"Next Level" quad project

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:10 am Post subject: "Next Level" quad project

Hi all,
I'm starting in on a new project and thought I'd post progress reports as the build goes along. So far the frame is together and motors, ESC's, multi rotor controller (a DJI NAZA controller and if you look at vids on Youtube of this controller in action you'll be amazed as I was).
This is the frame I went with this

It should be able to carry around my GoPro Hero with no problem.

_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

nick_onelove · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:20 am Post subject:

Wow that's one slick looking frame! It could probably lift five GoPros! The spring-loaded landing gear is really clever.

I'm tentatively interested in your build progress and any aerial footage videos that may follow. Very Happy

_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

pjdog · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:31 am Post subject:

Looks interesting. I'll be following this build.

jack

Crashagain · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:30 am Post subject:

that is one of the stoutest looking frames I have seen yet..
Can't wait to see more Tom..
_________________
Trex 450V1...Trex 600Nitro Flybarless, Outrage Velocity 50 flybarless. Frenzy V2 50.
Crashing is just a landing that cost you money..

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:09 am Post subject:

Got most of the parts in now, just waiting on a few little bits. Lots of wireing goes into a quad I'm learning. 4 motors, 4 speed controllers with a 6inch extention hookup for each, the NAZA controller, a 5 Amp BEC and LED's just to round it out Rolling Eyes

Trying too keep it all clean looking and safe from chafing demands a bit of thought. If a motor in a plane quits you have a good chance of gliding it in. Even in a CCP heli you have a good shot at a safe landing if the motor dies. A quad just ain't gonna stay in the air very long on just three motors should one up & quit.
By the end of the week I should have update pics to share.
_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

nick_onelove · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:33 am Post subject:

Sheesh, sounds like quite a job; I'm sure you'll appreciate the simplicity of the design of the frame when you're doing all that wiring.

In regard to emergency landings, my feeling is that brushless motors are so reliable and consistent, any power failure problem is likely to stem from the battery not the motors. Just use high-quality LiPo's and maintain them well and you should never have to worry about an emergency landing in the first place.

No guarantees of course, Murphy is a bastard. Laughing

_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

Rx, speed controllers & motors installed and all works welll... Till I plug them into the quad controller(s). Rolling Eyes

Just can't get with the programming of the Nazza or the Quadirino controllers I wasted $$ on this thing to do anything.
_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

nick_onelove · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

Well that's no good. As much as I love this site, I recommend you ask in HeliFreak's quad forum; it's very active.
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:06 am Post subject:

The driver download from the DJI Naza site is a "RAR"
file and come to find out Windows don't know what to make of a RAR file.
I found a post on RCGroups where a guy took the file and put it in a Zip file for easy downloading.
It works now, but I think I still have a long way to go before this Quad ever gets off the ground Rolling Eyes

_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

Crashagain · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:19 am Post subject:

RAR is just a different type of a zipped file.
You can use 7-zip to open it, it's a free program.
_________________
Trex 450V1...Trex 600Nitro Flybarless, Outrage Velocity 50 flybarless. Frenzy V2 50.
Crashing is just a landing that cost you money..

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:23 am Post subject:

Houston, We have Liftoff Very Happy

Finely got off the ground yesterday. The Naza controller holds the quad like it's on rails! 650 mm is pritty large, but in attitude hold flight mode this Next Level quad handles smoother then a Blade CX2 from what I've seen so far (only got two packs run so far). Much easier to fly then any CCPM heli I've ever flown. Put her at the altitude you like, set throttle at about 50% and it'll keep that altitude within about a foot no mater what, save a tree or something getting in the way. I still need to setup failsafe points in the Tx so it'll hover then land itself if signal is broken or by flipping the Aux2 switch on the Tx & I want to neaten up the wireing a bit, but at least I know she flys, and flys well!
More pics and a vid coming soon.
_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

tombo242 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject:

Sounds great D T. Looking forward to seeing the vids.

Tom.
_________________
Keep Smiling Smile

Pappy K · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:18 pm Post subject:

I am in awe Exclamation

Can't wait to see some pix of this bird in action or even just sitting on the ground. Amazing. Fantastic DT.

Kirk
_________________
You can teach and Old Dog New Tricks -or-
Don't Give Up Until a Dead Horse Kicks You!

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:48 am Post subject:

Looking at this pile of aluminum, carbon fiber and a whole lot of wires... It just don't look like it should fly. But somehow it does Very Happy

I'm still getting the feel of flying a quad ( keeping orientatation is a big hurdel. Hard to keep track of what's front/back & left/right. Good thing I can just flip the GEAR switch on the Tx to put the Naza controller into "Attitude Hold". It'll level itself and hold altitude no matter what (save hitting a tree or what not). Wind will still push it around a bit, but always will remain level and within about 1/2 meter of altitude I want.
I tested the low battery self land feature and it worked great, but still need to fine tune the low volt cutoff points just to be sure I ain't killing LiPo's.
Now I just worry about cops comming around about the UFO's reported around here Laughing

_________________
Next Level 650 Quad Copter, T-Rex 500, 450SEv2 & 250
HK 450
Blade CP Pro (deceased), CX3, MCX, MSR,
MCP X, 120SR, MSR X, MQX
Pro Boat-Miss Geico & ShockWave, a few planks & a HPI Baja 5B SS gas buggy.
AMA#900889

tombo242 · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject:

Love the pic D.T.

Tom.
_________________
Keep Smiling Smile