(27-Feb-2021, 08:51 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: 2021-02-27   Ok, I couldn't help myself.

I just had to add that 1000 uf 35 Volt capacitor. This was actually pretty easy and accomplished without dismantling the quad since I used connectors for the 5V BEC. I just added the capacitor with connectors to that junction. Although it might not be the preferred method, it does work. 

While I was looking at the frame and contemplating the props in view, I decided to try a Deadcat mod. As it turns out, this was quite easy to accomplish since the build already has arm extensions. I simply removed 1 bolt swiveled the arm and re-inserted it (after drilling a 2mm hole) on the front arms. Instant Deadcat frame. 

Since I had an arm extension bolt out anyway, I decided to use an M2 x 22mm bolt which would extend down below the arm about 15mm. Next, I cut down antenna tubes to provide a 1.5 inch rise; plenty of room to bottom sling a battery. Now, I can run 2 batteries in parallel; one on the top and one on the bottom. I am anxious to try that and see how it works.

The new dry weight with battery straps is 121.5 grams, but then I do have an extra capacitor on it.

We are ready to go again.

Ha I love this Harry! This shows the versatility in your builds. How did it fly with that dead cat style? Cool stuff man!

Hi Bill,

Thanks.  I haven't flown her yet {been busy with life stuff...putting in a paver walk way}, but today might be the day. 

The other day, I flew the Phantom-X at a new location. The take off was ok and the flight started out pretty good, but I lost the OSD info a few seconds into the flight. I kept flying...at first it was not too bad, then the craft became somewhat unstable, cleared up, then became unstable again. {the OSD info would sort of come and go...mostly go}. I decided to cut this flight short and land. I managed to get close to the launch point and set down...a little in the brush, but not a bad landing for me. I didn't have to walk too far and found it.

Oh yeah, the landing gear did not survive this experience.

On the bench, I did a partial disassembly and removed the 5V BEC. I took power from one of the connectors on the FC.

Also, the landing gear was changed. Instead of antenna tubes, I used longer bolts and nylon standoff columns.

Since I now have the EMF/RF shielding tape, I used some on the bottom of the GPS and mounted it on standoff columns high above the top deck. For additional shielding, I put some tape on the bottom of the top frame plate. We will see how this works. 

The additional standoff columns and longer metal bolts have added some weight; dry weight is now 125.2 grams.

Now for some testing 

2021-05-02    This was "Test" day for the Phantom-X.

First, I will say that just removing the BEC seemed to make a significant difference in the flight behavior...I don't know why...it shouldn't have, but the very first flight was more stable. I have been "tinkering" with the tune...just using the sliders and moving them back and forth to see the effects. After about a dozen trial and error flights, he is flying pretty stable; a slight twinge at launch, but seems to be stable during flight. All of this testing was LOS in my back yard, but I think we are ready for an actual test flight.  

2021-05-03   A Real Test flight.

First, the satellite fix took over 2 minutes. The lift off was ok and flying was stable...for a bit... after a few minutes, the quad went into a "Death Spiral" to the ground. When I armed for the second flight, I discovered that one of the motors was not working.

With a motor out, it is time to swap motors. For now, I will put the Phantom-X on the shelf. This will be a project for a later date; after I get my other builds completed.

I have also discovered that the front motor extensions turned sideways 
{for a Deadcat configuration} puts too much stress on the arms. 

So, for the next upgrade:

1)  Swap motors {full set} to something different.
2)  Turn the front 2 motor extensions back in line with the arms.

2022-06-24      Yeah, it has been a while.  

I had pulled the R9MM receiver about a year ago to use for something else so the
Phantom-X was left without an RC control link. Ok, I put plugged in an XM+ receiver.
Powered it up, bind the receiver, green light {good}, re-boot everything, plug in
battery, green light, ARM, green turns to red. Bummer.    After working with it
for awhile and getting the same results, I posted a  HELP Thread.  

Thanks to SnowLeopardFPV for suggesting that I try the receiver in another quad.
The results of testing reveal that the receiver is good and issue is in the electronics
on the quad. 

Ok, so now the Phantom-X has at least one bad motor and perhaps some issue with 
the electronics. Time to tear her down and see what we have.

2022-06-25            

The Phantom-X has been rebuilt...or more precisely, reconfigured. 

Well, I dismantled the Phantom-X and noticed that I had wired the RX receiver
by the markings on the FC board, but didn't thoroughly read BetaFPV's method.
Besides the power, I wired the receiver signal wire to the SBUS pad on the FC.
Well, this seemed logical to me    

As I closer review the BetaFPV documentation, it seems that the RX signal wire is
taken from the connector.  Next, the pad marked SBUS on the FC is supposed to be 
bridged with another pad. So, I removed the signal wire from the SBUS pad, bridged
the SBUS pad with the pad next to it, and connected the signal wire to the wire from
the connector. I don't why it works this way, but it does. 

Everything tested and it all works.  I used the same XM+ that I had tried that didn't 
work, but now it does after the rewiring at the FC. 

I guess if the manufacturer has a specific method for connecting the RX receiver, then
it is best to wire it that way. 

Everything with the receiver is Now Resolved.

Moving on to the motors. One of the motors was bad, so I decided to swap them all out
for a new set. The motors that were on the Phantom-X were FPV Cycle 1303 5000 KV.
As replacement motors, I purchased a set of Flash Hobby, "King" 1303 8000KV 
motors. I wanted a motor with a little higher KV rating since the Phantom-X is a 2S-3S
quad. She will get my standard 4 inch HQProp bi-blade props. 

More later. 


{Edit} 2022-06-26

Added a couple of pictures. I couldn't immediately locate new props so I just used the
ones that she had been running. They will do until I find the new ones.