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Let’s build a FPV drone: motors and electronics
My 250 class quadcopter project is slowly coming to a successful (hopefully) end. Finally had some time to assemble motors and ESC. Since I wanted to have rather standard setup with 5×3 propellers, I had no super high demand on ESC, I’ve decided to use Turnigy Multistar 10A V2 ESC preflashed with BLHeli software available at Hobby King.…
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Let’s build a FPV drone: frame assembly
Yesterday I finaly had some time to work on my 250 class quadcopter based on ZMR250 carbon fiber frame. There was a plan to finish it before weekend, but looks like plan will have to be changed. I’m missing motor screws. They were not with frame nor motors. Too bad… After one evening of work…
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Adding GPS to Flip32+ and Cleanflight
Flip32 and Flip32+ (10 DOF version of Flip32 with built-in barometer and magnetometer) are nice little flight controllers. And cheap. Some call them clones of Naze32, but this is not completely true. Yes, they are very similar, share the same hardware, but they are not identical. I would say they are better than Naze32 since have…
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Let’s build a FPV drone: frame
Many say that small 250 class quadcopter are super fun. Small, fast, agile, tough and crash resistant. I’ve decided to check it out and build 250 quadcopter drone by myself. And next few posts will be tightly connected with this topic. Let’s call it a build log. The most important part of every multirotor is a frame.…
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I have build a Depron plane…
How hard it is to build a RC plane without plans and starter kits? To do it in “Trust me, I’m an engineer” style. In mid June I’ve decided to give it a try and right now I can tell: it’s hard, but not that hard as one might imagine. All the problems I’ve faced…
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Adding Bluetooth telemetry to Flip32+ and Cleanflight
When few weeks I wrote how to solve a problem of broken USB port in Flip32+ flight controller, I suggested that one of the solutions is adding a serial Bluetooth module to provide wireless connection with a bord. And telemetry. Excellent news is: this is pretty simple and cheap. What we will need: Flight controller…
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Simple servo tester with Arduino
Servo tester is a useful little device that is needed specially when you do not have one. I’ve been placed in a situation like that few days ago what I was trying to connect ailerons with servos on my Depron plane and setup correct control throw. Luckily, I own a few Arduinos, so 15 minutes…
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Flip32 with broken USB port
Low price equals low quality. At least usually. I became clear to me (again) when I’ve broken USB port on my Flip32+ multirotor flight controller. I’ve pulled USB cable and USB socket stayed on a plug. Cheap solder. Or too quick soldering. No idea. Bottom line: unable to connect to flight controller board using USB…
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Flash BLHeli to Afro ESC
SimonK is most widely recognized ESC firmware in multicopter world. But there is a second option, in many ways much better than SimonK firmware. It is called BLHeli. It supports many different ESC, including both Atmel and SiLabs based. Plus, it has a cool software that allows you to configure you ESC without programming card. Just…