[Build thread] Tricopter for beginner.

[Vr5fx]

Howdy.

Up until now I never thought I would admit it, but I am now interested in looking at building a multirotor craft.

I have decided I want a tricopter because I would like to be different, I haven't seen anyone else fly one, but there are plenty of videos on the internet.

Everyone seems to settle with quad setups.

I've been looking at this for the frame.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__46559__Turnigy_Talon_Tricopter_V1_0_Carbon_Fiber_Frame_UK_Warehouse_.html

I quite like the layout, and the carbon tubes should allow for a tidy build.

My main issues are what electrics to use. I have never used a multirotor before, so these grounds are completely new. The closest thing I have is a S107 mini helicopter.

I know that with a "Y" setup it will use one less ESC and motor, but I will require a mini servo for YAW adjustments.

I'd like a push in the right direction if anyone is willing to help out. What electric equipment do I require? At some point I might be interested in putting a camera on the setup so later in the project it will be required to lift extra weight.

Thanks in advance.

Edited July 18, 2014 by Vr5fx

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Many moons ago, I built a tricopter. Looking back it was 2011   and even back then, tri's were in the minority. I've started looking at the craft again as I've not done anything with it since. Bare in mind, I never got this thing more than a few feet off the ground with a multiwii setup. I never could figure it out, so I gave up after tripping over my bottom lip a few too many times

 

Technology has moved on and I'm trying to get back into the fold with it all.

 

The main issue with tricopters seems to be the yaw, the swinging rotating mass is gyroscopic. Looking now as opposed to then, I see more are V-Tail craft for the tricopter look but with the addition of the extra motor/esc to control the yaw/rudder. Doing away with the servo seems to be a good idea, even with better mechanisms available now.

 

Please don't let me put you off, it's just that as you've noticed, most stick to quads. I've got my Hubsan to practise on but would like a working tricopter one day, to my eyes they look awesome. But with so few folk out there building them you may be 'stuck on your own'.

 

My head says Quad, heart says tri. Tricopters do look the biz

 

Follow the recommendations on the page for esc, props and motors. If you click through to the international warehouse, more people tend to ask questions or give suggestions to motor and prop combos that work.

 

The only other thing required bar the battery, radio and servo is a flight controller. This is where the choice can confuse you and then empty your wallet! The cheap options tend to be things like the KK boards. The new kid on the block seems to be the lcd programmable unit. There's plenty of information out there.

There is the diy unit from DJI (naza?) if you want a few more bells and whistles then all the way upto where the multiwii movement has gone - programming the firmware specific to the hardware you have.

I'm of the personal opinion of start off with the cheaper option and progress if you want things like GPS, waypoints, return to home, etc. But you have a better idea of where you'd like this to go. Line of sight only, fpv, photography/video? All of the options come at a price....

 

I hope some of the above has helped. I still get confused easily with it all, it's almost a foreign language and I've never flown any other RC than the scratch build from 2011 and my little Hubsan. If you've mastered a heli, even a small one, these are supposed to be so much easier to fly.

 

Good luck

[Vr5fx]

 

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think I will stick with my heart, and go with the tricopter... It's really sticking and the more I think about the choice the more I want one.

I'll have a read through the topic and have a dig around the HobbyKing site, I didn't think of that but it is worth looking into, especially to find out what other people use.

 

I did see the choices of flight controllers, and did read up on the KK2 (not much though), for the time being and short future I will only stick with line of sight. So this should lower the price quite some.

I figure I should spend an afternoon doing some research, I hate research and reading, quite impatient really

 

That will be the first step tomorrow. Coffee and then much research

Hopefully I will keep you updated in the upcoming days / few weeks.

 

Thanks!

[banners]

Great stuff

 

Don't skimp on the quality of the servo, you need something reliable otherwise you'll lose it in flight. For the slight additional weight gain you could consider a 1/10 scale servo.

 

I've used this as a guide, seems to be less bloated for beginners. If you're handy, you could try your hand at a diy frame first for cheap and easy repairs.

 

The best thing I've found after a few years away from multicopters is that props are plentiful and reasonably priced now Also, documentation is better, my KK board had the gyros reversed on a wooden boomed quad I built. My lack of patience or just plain reading meant it got left hanging from a shelf along with the tri, I briefly flew the craft over the weekend after about 5 minutes of reading and setting...

