What have I gotten into?

[skipper1]

I was like a kid at Christmas yesterday when my DJI Flame Wheel F450 arrived. Excited! After opening the box and doing inventory, I'm missing something, mostly knowledge.

There are no step by step instructions on how to assemble or how to wire up everything. I do have the F450 PDF user manual, but it doesn't show everything. Mostly just a sketch of where everything needs to go.

No power leads to solder to the board (battery cable) came in the box, is this something I need to buy separately? Where and which ones? I'll be using 4S 3000mah 20c batteries.

The manual says nothing about the LED V-SEN 2S-6S. It has a mini USB plug, obviously for programming and updates. Where do you solder this on the board? What do the 2 leads plug into and where?

I was planning on using an AR8000, however, none of the little cables will plug into it, is this the wrong receiver? Do I need a different receiver? Do I need to get different cables? Which one should I get? Where? What are they called?

The 8 cables that came in the package, they plug into the NAZA, right? Which ones go where and to what?

I can see that you are to solder the 30A OPTO to the board and the middle cable is probably to plug into the NAZA. Which port? The motors plug into the female 30A OPTO port, which male cable plugs into the female port and how do you know which is which? One cable feels smaller than the other 2.

One last thing. On one of the motors, the little silver cap that screws on to hold the prop, it was full of metal shavings. It was the only one, is this normal? I hope they didn't fall into the motor!

I need some HELP. Do me a favor, if you do not know the correct answer to the above questions, please do not respond as this will only confuse me more.

No need to call 911, I've hidden all sharp objects.

Thanks in advance for your kind help.
Skip

 

[tstrike]

WooHOOO!!!!! Mine came yesterday too! Just solder the led gizmo to one of the positive and negative solder spots, the leads plug into the Naza. Download the manual pdf's for the f450 and the other one for the naza, and watch www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NZWKdfxSpeI It's helped me alot. The wires from the ESC's plug into one end of the naza, the little bundle of wires plug from the naza to the AR800.
Don't feel bad, I couldn't get the Naza software to unzip last night, took me an hour and a half, I was feeling exactly like you! Good luck Skipper

 

[zx12rcarl]

View attachment 2718

hia there

hope this will help you out.

 

[tstrike]

One ore thing, if you're not using a camera gimble, I don't think you need all eight of those little cables that came with the Naza.

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

I just installed Naza on my Miniature Aircraft RotorX-404 and have DJI 450 ARF kit on the way. May it supply batt Cable as people use many different connectors, will look in my kit when get today or Monday.
LED module needs battery power on bare input leads. Leads with connector , wider one to Naza horizontal socket only place fits. Narrow reg servo size connector to vertical LED at far edge of Naza X3.

The end of Naza ports such as A, E, R are for Receiver Aerloin, Elevator, Rudder. Port U1 goes to Gain channel (5) on Receiver for Mode A or M remote selection.Use supplied servo cables for these connections.
Port X1 X2 used for remote Gain adjustment or Camera Gimbal control.

The ports on other end are for the ESC servo leads motor 1,2,3,4 etc.

I installed in my MI RotorX and could not get to work. I thought was the ESC not compatible , so ordered the DJI kit without Naza.
ESCs was fine I just did not understand mode selection and fail safe setup of Naza.
All is well now and you will love the Naza, it rules everything for the price and can hold altitude within 8 inches or so.

Do this Google to find DJI USA web site and see setup video there.

Enjoy!

 

[Tahoe Ed]

This thread, http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1556960, will help you and answer most of your questions. You only need to go through the first three pages to get all the information to get you up in the air.

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

Good find, that was the video that helped me setup the Naza. I had trouble setting up control mode properly and was always in Fail Safe. Thought Heli mode was a little odd because it linked Aux1 (Pitch) channel to the Throttle stick.
Here is what I have done on Spektrum 6 ch receiver and Aux1. X1 on Naza to Aux1 on reciever. I set flat curves in pitch N 00000 F1- 7.5-7.5-7.5-7.5-7.5 F2 14-14-14-14-14. I enabled in switch setup the Pitch trim to Aux4 slider.

This allows me to toggle between 3 gain settings and also tweek each one way up and some down with the Aux 4 slider. I also done the Mix1 Fail Safe thing in the video and enabled the throttle kill switch that I am used to on my Helicopters.
Though I have several helicopters I am still new at all the switch settings and mixes that can be done on my JR 9503 transmitter.

