Tri My Tricopter Build by Keith...

Tony

Staff member
If this is setup the way I think it will be, the motors will be run on the ail, ele, and aux channels like the servos on a ccpm helicopter. So the throttle channel will not be used. You will actually use the subtrim to set the gyros and you will put your throttle curve straight across. I think I have that right anyway. Let me know if this makes sense lol
 

Keith

Member
Starting to make sense Tony.... On my set up the three ESC's plug into ail,ela and pitch, 1,2 and 6... Then you set all throttle points the same %... Depending where the gyros change from rate to HH mode...
Thanks Tony.... Hey-ho, Hey-ho, it's off to the garage we go......
 

Tony

Staff member
I am starting to really dislike you and lee lol. My wife is picking out your gravestones cause I'm thinking about building one of these hahahahahaha.
 

Keith

Member
I think you should build one and do a build video... Tell the good lady it's in the interest of science...
I got a bit further today... Got everything moving in the right direction... All the motors are spinning and doing what they are supposed to so as to maintain a hover.... Still got gyro problems though... I believe one of them is a dud... It works but wont shut down completely causing one motor spin slowly... As soon as I operate the throttle it picks up with the others and seems to do the right thing... Another one does not seem to react as fast as the others... The good thing with three ESC's, gyros and motors is you can swap them around to find the ones that work correctly... It takes a lot of time though....
I'm going to replace the gyros with all GA250's... I have one that I tested holding it in one hand and a servo in the other and it was a lot smoother than the 401B's... I've ordered them but in the mean time I'll carry on the set up and maybe a test hover with the ones I have....
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Throttle curve should be around 8% to 14%. Would altering the travel limits get the gyros working together. Lower the limit to stop the one motor from spinning at throttle cut off. Just a thought.
 

Keith

Member
Haven't tried that Lee... I suppose it should but If I can I would like all things equal (as far as possible) from the start....

I had my throttle set to 0% right through while testing and have now put them to 30%... I think the switching point is about 40% or 60% if reversed..

I'll be happy just to get it in the air and then worry about the final set up...

How's your going?.... Haven't seen any pics yet.....
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Mines going to be very slow going. Just bought a nylon chopping board to cut the frames out of. But my saw broke so have to go find another :(
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Keith have you got your settings dailled in yet? I have had a hard day. Finally got one working right but had to change my pitch curve to 0,74,85,95,100 to get smooth throttle from low stick to high. Now trying the next one but can't stop it going into program mode. Not as easy as people make out to set up.
 

Keith

Member
Here's a video of whats happening atm

[video]http://youtu.be/WgNQrNuLnfI[/video]
 
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Keith

Member
Can you see it now?... Did'nt edit it or anything, Just loaded it straight up.. Thought it would have enbebed here...?
 

Tony

Staff member
Hey Keith, I think that if you put it on the ground, and try to hover it, you may have a little more luck. With the tri on the string, it can't slow down a motor and drop one end, all it can do is raise the other end. Don't be skeerd buddy hahaha, put that sucker in the air.
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Keith you need to put it on the ground as Tony said. The gyros will be going crazy bouncing around on the string. You cant get a feel for whats happening. Better to tether it down with short lines if you are nervous to fly too high. As for the motors starting at different times, i have mentioned that in my Maiden video. If you lower the stick fast they will all start randomly. I found that i slow lowering of the stick got them all working together.
 

Keith

Member
You wouldn't believe it but I found the problem with that left motor always lifting... I'm really too embarrassed to tell you...Oh well I'm only human...Had the right moter spinning the wrong way... And to add even more salt to the wound the way I found out was I built a second one using the KK board and did the same thing....?

Still can't drive so can't get a maiden... Seeing (or should I saw meeting) the eye specialist tomorrow so will no more then.... It's 3 weeks this Friday since the op...
 

Tony

Staff member
Hey bud, I have been wondering how you have been doing. I've seen you on here, just never heard if you were doing any better. Just wanted to check in on ya.
 

Keith

Member
Hi Tony... I'm still working hard at it... Took the KK board Tri out for a maiden which ended fairly quick... Got a bit of vid but shaky and all over the place... Had #11 on hat but rim is too floppy and camera was bouncing... Found a HD sunglass camera which should be here soon... Anyway need to build new rudder mount and replace one boom...

Was testing the gyro Tri in driveway When it went wild... Think I may have had a motor going the wrong way because just after liftoff one motor went to WOT and smashed it into the fence... Two booms to replace there... This carbon fiber is quite strong but splits easily...

Anyway have got copter three under construction... It's a quad (why crash three motors when you can crash four)... It's one of HK $14 ones... Have it built with motors and ESCs mounted, waiting on the HK controller now. Should be here this next week... Am also collecting items for the mini quad I'm going to build....

Will post some pics and vid when I get time to sort it out... Any more probs and I will have to get Lee to come over and sort things out for me... Just realized something about Lee, He's the same age as my oldest boy (born 72) and my boys called Lee as well... Coincidences....?
 

Tony

Staff member
If you dont mind, link us to the glasses that you picked up. I have been looking for a pair of HD glasses.
 

zapster

Member
looking great, everything your doing top notch. Keith hope you post some video as we all would really like to see it take flight !!!
 
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