Scratch Built RC Plane -Subsonic Drone v2 Plane Design

Subsonic Drone build logs:
Click here to see the Subsonic Drone v1. Also see the Micro Drone V3 for all the overall dimensions.

I designed the plane in SketchUp which is (formerly Google Sketchup) a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design—and available in a freeware version, SketchUp Make.

Completed! Getting ready to maiden. 

Let's start building it! 

3D Printing - 3D Printed AA Battery Holder

One of my 3D printed things. More details and the 3D printing file are here.

3D printed battery holder

3D printed battery holder

Arduino Robot Car Kit

Helping my son finishing this Arduino UNO robot car 4WD.

 Arduino UNO robot car kit

Arduino UNO

Done Registration - for the USA

According to FAA, people who previously operated their UAS must register by February 19, 2016. People who do not register could face civil and criminal penalties.

I don't like it but better be safe than sorry.

Here are the links to FAA for Done or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) registration.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/

FAQs for the registration - https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/faqs/

Here are some information about general rules for operating model aircraft.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

FPV Goggle - Cheap Quanum

This is the most economical FPV Goggle I have seen so far. Only USD $29.99. It has a 4.3 inches screen with all parts included. Here is the link to the FPV Goggle.

FPV Goggle

FPV Goggle no Blue Screen

Drone - 3D Printed Landing Gear Low Profile

This is my own 3D design. Printed, installed and tested.

You may download it here for free. My printer is PRUSA which I got it from Aliexpress.

Nighthawk 250

Nighthawk 250

RepRap Prusa 3D Printer

I bought this 3D printer from Aliexpress. Here is the link and search 3d printer.

Brand Name: Sunhokey-S

Color Print Speed: 40-100 mm/s

Model Number: S-508

Structure Material: Full acylic and metal

Printing Filament: ABS PLA Nilon Kayu

Filament Diameter: 1.75mm

File Format: STL,G-Code

Z Axis Positioning Accuracy: 0.004mm

XY Axis Positioning Accuracy: 0.012mm

Type: Prusa i3

Extruder diameter: 0.4mm (customized 0.3mm/0.5mm)

Max Paper Size:200*200*180mm

Print Speed: 40-100 mm/s

 

3D Printing

Drone 250 Hard Travel Case for $20

I bought this hard case for only $20.00.

• Built-in O-ring with secure latches prevent water and moisture damage to contents
• Padlock compatible for additional security
• Built in pressure relief valve
• High-density polymer provides outstanding strength and corrosion resistance
• External dimensions (L x W x H): 18" x 14" x 7"
• Approximate internal Dimensions (L x W x H): 17” x 11 ½” x 6”

QAV250 Quadcopter Hard Travel Case

QAV250 Quadcopter Hard Travel Case

MultiWii 328P Flight Controller with FTDI and DSM2

I use this FC board in my Night Hawk Emax QAV250. Here is another blog about the QAV250.

See how to calibrate the ESCs and how to upload and configure MultiWii program  for MINI MWC Flight Control Board.

MultiWii 328P Flight Controller

Chris Craft - 1949 Racing Runabout

This is a build logs for Chris Craft Racing Runabout manufactured by Dumas.

I won't talk about the obvious that are already in the building instruction, but I will post lots of pictures and learning from my building experience. 

28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

Frame - 28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

Frame - 28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

Frame - 28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

Frame - 28" Chris Craft Racing Runabout

Drone - 250 Quadcopter Emax Nighthawk QAV

First, this QAV250 Quadcopter frame is not from Emax nor NightHawk . I used those names in the title is because people can search to this easier. I bought this from AliExpress. Here is the link to it and search for QAV 250.

I had the maiden flight, and it performed very well. Both the motors and ESCs got a little warm but acceptable. Not sure it was because of the props that drew too much current. Overall I am happy with the performance and the plastic motors.

To see how I made the Micro FPV setup click here.

Nighthawk QAV 250

EMAX Nighthawk QAV 250

Carbon Fiber QAV250 Frame Parts

Drone - Q450 Glass Fiber Quadcopter

Here are a few photos of this quadcopter setup.

Q450 Frame Spec:

Width: 450mm
Height: 55mm
Weight: 270g (w/out electronics)
Motor Mount Bolt Holes: 16/19mm

Components:

• D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motor
• 9 x 4.5 Props
• TURNIGY Plush 25amp Speed Controller
•  Mini MWC flight control board

Drone - S500 Multicopter Build Log

Few photos of this quadcopter while it is being built.

S500 Frame Specs:

• Motor centers: 480mm
• Height: 170mm
• Weight: 425g (frame only)
• Motor Mount Bolt Holes: 16~19~25mm

Components:

• D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motor
• 9 x 4.5 Props
• TURNIGY Plush 25amp Speed Controller
•  Mini MWC flight control board

The S500 is very easy to assemble. One thing that I don't really like is the landing legs. They are a bit unstable.