 

[skipper1]

Thanks for your response. I thought I had read the F450 kit having everything you needed, especially instructions. Guess I need to do some readin'.
Thanks again.

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

Just got my 450 ARF Kit today. It's the full kit with out the Naza and does not come with power cable for battery. They could have supplied the lead with connector, as no telling what connector customer would want.
If I build this I will use Deans since have several batterys with Deans for my Align 450 Pro helicopters.
No instructions, but that's more normal now a days. Look on the web for instructions is what they say. FMA does that with everything they sell, and no instructions came with my DJI Naza either. I would rather have all my manuals on the computer and print out what I need for quick reference. I stick them on my Ipad too!

 

[skipper1]

Tappedout, since you can fly an Align 450 pro, you'll probably have no problems with the F450. Be sure to tell me how much fun you're having with it.

I don't mind downloading manuals, that's the only way to do it these days. It would be nice if they would just be up front and tell you what you'll need. And trust me, I'm not bitter about it, just disappointed.

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

Right now my F450 is still in the box and not sure what going to do with it. I only bought it because just bought the Naza to use on MI RotorX and did not get it to work at first. I though MI ESC's was not compatable , and was not going to fool with replacing them. I put it back together and ordered the F450 kit without Naza. Well after ordering that I got the Naza to work, was my setup fault. Now don't know what I am going to do. The MI Xrotor has a nice stiff all carbon USA made box frame and is durable and super stiff. It uses APC 10" 3.5 props that are twice as stiff as the DJI props, though cost a lot more too. Maybe just keep the DJI till wreck the hell out of the RotorX. I just bought it used for $380 and is great but the included KK (MI branded) controller is no where as good as the Naza. It was very capable and responsive, just not as stable as Naza. Also no remote gains, altitude sensor or software adjustment. Was dissapointed Miniature Aircraft USA used a cheap KK controller and stuck in inside their branded box. It made adjustment to the gain pots a pain to see.
Yes I own 3 Align 450 and a Align 550E with BeastX flybarless controller and still need a ton of practice with orientation. I thought the Naza controlled great in Att and Manual mode, and like having that option at the flip of a switch.
Orientation is worse on these multirotors since look the same from all sides. I do have a carbon hoop with orange ball on my RotorX that helps a lot!
I need to finish the F450 build like I need another hole in the head, but repairs will be a lot easier and cheaper on it than the RotorX.
The Naza is REALLY Great! Amazing all those sensors crammed into that box.

 

[tstrike]

so far so good, thanks to this board and all the reading I've been doing, I haven't run into any problems yet...View attachment 2724
My hats off to you guys that can make your electrics install look so clean, after this picture I started hooking up but it's lookin like a monkey f'n a football.
Start a show tomorrow for the next 8 days, won't be able to finish it up today, ah well...

 

[mailman35]

i just got done putting mine back together, after an awesome power failure while i was 15-25ft up, snapped the arm at the motor mount.
also got rid of all my deans connectors, as i think them + bad solder joints led to the failure. swapped them all for xt60's( no sparking when plugging in )
also waiting on replacement bearings..

View attachment 2733

 

[tstrike]

One question I do have is when hooking up the motors to the ESC's, which ones go where and which two dictate the motor rotation direction?
sorry skipper, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

 

[Tahoe Ed]

One question I do have is when hooking up the motors to the ESC's, which ones go where and which two dictate the motor rotation direction?
sorry skipper, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

Doesn't make any difference. If it is rotating in the wrong direction, just reverse 2 of the wires.

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

All will spark unless wired with some antispark circuit. I have many flights in my 450 helis drawing more current than this and never a problem .

 

[skipper1]

Sorry to hear of your bad luck. At least you've been in the air.

I have used banana plugs in the past for professional on the road sound gear and never once had any kind of problems. Right now I'm trying to find 4mm male bullet battery harness. The ones you solder to the Flame Wheel plate. If you know of a place, pass it along.

Are you using Spektrum receiver? If so, which one?

 

[Droider]

GOOD deans are fine.. cheap cheens can fail. I use the real thing on my 450 but use traxxis on my bigger MR's

 

[TAPPEDOUT]

Should be able to buy connectors and wire at local shop and make what wanted.
ProgressiveRc.com has great service. Chargers and connectors is their specialty. They also sell Spyder Lipos and have had good luck with them. When I bought in past I bought direct from Spyderbatteries.com, don't be fooled by the C ratings.

Larry