TBS source one v2

[trebor]

I needed a frame I could get my fingers into for a change, bit of an all round dogs body of a frame that you can do anything with. Heres my new stuff so far:-

Tbs frame 5"
Tbs soft silicone motor mounts
Matek system 4 rubber mounts
Rc model 5v 12v pdb with xt60 and cap

Old stuff robbed of another 5" :-
Runcam swift 2
Little bee esc`s 20amp
Cobra motors 2204/2300
Foxeer Tm25 switcher vtx
Raptor antenna



The idea is to get the longer 7" arms and another set of motors and esc`s for a long range version with all the modcons, problem now is the flight controler which one    I will have a go with gps at one point.
I got to say this frame is good quality for the money  If you know of any fc`s let me know.

[trebor]

I have an update, during the year it got put away in a box and I forgot about it  But I have started to collect more stuff.
The PDB is now a Matek Fchub-6s osd with current sensor.
FCB Is a Matek F722-std with osd
Matek GPS + compass M8Q-5883
Just waiting for a replacement Soldering iron to turn up along with
VIFLY 4.2 - 25V Dual FPV Camera Switcher Module.
The idea is for a camera pointing down so I can view a field full of wheat looking for lost Rc Planes.
I would like to hover about 50ft up while able to move about without worrying what height I'm at, is it possible to do this with Inav and the parts I have ? As I am a novice with Inav any help appreciated 

[ched]

Seems like iNav has Altitude Hold if you have baro. It looks like the altitude is directly related to throttle position. So let go of throttle and it should sit there unless you move throttle. Not tried it myself, I was just curious so looked 
Let us know how you get on as iNav does seem to be getting there.

[trebor]

I have never used it, uncharted territory for me. I will have to be a bit careful as Southampton Airport is not too far from me 
This is the FC I got https://www.quadcopters.co.uk/matek-f722-std-flight-controller-with-osd

PS This looks interesting https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/matek-optical-flow-lidar-sensor

[ched]

I have never used it, uncharted territory for me. I will have to be a bit careful as Southampton Airport is not too far from me 
This is the FC I got https://www.quadcopters.co.uk/matek-f722-std-flight-controller-with-osd

PS This looks interesting https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/matek-optical-flow-lidar-sensor

FC has baro so that's handy  and nice and powerful with an F7.

I think the lidar sensors only work at a max of 2 meters. I wonder if it can be used in conjunction with the RTH to have better landing control? Looks interesting to have a play with.

[trebor]

Just wondering whats the best way to install the GPS and my Frsky R9mm receiver antenna. 

PS, You are right about the 2mtr 
Overview:

The new Matek optical flow & Lidar sensor works in conjunction with INAV to allow very accurate altitude and position hold on multirotors.

Features:

- Optical Flow: PMW3901
- Lidar: VL53L0X
- Interface UART
- Protocol: INAV MSP
- Working Range: 8cm~200cm
- Field of view: 42 degree(PMW3901), 27 degree(VL53L0X)
- Minimum Illumination >60Lux
- Input voltage: 4.5~5.5V
- Power Consumption: 40mA
- Size: 36*12mm, 2g

Tips:

- Be sure Optical Flow lens to ground >2cm for opflow initialization while FC starting up.
- Maximum range of VL53L0X is 2m,   Altitude hold 0~2m @ throttle 0~100% if VL53L0X is enabled.
- Any unused UART of FC supports it
- Sonar connection (Trig & Echo) has not been implemented

Included:

- 1x Matek Optical Flow & Lidar Sensor (3901-L0X)

[ched]

It used to be gps receiver as far away from esc and vtx as poss but I think electromagnetic interference has become reduced so maybe distance not too much of an issue.
I have seen gps rx on micro quads (3") for rth and they seemed fine. Not sure if it was maybe accurate enough for what you want but you could always try mounting on frame then if interference use a pole.

How are you finding the r9 system?

[trebor]

Sorry I missed the reply yesterday but the notifications on here are a bit hit and miss. I only got the R9mm rx the other day and its tiny. I had the module for a while but I was saving it for this, up till now the smallest rx I have used is the XM+.

[ched]

It's nice the r9mm is so small pity the antenna isn't smaller too 

Do you find the r9 system gets you better range?

I've only recently switched to FrSky with an x-Lite S and a couple of R-XSR with an XM+ on it's way. The FW on the R-XSR was not good (EU-LBT) and the new one seems much better. I was getting rssi issues at the width of a football field!!! New FW so much better.
From what I have read about the r9 system it's still a bit in development and they have now released the OTA updatable rx which. according to CurryKitten has a FW issue so they are not OTA updateable at moment. It appears that the original r9 rx have no OTA capability even though FrSky sold them as if they were!!!

Think I will hold out and see how r9 goes.

[trebor]

Just my luck, I thought I would be adventurous. The only one i had a problem with was an old X4R but I still use it on a cheap foamy plane.

