First time build - Tricopter, need help from expirenced builders:)

xibit1987 · Feb 15, 2013

First RC build ever - Tricopter, need help from expirenced builders

Hi guys and girls

First off, i'm all new to this hobby (Was playing Airsoft, but broke my leg badly so now i can't play), but I have been following flitetest on youtube for a year or so and read almost all possible threads here and on other sites and now i have set my mind, to build a tricopter.

EDIT: just adding that I've already calculated my flight time and it should be around 8-10 minutes

I really need some one to tell me if this setup will work. Looking for about 8+ minutes of flight time and ready to put on some FPV when i get the money for that part of the build

. also i will list all parts i will buy and how many, so pleas tell me if i'm missing something or should change some parts

(listed with the most essential parts first)

I'm not new to electronics, and building stuff, also programming (Arduino) isn't new either.
I have thought about the props and i choose to use CW and CCW

My controller will be a Spektrum DX8i, and since i live in Denmark i will be buying it from a local shop

colorex · Feb 15, 2013

Nice list! You seem to have more than enough stuff to complete your build. I guess you'll get a receiver with the transmitter.

Good luck!

xibit1987 · Feb 15, 2013

Yep Tx and Rx is together in a package. But there won't be a problem with the motor + ESC + props + Frame? btw already got a computer controlled LiPo charger

Cyberdactyl · Feb 16, 2013

You said you're going to crash. . .

And with the older V2.1 or 3.0 boards I would have agreed wholeheartedly. However, with a few hours on a sim and the KK2 flashed with 1.5, I'm starting to think the raw beginner could possibly get many hours of flight time under his belt before a crash if the tri is flight worthy from the start.

That's a very comprehensive list. My only suggestion is if you are interested in saving a few bucks, I'd skip the ridiculously overpriced 'socket firmware flashing tool'. You get a cable very close with the USBasp. Then take that money you save and buy a tub of Insta-Moprh and make your own tool in 20 minutes from some wire and some extra pins you have from a spare lead or two. Plus IM can be used in SO many ways for other stuff. Here's the one I made.

xibit1987 · Feb 16, 2013

really nice, but i'm kind of lazy and i really don't know where the pads are on the ECS (since i have never held one in my life) so i'm buying the tool so i don't have to create one. I thought about the instamorph, but i thought there was enough new things to learn about in this build already. But i'm still going to buy the instamorph sine it's very usefull

also i'm going to document the whole buil for other beginners. since i spend 6 months doing research on the topic. This is olso why i'm asking others if it's okay to use these parts

I don't want to misinform other beginners

EDIT:
Just found this
http://oddcopter.com/2012/08/11/simple-flashing-of-hobbyking-blue-series-with-simonk-firmware/

And the pads are in 3 different locations on the board, so i will have to solder, wich is not a problem since i have been doing that for about 20 years, but then again, i'm lazy

Cyberdactyl · Feb 16, 2013

Another thing I noticed is the foam you ordered.

I'm assuming you bought it for your FC? Or possibly for a camera down the road? Another option is just use the foam lid from the foam box from the KK2.

I tacked it down with some double stick foam tape and used it. It works great.

xibit1987 · Feb 17, 2013

yep it was for the FC and camera. but also to put over the MIC hole on the camera (Boscam ExplorerHD (HD19)) to get rid of the wind noise. (don't know if it will work)

Like your build

Cyberdactyl · Feb 17, 2013

Thanks.

KoekieMonster · Feb 17, 2013

Since you said you will crash, get some(alot) more props.

Cyberdactyl · Feb 17, 2013

KoekieMonster said:
Since you said you will crash, get some(alot) more props.

OH MY yes, I missed that. Get at least three sets.

xibit1987 · Feb 17, 2013

I don't know if i will crash but with no experience at all i believe i will

So i will get more props

Cyberdactyl · Feb 18, 2013

My very first experience with breaking props was when I had everything together and broke the 1st cardinal rule of multi-rotors. I didn't do a complete check of spin direction and gyro setting. I powered it up to barely turning and thought everything was cool. But once it lifted ...just... enough to tilt a few degrees, the roll gyro kicked in and flipped over into a treadmill I had beside it and snapped a prop. :black_eyed:

xibit1987 · Feb 18, 2013

i just found out that i can get the hitech aurora 9 to a fair price, like 35$ more, should i get that instead of DX8i? (both with recievers included)

Cyberdactyl · Feb 18, 2013

Don't know about the Aurora, although I read they are nice.

I have the DX8, I'm very happy with it. The cardboard box was beat to hell, but it's packed in thick styrofoam, so it was perfectly ok. It also comes with a receiver and telemetry module. My only slight 'complaint' is it has a relatively small display screen. The dirt cheap OrangeRx's work great with them.

Here's how it looked when it came.

xibit1987 · Feb 19, 2013

Can't wait till next week. Just bought the DX8 at a "local" danish webshop and they will get them in stock next week, so hopefully it will be here at end of next week

Can't wait

Didn't go for the Aurora sine i got "small" hands and the RCModelReviews said that even with his relativly normal hand he can't move the stick from one extreme to the other. That was what made my mind.

@Cyberdactyl: I envy you sooo much right now...

Cyberdactyl · Feb 19, 2013

LOL, no worries, with your tenacity. you'll be teaching me stuff a week after you get it.

I've still not used my AR8000 or telemetry module. Up until recently I was using the HK V3.1 board, and had no real confidence, so I'm using the cheap OrangeRx 6ch. Which, by the way works great. I'm using the KK2 now and it's like night and day, especially with 1.5. I HATED screwing with the analog pots!

xibit1987 · Feb 20, 2013

Hehe that might be a little overboard (me teaching you)

But damn I can't wait till i get my stuff (PayPal hurry up verifying my account details GD! )

colorex · Feb 20, 2013

xibit1987 said:
Hehe that might be a little overboard (me teaching you)

But damn I can't wait till i get my stuff (PayPal hurry up verifying my account details GD! )

I can verify my PayPal account in minutes. The prepaid credit card doesn't have a monthly report - so I just call them and in two minutes I was verified. Maybe you can do this too? Call the bank and ask for your CC activity?

xibit1987 · Feb 20, 2013

It's not the credit card thats the problem. Suddenly they want proof of who i am and where i live. no problem i thought so i send them a copy my national Bank ID and my Social security ID... and they won't approve it... so F'ed up

Already called them twice, but the danish support says that they can't help... so typical.!

colorex · Feb 20, 2013

Dang... Can't help you then...

First time build - Tricopter, need help from expirenced builders:)

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