Ready to maiden - a few last questions?

[KK1W]

Just about ready for a maiden hover. I have a few questions for the collective minds here on the group if I may.

Quick rundown of the machine.

RCTimer DJI450 clone V2 (with all the usual pieces including the SimonK flashed ESC)
RCTimer APM 2.5, running Adrucopter 2.8.1
3DR APM Power Module
3s1p 2200 lipo
8x4.5 props

I think it is darn near ready, my questions concern default PID';s and a few wiring questions surrounding the Power Module.

1. I can';t find a printed list of PID defaults. It';s my understanding they are loaded from the software. I think the defaults are for a heavier quad with lower KV motors (mine are 1000KV). Are the defaults still a good starting point or should I tweak a few of them lower? (did look in the config.h list and they match that)

2. I also have 10x4.5 props but from what I';ve read, especially since my quad is still pretty light (no accessories, GPS or anything on it at the moment - weight around 1kg) it would seem the 8" props are a better choice, at least to start?

3. Since I';m using the Power Module I pulled ALL the red and black wires from the ESC connectors and just have the data wire connected to the APM. I';ve tested it and this seems to work just fine - is this correct?

4. Setting up the Power Module in Mission Planner doesn';t match the directions nor do the voltages displayed seem correct. I';m fine just ignoring this, but the instructions say to set it up in Mission Planner. I';ve got a lipo alarm on the battery. So is there any reason to worry about Mission Planner displaying the wrong battery voltage? (example: battery voltage is 12.42, Mission Planner says 11.3). I';m thinking MP can';t calculate it correctly because there aren';t any of the BEC';s attached from the ESC';s to the APM?

All this being said all the tests so far, with props off, appear correct. Just waiting for a window of opportunity to try a hover, maybe over the weekend. I';ve been through all the checklists I can find on the DIYdrones site. Some are a bit dated but they all make sense and the test results match. As long as I put the correct direction props on the proper motors I don';t think I';ve anything else messed up at the moment. 

Maybe soon I';ll join the quad flyer crowd,

Thanks for any info,

[Gaza07]

Sounds like your good to go KK1W I wouldnt worry about the voltage thing for now its just a display and wont affect the flying at all, Ive still got to set mine up yet so not sure what to advise about it, maybe Jumpy07 has already done his ?

I would do the test flight as you are don';t worry about PID tuning or changing props until you have seen what it want to do when in the air, I run 10" props on 1000kv motors with no problems,
One thing worth doing is making sure your in stable mode and hold the copter out at arms length and spin the motors up (make sure you hold tight) and see if you can get the feel of what the copter want s to do it should sit level and resist any attempts you make to tilt it, please be very carefull if you do try this and only do it if your confident you can keep hold of it 

[KK1W]

Thanks Gaz,

Always good to get confirmation on what I was thinking. I';ve both size props (bought the 10" first) so I think I will go with those for the test hover.

In the middle of a garage project here at home, may not get time to test until the weekend.

Will try for a video but those aren';t my strong point (if anything is).

[kidproquo]

Jim,

I have a similar setup. How did the flight go? Any issues? Did you have to do any tuning?

Regards,
Kid

[KK1W]

Jim,

I have a similar setup. How did the flight go? Any issues? Did you have to do any tuning?

Regards,
Kid

Kid,

I';ve been up to my ears in other projects around here - how did I do anything before I retired?

Anyway I did do a couple of test hops inside the garage. Everything seemed to work OK, nothing out of the ordinary happened. It seemed a bit ';twitchy'; in the roll axis and slow in yaw but overall was easy to fly. Here';s a short video of the maiden hover: RCtimer Quad - first flight

Since then I';ve been very busy and/or the weather has been awful. 24" of snow Friday night, spent the day Saturday digging out. I walked out of the garage today at 3:00 PM and the WX was beautiful but I had other things to do instead of another test hop or two.

After the test hover I hooked up the GPS and telemetry - it all seemed to work OK. I still need to dig into tuning but I would like to do that outside with a bit more room to experiment. Winter will be over one of these days I';m sure 

Are you ready for you';re first ';liftoff'; yet?

[kidproquo]

Thanks a lot for the info. I am still waiting for my parts to arrive from HK. Will update once I assemble, test and fly. Do let us know when you do any tuning. I can always use your values as a starting point.

Regards,
Kid

[KK1W]

Kid,

I';m still running 2.8.1 firmware and used the default PID';s to start. I';m following the 2.9.x threads but figured I';ve already introduced enough variables in what I';m doing - no need to add more at this point of the game. It does appear 2.9.2 will be pretty nice so I';m looking forward to the change, but only after I understand WTH I';m doing with 2.8.1.

There';s a good thread on DIY drones about an app call Andropilot. Basically a ground station that will run on an android tablet or smartphone. Something else for the future but seems nicer than dragging the laptop to the field. http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/andropilot-alpha-tester-discussion-for-this-android-application.

The weather has been really bad over here the last three weeks or so but I will keep everyone informed of my failures or successes