Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

After reading more and more flyaway horror stories I've changed the way I fly now. In hundreds of flights never had any problem with taking off in GPS mode, and then waiting for complete GPS coverage and home position lock.

Now I always take off in Atti mode and then find a height where I get full lock and home position sets, then use GPS if I need it. Same for landing, the last 10 meters or so I switch back to Atti.

Maybe I should fly the whole flight Atti especially if flying FPV, but sometimes being able to hover on the spot no matter what the wind is a good thing.

Anyone else have strict methods of take off with DJI flight controllers ?
 
Just spent the last few days reading this thread from start to finish and found it really interesting :)

I used to fly model planes many years ago with my dad and thought it would be a good way to spend some quality time with my son but space restrictions are a problem with fixed wing planes ( we used to be in a club and fly at old air field) and I don't think either of us are up to helicopters but quads look fantastic.

Ive just ordered a Hudson X4 to get some practice in and within a few weeks im thinking of probably getting the HobbyKing FPV250 ...cant wait :)

We have a nice field close by which apart from a few dog walkers is pretty much unused :)
 
well, somehow I've managed to kill my lipo, won't charge and checking across the balance leads I get 4.2v, 8.4v & 9.3v.
so cell 1 + 2 are 4.2v, but 3 is reading 0.7v.
had a rough landing last time it was flying, by the time I got to it 2 rotors were still running even though I sent the rotor stop command.
Is it possible to recover it or best condone this Lipo to the great cell store in the sky?
 
Dispose of it correctly, not worth the risk of it going up in flames in the air or worse, at home.

And do it properly, you don't want to be setting fire to the garbage truck when it crushes it with a load of flammables :p
 
Dispose of it correctly, not worth the risk of it going up in flames in the air or worse, at home.

And do it properly, you don't want to be setting fire to the garbage truck when it crushes it with a load of flammables :p

This, do not bin it. Dont try charging/discharging either, not worth the risk. Your local tip will have battery disposal facilities
 
This, do not bin it. Dont try charging/discharging either, not worth the risk. Your local tip will have battery disposal facilities

That's where I was going to take it, to the tip.
just to find a replacement for a reasonable price or get 2 smaller lipos.
 
A few years ago I shot a 4S lipo with an air-rifle to see what would happen. Lots of smoke and fire.
I wouldn't want that happening in the house so since I saw that I'm very careful with lipo charging. Fire-proof bag, concrete floor in the garage etc.
 
A few years ago I shot a 4S lipo with an air-rifle to see what would happen. Lots of smoke and fire.
I wouldn't want that happening in the house so since I saw that I'm very careful with lipo charging. Fire-proof bag, concrete floor in the garage etc.

Ive been looking at charging bags & an old ammo tin to store them in.
Seen a few ammo tins modified that you can charge in the tin.
 
No need to go that far, really. We keep our 12000s in separate LiPo bags and we then keep 2 in some suctioned bread bins that we got from Wilkinson. Not as intended but certainly do the job, and limits damage to two batteries

If you're particularly paranoid you could keep them in fire safes but seeing as we have 6 batteries the cost of that wasn't an option :p.

Don't forget to buy some cable extensions if need be so you can actually charge them in the bags without having everything at a funny angle.
 
I bought an Ammo tin for mine, can fit around 5-6 normal sized batteries in and, as you say, easy to modify so you can charge them in place.

I have a .50 ammo can. Apart from looking awesome it's very safe.

Zippy, Turnigy or Overlander?
The bust one is an overlander.
Any preferred makes?

I use Turnigy Nano-tech on my S800 EVO. Like them a lot. The voltage drop off when they are nearly empty is pretty sharp though.
 
I have a .50 ammo can. Apart from looking awesome it's very safe.



I use Turnigy Nano-tech on my S800 EVO. Like them a lot. The voltage drop off when they are nearly empty is pretty sharp though.

I have the same ammo can. just make sure you remove the rubber seal. you dont want it to be air tight, can turn it into a bomb with pressure building up.
loads of videos of these ammo boxes ripping apart, when lippo catches fire they dont need oxygen to keep burning and the pressure builds up. ;)
 
I have the same ammo can. just make sure you remove the rubber seal. you dont want it to be air tight, can turn it into a bomb with pressure building up.
loads of videos of these ammo boxes ripping apart, when lippo catches fire they dont need oxygen to keep burning and the pressure builds up. ;)

Yeah, good shout on that.
I was leaving it with the lid slightly ajar but eventually decided to remove the rubber.
 
There was a good charging idea on a Flite Test video, charge in a cinder block, place a bag of sand on top. In the event of fire, bag melts and lets sand in onto the battery.
 
FYI 2 blade 5x3 carbon reinforced HQ props are back in stock at makeitbuildit.co.uk. I'm loving these on my 250. Oh LEDs! :)

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You've got me paranoid about my li-po batteries. I have 5 of them, in different sizes, and 3 of them I dont use. Should I put them somewhere safe or just leave them inside the rc heli's??

Also, DJI has updated the App for iPhone/Android which now has Waypoints. Its for the Phantom Vision/Vision+.
DJI is releasing the Ground Station function for Phantom 2 Vision and Phantom 2 Vision+ users at 9am US East Coast Time today, June 24. This function will be available within the updated DJI Vision app for iOS and Android.

Overview
The DJI Vision app is being updated to iOS v1.0.41 and Android v1.0.50.

Major New Features
Ground Station support with:
*Planned flight missions of up to 16 custom waypoints.
*One-touch “Go Home” function.
*Flight safety protection:
**3.1 miles (5km) flight distance limit.
**Ground station is automatically disabled when the Phantom battery level falls below 30%.
**1640ft (500m) maximum flight radius from HOME point, 656ft (200m) altitude limit.

Important: Ensure that your Phantom is running the latest firmware v3.04. Download the updated app from the Apple App Store or Google Play on your phone.

Ill hopefully give this a try tonight if the weather is ok.
 
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