[trebor]

Bit of an update and a bit of a ****** up, not getting on very well the best laid plans and all 
I did intend on fitting a second camera looking down and as the frame had a convenient hole in the center I tried to fit it under PDB but not enough room unless I get longer frame standoffs. Moving the arm plate down put the rivet nuts at the bottom so the control board mount screws go the wrong way 





I dont think this is going to work out 

[ched]

Couple of options:
You could use studding to go through the rivetnuts and then up to secure the stack to - as long as fc and esc (if 4in1) dont conduct through the mounting hole plating!!!!! May be nylon studding but maybe strength issues as holding arms on?

Alternatively cut an appropriate hole in the bottom plate towards the rear. That way the stack is mounted as normal and a hole in rear shouldn't compromise strength much as most of my impacts are nose first or cartwheeling on arms 

Could you use longer bolts through the rivnuts so you could put the standoffs onto the longer screw? As you say though then you have top plate height issues....

New hole is my best solution   

Keep posting updates as I for one am interested in your project.

[trebor]

I will have a play about with the bits n pieces, I will mount the front camera on and fit a vtx, rx, just to see where it balances out.

[trebor]

More thinking done, for now the Runcam 3 that doesn't come out much will do. I can wire it in to the Vifly switcher, the lag wont matter as I will be viewing slowly at a preset height, its got an SD card so I could study images taken in HD on my small laptop plus when I will only use it in this position looking for lost stuff in the field. All I need is a bit of velcro and a strap underneath, maybe removable legs to clear the camera off the ground. 



Next is what to do with R9mm antenna it could do with going vertical as my module antenna is a standard vertical type 

[ched]

I hope your landings are better than mine     

You might be able to view sd card on phone if it's android, no idea on apple. You can get OTG (On The Go) cables that go from phone (micro usb or type C) to usb and then plug in card reader. OK so it's extra bits but a small card reader and a little cable could be kept with your other kit to be ready when necessary. But carrying a laptop is a pain.

One thought, are you going to put gps on? Reason I ask is that BF isn't too bad at gps now and you could have gps co ords on BF OSD so when you spot missing craft you could flick to fpv/osd camera and record location on goggle dvr?

[badger1]

I'll be interested to see how you get on as I'd quite like to do something similar myself - not a full-on camera ship, but just something with GPS to be able to do position/altitude hold, & with a somewhat downward-looking secondary camera.

[trebor]

I have tried the App for setting the camera up on my Iphone, that works fine not sure about the SD card viewing. I get these bits n pieces and if they go in a box i forget I have them. I installed Inav on the FC so return to home should be ok  that's if I set it correctly  I am fine at landing LOS so as long as I flick the goggles up at the least minute 

[trebor]

Looking at the T shape antenna I am now going to cough    up for a FrSky Super 8 Antenna (RP-SMA) (868MHz) As it will make life easier.

[trebor]

Fired up the new soldering iron after I knocked up a stand and I,m giving up with wire type tip wipes, it heats quick 



Now got some new shrink tube but not sure what to do with the capacitor yet as it will change when I get bigger motors for 7" Slow progress 

[trebor]

Not much done but a nice chap printed this in Tpu for me



I can start putting thing together now, shame the gps sticks out, will keep an eye out for another holder

[trebor]

I thought I could start putting it together but the Hawkeye vtx I had put by safe    I couldn't find it. After 2 weeks of looking it turned up in a flying wing  So I went for one of these, got it from my favorite shop Hobbyrc for the free sweet. It looks very flexible for fitting and adjusting settings.

[trebor]

Pig of a job getting the rubber mounts to tighten up, had to file off threads on the up stands. I just used a bit of silicone tube to mount FC`s before it was easier.



Gone down to one signal wire from the Esc`s. I now have a problem with fitting the Vtx unless I move the Pdb down but then I would need longer screws through the frame and fiber washers 



I could do this and mount the Vtx on its own using up stands at least the heat would be away from the Fc. 



I thought it would be easier with a bigger frame but its not 

[ched]

It's always 'fun' trying to get things to fit. Looks good though.

[badger1]

I thought it would be easier with a bigger frame but its not 

aren't the arms & reinforcing plate meant to go *under* the main bottom plate?  you're losing two carbon-thicknesses of height with them on top of it.

[ched]

aren't the arms & reinforcing plate meant to go *under* the main bottom plate?  you're losing two carbon-thicknesses of height with them on top of it.

Well spotted!!! It does look like that but looking at the V2 it does look like it is built correctly! Seems a weird design but it is an Open Source design so maybe they just kept the best designs for themselves   

[trebor]

I would do that but then the smaller plate has (nutserts / rivnuts) in which makes the bolts go through the wrong way and it would make mounting the (FC / PDB) a pain.
If that smaller plate just had drilled holes in I could fit some nuts instead. 

[badger1]

hmm, odd, but I'll take your word for it.

I have a v3 & the arms go underneath.  maybe that's why they brought out a revised version!

[trebor]

Have a look at the second and third pictures from the start and you will see what I mean 

version 3 I will have to look 

[trebor]

I see what they have done, the rivnuts are in the large base plate now

[ched]

It does look a bit weird to reduce stack space with arms inside frame. I did a bit of searching and you are 100% right in the way you have the frame.
The V3 has changed to arms under frame so more stack space. To change your one would be a pain and maybe not as strong!