First Build: Need Help with Parts

Z

Zach Bodnick

Active Member
Hi guys,

This is my first post on the forums as I am trying to get into my first quad build. I have never built a quad and have very minimal knowledge about what each part does and what I need to complete a functional quad build. I have done things like this in the past like building a computer with absolutely no knowledge about what I need to buy in the beginning, so I'm not looking for a super simple first time beginner build. I want to build an FPV Quadcopter preferably no smaller than 450mm. I have a budget of 300$. Any suggestions on starter guides or kits that I could buy? Thanks.
 
holtneil said:
Hi Zach , well the easiest way is to find a RTF and copy its set up as your know its going to work ,take a look at the hobby king RTF its a good buy and FPV can be added for as low as £62 with there plug play FPV in a box
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...adcopter_5X_Package_Mode_2_Ready_to_Fly_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Video_TX_RX_CP_Antennas_and_Camera_PNF_.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. I have done some research on my own. Would it be worth the investment to get the DJI Flame Wheel F450 ARF Quadcopter Kit if I want to use these parts for future upgrades. http://www.amain.com/dji-flame-wheel-f450-arf-quadcopter-kit-w-motors-esc-propellers/p235232

Also, I would like to record my fpv flight. This FPV in a box that you recommended is awesome but do you think it would make more sense for me to buy just the goggles and then separately purchase the FatShark PilotHD http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__52187__FatShark_PilotHD_720p_30fps_HD_FPV_Camera.html? This camera does fpv and records. Or should I buy a cheap action cam and buy the FPV system you recommended and use the action cam for recording. Thanks!
 
Hi mate some people dont get on with the goggles as the view can be narrow, but look nicer than the the ones i link you to , I did them as its a really cheap way to get started in FPV , if you have the money get fat shark , look on rc model reviews on you tube he did some videos on the different makes of goggles and will show you what your see when you where them
The DJI is a good quad to get well proven and tested , I had the clone and that was really good
 
holtneil said:
Hi mate some people dont get on with the goggles as the view can be narrow, but look nicer than the the ones i link you to , I did them as its a really cheap way to get started in FPV , if you have the money get fat shark , look on rc model reviews on you tube he did some videos on the different makes of goggles and will show you what your see when you where them
The DJI is a good quad to get well proven and tested , I had the clone and that was really good
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I think you misunderstood me. I was talking about the FatShark PilotHD 720p 30fps HD FPV Camera. I was wondering if it would make sense to either use the fatshark camera (It does fpv and records) and buy th goggles and reciever/ transmitter seperately or should I buy the goggle bundle u recomended and then buy a cheap action camera to use for recording? Also, which clone did you buy? Do you happen to have a link? Any comments on the clone? Thanks!
 
holtneil said:
Hi mate if you go fat shark then get the matched system with tx and goggles or base station , the clone i got was the flame wheel from hobby king £9 a frame so i got 2 and had spares
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...opter_Frame_450mm_Integrated_PCB_Version.html
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Ok, since I cant put out 300$ for Fat Shark goggles I guess ill use the Quanom DIY goggle bundle with fpv camera and then ill also buy a cheap action cam so I can record. When im done with my parts list would you mind looking at it to see if I should change anything? Thanks!
 
holtneil said:
Hi Zach no problem my friend
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This is a first draft. I dont know how many batteries I need (I know I need at least 2 for transmitter and quad). Can you reccomend the batteries and charger and the amount of batteries ill need? If there is anything im missing please tell me. Thanks!

Frame, Esc, Motor, Props: http://www.heli-world.com/catalog/product/view/id/5327

Flight Control Board: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ght_Control_Board_With_Remote_Programmer.html

Transmitter: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

Tx/Rx, Fpv Cord, Camera, Monitor, Gimbal: http://www.hobbywow.com/en-diy-fpv-...v-cable-fw70a-monitor-ts353-rc305-p238191.htm

Batteries:

Battery Charger:

GPS Autopilot: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...Pilot_System_With_GPS_and_Return_To_Home.html

Landing Gear: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...amewheel_Extended_Landing_Gear_4pcs_set_.html
 
HI Zach, the autopilot will not work on a quad sorry its plane only , As for battery the transmitter has a lipo if you go to the page for the transmitter then look at the acc it shows you the battery you need and trans module your need too
As for the quad i would look at 3 cell set up 4000mah as the smallest or a 5000mah as the better one but you need to run set up through ecalc with 2 different batteries and see how the weight changes flight times
go for this is has the naza m, If you move really fast the naza m lite is cheaper than the naza m ,but you can flash it with the lite with the M firmware so it gives you the much better M on the lite ,but DJI will put a stop to this soon as they are loosing money as the m lite is loads cheaper than the full M
http://www.heli-world.com/dji-flame-wheel-f450-arf-naza-m-lite-gps-landing-gear-djifwf450h1g2a.html
 
holtneil said:
HI Zach, the autopilot will not work on a quad sorry its plane only , As for battery the transmitter has a lipo if you go to the page for the transmitter then look at the acc it shows you the battery you need and trans module your need too
As for the quad i would look at 3 cell set up 4000mah as the smallest or a 5000mah as the better one but you need to run set up through ecalc with 2 different batteries and see how the weight changes flight times
go for this is has the naza m, If you move really fast the naza m lite is cheaper than the naza m ,but you can flash it with the lite with the M firmware so it gives you the much better M on the lite ,but DJI will put a stop to this soon as they are loosing money as the m lite is loads cheaper than the full M
http://www.heli-world.com/dji-flame-wheel-f450-arf-naza-m-lite-gps-landing-gear-djifwf450h1g2a.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help. Couple questions. So the battery and and module that is under acc for the transmitter should work fine and thats all I need? Also, what kind of battery should I get for the monitor? lastly, Im lost about this whole naza thing. I dont understand what you mean by flashing it. Im a beginner so would I be able to figure out the naza as apposed to the very simple kk2.0? Please explain these things to me. I do want gps and all the things the naza has to offer but I also would like to be able to know how to use my control board. Also, I just went on ecalc and I am lost... Thanks!
 
