Psyborgs Rotor Riot Alien build.

[PsyBorg]

Ok I got my stuffs from Rotor Riot store that I needed to put together one of their sweet Kiss based 5 inchers. I know there are cheaper ways to get some of the parts but they come on a row boat from China mostly. Besides I try to support people who have helped my or entertained me in some way. Rotor Riot got me my stuff yesterday after only ordering it Monday in the middle of the night. Came in a hefty box and was packed well so everything was in perfect condition. Kinda bummed there was no skull sticker to plaster on it. I was going to get a shirt and a sticker pack but last minute decided to go with the 2250kv Lumineer motors instead of the Emax red bottoms.

Got the parts unpacked and laid out nicely after pulling up FGA's build video to guide me for the most part. Already had it memorized practically but hey always good to make sure huh. Anyway started with the first part of filing all the sharp edges off. Did it in a tupper ware container of water so I wasn't leaning over a sink and wreckin my back before I even got started. Nasty Nasty stuff that is.



Next was to tin the PDB and add the XT60 connection. I may change that as the leads on my graphene batteries are short and I don't want to stress them. Time will tell once I am into the tuning phase whether I will live with that or change it. Anyway got that all tinned and cleaned so it was time to build the lower frame.





Next was mounting the camera to the tilt mount. If anyone uses these leave the adjustment screws just a hair loose and you won't have to fight to line up that frame in those tiny slots. I didn't file the edges on the mount as it is hidden but the standoffs so minimal chances to cut yourself and or wires.





After that it was time to prep all the wires by cutting them to starting lengths and tinning one end of each. Also the esc's were pre tinned and cleaned to get ready for assembly. Make sure you clean the flux off any pcb as it is not only a dirt magnet it is also very corrosive to electronics. It is a mild acid after all. I use alcohol and an old tooth brush and then wipe it dry before soldering the wires then clean it all again to make it shiny and neat. The Kiss esc's are very well thought out I specially liked how you can solder all four motors the same way to keep consistent and neat and only have to close a jumper to reverse two of the motors right on the esc. The only thing I did not like was that the ground pad for the link between FC and ESC is kind of small and if you don't have a good ground you will have all kinds of issues.



Next was time to mount all those to the frame. Unfortunately I had to use some of my own heat shrink for the esc's and not the clear one they provided. The stuff that came with my kit was like double the size in the build and so thick I could not get it to shrink enough even when wrapping the arms and the esc's together. Hopefully I wont have to troubleshoot the esc's as I cant see the blinky lights on them. The foam pad and the electrical tape is a nice quick and easy way to mount them securely and is easily redone when its to covered in grass and dead bugs to be presentable.

A quick way to make the wires neat is to use a screwdriver shaft to form the motor wires the same way. Just put it under the wires lift up a little as you move the esc closer to the motor until you have it centered on the boom where you wish to mount it and it now looks nice and even and neat.



At this point I attached the foam landing skids as it makes it easier to work on by keeping the frame from sliding on the work surface. It also protects the anodized screws on the bottom.



This post is getting long so Ill start a new one to finish showing the build.

 

[PsyBorg]

Ok so on to the next phase. I use a different radio set up as well as a different video tx so some divergence from the Rotor Riot build was necessary until I can get a different video tx. I also had to remove my receiver from its case as it was too thick and was keeping the upper frame from fully mating to the lower by about 1.5mm. First I mounted the rubber battery pad and cut the center out to fit the zip tie that will hold my receiver. Next I wrapped the receiver with electrical tape as I did not want it exposed as well as I didn't need the antenna wire clips coming off in a crash or something. After all I do have to live by Bill's Law. Next was where to put the video TX. With the extension I had, the old TX mount I used on my Versa Copter and a new fliter I mounted down near the PDB there was no way to make it mount flat in the back on the lower frame. I wanted to have all the video stuff mount up high away from the pdb and any other noise producing components so I stood it up diagonally and suspended the mount and the extension with Zip ties. I lucked out and the custom harness I made for the Versa fit perfectly so no mods were needed for my power to tx and camera and the voltage alarm I have wired into that harness.

Just a build technique I use that may help you guys.. I use balance connector replacements / extensions where ever there are those thin wires in video systems, or as break outs to control esc's so all four are in one solid connection but are easily managed for cleaning or troubleshooting over time. Notice on the top plate I have one on the main harness between the camera and the TX. That way I can move this back to the Versa Copter once I have the final TX I want for this one.

Anyway the top plate is complete now so this is what it looks like. I would like to see it a bit neater but man this thing is tiny for fitting all this stuff into it safely.





