Dead-cat style 450 build for FPV

[JDFelosi]

This will be my first real build log, starting a little late in the process but I'm taking my time on this one instead of my usually cram together rushed style of building multi-rotors.

Also this is my first trials with the ArduPilot platform. It will kind of be my guinea pig for a bigger build I have planned later on.

Starting out with an eBay 450 alien kit (discovery clone that uses DJI arms)
4x Scorpion 2212-1070kv motors
4x 30a 3-6s capable SimonK ESC's
(I know these are oversized but more on that later)
Tall mid crab skid set (so I could have mounting rails)
APM 2.6 side-pin
GPS w/ mag
915mhz telemetry radio set
MinimOSD
Cheap 5.8Ghz video rx tx set
Security cam repurposed
5v and 12v bec's
Power distribution board with built in current sense for apm
Misc hardware
Using my trusty JR X9303 radio
JR 921x receiver only using one sat atm since I have only one that is DSMX, my DSM2 sats won't bind.

Here is where I'm at in the build
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The reason the ESC's are oversized is later on I want to switch to the 800 arms go 6s and use these Scorpion M4010-360kv motors I have
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[JDFelosi]

Shortened the motor leads on the ESC's and soldered on bullets to match motors and mounted them at the base of the arms with the heatplate facing up, figuring that the prop wash will aid in cooling although I don't see that as an issue
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Mounted the APM unit dead center of the frame with thick double side foam, it's the dense type so should soak up any vibes really well
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Mounted the telemetry radio on the upper deck at the back of the frame, will probably have to move it before finished,
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[JDFelosi]

For now, I'm just going to pull the (+) out of 3 of the ESC plugs, but plan on later completely removing all but signal from the ESC's. Probably should have done that prior to mounting them but didn't realize it until just now.

On my receiver I removed a lot of the unnecessary wiring just to make it look cleaner.
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I'm sending 8 channels to the APM so I won't have to redo it later if I decide to add a gimbal or whatnot. Currently only plan on using one for mode switch and one for OSD toggle leaving two unused, but I'm sure I'll think of something for them.

Plan on using the unused Aux1 for pan on head tracker later on.

I know probably planning on too many "future use" scenarios but at least the hard part (wiring) will already be done.


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[JDFelosi]

Just finished soldering up my distribution board / current sensor/ power module, just have to finish the heat shrink and put taps for BEC's
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[JDFelosi]

Got the distribution board mounted in the center section

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For now I'm using 2x Pulse 2250mah 3s lipos in parallel, will go to a 5000mah 3s later on

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Added another LED (blue) and zipped it to GPS mast so I could better see it, plan on building up a LED status bar (4 color) and put it in same place.

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[JDFelosi]

Finally got all the parts in for my video system, got one of the cheaper starter kits
RC5808 VRx
TS 58200 VTx
And repurposing one of my older surveillance cameras for now
MinimOSD

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I'm thinking of removing the mic off of the camera board but may wait to see if this cam will even work out for me. I have a Sony 600 cam on the way, but want to try this one out

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I'm also going to convert the MinimOSD so both sides are powered off of 5v I've read of a few issues with putting 12v on the video side

I just have to solder the pads on the back and connect the 2 on the front as far as I know

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