[Vr5fx]

That link is incredible. Makes far more sense than some other pages, I'd love to try make my own, but I'd end up rushing it.

 

I've read through the lot and I am now looking at a list to get started.

 

So for the frame I have.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__46559__Turnigy_Talon_Tricopter_V1_0_Carbon_Fiber_Frame_UK_Warehouse_.html

 

Mini servo

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34459__TGY_306G_Ultra_Fast_High_Torque_MG_Digital_Alloy_Cased_Servo_3kg_06sec_21g_UK_Warehouse_.html

(I might change this, as it seems Hobbyking have a packaging issue and the servo provided is incorrect)

 

Flight controller

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-KK2-1-MULTIROTOR-FLIGHT-CONTROL-BOARD-WITH-6050MPU-ATMEL-644PA-QUAD-HEX-UK-/231167894488?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item35d2ae23d8

 

Motors

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=44559

 

ESCs

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=29329

 

ESC card

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=29330

 

Props is now where I am stuck. As I understand I need 2 normal rotation and 1 reverse, I gather this is to stop spin on the craft?

How do the props attach?

 

TX/RX

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Flysky-FS-T6-FS-2-4GHz-RC-Helicopter-Transmitter-6CH-6-Channel-Radio-Mode-2-/380850654832?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item58ac77ce70

 

And finally batteries. I'll pick up some 3s 3200s to start with. Then maybe move from there.

 

How does that list look? I think I might need an outside eye to pick up any problems. Have I missed anything off the list at all?

 

Thanks

[banners]

Those motors have an odd 3 bolt fixing so will need their accessory pack. This will allow you to mount your propellers.

 

Check the radio has a failsafe, some of the cheap radios have great features but if the signal goes awol, they carry on doing whatever it was before

 

I've got those plush 30 esc's, seem decent for the limited use I've had. I'm hoping that will change soon

 

You do need a single reverse prop, this stops the craft from spinning. Some did try with using the same props but tilting the motors to generate the same effect. From memory, it wasn't very successful so 2 normal props and a single reverse will do you proud. Slow fly style props are better for multicopters as they're less aggressive ( I think). They're pretty cheap too, it's worth getting a few to try, 8", 10", maybe even a set of 11" should be good for your needs. The reverse blades have an R in the code somewhere, ie 1047 & 1047R.

 

I'm no expert here so take my advice with a pinch of salt, do your research fully and I think you'll be good to go. You will need a programming board for your flight board in time. They state they've updated the programming so you should be fine for now though.

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And so we have it. I decided to try my tri once more, took the wiicopter brain out, replacing it with the early KK board I have, with tri 4.7 firmware. It only flies doesn't it.

8x6 (iirc) props with 1100 kv 2830motors on 18A esc. If this flies, I think almost anything can lol My scratch build is based around this frame

 

 

That's the best picture I have of the thing at the moment. Thank you for the inspiration!

[walters]

come on steve get it flying I need a mate to go out with could you buy a cheap dji clone frame and stick your bits on

Edited July 16, 2014 by walters

[Vr5fx]

And so we have it. I decided to try my tri once more, took the wiicopter brain out, replacing it with the early KK board I have, with tri 4.7 firmware. It only flies doesn't it.

8x6 (iirc) props with 1100 kv 2830motors on 18A esc. If this flies, I think almost anything can lol My scratch build is based around this frame

 

 

That's the best picture I have of the thing at the moment. Thank you for the inspiration!

 

I'm glad you gave it a blast, how does it handle?

I'm ordering my gear tonight, got a little more pocket money than expected.

 

 

come on steve get it flying I need a mate to go out with could you buy a cheap dji clone frame and stick your bits on

 

I'm pretty stumped on who you are.... But yes sir!

[walters]

I'm glad you gave it a blast, how does it handle?

I'm ordering my gear tonight, got a little more pocket money than expected.

 

 

 

I'm pretty stumped on who you are.... But yes sir!

iam walters lol steve is banners

[Vr5fx]

iam walters lol steve is banners

 

Ohh, well that makes sense.

 

I'm also a Steve lol.

