How To Build An RC Helicopter From Scratch Update & Balance Once you've finally received your parts in the mail (it will seem to take forever) and before you start rigging your frame and flying, you should update your board, balance your propellers and motors, and, what's known as, flash your ESCs (if available). These three updates only need to be done if they've updated the firmware of your board or you break a part/prop. Though it isn't necessary, I highly recommend updating the your hardware and balancing your props in order to maximize the stability and response of your helicopter. - Updating The Board's Firmware To start out, upgrading the flight control board is pretty easy and it usually adds a lot of improvements, so you should try to update your board when each update is released. Plug in the 6 pin USBasp connector to the 6 pins located left of the buttons and connect it to your computer. If the board doesn't turn on, you have it plugged in the wrong way The drivers will fail -- click this link to download the corresponding drivers Extract the zipped file and pay attention to where it is located on your computer.
Navigate to Control Panel -> Devices and Printers -> USBasp -> right click -> properties -> hardware (tab) -> Properties -> Update Driver... -> navigate the folder you just downloaded -> finish up and close the windows. Download the flash tool(scroll down to downloads and download the latest KKmulticopter flash tool) Extract the zipped file and pay attention to where it is located on your computer. Download and install Java Open the flash tool Programmer = USBasp Port = USB Controller = Hobbyking KK2 Select the newest firmware update for the KK2.0 from the dropdown list (the author should be
KapteinKuk). Click the green button on the right side of the screen to start flashing. You will get a confirmation message when it's done (it should take less than a minute). - Flashing The Electronic Speed Controllers Flashing, or updating the firmware in, the ESCs is definitely an improvement that should be considered. It requires a makeshift adapter or a $20 cord from HobbyKing and a little bit of surgery on your ESCs to do, but flashing it can improve the motors' response time and efficiency. As I am not going to flash my ESCs, I will redirect you to this post and this wiki if you're interested in doing it (I would, but mine aren't compatible with the SimonK flash).
- Balancing Your Propellers Balancing your props is a crucial part in preparing your helicopter for flight. It reduces vibrations and simply helps the overall performance. You'll need your props, two cups (of the same size and made of a smooth material), and some sandpaper. - Balancing Your Motors This step is a little more difficult due to the sensitivity and difficulty in assessing the weight distribution. You'll need to connect the motor to your ESC and board (see below) and screw it down to a solid position. Now, there are two methods of balancing the motors: Use the free iSeismomotor app to determine the shake.Put tape on the motor, and repeat the process. If it is worse, move the tape around the motor. When you find the spot that lessens the vibrations, add tape until it diminishes the performance. You can see this process in the third video below. Mount your motor onto a ruler using zip ties or tape, tape a mirror beside the motor (on the ruler), and shine a laser light into the mirror, bouncing it onto the wall (further distance = more precise measurements).Put tape on Raspberry Pi South Africa the motor, and repeat the process. If it is worse, move the tape around the motor. When you find the spot that lessens the vibrations, add tape until it diminishes the performance. Once complete, your new pieces are balanced, updated and ready to mount! Rigging Your Build If you like building things (you probably do if you're reading this), then you should really enjoy this next step! You're now ready, with all components at hand, to rig your helicopter. If this is your first time building something like this, don't worry, it's not difficult. The design you (may or may not have) made earlier should help in setting up the body. Once you have the placement figured out for your own copter and have soldered the pieces together, your next and final step is to set up and connect your KK2.0 flight control board (the brains of the operation). This manual provided by Hobby King is very helpful in explaining what each function does and the initial setup. From here, it is a matter of fine tuning your settings to get the perfect flight. Now you're in the air -- have fun!
http://hubpages.com/games-hobbies/How-To-Build-An-RC-Copter