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How to dispose / utilize LiPo batteries
LiPo batteries that run RC hobby are potentially dangerous devices. When not handled properly they can ignite or even explode. And they do not live forever. Even the best battery, no matter how taken care off, loses capacity, swells and has to be disposed. When we combine both facts we face a problem: how to…
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INAV 1.1 for Naze32 with working telemetry
As long as Naze32 / Flip32 are decent flight controllers for those who does not demand too much, they share very big flaw: low flash memory size. While even a year ago 128kB of flash was enough, times changed, and limited flash makes a problem for advanced flight controller software like INAV. Starting from INAV…
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Hands on: Reptile X4R 220 quadcopter frame
Last week, first parts for my new racing quadcopter started to arrive. One of them, was carbon fiber frame: Reptile X4R 220. Why this one? Like I stated many times: I’m cheap. Plus, I did not wanted to go with another ZMR250 build. This frame was easily available, within budget and good looking. So, few…
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Hands on: Matek PDB-XT60
As long as quality is decent, there is nothing better like "el cheapo" electronic components. Just like below $5 Matek PDB-XT60 Power Distribution Board with integrated 5V and 12V BEC. Preparing to build a new 220 racer I just got my Matek PDB from Aliexpress. Quality, at a first glance looks good. Laminate nicely cut,…
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How to print PLA on glass?
When I got my first 3D Printer (Malyan M150) and got into 3D printing I was surprised how consumer not-ready technology this is. Sticking, not sticking, overextrusion, underextrusion, Kepton, blue painters tape, clogged extruder… Over the time, at least, I was able to get the whole 3D Printing process somehow repeatable. I think one of…
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Detecting Cleanflight PID tuning issues with Blackbox: gyro noise
After a short brake, let’s return to Blackbox series with new entry: “How much gyro noise is too much?”. Almost all PID tuning tutorials states: reduce vibrations that affects gyroscope and accelerometer readouts. Yes, this true: any vibrations that appear during flight affects gyroscope and accelerometer readouts are bad and should be kept as low…
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How to tune PID I-term on a quadcopter
With this entry I want to initiate short series of articles showing how to tune multirotor / quadcopter PID controller. Let’s call it a continuation of Blackbox series, but this time I will not relay only on Blackbox data. Yes, I will show few examples how given scenarios looks on Blackbox logs, but all steps…
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Flight controller 30.5mm to 45mm mount adapter
Almost all “racing” MultiWii derivatives flight controllers like Naze32, SPRacingF3, CC3D or Sparky, besides the same CPU family (STM32) and ability to run Cleanflight, share the same form factor: 36x36mm size and 30.5mm hole spacing. That creates a small problem when mounting them to some bigger frames designed to fit APM, Pixhawk or MultiWii. They…
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How to reverse motor direction
You finished your build, you connect LiPo, power up flight controller, apply throttle (no propellers of course) and you see that one or motors are spinning in wrong direction. How to fix that? You can not do it, for example in Cleanflight Configurator. ESC communication protocol does not allow to change BLC motor direction. There…