Quad copter how to#
Quad copter full#

Tutorial: How to choose flight controller RX (Radio Receiver) Note : Some AIO FC’s will have a selection of various different components integrated onto the board from receivers to VTX, now even ESC’s are being integrated with FC’s though this is quite controversial. Remember to test fit your components to your frame before you start trimming wires. For beginners an “all singing, all dancing” FC might sound fantastic, but the wiring might become very tightly spaced making it difficult to solder. With the introduction of BetaFlight OSD (On Screen Display), even the video feed from the FPV camera goes via the FC to the VTX (Video Transmitter).īuilders tip: More functions often means more wires. Each of the ESC signal and ground wires need to be connected for the FC commands to be carried out by the motors. It needs to have the RX (receiver) connected, so it can be told what the pilot wants the craft to do. Most of the wiring on your quad will be focussed around the FC. Using the data provided by these sensors, the FC uses algorithms to calculate how fast each motor should be spinning for the craft to behave as the pilot is instructing via stick inputs on the TX (Radio Transmitter). The Flight Controller (aka “FC”) is the brain of a quadcopter, it has sensors on the board so it can understand how the craft is moving.

an AIO FPV camera will be a camera and VTX (video transmitter) integrated into one unit. Note : AIO is a common term used for components that can fulfill more than 1 function, ie. some VTX have a wide input range and can output a regulated 5v to power your FPV camera. 5v to power an FPV camera or other components.īuilders tip: Make sure that your PDB is actually necessary, nowadays it is likely that you will be able to distribute power to your components by other means. These components have a wide input voltage range and can be connected to battery voltage (aka VBAT), they can then output a stable voltage ie.

These days the necessity of using a PDB is being negated by FC’s, ESC’s and other (dubbed AIO or All-In-One) components providing the same function. As its name suggests, the PDB distributes power to the components at the voltages they require. PDB stands for Power Distribution Board and it is often where the battery power lead (ie. Tutorial: How to choose mini quad frames PDB This frame also offers great protection to the components which is important because you will crash it!! Check out the review of the Diatone 2018 GT M200. This is a great looking frame that is robust and spacious with great access to the components, but a little limiting on the choice of parts. Note : 1st time builders should choose a well documented frame that is easy to work with. Motors for 5” props often have a 19 x 12mm mounting pattern.

Quad copter full#

Full featured flight controllers are most common with 30.5 x 30.5mm mounting pattern. The size of the frame will determine what size props you will use (or vice versa), in turn the size of the props will determine the size of the motors, which will specify the current rating of your ESC’s.īuilders tip: When choosing a frame it is important to check that the mounting for the FC (Flight Controller) and the motors match your choice for these components.

Once you have decided on what you want your craft to do (Aerial Photography, Racing, Micro Freestyle etc.), you need to decide what size best suits your requirements. The frame of a quadcopter is the main structure, or the skeleton upon which the rest of components will be attached. There are other non-essential but useful hardware for example buzzer, LED’s, HD Camera, GPS etc. To Fly FPV (first person view), you will also need the following parts: The first step to building a quadcopter is to understand the components that it uses to fly.Ī quadcopter consists of the following essential parts: After you have a basic understanding of quadcopter hardware, check out my step-by-step tutorial about how to build a quadcopter (drone) from scratch.