Oh and as you can now see I rearranged the receiver antennas so they were not right next to AND parallel to the video antenna as well as crossed them to lock them more closely to a 90 degree separation to get better coverage. (hopefully)

With the top plate done it was time to wire up the flight controller. I started with the power leads and wired then from the bottom. Then came time to start cutting and fitting the esc wires. I come from a high level electronics manufacturing background and I HATE to see wires all bird nested and chaotic so I started by adding a some shrink tubing to protect and hide the wires between the esc all the way under the FC where they were custom fit leaving enough to be able to lift the FC and troubleshoot or repair if needed. Once they were neatly done I cut a servo extension down to the length I needed to to neatly reach the receiver above the Flight controller. The last thing to go on was a buzzer. I had several occasions where I spent half hour to over an hour looking for my Versa Copter and that had lights and several buzzers not to mention it is huge compared to this lil bugger.



Now all that is left for the build phase is to put it all together. After a few minor adjustments to wire placement and it all went together nicely. I left the video power unplugged so if I have problems on the first power up that's one less thing to trace thru. Besides I can power that all separately to test and set up later using the osd cable and a smaller battery I have just for that stuff.

So without further ado here is a bunch of pics from all the angles near and far.















Hopefully I will have no problems waking up the FC and getting that all sorted so I can do a maiden video when the weather is not so rainy and damp and then I get to start the tuning process all over again. On a bright note, after watching Skitzos latest tuning video I was able to get my versa WAYY more dialed in then it ever was and I thought it was flying sweet before. Now I know how to use an action cam at 60 fps to look for bobbles n wiggles as well as what to look at in black box (not sure if Kiss has a black box) so that will come together a lot quicker.

Over all I am glad I had the chance to get this right at my one year anniversary of flying multi rotors. This will give me something to take me to the next level as well as give a major confidence boost for many aspects from building to tuning to free style and racing. The next year will be interesting for sure.

 

[PsyBorg]

I feel Like i am cheating this fly's so smoothly.

Ok I have finally made it to the tuning phase since I am in a holding pattern on the FPV until I can get the video worked out.

I did my first flips the other day after I did a FPV system test and found I have a nasty drop out issue when the quad faces a certain direction. after setting it down as best I could flying blind I decided to just leave the DVR and the flight camera run and tried the changes I made to the rates and expos. The dvr footage and the flight cam footage are up on my page for comparison if you want to check the start of this out.

I liked how rates and expos were set so it was time to start the tuning process. I followed Skitzo's method per his latest tuning video. I did what I could with Roll. Then with the last change on that started Pitch on a fresh battery as I was testing punch out as well. Then a final battery for Yaw. As it stands now I have this better tuned then I have done on the Versa Copter over the last eight or so months. Its not that the Versa is a bad flying quad its knowledge and a new method which I did get a grasp of when I was on the Versa and it fly's nicer then it ever has. I just had to pillage parts from it to build the Alien for now other wise that would be the quad in this next video.

I am seriously blown away as to how smooth these Alien build fly. No wonder the pro's make it look so easy. They cheat !! Even I did a few decent punch outs with a nice smooth slow roll and a yaw on the way down to come back closer and do something else. Granted it was LOS but still fairly smooth on 720 60 fps video. I know its not a perfect tune yet but for the first run thru I am proud and very happy how it is flying right now.

If anyone sees what needs to be changed next feel free to comment. I want to up Roll P another .02 or .03, Pitch up another .8 to a full point, and yaw down about .03 more. Note that I have not messed with D terms yet as they are 10, 10, and 3. I did up the I term for yaw from .05 to .055 as it was twisting just a hair on punch outs.

Here we go...

P.S. THANK YOU SKITZO !!!!!!!!! and anyone else I have gathered knowledge from while here on the forums.

 

[LitterBug]

Nice write up! Can I fly it?

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[PsyBorg]

hehe Uhh no? Shouldn't I at least get the maiden done before handing it over to some one? Besides you have enough things now of your own to crash and reek havoc with now. I only have this now that I scammed the receiver and video system from my Versa. Maybe once it gets a few scratches and a little character to it Ill share.

I have to admit. It is a sweet little machine. Kinda weird how much smaller it is then they look on all the RR videos though.

 

[LitterBug]

I have to admit. It is a sweet little machine. Kinda weird how much smaller it is then they look on all the RR videos though.

That's because they are BIGGER than life! And a camera adds 10 lbs.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[PsyBorg]

I'm thinking quite the opposite. To make a small quad look bigger they must be midgets The only one adding 10 pounds I would guess would be Chad K since he ripped his pants shooting the practice race course episode with David. Which when you think about it is an amazing feat in itself as he was on the back side of the camera not in front of the lens hehehe.

 

[cranialrectosis]

That's because they are BIGGER than life! And a camera adds 10 lbs.

Cheers!
LitterBug

LMAO!

