MrMitch1078

Thanks Tamiyacowboy, I've briefly looked into the lighting that I have, I have 4x led strips LED Strip with JST Connectors from hobbyking (4v-12.6v) and 2x Super bright 3W led lamps with aluminium heatsinks (2.5v- 3v) - but they were cheap so I don't mind if I don't use them. I have a power distribution board with male JST pins soldered on, which runs via the 3DR power module for the APM - so looking at the possibility of getting a JST harness I could use all the strips connected directly to the PDB. I'm having trouble finding one - so I may need to make one up - unless anyone can source one for me? I have looked at my local model shops to no avail... If I get a UBEC would I be able to use my transmitter to switch the leds on and off? And also how would I power it? Thanks, Phil

Well I think we're long overdue an update of what I have been up to since my last post - Its gonna be a bit of spiel, but I have built my quadcopter I went with the SK450 Frame with the deadcat addition, 3DR Ardupilot board with GPS, NTM 1000Kv Motors, SimonK AfroESCs, 10x4.5 Slow-Fly Propellors, 4000maH 3S battery and the Frsky Taranis + X8R receiver Assembly was pretty straightforward, I did read some tutorials and watch some Youtube videos for general hints and tips for assembly. I had some trouble with the programming and calibration of the Ardupilot but that was due to it being late at night and me being dense! The next evening I ventured outside to the open space behind our house - thats when I discovered the throttle settings for the Ardupilot were off - maximum throttle was set to 10% as a default, this was quickly rectified and I achieved a successful maiden flight The next evening was not so successful, something happened in which the quad flipped during take off, my attempt at a save resulted in a crash that snapped off the forward plate of the frame but no other damage, no big problem - just reduces room for a camera when I feel more confident with my flying skills - it is actually well balanced which was a concern I originally had with the deacat setup but no issues so far with barebones quad... I decided it was time to show my wife what I had been building in the garage, just when she looking somewhat impressed that I had built something that worked, I caught a landing claw in the grass which resulted in a snapped motor mount - not good! So I was grounded until some replacements arrived from Hobbyking in China, I was pleasantly surprised at the sub-2 week delivery - I was expecting 4 - 6 weeks at the soonest! Since then I have had plenty of flights in the fields behind our house, at Westbury White Horse, and on Salisbury Plain above Erlestoke, and 1 crash from about 5ft because I set the voltage alarm too low which resulted in a snapped prop. The quad handles really well, and I've not yet done any tuning or even the autotune as it goes well for now, its good to get the telemetry on missionplanner/google earth - with a light wind behind it, it hits about 50mph in a straight line which will only come down when I start adding features such as lighting, camera, and onboard telemetry. I think I'm getting about 15-20 minutes flight time from my battery - but its dependent on how heavy I am on the throttle I also bought 4 strips of leds and two brighter leds for orientation - with I think JST connectors, but I have no idea how to mount them or power them, so any tips there would be cool.. I'd just like to thank those that have given me advice since my first post here, its helped get me to where I am now Sorry it was so longwinded! Phil

Thanks for the welcome :-) I won't be getting my drone together for probably a few weeks (early September I expect) - but I've still been reading up and making something of an amended shopping list; I haven't changed the frame but I wonder if the 'Dead Cat' assembly would make much difference or should I bring the prop size down? I looked into the Ardupilot and it does seem to be a lot more expandable than the Naza system, but is the HK Pilot Mega a good alternative? I'm also looking at NTM 28-26 1100kv 20A motors, with the AfroESC 30A controllers. And I also have my eye on the Taranis with the X8R receiver and a 4S Lipo... Again, thanks for the advice :-) Phil

Hi there I