X8 coversion to MK - shopping list suggestions

Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
X8 coversion to MK electronics build

First, here is some info on my X8 copter from the build log on RCG.

Frame: RCcarbon X4-8

Motors: Pulso 2814/22 760kV (no longer available -bit pissed:mad: - they fly great)

ESC: RCTimer 30A programmable

Props: APC 12x3.8, 11x4.7; will try APC 13" soon

Landing Gear: Droidworx extended

Camera Gimbal: Photohigher AV130

Batteries: 4s 6000mah Turnigy nano-tech

OSD: Eagle Tree eLogger v4 and OSD Pro with gps and altimeter

Transmitter: Futaba T10CAP (modded for smooth throttle)

Receiver: Futaba R6014HS

Plus a bunch of other odds n' ends, and a lot more info and pics in the build log at RCG.

attachment.php


I am going to convert this copter to Mikrokopter electronics and need to know if my shopping list is complete and particularly which PPM encoder I should get. The three PPM encoders I found are listed last. Which one?

Here is my list:

Flight-Ctrl V2.1 ME
$460 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Flight-Ctrl-V21-ME-SMD-preassembled_p_105.html

MK GPS
$105.95 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK-GPS-SMD-preassembled_p_21.html

Navi-Ctrl V1.1
$167 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Navi-Ctrl-V11-SMD-preassembled_p_20.html

MK3Mag - Compass Module with ACC
$112.50 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK3Mag--Compass-Module-with-ACC_p_22.html

MK USB
$25.25 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK-USB_p_100.html

Precision I2C to PWM Converter for Standard ESC [ST]
$15.25 http://abusemark.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

Serializer 12 channels PPM converter
~$63 http://www.flashrc.com/flyboard/5929-serializer_12_voies_>_1_voie_serie_cms_soudes.html

Quadro PPM Encoder
$35.99 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Quadro-PPM-Encoder_p_130.html

8 Channel PPM Encoder Version 2
$29.99 http://shop.quadrocopter.us/8-Channel-PPM-Encoder-Version-2_p_77.html

Thanks for any all help or advice. I am a bit intimidated by MK but know its pretty much my only choice for what I need to do right now.

Shawn
 

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R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
If you don't already have these or something equivalent you'll want this... http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Vibration-Dampeners-M3x15_p_135.html

... and some of these... http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Bolts-M3x15-black-plastic_p_89.html

... and these... http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Nut-M3-black-plastic_p_161.html

The flight controller board goes on top of the rubber dampers and the 15mm standoffs go between the flight controller, Navi board, and GPS to build the electronics stack. Might as well get it all at once!

The compass module comes in an ACC (accelerometer) version and one without, you only need the one without but I don't see it listed on the site. There's about a $15 dollar difference in price, the non ACC version being less expensive.

I don't know for certain about the PPM parts you'll need I only use JR/Specktrum and never had to deal with the conversion boards. Call or email Adam @ Quadrocopter and he'll set you up with the right bits.

Another nice to have option is this... http://shop.quadrocopter.us/Xbee-Set-plug-and-play_p_58.html Not a requirement but it does allow you to upload GPS waypoints to the flight controller without a physical connection between the laptop and MK and using the OSD screen in MKtool it will allow you to follow the path of the MK on a Google Earth overlay map as well as get limited telemetry back like altitude, battery voltage, heading and a couple other things I can't remember at the moment.

Ken
 


Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
zorba said:
What do you mean no longer available??
How many do you want?
Click to expand...

Are you a distributor? I was told they will no longer be selling these (at least in the US, I guess) and are now going to be going under the name Cobra. I was also told by one of their US distributors that they will not be offerring the 2814/22 in the Cobra either. I don't actually need any right now (I have 3 extras) but was worried about the future. I have also been looking for some of their 2814/20's and they seem to be out of stock everywhere.

Shawn
 

R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
zorba said:
What do you mean no longer available??
How many do you want?
Click to expand...

No longer available as in no one that is a dealer has any in stock and they're not going to make anymore. The replacement motors are now being branded as Cobra and they do not yet have a equivalent size/kv for sale yet and may not ever have a direct replacement. I'd like to have at least one spare rather than have to replace an entire set of six motors just because one goes bad and there are no replacments to be had.

If you know of a source, please share, I'll take one or two and there are likely others that will as well.

