F450/Naza FPV build...

[GGoodrum]

Although I haven't flown it in over a year, I used to have quite a bit of fun with an FY-90Q - equipped Gaui/ VC450 transplant, as an FPV platform. I decided that the F450/Naza build I was working on would be a perfect replacement setup. I used the AKE ESCs and motors that came with my XA Hexa combo kit and added the Sony Bloggie that I used to have hard-mounted to the VC-450. The Bloggi is basically just Velcro'd to the lower F450 plate. I added a Savox servo, to control the lens tilt mechanism, and so now I at least have stabilization in the tilt axis.

The problem is that this little guy is way over-propped, with the 11x5 Graupners, running on 4s, so I'm having a heck of a time getting the gains adjusted, to take out the wobbles. I really need to use 10" props, but I don't have any of the 10x5 Graupners. I've tried balancing the stock 10" props, but there's still a slight bit of the high frequency vibrations getting through to the video that I just don't see with the Graupners. I found before that the GWS 9x5x3 props, when balanced, have lower vibration levels than the 10" 2-bladed variety, so I might give a set of these a try. I've got a whole box of them

Here's the video of the maiden flight:

Pretty much the whole time I was fiddling with the gains, but I never really got the wobbles out completely. Also, after the first flight, I moved the battery to the bottom, and added some pool noodle "feet". I originally had the pack mounted on top of the Naza.

-- Gary

 

[GGoodrum]

To paraphrase a popular saying, "What a difference a prop makes!" I was having gain adjustment issues, with the 11x5 Graupners, which I knew would be way too much prop for this little guy, especially on 4s, so I was about to switch to the stock 10x5s when I remembered something. Before, when I used to fly an FY-90Q-equipped Gaui/VC450 quad, primarily as an FPV platform, I remembered that the GWS 9x5x3 3-bladed props were a ton smoother, and had pretty much zero vibrations, compared to the same 10x5 props that comes with the F450 and XA Hexa kits, but they need to be balanced well, which is a pain. I took the four props off the VC-450, checked the balance (one was slightly off...) and then put them on the F450. I was absolutely stunned by the difference. They are so much quieter than the Graupners, or the 10x5s. I just uploaded the video out of the Bloggie, and it is absolutely vibration/jello-free. First video I've done in a very long time that I can really say that about. It truly was quite a pleasant surprise. :02.47-tranquillity:

This also made a huge difference in getting the gains dialed in. I still had to play with it, and there was a fair amount of wind, but I ended up maxing out the knob, which was at about 200%. That gave the best results, but there was still a bit of descent wobble. I'm going to up the center point to about 150-180, from 100%, so I can have a bit more room, but I'm guessing I will need to get the basic pitch and roll gains up to about 220-230. I left the yaw fixed at 180 and the vertical fixed at 150. Not sure why I picked these numbers, but changing these don't seem to do much, so I've got them fixed. I left the Attitude gains fixed at 75. This too seemed about right, but I might lower them a bit more, to get a bit smoother movements.

Flying without GPS, in the wind, was a bit interesting. :nevreness: Without wind, it flies exactly like the WK-M, so I forgot. Anyway, it was definitely drifting with the wind. Since this will primarily be an FPV platform, I can't see needing GPS, but even flying it from the ground, it is not so had, mainly because the altitude hold function is so amazingly rock-solid. It is pretty easy, and fun, to simply fly around, doing coordinated turns. Another thing that really helps with the orientation is the pink and yellow pool noodle "legs" that I added. I did this mainly to increase the ground clearance, so that I could have the pack underneath, but I had no trouble seeing the colors, even as high up as it was.

I'm going to do one more gain tweaking flight, and then I think I'll be ready for an FPV test.

-- Gary

 

[steph280]

Cool Gary! I've been thinking about the Naza for FPV as well. Those props sure quiet it down a lot!

 

[kloner]

just ordered a set of these 9x5x3 to try, i've got a similar setup but the 3s version. i had really smooth flight outta the box, but crashed it right off the bat so had to make a comeback.

See how when you yaw around and it's like a bad dream and can't see, gets blurry, when you go fpv do you just deal with that or is there a way to turn that down a tad so it's not like that? I'm close to dropping on the fatshark goggles, but is one thing i keep noticing in my vids too.

