Hoverfly First time multi-rotor builder - need some help

[eddarack]

OK, next question...
I have the HFP Black. I believe this is also called "Version 2." I'll be using a GoPro camera connected to a 900 Mhz transmitter for feed. The interface cable I purchased (from ReadyMadeRC) has a power receptacle. I connected a battery and found that the circuitry sends power not only to the terminal for the transmitter but also throughout the video line. I need to use the HFP OSD, and in the manual it states that users should not introduce outside current to the board through the OSD for Version 1. My question: Can I use this system with the Black Board (version 2) with power directly from the battery (3s, 11.1V), or will this fry the board? I'm not sure if the ESC current will power the transmitter (presumably the ESC power will pass through to the transmitter?), so if the black board is not configured for outside OSD power, then how should I power the video transmitter?
View attachment 11574

 

[Aerovideo]

Don't hold me responsible but....

The Black board has just a pass through for the power on the OSD. I used mine that way before it was destroyed in a crash. My green boards provide 5v on the OSD lines so you can't put power to them.

So you should be good to go!

 

[eddarack]

Thank you very much, Paul. I also received a reply from Ben at Hoverfly stating the same.
Getting closer to the first flight....

 

[eddarack]

A quick question on tilt and roll servos. I have not yet calibrated the board in the setup utility (as discussed on page 82 of the manual). Just to make sure everything was connected and functioning properly, I plugged the servos into the HFP, to see how they would respond unloaded. The tilt responded fine to the transmitter, but the roll did not respond, and they both got really hot and were doing a lot of twitching. I think this may have something to do with the calibration settings? Before moving ahead I wanted to get some feedback before powering up again. Everything else seems to be working just fine.
Thanks in advance for feedback.

 

[Aerovideo]

Are they Digital servos? I had a set of Hightech analog servos on my gimbal back before they moved to digital only. I missed the note of using digital servos on one of the firmware upgrades and within just a few minutes of bench testing I had fried my analog servos, bummer.

 

[eddarack]

I still have to configure the gain settings and calibrate the GPS, as well as ensure my transmitter is properly configured, but I wanted to do a quick run-up test. It hopped into the air a few inches. Just wanted to ask if everything looks OK from this brief video, or if there are any signs of a disaster waiting to happen. Any tips on configuring the GPS and the main board for gain, please let me know. I've flashed the latest firmware to both, but that is it.
Thanks in advance,
Ed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_R7yksWGs

 

[JZSlenker]

Your making steady progress! Make sure you run through all calibrations in the setup client before flying. When you do the magnetic calibration make sure you have everything mounted to your bird and powered on. A good magnetic fix is crucial to GPS performance. Then... Make sure to fine tune your main gain first. Once you have that perfect, copy that value to AL. Before turning on GPS and AH follow the procedure for trimming out AL.

 

[eddarack]

Thank you very much, JZ. I'll have more questions for sure.
Best,
Ed

 

[eddarack]

So I've finally finished the build and have correctly configured the boards, run bench tests, and even hopped it off the ground a couple times. I have one last hurdle--the GPS does not seem to be receiving an adequate signal. When I plug it into the setup utility, it shows a checked box next to Compass Cal, and it shows that the GPS is connected, but not that it has a fix. A few nights ago I did get a fix, and the light on the board was yellow. I even saw it go green once (indoors, even!) during a photo shoot of it. A couple nights ago during the configuring process, the setup utility showed that it had a GPS fix, but with just 3 satellites.
I'm using the mediatek antenna, atop a mast (see photo). I reflashed the board to make sure I had the latest firmware running, then went out to an open field, away from any obstructions, and waited for fifteen minutes, and nothing, just solid red. I've tried it again in the front yard, and nothing. I've checked all connectors, and they are fine, and I have it plugged into the correct receptacle on the board. I appreciate any input! Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Best,
Ed
View attachment 12112

 

[eddarack]

Hmmm. Maybe because I reflashed the board I need to redo the magnetic calibration? Or is that on the main board?
Best,
Ed

 

[eddarack]

Well the GPS works, no problem. I have no idea what the problem was. I remounted the antenna, and found that once I armed it and spun the motors up a bit, it goes green, and sometimes blue. In any event, I took it for its first flight. The video below shows the craft flying without autoleveling activated. From the very first flight, it flew incredibly smoothly. I don't see any need to adjust the gain at all. I did everything stated in the Hoverfly manual, and voila. Next up is to test altitude hold and then the GPS functions. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. It's a bit windy today, so it'll probably be tomorrow. Thanks again to those who helped me out. I'll post some shots of the build here, in a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30Hewfe9zKM

 

[Webheadfred]

Looks good so far. Absolutely go through the gain calibration. The perfect gain will make it fly that much better. When you check the auto level, get it up to a nice altitude in no wind. By nice altitude I mean maybe 10' so you can easily see which way it wants to move, if any. Switch to AL with the intent of only leaving it on for several seconds then switch it off. The thinking here is, you want to see the tendency so when you're ready to adjust trim, you'll know where to immediately start and what to expect.

Get up to altitude and with the previous info in mind, switch to AL and be ready on the trim to counter drift. Once you trim it up, LEAVE THE AL ON. If you switch it off at this point, you may have difficulty controlling it in manual mode. Land in AL mode. Disarm. Power down the Y6. Switch off AL. DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIM! Power up. Arm and fly.

What happens is, when the HFP goes through its startup procedure, it reads the receiver including the previous trim, as perfectly level. When you switch to AL, your previous trim is already set and you should be level. If it still drifts, repeat the above. Always leave the trim where they are after correcting AL.

Here is something that came to mind as I was watching your video. Be sure the center of gravity isn't too high. A higher CG could be a little more sensitive to control input. A lower CG has a natural leveling affect. I've had it both ways and I found a CG too high, was very difficult to control. A low CG, was very much, natural leveling. Of course, a low CG makes the motors work more to tilt the Y6 in any direction due to leverage. With the proper thrust to weight ratio, (min 2:1) this shouldn't be an issue. Be careful. Have fun.

Fred

 

[eddarack]

Thanks, Fred!
I actually had a minor incident... accidentally had position hold on when I armed the board, and it flipped it. Broke some props, but that's it. The carbon fiber frame proved to be pretty tough. Just waiting for some new propellers to arrive. In the meantime had a chance to make the base station and dial in the camera mount. The entire UAV system is done - just have to fly it again.
Regarding your information: Gain - I've never flown one of these before, but I have flown basic RC Helicopters. I have to say, I can't see how it could be any more stable and forgiving. Even without Altitude Hold, I could take my hands completely off the controls. It just sits in space where I put it (with no wind), so I think I have the gain right (I used the suggestions from Hoverfly). I haven't played around much with Altitude Hold, but this might need adjustment. I used the value Hoverfly suggested value.
The few flights I've done, I take off with AL, and then I've been trimming it. It is very forgiving, very stable. I tried AH a couple times, and it seemed to work well. Next up is to test the GPS functions. This is a project for an aviation magazine, and I want to be able to extensively photograph it in the air, so I'd like to get it up to a good altitude for the specific shot I want, put down the transmitter, pick up my camera, and photograph away (not going to be comfortable trying to teach anyone how to fly it, with so much work into it). I'm confident that the position hold will work as well as everything else has, and I'll be able to comfortably get some great shots of it in the air without much worry.
Again, thanks for your help,
Best,
Ed