I have a 6" Alien and a 4" Alien. The versa is HUGE by comparison. I like the tiny builds. They take more thought.

This is a great write up. Looking forward to the maiden, PsyBorg!

 

[KryptoSteel24]

I just ordered a Space One Formula 220X Racer frame https://www.spaceonefpv.com/products/f1-x-formula-one-220-x-edition?variant=13545531270 Super excited for that to arrive, I wish I had the money to buy an alien lol. That will never happen. Build looks so nice, purple props look amazing.

 

[PsyBorg]

LMAO!

I have a 6" Alien and a 4" Alien. The versa is HUGE by comparison. I like the tiny builds. They take more thought.

This is a great write up. Looking forward to the maiden, PsyBorg!

I cant wait to fly it for sure. How much of a change should I expect. Will it be enough to crash n burn from touching the sticks anywhere but a hover? Did you have trouble at all going from larger quads to these?

Its amazing what one can accomplish when its to hot n muggy to do much more then sit still and sweat. I built the lower half and tried to catch a nap but that wasn't happening so I waited for an hour and got back on it.

And Thanks for the nice comments from all you guys. It makes me smile a bit when good things are said.

I guess its time for a bagel or two and then plug it in to the interwebs to wake up the FC. I'm sure Ill be back going HEEEEEELLPPP !!!!

 

[LitterBug]

Just remember. PROPS OFF for ESC/motor checks.... And use a smoke stopper.

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[cranialrectosis]

I cant wait to fly it for sure. How much of a change should I expect. Will it be enough to crash n burn from touching the sticks anywhere but a hover? Did you have trouble at all going from larger quads to these?

Its amazing what one can accomplish when its to hot n muggy to do much more then sit still and sweat. I built the lower half and tried to catch a nap but that wasn't happening so I waited for an hour and got back on it.

And Thanks for the nice comments from all you guys. It makes me smile a bit when good things are said.

I guess its time for a bagel or two and then plug it in to the interwebs to wake up the FC. I'm sure Ill be back going HEEEEEELLPPP !!!!

It's a smaller copter and will naturally be more 'twitchy'. My advice is simple. For the maiden, put it over soft, fluffy grass and go soft on the sticks. Don't put a $300 GoPro on the copter yet. The maiden is where you prove to yourself that it will fly. By all means, tune with the GoPro if you fly with a GoPro, but not the first lipo.

Every maiden voyage is exciting, like a first kiss. Go slowly, deliberately with confidence and patience. Be sure you tested failsafe and tighten all the nuts. It blows to get into the home stretch and lose because you forgot protection.

 

[PsyBorg]

Looking up the kiss Gui now and will be making yet another smoke stopper because I cant seem to find the one I made beginning of summer. Understand the Psy in Psyborg is for Psycho.. so I cant remember which of the 50 boxes I have shuffled around in the last two months while the property management company has had construction workers doing all kinds of upgrades here that the other one would be in. I can remember stuff 30 + years ago.. cant remember what I had for breakfast three days ago...

I KNOW all the screws and bolts n nuts are tight. I check things like that right after I do it. Again before I move on to the next step and again after the project is complete. Things tend to wiggle and settle and on certain materials will get loose on their own.

My plan was flash the FC, do basic set up, confirm motors are working correctly and are in the right place as Kiss numbers their motors differently then what I have ever worked with all using 3s with the smoke stopper on. Then once that is OK I will do the radio setup and make sure min's and max's are correct as well as make sure nothing is reversed

Then I will swap to 4s with the smoke stopper on and do a boot like normal still without props and do one more check for correct rotations. (I know this next part may be redundant but I'm old and think every motor needs some sort of break in.) After that I will probably spend a few minutes gently running the motors up and down as well as change directions on the controller to make sure that all reacts stable like. Then finally I will run the motors at about 30% and hold the quad up and move it around to listen for the changes that should be happening.

If at that point I cant at least get it into a hover I should probably retire my quad career

First things first I have to get past the FC waking up...

 

[cranialrectosis]

Don't forget failsafe. Flyaways really really blow.

 

[LitterBug]

........ Then finally I will run the motors at about 30% and hold the quad up and move it around to listen for the changes that should be happening.

If at that point I cant at least get it into a hover I should probably retire my quad career

First things first I have to get past the FC waking up...

Don't forget to put the props back on or it might fail the hover test....

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[Snarls]

Great build Psyborg. I'm hoping to get out with my full KISS martian build this weekend.

