Building my first Quadcopter

[Sundance2013]

Building my first Quadcopter
I have decided it's time to build a quadcopter (have a Phantom 1.1 now). The first step is to start educating myself. Are there any good web sites devoted to this (build your own quad) or are the forums that best place for advice/direction.

Controller: I'm looking at the KK2.1 firmware V1.9 for the controller, is that a good choice for the beginner?

I see Hobbypower, SkyQ and Lanlan to name a few, are these just bootlegs of the same controller?

Thanks ..hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving.

 

[AzViper]

I am in this process myself. Best word of advice. Use equipment that works with each other and find videos on YouTube using the equipment you choose. I am going with a FlySky Taranis TX 9D Plus and a Naza M V2 flight control. I was able to find a half dozen videos showing how to set up the two to work with each other. I also went with KDE motors and ESC'S to further remove issues as the ESC'S have no issues with Naza.

The forums are your best friend when you need to ask questions.

 

[Sundance2013]

I am in this process myself.

Good ideas but I am going to do a budget build to start with. I will update to the Naza later. I have a Naza from a friends crashed Phantom I may try to use but not sure I can. Are you building a quad or multi-rotor of 6 or more? What size motors are you using?

 

[AzViper]

I am building a quad. One thing you want to keep in mind. You want to know your flying weight, then divide by the number of motors. That number you arrive at is the minimum of grams you need at 50 percent throttle, but you want an overhead of thrust.

Example: If you have a flying weight of 3400 grams divided by 4 motors = 850 grams of thrust that is needed for each motor at 50 percent throttle. Then figure in an additional 25 percent of additional thrust of which is a total of 1140 grams of thrust at 50 percent throttle for each motor, this is your overhead that you want. No matter how close you figure the flying weight most likely the quad be heavier than your calculations.

 

[Sundance2013]

I have been trying to find that formula for a while, thanks. How do you know your Flight weight (or Takeoff weight as they call it in Aviation)? Do most products give you their weight?

 

[AzViper]

Yes every product has the shipping weight and the weight of the raw product. Go have a look at Hobbyking dot com.

 

[AzViper]

To answer one of your other questions in regards to the motors I will be using. The motors will be KDE, but I am undecided between these two motors, KDE 4014XF-380KV or KDE3510XF-475KV either of these models will be paired up with the KDEXF-UA35 XF UAS ESC's. Both using 6s batteries produce right at 1150 grams of thrust at 50% throttle for each motor based on 15x5 props. One of the reason I have not decided on the motors, I need to get spec's on the KDE 4015 motors using 4s batteries and larger props. You can follow my build, I will not be getting started until everything arrives. Hoping that within the new few weeks I have everything in hand.

http://multirotorforums.com/threads/tarot-650-build-parts-are-arriving.21833/