Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

dtokez · 30 Mar 2016 at 18:03

just started a thread from showcasing our aerial imagery peeps

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18725054

Draeger · 30 Mar 2016 at 18:34

d_brennen said:
The picture just shows the same image rotated, they haven't mirrored it. Spin the props slowly and check they are "scooping" air down. The leading edge should be the highest, like an aeroplane wing.

Spin them by hand you mean? Or on the slowest speed setting? I've just tried it again and all it does when you move the left stick up is it now flips right over on the spot, always towards the same rotor. Could that mean the motor on that arm is faulty?

Delvis said:
The manual says match the blade letter and the colour?

To me that would then mean that the grey ones both should be A or both should be B? Not as I currently have it with one being A and one being B? I haven't touched the blades, they are exactly as they were fitted when it came out of the box. Either I'm missing something glaringly obvious or the copter is faulty I'm thinking.

God, I thought this would be much simpler!

d_brennen · 30 Mar 2016 at 18:38

Dead motor I guess. Not worth returning these things, maybe try taking the motor out and checking the gear/pinion for crud or buy a replacement motor/set and change the motor. If its not spinning fast enough it the quad will do like you are describing

Draeger · 30 Mar 2016 at 19:31

A short video clip, apologies for the quality, YouTube has butchered it during the upload:-

Delvis · 30 Mar 2016 at 19:35

Can you trim it? Usually there are trimming options on the remote.

d_brennen · 30 Mar 2016 at 19:37

Trim won't help if it won't go airborne. Can't see the video, still placing my bet on motor/gunked gear

Bigpops · 30 Mar 2016 at 20:02

Draeger said:
Sauce?

The pilot must maintain mine of sight on the craft. So unless the pilot is walking about looking at the model, he/she can't use it.

There is an exception to the line of sight rule for FPV, where you're required to have a spotter.

Like I said, you can use it on other people, no problem.

It's all in the air navigation order, somewhere. I think under unmanned aerial systems (models without a camera), and unmanned aerial surveillance systems (for craft that carry a camera). It's almost 600 pages though, and only a tiny portion is related to model flying.

Delvis · 30 Mar 2016 at 20:46

d_brennen said:
Trim won't help if it won't go airborne. Can't see the video, still placing my bet on motor/gunked gear

It's trying to go airbourne..so surely try and trim?

Draeger · 30 Mar 2016 at 20:53

If tried using the trim functions m8, still does the same thing unfortunately.

Delvis · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:09

That's a pain.

Have you looked at the motor at all? Assuming it's easy to remove. If you wanted to see if it's definitely the motor you can try moving that motor to another position and see if it replicates.

d_brennen · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:38

Just seen the video. Swap the "lazy" motor with the one diagonally opposite

If it's doing the same in the other direction - buy new motors of that direction

If it's doing the same in the same direction, there is a problem with either the flight control board or gearing. Depending on price/availability, replace both. And motors. Brushed quads eat motors

Draeger · 30 Mar 2016 at 22:42

Delvis said:
That's a pain.

Have you looked at the motor at all? Assuming it's easy to remove. If you wanted to see if it's definitely the motor you can try moving that motor to another position and see if it replicates.

d_brennen said:
Just seen the video. Swap the "lazy" motor with the one diagonally opposite

If it's doing the same in the other direction - buy new motors of that direction

If it's doing the same in the same direction, there is a problem with either the flight control board or gearing. Depending on price/availability, replace both. And motors. Brushed quads eat motors

Guys, I could do that, yeah. But I'm a bit miffed that something which should pretty much have flown ok right out of the box, has done anything but! I think I'm going to package it back up and return it. I'm now looking at Syma H8C's and JJRC26D's. :cool:

d_brennen · 30 Mar 2016 at 22:47

If it's worth it, best option. Usually with these quads, return postage is much the same as the cost of the craft, if not more. If it's from Amazon etc, happy days

Draeger · 31 Mar 2016 at 00:33

It was an eBay purchase from a UK based seller. Lots of 'bargains' available from China but I am always wary of buying from there in case of defects, this has proved my point! Returns to China would be more hassle than they are worth. I've messaged the seller and told them I do not expect to incur any postage charges to send this back to them.

I've also just bought a Syma X8C.

Looking forward to receiving it, I use an SJ4000 cam on my motorbike with excellent results. Going by the Youtube videos of X8C's with retrofitted SJ4000's/GoPros, it seems like its a very good Phantom copy which is more than capable of doing the business.....

englishpremier · 31 Mar 2016 at 09:09

Bigpops said:
The pilot must maintain mine of sight on the craft. So unless the pilot is walking about looking at the model, he/she can't use it.

There is an exception to the line of sight rule for FPV, where you're required to have a spotter.

Like I said, you can use it on other people, no problem.

It's all in the air navigation order, somewhere. I think under unmanned aerial systems (models without a camera), and unmanned aerial surveillance systems (for craft that carry a camera). It's almost 600 pages though, and only a tiny portion is related to model flying.

That's not a problem for me. I'd be able to see it at all times, and my intended use is actually outside of the UK anyway. Mostly in deserts and wide open areas.

Russinating · 31 Mar 2016 at 11:10

So you'd be walking backwards?

Similar laws apply overseas, but always vary in some way, so do check.

Is this even for commercial or just fun?

englishpremier · 31 Mar 2016 at 13:13

Mostly for stuff like off road rallies and enduro events in the Sahara. It would have also been good to have on the Salar de Unyni and a few other places I've been to recently.

It looks looks like the Hexo+ is cheap at the moment, but there is no option of adding an RC system.

Draeger · 31 Mar 2016 at 16:54

Well, that's the Propel drone packaged up and returned to the seller. Hoping my X8C arrives tomorrow. Already dug up a load of info on them, they seem like really capable little units. Also looks like lots of bits and bobs from the DJI Phantom will fit like legs and a natty looking anti vibration camera mount made of carbon fibre. Anyone tried those? I think I'll give the credit card mount a go first as it looks simple but pretty effective.

Might even look at picking up a Mobius as although the SJ4000 will fit and the drone will take off and fly easily enough I imagine the weight of an SJ4000 will reduce the lifespan of the brushes in the motors. Is the Mobius substantially lighter than an SJ4000?

Rilot · 31 Mar 2016 at 17:04

Mobius weighs 40g so 20g lighter than your SJ4000.

Draeger · 31 Mar 2016 at 17:57

Rilot said:
Mobius weighs 40g so 20g lighter than your SJ4000.

Cool, thanks Rilot - nice little weight saving there then. Are any of the Mobius 'clones' that are available online worth trying out or is it best to just cut to the chase and grab a genuine Mobius?