DIY Quad Build 2.0

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #1

So I'm working on my second quad. I am trying to build this one as cheap as possible. I have the frame, motors and a few props. I need a FC, PDB (or 4n1 ESC), camera with VTX, antenna, etc...

I think I know what camera I'll use. But I may get it and swap it on my 6" quad. I have the eachine camera and DVR board which came with the stack-x. I want to get the runcam split 2 and put it on that quad then put the eachine on the new one. I'm currently researching FC brands right now and don't know exactly what I'll get. I do like the DYS F4 Pro V2.

Amazon product
I'll probably get the matching 30A 4in1 to go with it if I choose that one.

Amazon product
The only downside to using a 4in1 is I'll have to extend all motor leads. They have the little pigtails about 2" long. I like the DYS Fire motors I bought. They had about 6" of leads.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #2

@Tony I verified it has the MPU-6000.

 

Tony

Staff member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #3

I hate it when a seller only shows one side of the FC. No where in those pictures can I see the plug that plugs directly into the ESC board.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #4

From what I can see, and what I have researched, there are two versions of this board (obviously from the v2). There was one with an 8 pin header and now this one which has a cable that attaches directly to the ESC. I will try to find some definite photos and post them.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #5

Here is the ESC. It has the connector which terminates to wire ends. The wires are soldered onto the FC. That is as much as I can gather from it. There are a row of 14 pads opposite the battery connection on the FC. This is where the wires will be soldered. It would be nice if they would sell this with the matching connector type so installation is simple and easy.

 

Tony

Staff member

• Feb 11, 2018

• #6

I was hoping you could keep from soldering and just plug it into that header on the ESC. Way easier lol. But I guess they are worried about vibrations and such.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 18, 2018

• #7

For this quad, I found this all in one board. Has anyone used this kind before?

Racerstar StarF4S 30A Blheli_S Dshot 4 in 1 ESC AIO F4 OSD Flight Controller w/ BEC Current Sensor

 

Tony

Staff member

• Feb 18, 2018

• #8

Never tried it. You will still need a vtx though.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Feb 18, 2018

• #9

I got my eye on a cheap one. Not sure how it performs though.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 7, 2018

• #10

So I've been needing to get this quad off the ground. It won't happen without parts so I broke down and ordered a couple that I've been looking at for a while. Here's what I got. I hope they will be reliable. I guess when you're building your own quads, you have to do a little trial and error with the parts. I really like the DYS motors on my other quad and am hoping these boards will prove to be just as good. Oh...I ordered the last FC. Sorry...

Amazon productAmazon product

 

Tony

Staff member

• Mar 7, 2018

• #11

Should be just fine. It has the stable gyro in it and that ESC board looks pretty good.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 7, 2018

• #12

I hope so. I'm going to let my son fly this one. He's been asking when the parts will get here. I may let him get his hands dirty building it.

 

Tony

Staff member

• Mar 7, 2018

• #13

Only one way for them to learn, that's for sure!

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 10, 2018

• #14

Just saw that the FC I ordered has been canceled due to lack of inventory. Well that sucks. I searched for another but that is the only one that has the connector that matches the DYS ESC which allows for a simple wiring harness connection. No soldering.

Just K! M! A!....

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 10, 2018

• #15

So I went back to amazon and searched for the DYS F4 FC. This is the one I ordered. And it has the good gyro MPU6000 something or other... Supposedly this one has a 10 pin header which is compatible with the ESC I ordered. I hope that will allow the FC to control the ESC. That will make for a very clean build.

Amazon product

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 12, 2018

• #16

My ESC came in today. Nicely packaged too. I will be checking the solder joints and reflowing it.

 

Tony

Staff member

• Mar 12, 2018

• #17

Hope this one works out for ya.

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 12, 2018

• #18

Yeah baby! Test fit!

 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member

• Mar 12, 2018

• #19

I'm gonna have to extend the motor leads about 2". What is the ideal way to do this? My plan is to tin the leads and then solder them together and apply some heat shrink. Is there a better way? I'm asking as this is for high current applications and don't know if there is any special way it should be done for a quad.

 

Tony

Staff member

• Mar 12, 2018

• #20

I would cut them staggered so that the solder joint is not in the same place, and then just add some 20 or 22 gauge wire to them so they reach and make for a neat wiring job. That is the way I was going to do it, and the reason I ordered 25' of wire for the Frankenquad, but decided they would just barely reach with a little solder bridge and it is the Frankenquad afterall lol, so that is the way I did it.