The gyro reversing and replacing the servo helped. However, it still doesn't behave quite right. I think there is still some changes to be done on the radio setup and perhaps gyro settings.
I tried several flights like this and each was the same. Time to figure out what was going on... I'm also going to do the "hot glue" modification to the gyros to see if that improves the flight performance.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tricopter - 3rd & 4th flight attempt
Changes since last flight:
These changes seemed to help. The tricopter would take off without immediately flipping over. However, it wasn't stable on the yaw axis, and would start spinning and translating sideways. I was able to lower it to the ground each time. However, the HXT900 servo I used for the tail rotor wasn't quite robust enough, and stripped out.
I'm going to replace the HXT900 with a parkzone DSV1300M- I believe this is a metal gear servo so it should be more robust.
- Reversed gyro on right arm
- swapped gyro gain channels on receiver
These changes seemed to help. The tricopter would take off without immediately flipping over. However, it wasn't stable on the yaw axis, and would start spinning and translating sideways. I was able to lower it to the ground each time. However, the HXT900 servo I used for the tail rotor wasn't quite robust enough, and stripped out.
I'm going to replace the HXT900 with a parkzone DSV1300M- I believe this is a metal gear servo so it should be more robust.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
TriCopter- 1st two flight attempts
No damage- but I think either the left or right rotor motor gyro is reversed.
Tri-Copter Final Pre-Flight- DX6i & AR6110 setup
NOTE- These were my origional settings, I've since updated the settings and they are posted HERE. These settings listed here may work but I highly recommend using my newer ones as they worked better for me.
The tricopter is finally ready for its maiden flight. I was origionally working from the setup guide on RCexplorer.se's website. His setup was for Futaba radio systems, and since I am using a Spektrum DX6i and a Spektrum AR6110 receiver my setup turned out to the slightly different. Bear in mind I haven't flow this setup yet, but it passes RCexplorer's recommended setup procedure. The gyro gain controls may not be 100% correct. We'll find out soon....
AR6110 Receiver Connections:
(note gyros are in-line with connections between receiver and ESC or servos)
DX6i Initial Setup
(all based upon recommendations from various users on RCgroups)
Adjust List
Dual Rate & Expo
Swash Mix
Setup List
Reverse
Swash Type
CCPM 120 degrees
Also before the first flight I purchased a Du-Bro Tru-Spin prop balancer, #499. I initially hesitated paying the money for this tool, but after bringing it home it was obvious it was money well spent. It is a very nice tool, and made in the USA to boot. I'll be balancing all my props and spinners from now on. During some initial tests I was getting a lot of prop / motor vibration so I thought balancing the props would be necessary to keep the gyros happy. It was also vibrating badly enough so the nuts and bolts holding the motor beams in place were vibrating loose.
The tricopter is finally ready for its maiden flight. I was origionally working from the setup guide on RCexplorer.se's website. His setup was for Futaba radio systems, and since I am using a Spektrum DX6i and a Spektrum AR6110 receiver my setup turned out to the slightly different. Bear in mind I haven't flow this setup yet, but it passes RCexplorer's recommended setup procedure. The gyro gain controls may not be 100% correct. We'll find out soon....
AR6110 Receiver Connections:
(note gyros are in-line with connections between receiver and ESC or servos)
| Channel | Receiver Label | Servo / ESC |
| 1 | Throttle | Tail rotor ESC |
| 2 | Aileron | Left rotor ESC |
| 3 | Elevator | rotor gyro gain (split 3 ways) |
| 4 | Rudder | Tail rotor servo |
| 5 | Gear | Tail rotor gyro gain |
| 6 | Aux | Right rotor ESC |
DX6i Initial Setup
(all based upon recommendations from various users on RCgroups)
Adjust List
Dual Rate & Expo
| Function | Mix |
| Aileron | 80%+40% |
| Elevator | 60%+20% |
| Rudder | 100%+inh |
Swash Mix
| Function | Mix |
| Aileron | +40% |
| Elevator | -40% |
| Pitch | +100% |
Setup List
Reverse
| Function | Reverse? |
| Throttle | N |
| Elevator | N |
| Gyro | N |
| Aileron | R |
| Rudder | R |
| Pitch | R |
Swash Type
CCPM 120 degrees
 | |||
| Final Picture before 1st Flight |
Also before the first flight I purchased a Du-Bro Tru-Spin prop balancer, #499. I initially hesitated paying the money for this tool, but after bringing it home it was obvious it was money well spent. It is a very nice tool, and made in the USA to boot. I'll be balancing all my props and spinners from now on. During some initial tests I was getting a lot of prop / motor vibration so I thought balancing the props would be necessary to keep the gyros happy. It was also vibrating badly enough so the nuts and bolts holding the motor beams in place were vibrating loose.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Z-8's receiver give-away
Another blogger user is giving away some AR500's and other receivers. See his blog: http://z8rc.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-z8rc-givaway-spectrum-ar500-5ch.html
Tricopter Update
Sorry- no photos today!
Last night I fired up the unit for the first time. All three ESC's and gyros will arm and spin. The tail "rotor" and servo seem to work properly. However, the two side rotors do not. Tonight I'll re-check which channel each is plugged into and review the radio programming. I'm also going to try and balance the motors- at least one has a fairly large imbalance that will shake it's support boom at full throttle, and that's with no prop attached.
Last night I fired up the unit for the first time. All three ESC's and gyros will arm and spin. The tail "rotor" and servo seem to work properly. However, the two side rotors do not. Tonight I'll re-check which channel each is plugged into and review the radio programming. I'm also going to try and balance the motors- at least one has a fairly large imbalance that will shake it's support boom at full throttle, and that's with no prop attached.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Ridin' With Doug
I swapped the car for my bike over lunch today to enjoy the great weather. After work, I jumped on the bike and took the Luce Line to meet Doug in SLP. We did a tour of the Cedar Lake trail to downtown. I was bummed that the new Cedar Lake trail section under the Twins Stadium wasn't open yet, so we had to detour around downtown to get to East River Road. We then took the river road down to the U, then swung by Freewheel bike and the trail out of downtown by the crack stacks to the Greenway. Then, the Greenway back out west. I netted out about 32 miles total, ave. speed 14.9. It was great to be out on a nice day!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
First Ride of the Year
Tex, Doug and I had a great first outside ride of the year. At least for me, it was the first ride. Tex and Doug have seemingly thousands of miles under their collective belts already. They totally demolished me. But, still a great ride. About 32 miles, heading from my place straight out west on Hwy 6. There were an amazing number of other road bikers and motorcyclists out. Spring is here! I think I saw more motorcycles and bikes out in one ride than I saw all week in Hawaii last week. I guess if the weather is nice year around it's not quite as special to get out on two wheels. After the ride we relaxed outside on the sidewalk at Caribou with a hot cup of joe.
(photo thanks to Tex)
Now, a day later my quads still hurt. Spin classes and running occasionally during the winter helps, but it's just not the same thing as the 'real' road!
Now, a day later my quads still hurt. Spin classes and running occasionally during the winter helps, but it's just not the same thing as the 'real' road!