Hi Zach , well the kk2.1.5 is good with steveis code not hobby king , but you cant have return home and GPS , for that you need Naza M , Naza M lite, maybe the wii will do it , normally the monitor will pick up power from FPV receiver but some use a 7.4v lipo , have you seen the base station its a case with monitor in and you fit everything else in it for FPV
As for the naza m its cheaper than naza m lite ,but you can download the firmware from the naza m to the naza m lite and it makes the cheaper one the same as the dear one , but DJI will stop this when they work out how ,wont be long
Rule of thumb is running quad and FPV the battery need to be min of 4000mah ,5000mah will be better for long flight times
250 racing quads get away with a 1500mah as they dont fly for long and are very lite
The transmitter will need a receiver too 6+ channels , the kk2.1.5 will run off sat receivers , i have never done this as i need extra channels for other things
As for setting up there are lots of videos on how to set up the naza
 
Awesome, couple more questions then ill get to work and put together a revised parts list. So will the naza m be easy for me to setup so it works well. Will I need to learn ho to code the naza? Can you find a video or something that shows me how to flash a naza? Also, I dont think I can fit a base station in my already tight budget. I think the transmitter comes with a receiver. Lastly, I hope you can look at my future parts list. Thanks!!!
 
Hi Zach you dont have to flash the Naza M lite it will still do more than you need it to do , There are videos on the net showing how to set up on your PC
As for base station , IF you go to you tube rc model reviews Bruce did a lot of videos on building cheap FPV base stations and even a back pack its worth watching as he will show you everything you need and the know how
I will be happy to look over any list have a nice day Zach
 
Frame, ESCs, Motors, Props, Naza M Lite, Landing Gear:http://www.heli-world.com/dji-flame-wheel-f450-arf-naza-m-lite-gps-landing-gear-djifwf450h1g2a.html

Monitor, Tx/Rx, Gimbal: http://www.hobbywow.com/en-diy-fpv-...53-rc305-monitor-mounting-bracket-p237665.htm

Transmitter, Module, 8ch Receiver: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

Transmitter Battery: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16529__Turnigy_2650mAh_3S_1C_LLF_Tx_Pack_Futaba_JR_.html

Quadcopter Battery: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...apacity_3S_5200mAh_Multi_Rotor_Lipo_Pack.html

Battery Charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...act_2S_3S_Lipo_Charger_100_240v_US_Plug_.html

Camera: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/SJCA...r-Car-DVR-support-AV-out---Silver-331623.html

USB to AV Cable: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/SJ40...ra-USB-to-AV-Output-Cable-For-FPV-330412.html

Ok, so I think I'm almost at the finish line. Do I need any additional wires, adapters, straps, or anything? Please tell me anything I need to be able to fully complete my quad. Also, do you think I should swap any parts? Lastly, do I need to do eCalc (I have no idea how to use it) or can you tell me if I'm good? Thanks a ton!!!
 
Hi Zach , good set up DJI has done the hard work so no need to work out if it will fly , Can you get a battery strap, heat shrink for the the connections from esc to motors .
It does not say the quad has built in power board, so check with them if it has not then you need to buy one or make a loom up can you solder if you can its not hard to make one
The battery charger is very weak it will take a long time to charge up for a 5200mah battery you really need an 80 amp charger , a good charger will take care of the battery when your not flying the battery will need to be on store charge , Never store a battery on full charge it will damage its self and never let it go under 3.7v per cell or it will brick and never charge up again ,look for a charger like this, it needs to be over 50 amp , as the battery can be charged as fast as 10 amp it has a 2c charge rate ( i would charge at 1c normally but if you in a rush once or twice them do it at 2c)as battery will not last as long if you keep charging at high rates , i have batteries at are over 2 years old as i look after them and are not hard on them
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...90W_Eco_Touch_Balance_Charger_Discharger.html
 
Ok, I got a meter of 4mm heat shrink. I also got some Male XT60 connectorsfor the PCB. The frame does come with a built in pcb. The f450 kit comes with a battery velcro strap. Will this charger work well http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...po_battery_charger-_-9SIA5H61PS6040-_-Product. What kind of solder should I use? Lastly, please think for a second because I think I got all the parts I need but are you sure Im not missing anything? Thanks!!!
 
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Hi Zach the charger is good make sure its not a clone that not as good , I just use normal solder zinc and lead mix and a flux,
you need battery cable for the power board to put your XT60 on , servo male to male leads to connect receiver to FCB , blue lock tight for the screws on frame and motors , either plastic stand off for the FCB or gyro mounting tape , i cant think of any thing else
 
Awesome, looks like I'm ordering today. The Dji f450 kit comes with a battery cable, servo leads, and mounting tape. Is the lock tight completely necessary? I think I have some but might not. Besides the point. Thanks a ton for all this help. I think I'm finally ready to order. Ill tell you when I get all the parts!!!
 
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