First build with DB's Junk

[LitterBug]

Ground tests complete. Ready for maiden!

Finished up the initial build of the Trifecta last night. Ran in to issues binding the LemonRX LM0037 diversity satellite RX when using “set spektrum_sat_bind = 9”. Not sure if it is an issue with the firmware “TriFlight 0.5/F3FC 1.13.0” or the F3FC controller itself. My gut tells me it's a problem with TriFlight. I was able to bind the RX on another quad with a SPR F3 FC running BetaFlight and then hooked it back up to the F3FC on the Trifecta. I’ve gone through ESC calibration, flight mode config, tail servo calibration, current and voltage monitoring config. Armed it with props off to verify proper servo yaw reaction and RX yaw control direction.

The tail servo config and calibration with TriFlight 0.5 is really simple and slick. I mapped my aux3 switch in the modes tab to enable TailTune mode. With the copter disarmed you switch on tail tune and the servo goes to midpoint. With the left stick "rudder", you adjust the servo till it is at 0 degrees. Next you flick the right stick "roll" to the right. The servo goes to the right endpoint. Now you use the left stick "yaw" to adjust the servo endpoint to 40 degrees. Next, flick the right stick "roll" to the left. The servo goes to the left endpoint. Use the left stick "yaw" to adjust the servo endpoint to 40 degrees. Next flick the right stick "elevator" down. If the FC detects servo feedback on the RSSI input, the servo will automatically flip back and forth allowing the FC measure the servo speed. After this, the beeper sounds that all is complete.

Looking forward to the end of the monsoons that have been hitting us for the last week to get the Maiden in and complete the in air TailTune.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[LitterBug]

DB's JUNK FLIES AGAIN! Hover tests complete!

Managed to get some LOS hover tests in tonight in the back yard. Tail has some expected jitters on the ground when the props aren't up to speed, but once in the air, it is absolutely smooth. Was working in a pretty tight area with trees, fences, and a fort nearby so nothing too crazy except that one roll flip I came out of upside down. 3 new props.... LOL Need to bump up the rates from stock to pull that off in the tight space. Looking forward to getting it out to my normal flying field. Will be able to run the inflight Tail tune there as well. Will hang a GoPro on the front for that too.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[LitterBug]

<SIGH>.... Maiden. That did not go so good....

OOPS!


Unintentionally flying LOS in acro.... Not my forte. Appears I had my mode switch in the wrong position and realized it too late. Explodicated the tail and servo on impact. Will be ordering a different frame that I found after buying the Trifecta and starting a new thread. David Windestål's Baby Tricopter:
http://rcexplorer.se/product/babytricopter-kit/

The good news is I didn't "break" a prop.... LMAO

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[cranialrectosis]

ooooohhhh. That's as cool as the Twitchity. Maybe...

Thanks for the link LitterBug.

 

[LitterBug]

FYI,
These were DALPROP 6045 props tonight. Bent the living snot out of them, but they did not explode like the HQ 6045 the other day.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[PsyBorg]

I have been using the Dal props for a while now. I have yet to break one. I have put nicks in them from smacking the fiberglass tent poles I use for flags and gates, I have even turned a full set into 3 legged spiders after a 30+ foot fall straight down after I tried to flip without airmode turned on (sigh I STILL feel stoopid for that one).

They are very durable and so far none of the ones I got seemed to be balanced wrong out of the package.

That is a cool little tricopter. I may do one after I get thru a 5 inch alien build I been wanting to get to. Probably not before next spring finance wise Id guess. The last picture looks neat. I wonder if you set it up with 90 degree front arms and moved COG back if you could get one to fly where the front props carry the weight and the tail gets set up like a standard heli like it looks in that picture.

 

[LitterBug]

With a bit of creative epoxy and long bolt reconstruction, the trifecta may just fly again.... The molded plastic stubs that the two short stubby screws holding the bottom servo housing on busted off. Really bad design. Going to fill it in, drill it all the way through, and put long bolts and locknuts on.


Already ordered the RCExplorer frame, so this is just going to be a temporary fix anyway.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[LitterBug]

Handfull of flights

Post smashup investigation shows that I had my mode switch configured backwards from what I normally fly, so I was definitely hosed by unexpected acro last night. Managed to do a quick patch job on the tail and go through tail calibration.

The frame has not held up well to the short amount of abuse I have put it through. It is already getting very flexy and the tail wags around from the flex. I'm officially calling this frame done. Managed to get a handful of flights in tonight and smash a few more props. Here's one of the less destructive flights.

https://youtu.be/fqcVDxrl53I

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[LitterBug]

Win LitterBug's wrecked Trifecta with DB's Junk motors thread???