 

[GGoodrum]

Cool Gary! I've been thinking about the Naza for FPV as well. Those props sure quiet it down a lot!

Stephen, how are you? Still flying your mk setup, or have you moved on to something else? Did you go out to the AMAexpo yesterday? I didn't make it.

I think the Naza will be a great FPV controller, if for nothing else than the altitude hold function. I've got second Naza now that I'm going to use in a new quad I'm going to be building up this coming week. I'm working with Andrey Kim (Askman...) on a new quad frame that uses the F450 arms, but with custom central plates, designed around an integrated "inline" GoPro 2-axis, belt-driven gimbal. The frame plates will push the arms out a bit so that there ends up being a full 120 degree FOV for the GoPro, without the arms in view. I already have the DJI arms, ESCs and motors, and Andrey is cutting the plates and gimbal bits this weekend.

We're also going to do a hex version, again using the F450 arms, but the plates will push the arms out a bit so that at least 11" props can be used (the current XA hexa and the upcoming DJI hex frame limits you to 10" props. This too will have an integrated 2-axis belt drive gimbal, but it will be sized to carry a Sony NEX-5N/7, with the kit lens, and there will be custom landing gear.

More later... :tennis:

-- Gary

 

[GGoodrum]

just ordered a set of these 9x5x3 to try, i've got a similar setup but the 3s version. i had really smooth flight outta the box, but crashed it right off the bat so had to make a comeback.

See how when you yaw around and it's like a bad dream and can't see, gets blurry, when you go fpv do you just deal with that or is there a way to turn that down a tad so it's not like that? I'm close to dropping on the fatshark goggles, but is one thing i keep noticing in my vids too.

The 9x5x3 GWS props are harder to balance, but its well worth the effort, in my opinion. The 10x5 stock props, and even the Graupners, make so much noise that I have been attenuating the onboard audio down about 15dB in the videos I've posted. I didn't do this at all with this last one. Almost a "whisper" mode.

I'm definitely going to play with the yaw gains, and maybe put in some more expo in the rudder channel. I can definitely move the stick smoother, but this was more of a test flight, to check limits. While this quad will primarily be used for FPV, I will probably end up using it as a backup video platform, so I will practice doing smooth flying. It doesn't have roll stabilization, so I will need to practice yawing to the direction I want to go before moving forward. This will obviously be much easier to do on windless days.

-- Gary

 

[steph280]

Hi Gary, good seeing you here. You are always at the forefront of the coolest gadgets! Yes I was at AMA yesterday, several quad vendors but nothing as advanced as DJI or MK. Some company named Rotor concept was selling their quad for $199 and people were buying them left and right. He was flying them with RC car bodies which reminds me of the Delorean in Back to the Future.

My MK quad has been sitting around collecting dust, since I wanted to add a little more lifting capability and motor redundancy. So I invested in a MK Okto frame and is in the process of converting it into an Oktokopter, which should be done next week. But I always wanted to build a tough and inexpensive quad to experiment FPV with, and MK doesn't fit either criteria. This Naza does look like the perfect FPV platform. And knowing you will be working with Askman on accessories, this may just become THE FPV platform to get! I think you have just convince me to order one!

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Stephen

 

[GGoodrum]

Yes, I like it "here". A little less frenetic than RCGroups, and a lot less drama. :highly_amused:

I also have a large setup I'm working on, which is a CineStar 6. I have it built, but I'm still trying to sort out ESCs for it. I have some 40A HobbyWing Platinum series versions, but they are not flash upgradeable, apparently, so I'm waiting for someone to come out with a something akin to a 40A version of the Maytechs, which come set with a 400Hz update rate and a 16kHz PWM setting. Anyway, the WK-M setup I currently have on an XA Hexa, will eventually move to the CineStar. I'm not sure what I will use to replace the WK-M on the XA hex. I have a complete XA v1 FC/AHRS/GPS/Compass setup that has never flown, and now a FC-1212-P/AHRS-V2 setup. If XA ever gets their act together, and releases working software for either system, I'll probably move one of these to this platform. I might also look at trying out a Gaui INS/GPS system, if there are any favorable reports that are posted, on the new Askman/DJI hex we are doing. In all likelihood, however, this will probably just get a third Naza, or maybe a 2nd WK-M setup, if I win the lottery. :tennis:

-- Gary