Ken
 



J

jes1111

Active Member
Shame you can't wait for OpenPilot - it would be fantastic for your application - but (being Open Source and honest) there's no "planned" launch date.
 

Z

zorba

Member
Mactadpole said:
Too funny! That's exactly who I got mine from and they were the last ones available on the planet via the internet. He is also out of the 2814/20's too.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Shawn
Click to expand...
That's funny...I just talked with him and he still has the 2814/20's in stock (4pcs) and the 2814/22 (44pcs).
send him an email..
Bill
 

Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
zorba said:
That's funny...I just talked with him and he still has the 2814/20's in stock (4pcs) and the 2814/22 (44pcs).
send him an email..
Bill
Click to expand...

Great to know! when I looked on their site about a week ago both were out of stock and since they supposedly are making no more I just figured I would never see them again. Maybe he managed to get a hold of the last of what they had. Who knows. I wonder if this is just a USA thing? Could there be some reason they can't or won't sell under the Pulso name in US? Weird.

Thanks again,

Shawn
 

J

jes1111

Active Member
I smell a rat with this Pulso thing - sounds to me like the Avroto guy is trying to promote his own brand by sowing a little confusion.
 
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Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
jes1111 said:
I smell a rat with this Pulso thing - sounds to me like the Avroto guy is trying to promote his own brand by sowing a little confusion.
Click to expand...

I don't know that is necessarily the case. MontoRC used to carry all the Pulso motors and as they run out of stock they are removing the pages for those motors. Also, someone I know who is start up a multirotor business has become a dealer for them and they will only offer him the Cobra's.

It would be nice if Avroto offerred a broader product line geared towards multirotors.

Shawn
 

R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
The problem I have is the first Pulso engine failure I have is going to be expensive, I don't have any spare 2814-22 so its time for 6 new whichevers when the first one fails...:mad:

Ken
 

Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
RTRyder said:
The problem I have is the first Pulso engine failure I have is going to be expensive, I don't have any spare 2814-22 so its time for 6 new whichevers when the first one fails...:mad:

Ken
Click to expand...

Hey Ken,

You should definitely contact Oleg for a couple extras then. I ordered my entire set from them and the transaction went perfect. Also, because they don't have to charge us the VAT you get the prop adapter and motor mount stuff and don't have to pay extra for it as it shows on their site. They didn't charge me outrageous shipping either. Just a thought. I also know someone who purchase through MontoRC and made a warranty claim on two and the new ones were shipped directly from the factory fedex.

Shawn
 



R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
Mactadpole said:
Been doing some reading...do I need to order a buzzer and the optional power switch for the FC?

Thanks,

Shawn
Click to expand...

The last MK flight controller I bought came with a buzzer in the box, you should probably verify with wherever you buy from if they include one or not.

Ken
 

Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
MK electronics are on their way. Also ordered the I2C encoder(s). Now I just need to decided what to do about the TX/RX situation.

Shawn
 

Mactadpole

Mactadpole

Member
Well most of my electronics have shown up, still waiting on the MKUSB. I have mounted the FC on my copter and it appears I am almost ready to start soldering and connecting wires.

So I have found what I believe to be two different layouts for an X8 and need some advice on direction of motor/prop rotation. Currently, I have my motors/props setup to spin like this (alternate Hoverfly configuration):

attachment.php


I have found the following two MK layouts and I believe one of them (2nd one) is configured like mine is now and the other is different. The second one is from the wiki and I assume the direction of the FC arrow shown corresponds to the arrow on the actual board. The rotation arrow shown is for the top motors and the bottom motors spin opposite the arrows. Does it matter?

Octo-X.jpg


main.php


To be clear, here is how I have my MK FC mounted and how the motor/props are currently set up to spin. Ignore the motor #'s for now.

attachment.php


For example, the front-left-top motor spins counter-clockwise and the bottom spins clockwise.

I really would like to avoid having to rearrange everything if possible because I want to be able to switch out the FC's easily so I can do comparisons and help the HFP folks with development of their firmware.

Thanks,

Shawn
 

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R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
I guess the first question is where is the "front" on your frame in relation to the posted diagrams. I had mine configured per the first diagram and used the attached .mkm file.

View attachment 407

You can certainly have other orientations but you'll need to modify the .mkm file accordingly to get the motor spin direction correct, no guarantee on what that might/might not do to flight stability, I've never tried it myself.

Ken
 

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