[banners]

Pmsl, us Steve's are everywhere!

 

Tricopter is twitchy and I think my batteries are a bit duff. batteries are on order. Some careful tuning to dial the excitement back on the radio is definitely required. It's very easy to over compensate, also bear in mind the early kk boards don't have a stable mode switch. 

Practice, practice, practice!

 

With your bit more spending money, spare batteries and props lol

[Vr5fx]

Well, to my surprise, some of my gear turned up today. Woot!

 

 

 

My first thought is that it seems pretty small, but that is only because it is in pieces.

 

The instructions are pretty awful, but I will have to be patient and see if I can make any sense of them.

[Vr5fx]

Made some progress on the build tonight, even though the instructions are awful.

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Looking good there. What's the fitments quality like?  And was the servo the correct model?

 

I've bust the servo on my tricopter, a bit of a heavy landing on it's derri

[Vr5fx]

Looking good there. What's the fitments quality like?  And was the servo the correct model?

 

I've bust the servo on my tricopter, a bit of a heavy landing on it's derri

Edited July 19, 2014 by Vr5fx

[Vr5fx]

Again I've made more progress, the rest of my gear turned up, got it wired up and I've run into a few problems.

I'll show some pics first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So far on testing, (with no props) one of the motors will stop unless over 50% throttle. It will spin up the same as the other motors, but will stop rotating after a few seconds, unless over 50% throttle.

I haven't calibrated the ESCs though, so that might be an issue. Or if anyone else has an idea I'm open to try.

 

My other issue is getting the battery seated nicely, the Turnigy battery straps are poo, so might get some decent ones. I'll have to re-do the wire work on the inside too, to give it a tidy. 

Will take a look again another day, been working on it all day today.

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Getting closer

 

Definitely get the esc's calibrated before any further investigation in to that motor. I've found them to do very odd things if I've forgotten in the past

[Vr5fx]

Well, I calibrated the ESCs and put them all through the program card. All motors spin up and hold, but now I have a motor that spins at a much slower rate than the others (motor #2, top right).

I believe I have put all trims to 0, calibrated correctly (I can try calibrating again) and the correct props put on correct motors.

 

I tested it on the bed (probably not a good idea ) and slowly increased throttle. This resulted in it flipping straight over. I'm not sure if trimming will help, or which way to trim for that matter.

 

I'll be taking a look at the KK2 manual, and will try recalibrating later or tomorrow.

 

One step at a time.

[baorevo]

Yesd you need to calibrate the motors using the kk2 board  (the most important is getting to the first and fourth button straight away after connecting the battery , the ideal is holding the first and fourth button and getting someone else to connect the battery). heres a vid showing the simple steps

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLQaDK1VS4

Edited July 23, 2014 by baorevo

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For flipping multicopters I'd suggest a gyro is reversed. Reading through the kk4.7 instructions helped resolve my issues:

 

4. Checking the gyro compensations
This step is to ensure that the gyros compensate in the right direction. If they don

[Vr5fx]

For flipping multicopters I'd suggest a gyro is reversed. Reading through the kk4.7 instructions helped resolve my issues:

 

4. Checking the gyro compensations

This step is to ensure that the gyros compensate in the right direction. If they don

[banners]

I've noticed a good few folk open their motors and add a bit of glue to the wires to prevent them shifting. It maybe something to consider?

 

Gutted for you pal, at least you have a chance still of the order landing for the weekend.

[Vr5fx]

Oh boy... It works!

 

I realised why it was flipping. Like an idiot when I first put the KK2 on I had it rotated the wrong way. So I calibrated it before flying, then changed the orientation of the board, so when it tried to fly, it would flip.

As for the motor and esc going poof, I have no idea. Perhaps one was at fault and took the other with it.

 

I now have it back together, all calibrated and took it for its maiden voyage just moments ago. After sorting the YAW gyro (which was reversed) I managed to keep in in the air for all of 10 seconds at a time, no crashes but some pretty poor landings.

I'm really excited and over the moon that it is working. I'm just about learning to keep it steady, the trims want adjusting as it is wondering slightly, but getting there!

:hahadance:

 

Pics to follow.

[baorevo]

exellent , good news you got it up and flying , now its time for the fun part !!!!!!!!