I'm about to start a new "Win LitterBug's and DB's Junk Trifecta" thread.

More to come....


Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[cranialrectosis]

Tricopters are for madmen.

The tail servo and gears on my tricopters has always been the weak point. I had to replace the servo horn last week after it stripped out in a very mild crash.

I run a carbon fiber frame with a 3D printed tail mechanism. I haven't broken the 3D printed parts (yet) but I have a spare and the 3D printed parts are largely protected by the carbon fiber frame. Plastic framed tricopters tend to break pretty easily.

I think the new carbon frame from David W will serve you much better.

 

[LitterBug]

So here's the plan for the Trifecta. I'll be removing the F3FC, Baby PDB, LemonRX LM0037 diversity RX, and ESCs to build the Baby tricopter. I'm removing an SPR F3, pdb, and LemonRX satellite RX from one of my Owl frames and plopping in a BrainFPV-RE1, mPB, and LM0037 RX. That gives me the FC, RX, and PDB. Still haven't recieved shipping notification for the stalled out rebuilding of DB's junk Martian, so I'll use DB's junk 20Amp AfroESCs which were kinda too big for the trifecta, but hey, it just needs to run. Use the motors I was going to use on the Martian for the Baby Tri and Keep DB's motors on the Trifecta along with the feedback servo I built. Flash Triflight on the SPR F3 and get it flying. Then either come up with a competition for winner of DB's and LitterBug's junk flyer, and/or turn it into a "Flat Stanley" that we pass around so people can decorate it, swap their junk on it, and take pictures of it in various places.

Thoughts?

Cheers!
LitterBug


Maybe float a show suggestion out to FT and RR to see what the boys can do flying "junk".... We've seen what they can do with the good stuff!

 

[LitterBug]

Was digging through the parts bin last night trying to find the tail servo off this build to do some testing of my new F3FC Racing FC while waiting on a servo for Baby Try #2. Thought I had completely obliterated the tail on my last flight, but maybe it's not so bad after all. Time to kick this puppy up to 11 and get 'r back in the air!

More to come very soon........

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[PsyBorg]

Cool. Hey where is DB? He has been awful quiet in the last few months. Is he in hibernation or just busy with teaching and such? He should be really impressed with the mileage you managed to get out of all that gear in the various projects.

 

[Darkback2]

I am!!!!! I am so happy to see this stuff actually getting used.

I teach robotics and run a competition robotics team. We meet 7 days a week starting in January. Haven't had a real day off in well...since January. 70+ hour weeks between teaching and coaching... I actually flew my alien 5 inch for the first time in months two days ago...It was like flying for the first time.

I have been flying a Graupner Alpha 110 around my house every few nights though... I miss it a ton. :-(

DB

 

[irekkin]

man, lots of good info on this thread. wish I could've found it a month or so back. I was wondering how your home made 4 wire servo turned out. I have a regular 3 wire bluebird servo I was thinking about trying to convert over.

 

[LitterBug]

Great to see you in here DB! Long time no see! Your gear _{(er junk)} has contributed a good deal to the expansion of my fleet.

@irekkin, The feedback wire is a good thing. The space inside some (most) servos is limited. Feedback only has to carry low voltage and not much current, so keep it as small as possible. I'd go with a 26 AWG silicone insulated wire. I've picked it up from these guys: https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/accessories/wire-accessories/silicone-wire/silicone-wire-26-awg.html After working with silicone sheathed wires, I hate working with anything else, especially on really small wires.

Was out doing more TriRonin firmware testing at the field tonight. Also looking forward to testing the next release of TriFlight that will be based off BetaFlight rather than cleanflight. Will be using the Trifecta as a test bed too.

Some of tonight's TriRonin fun with the Baby Tri:

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[PsyBorg]

Ahh cool DB IS still alive and kickin. Great ta hear you are out and about doing the things you love mate. If ya get a chance toss up some videos of your team kickin robotic butts. Say hello to blond girl for us too we miss seeing you guys in here or at least I do hehe.

DB is that osd customizable or does this version not have the full on hud with the altitude and speed? Or is this one simply too small to carry something it needs? It was neat seeing in other Dronin tests when you would dive low and have a negative altitude at times like you set it to mark a minimum height for the flight or something. I also notice you seem to have solved that alarm issue you were having with it as well.

 

[LitterBug]

BUMP!
Bringing back the TriFecta with LB's junk from BabyTri #1. Build Pictures SOON! Also taking DB's junk, adding some of LB's junk, and putting it in a box to give to another person here in town.

Cheers!
LitterBug