MultiWii GPS with I2C Setup

For the GPS

1. Download UBLOX program here. Then  
2. Download the I2C_GPS_NAV v2.2 from here.
3. Copy the u-blox-config-ublox txt file to somewhere in your computer.

MultiWii Brushless Gimbal - GoPro

This 2-axle brushless gimbal is designed for GoPro.

1. First, download the FTDI Driver is here. This will let you connect the controller board to your computer for uploading the controller firmware.
2. Then you need to download the firmware here. Select the latest BruGi zip file.
3. In the BruGi file, you will upload/flash the controller firmware using the IMU.ino file. The Graphic User Interface (GUI) is also in the zip file. The GUI is used for configure and adjust all the PID settings.

FPV Micro 5.8 GHz Video Transmitter

Building a Micro FPV pod.
Part list: 

• 5VDC, 520 tvl, 120 degree angle, 5g camera (Got it very cheap from AliExpress)
• 5V/5A UBEC
• 5.8gHz Video Transmitter Module (Got it very cheap from AliExpress)
• 1000uF 16v Capacitor or complete L-C filter
• SMA connector (Got it very cheap from AliExpress)
• Battery connector and cables
• Cloverleaf antenna (Optional)
• PCB Bread Board 57x45mm (Optional)

MINI MWC Flight Control Board and DSM2 - Upload MultiWii into the Board

Some instructions for flashing/uploading/writing the MultiWii program/sketch to a Mini (MultiWii Control) MWC Flight Control Board to a computer. Here is the link to where I bought everything for this work.

This instruction should work with other Wii Motion Plus and a Arduino pro mini board.

First you need to download the following applications into your computer. You need to connect your board to your computer. Here are another posts for how to connect the board to a computer and how to calibrate ESC with MultiWii program.

1. You need to download the MultiWii program. Here is the link to download. The MultiWii program is in the MultiWii unzipped file. The other MultiWiiConf file has the GUI application for you to adjust and confirm your board settings and configurations.
2. Arduino application, that is used for setting up and editing the MultiWii program/sketch, will be used for flashing/uploading the program into the board. Here is the link to download. Choose the Arduino IDE and select the one fits your computer to download.
3. Here are a few editing that I did to the sketch in the congf.h tap. I have a Quadcopter X type, I use this as an example for everyone.
• Uncomment --- #define QUADX
• Uncomment --- #define HK_MultiWii_SE_V2 ..... this is for HK Mini MWC board.
• Uncomment --- #define SERIAL_SUM_PPM .... please select the one match your TX brand.
4. Next, you need to select the Board Type and Serial Port under Tools.
5. Last is to save, compile and then upload.

Below are the things to watch out:

MultiWii ESC Calibration

This video will show you how to use MultiWii program feature """#define ESC_CALIB_CANNOT_FLY """ to calibrate all the ESC at once.

Things to watch out:

• No need to switch on your TX.
• Disconnect the board from computer
• No props attached
• Once the calibration is completed, comment the #define ESC_CALIB_CANNOT_FLY and re-upload the MultiWii program to the board.

See also how to connect the board to a computer.
and Upload and Configure MultiWii program.

Defect problem --- Hobby King Mini MWC Flight Control Board and DSM2

Incomplete soldering causes the board not able to communicate with ESC's. This causes me to spend so much time on troubleshoot ESC calibrations. I thought that the MultiWii program setup and parameter settings were the issues. It ended up the board defect.

The entire 3rd row of the ESC pins (signal pin) didn't solder to the board. See the arrow shown on the picture below.

Red arrow pointing the row of signal pins have not solder to the board.

More pictures below

MINI MWC Flight Control Board and DSM2 - Connecting to Computer

Some instructions for connecting Mini (MultiWii Control) MWC Flight Control Board to a computer.

The device at the top of picture below is the board . Bought it from HobbyKing. Here is the link.
You might so able to find it here for cheaper price with same quality.


The one at the bottom of the picture is FTDI which is used for connecting the Control Board to computer. As you can see it has an USB on the left.

The FTDI is used for connecting the board to your computer so that you can configure and trim the board controls settings via GUI software, and flash other multicopter firmware into the board via Arduino software.

See how to calibrate the ESCs
and how to upload and configure MultiWii program
 

Here is a mini micro 4 pin 1.25 T-1 JST connector cable for connecting between the Control Board and the FTDI.

 

If you look closer in the picture below, you can see pin to pin connections. I have green as ground, yellow as 5V or power (PWR), black as RXD (board side) or TXO (FTDI side), and red as TXD (board side) or RXI (FTDI side).