza and using Channel B, only ATTI works. Everything else goes to Failsafe.
All function can be plotted over including a 3 position switch for GPS, ATTI and Manual with Failsafe.
These are my settings, post any questions you may have as comments below. The WFLY manual for the WFT09 is as good as useless. This video was a big help and allow us to figure a lot of it out.
Program Mix
Our settings are below. Watch the YouTube video guide, you’ll understand what this is or simply, just punch in the same numbers.
X1
Gimbal control was set to knob “VL”. Top left knob control.
Landing Gear and Camera Mount
Just used a simple velcro and attached the Mobius to it. Light and it works. Cheap landing gear from ebay below USD$9.00
Pending
Using a smaller FrSky D4R-II 2.4G receiver and maybe try mounting the Tarot T2D on it. The Phantom can handle the gimbal so this F330 shouldn’t be a problem. Also will install some LED for easier navigation when in the air to spot the multicoptor. Lastly, bigger capacity battery, tried the Turnigy 2650 and was good.
…and so
Our kit Arduino plotted over successfully. It was quite a breeze with the Naza. Hardware wise including those soldering is quite the easy part. Understanding the useless manual of the WFT09 was challenging but the Youtube video provided a lot of insight when he setup the Naza with a Futaba radio. It’s only a matter of finding the right corresponding function or feature on the WFT09.
We’ve decided not to setup the IOC for now but it’s possible with another 3 position switch that’s available on the WFT09. We however, broke ours some time ago and most of the time fly GPS or ATTI for now.
DJI has provided an easy to understand head start with the Phantom and simply opening up the Phantom and tinkering allows anyone to understand what each component are for and with some trial and errors, allow anyone to upgrade easily. We dont see ourselves flying the S800 or any of their bigger multicoptor anytime soon but now, we are confident, it is totally possible.
We decided to go the harder way to learn the hard way first and everything else after that will be easier. It also gives more satisfaction. Try it. You’ll learn a thing or two for sure.
….and so, we moved to a F550.
The Naza M Lite and Naza M V2 GPS/ Compass unit uses the same GPS chip.
Note 1575R-A is ANTENNA GPS PATCH 1575MHZ. It cracks often from crashes so we ordered a few pieces together from Digikey. It’s hell cheaper than getting the whole unit that’s about USD$160.00 on ebay.
Part number: GP.1575.25.2.A.02
Direct link: http://www.digikey.sg/product-detail/en/GP.1575.25.2.A.02/931-1016-ND/2332643
Long gone was the reputation of shady merchants roaming ebay for a quick buck. I’ve communicated with many that are honest business through purchases of many parts for the multicoptor. If you’re searching for stuffs for your phantom, you are bound to see these few merchants.
Here’s the run down:
Gadgetextreme – Bought 2 pieces of Tarot T2D. Noticed difference in the plates and was informed that it was V1 and V2. V2 is not carbon fiber any more and offered to refund. Kept both pieces and send a thank you note. Also gotten the 5.8Ghz receiver and Naza GPS/ Compass combo from them. Delivery smooth and reletively fast, about 10 working days.
Goodlucksell – Bought spare FC40 camera that never came. Refunded fully but offered to have tracking number to check with our dear friends at Singapore Post….anyway, refunded before they reply as of writing. Delivery smooth and reletively fast, about 10 working days.
Gadgetinfinite – Tried to buy 2 x ESC, one green and one red but decided to cancel. Hassle free and refunded promptly. As I decided to buy locally as I want to have it urgently. Price difference was neglectable..
Hobbyking69 – Bought all the EMAX 2212 motors from them. Cheap, smooth delivery.
Singapore Hobby – Having a shop front allows us to get what we want, when we want it but at times, cost is well, slightly higher but can’t beat the speed of getting it there and then. Chatting with them on experience is also a really good sell/ buy point with recommendations. They are not around just to make money, they will advice and always with a smile.