Here's something different I do. If you find your battery connection to the PDB rips off in a hard crash here's another option. I learned this one from Mr. Steele. Solder the battery leads to the connections on the rear of the PDB. Then run the leads under the FC and zip tie them to the PDB where the original solder holes are. Then you can bend the leads up to face your battery. This way all the force from the battery moving in a crash goes to the zip tie first. So instead of ripping off the battery lead you just break a zip tie. Note its best if your battery lead wires are 14AWG or above. You can zoom in on my picture if it helps explain.

Also the biggest difference I found when building my KISS machine is getting used to the KISS FC. The KISS FC tunes a lot differently from other firmwares like CF and BF. I've heard said, you can tune 95% really quick, but getting the last 5% can take a long time. I agree.

 

[cranialrectosis]

Does your copter tip to the left because of that black prop?

 

[Craftydan]

Does your copter tip to the left because of that black prop?

That's Propist!

 

[PsyBorg]

Ok here's where I am at and up comes the first dilemma.

Held the boot loader button down plugged in the USB.. Bah duhn.. no com port found... Watched some video read some forum posts.. found I need the correct usb driver. Extracted it, ran the exe, done deal driver installed (Win 7 pro for general knowledge) Held the button again connected usb it woke up on com 5. Looked up at the screen to find the flash fc button... no joy. Thought maybe I let up on the button or something stalled. Let go of button disconnected usb... retry sequence.. Hold button plug in usb.. Bah duhn.. no com port.

Tried plugging in usb without holding boot woke right up on com 5 again. Disconnected the usb.. held button reconnected.. no com again. Back to forums and videos.. Found the version 1.01 that is currently on it will not flash in windows and must be flashed by an FTDI the first time. I have ZERO knowledge of that ftdi stuff. I have one from when I tried to flash minim osd. Never figured out how to make it work. Last I knew I had to figure out how to do a reset before it would work on the OSD.

Anyway decided to make sure radio was talking and the receiver was happy talking to the FC. All good there connects right up no problems. I now have all the channels neutral and the end points set even managed to get the same 4 switches I used on the Versa active.
Problem number 2.... Each switch it seems can only have one function assigned to it and all will only activate high. So Throttle hold works great as an oh crap switch and kills throttle immediately as it should. Failsafe is set in the radio to hold everything except throttle which will go to - 125% when it kicks in. FS level mode is set to zero per FGA set up, one shot 42 is active and lpf is off.

Back to my switch issue. I would LIKE to have the flight mode switch act as follows... up is level mode for the times I lose orientation or try to land in FPV in high winds. Mid is acro mode no air mode and low is acro with air mode. Is that at all remotely possible?

I would also like to set up the 3 position flap/mix switch to do nothing in high mode, turn on lights (once I wire them) in mid, and in low I want lights on and the beeper to sound because Its lost in the tall grass... AHHH gain.

Last is my gear switch which I had set to toggle black box on and off. For now I would like to set it up as arm LOW. I will assume Kiss just simplifies that high low thing by making you use the radio to reverse the switches.

So before I go to the next phase would there be a problem doing the maiden on the current FC version as long as all my other ducks are in a row? Or do I have to lean FTDI usage beforehand? Second can more then one thing be assigned to a switch and how d you do that if it can. Lastly is there a way to at least set air mode up on a switch I don't want this thing to touch to hard and have it launch outta control because air mode thinks I want to do something else.

 

[PsyBorg]

Great build Psyborg. I'm hoping to get out with my full KISS martian build this weekend.

Here's something different I do. If you find your battery connection to the PDB rips off in a hard crash here's another option. I learned this one from Mr. Steele. Solder the battery leads to the connections on the rear of the PDB. Then run the leads under the FC and zip tie them to the PDB where the original solder holes are. Then you can bend the leads up to face your battery. This way all the force from the battery moving in a crash goes to the zip tie first. So instead of ripping off the battery lead you just break a zip tie. Note its best if your battery lead wires are 14AWG or above. You can zoom in on my picture if it helps explain.

Also the biggest difference I found when building my KISS machine is getting used to the KISS FC. The KISS FC tunes a lot differently from other firmwares like CF and BF. I've heard said, you can tune 95% really quick, but getting the last 5% can take a long time. I agree.

View attachment 74373

Thanks for the praise and the information. The Kiss build went really smooth even as small as it is with my twitchy nerves and not so great any more fine motor skills. I really had fun doing it. Was nice to have something to do when I couldn't sleep.

I was looking at a few videos last night to see how people were working around that power connector issue. I just don't have any heavier gauge wire on hand to make a different one. As it is I bought two light sockets for a car and pillaged the wire off the spare to make the smoke stopper.

I had checked out a few more of your vids not to long ago and the one you have now pretty nicely dialed in. Just a hint of bounce after hard maneuvers. That and you are a lot more smooth on the sticks now too. I finally got the Versa to that point and now I had to pillage it to get this one done until I can grab another Walkera PPM receiver.