Derek's HK Dart 250 FPV Mini Quad

[Derek]

FINALLY, lol...I put on my big boy pants and did my first FPV flight with my Dart 250 quad. Yes, I did have the Mobius cam running (i think, lol). I'll have to plug the SD card into the computer and check it but I do think the camera was running. The flight wasn't anything super spectacular, other than the fact that I finally did it, lol. I took off in Angle mode and then flipped into Horizon Mode.

Something that I'm going to have to get use to is this...while under the goggles, I hear that the quad is off to my left or right and my focus turns to that direction and I kinda get tunnel vision. I catch myself doing this when I FPV my plane, too. It's just something that I'll need to work on but this was a fun flight around my, rather small, front yard (and a bit of the neighbors yards, too, lol).

Oh....I almost forgot....for the past several LOS flights, I've had a very consistent right drift. I kept trying to trim it out by landing, disarming, throttle stick at max and then giving a few left stick inputs. This was the method that Stambo suggested to me and I can see that it is working when I check the Cleanflight software. However, there was still a right drift. A light bulb lit up in my head....when I first calibrated the accellerometers, I must not have had the quad on a "level" surface. So, I got a piece of steel (it's what I have on hand, lol) that was large enough to set the quad onto. Drilled and tapped 4 holes in each corner. Added 4 bolts to the holes. I placed two levels on the steel platform and leveled it out with the 4 bolts. Turned on Clealflight, connected to the quad, recalibrated the accelerometers and clicked SAVE. I then went into the tab of Cleanflight (Configuration, I think) and saw that the "Roll" was set to -18. That's from my previous adjustments. I put that back to zero and clicked SAVE. I powered everything up and had a short LOS flight around the yard and the quad sits much more level. YAY! So....I powered up the video system and it was FPV time. Too cool!!!

I'll get the video posted tonight. My flying buddy is on his way over right now and we're gonna work on his new plane a bit.

[Tony]

That's a neat idea D. Finding somewhere perfectly level is a pain in this house...lol, even the work tops in the kitchen aren't level.

[Stambo]

Derek angle and horizon modes are pretty much the same.
The main difference is horizon allows you to do flips and rolls if you go past half stick.
Less than that it behaves like angle mode.
Angle mode limits you to a maximum 50 degrees.
Acro mode is what you should be aiming for, but not until you are really comfortable flying FPV with it.

[Derek]

Derek angle and horizon modes are pretty much the same.
The main difference is horizon allows you to do flips and rolls if you go past half stick.
Less than that it behaves like angle mode.
Angle mode limits you to a maximum 50 degrees.
Acro mode is what you should be aiming for, but not until you are really comfortable flying FPV with it.

I was just going off of what you told me to do, lol. You suggested that I begin with Horizon mode for the first several FPV flights. I have been in Acro mode on many LOS flights and I really like how it moves and reacts. I imagine that I'll play around more in Horizon Mode a few more times and I'll get into Acro Mode soon.

[Derek]

I've been thinking about whether to use the regulator, like Tony suggested, or use a BEC like I was originally thinking and Stambo was helping with that, too. I've decided to go with the regulator that Tony suggested. I just ordered two of those regulators, online, because the local store is actually closing permanently and their "in store stock" is very limited. The regulators were $1.98 each and I figured the shipping was going to be about $6.00 so I ordered some more solder and a flux pen, too. 2-3 day postage, so hopefully I'll have the regulators here by Saturday. I'll have this weekend off, so I'll see about getting the regulator wired up to run my LED's.

[Tony]

It's a simple solution anyway Derek... Shame you didn't live closer as I've got loads...

image.jpg (1.38 MiB) Viewed 2956 times

If you need a diagram on wiring the reg up here's a quick one I've scribbled for ya... The top one is without capacitors. (Which you won't really need for leds). The bottom one is where to put caps should you decide to fit them.. Hope it helps

image.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 2956 times

[Derek]

You were talking about "caps". What are you meaning? Keep in mind, I know NOTHING about this kind of thing so you'll have to talk to me like I'm a 5 year old, lol

[Tony]

You don't really need them for leds Derek so I wouldn't worry.... Caps, capacitors, they are electrolytic devices that will soak up any dips and spikes in the power supply.. But for LEDs they won't make any difference...

[Derek]

OK....let me run this past you and you tell me if I'm understanding...from the battery, the negative wire will be run to and be soldered to the center pin and then to the LED's. Then the positive wire will run and be soldered to one of the outer pins and then another positive wire will be soldered to the other outer pin and then run to the LED's. Is that about right?

[Tony]

That's correct Derek, just as the diagram, make sure lipo positive goes to left pin, and led positive is the right pin..if you already have led negative connected to lipo then just leave it there and cut the positive only

[Derek]

Fair enough! Thank you for the diagram, Tony! I'll be sure to refer to it before I do anything.

[Tony]

No probs mate, have fun

[Derek]

I got an email today from Radio Shack. My regulators have been shipped. I'm not sure where from, but I imagine they should be here by Saturday.

[Tony]

I thought your local radio shack had them in stock.... That's a bummer having to wait again...lol

[Derek]

I thought the local Radio Shack had them in stock, too. I drove to the store and they had zero in stock and they weren't getting anymore in. In fact, all the Radio Shack stores in town are closing. Bummer!!! So, I had to order them.

[Tony]

Typical eh... That's Sod's law for ya.

[Derek]

Tony, I do have a question...in your diagram, you illustrated that the negative wire goes to the middle pin of the regulator and then to the negative pad on the LED's. Then, in one of your posts above, you say to only cut the positive leads and not the negative. I'm confused now. Do I run the negative to the middle pin or just leave it alone?

[Tony]

Sorry for the confusion mate... I presumed you already had the leds wired up now to the lipo...

If you have, then only remove or cut the positive wire to the leds from the lipo.... Leave the negative connected to lipo...

I'll do a drawing.... Haha...hang on

[Tony]

Ok, here is a drawing

image.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 2910 times

[Derek]

COOL! Now that, I understand! Sometimes its just difficult to understand words....pictures are always much better....especially for me, lol. Again, thanks for taking the time to get me a pic. I'll refer to it when my regulators get here. Hopefully tomorrow while the weather is still nice. Suppose to rain Saturday and Sunday.