1.) Charging Lipos
There are some safety considerations pertaining to the charging, storage and handling of lithium polymer (lipo) batteries.
Charging:
- Always be sure that lipos are charged at the proper cell count. For example, a 4 cell lipo needs to be charged at 4S(cell).
- Always be sure to use the balancer board to ensure that all cells of the battery are being charged equally.
- Never leave charging batteries unattended.
- Lower amp charge schedules will result in a long life span of the battery. Never charge above 5C.
- Always keep the battery away from flammable objects during charge cycles.
- Avoid unnecessary charge cycling.
Storage:
- Never allow lipo batteries to freeze.
- Be sure that batteries are not punctured or dropped.
- If a lipo battery shows signs of swelling it should be discarded.
- Store long-term at 3.8v per cell.
Handling:
- Never discharge lipo batteries below 3V/cell. For 4S batteries this would be at 12V.
- Never dissassemble or modify pack wiring in any way.
- Never exceed the maximum of discharge rate or load.
More info in the Wiki: WIKI
2.) Radio Switches / MKTool–Channels
The Mikrokopter Tool can accept up to 12 channels. Channels 1-4 are by default assigned to basic functions. To control the copter 4 channels are required: GAS, YAW, NICK, ROLL.
For each additional channel past #4 a poti is assigned:
Poti values can be assigned to auxilliary controls (ie: altitude hold, GPS functions). Each poti must correspond to a operating switch on the radio transmitter.
It is important that the proper “Receiver” is selected on the channels page. If the incorrect receiver is selected in this location then the flight control will report an error: “no sat. receiver”. The buzzer will also indicate a loss of receiver as well.
Multisignal (PPM) Connection at the PPM-Input for the Flight Control. Selection for the Futaba receiver.
Spektrum Satellit 2.4GHz satellite receiver to the 2nd serial port of the Flight Control.
Spektrum Satellit(HiRes) 2.4GHz satellite receiver with high resolution (2048) at the 2nd serial interface of the Flight Control (for DSX7, DX8, DSX9, DSX12).
Jeti Satellit 2.4GHz Jeti Satellit at PPM-Input. At the same time it supports the telemetry enabled (for output to the JetiBox) on the 2nd serial port on the Flight Control.
3.) OSD–MKTool/Telemetry
With the use of a wireless serial data link (ie: Xbee) the operator will be able to monitor most of the Flight/Navigation data on a ground station laptop/netbook.
With the OSD-display multiple functions can be used. In the upper display, for example, the altitude of the Kopter, the speed, battery level, distance to the start point, etc. can be displayed. In the lower(blank) field maps can be loaded. The position of the Kopter can be displayed on a GeoMap. Also, waypoints can be entered and the Kopter can fly a pre-determined flight path.
4.) GPS functions/coming home
The MKGPS allows the operator to utilize several additional autonomous flight controls. It is important that the operator fully understands how the GPS integrates with the Navigation control system of the Mikrokopter. Upon initial start-up of the kopter one must ensure that the MKGPS board has obtained a “GPS fix”. When the GPS has aquired a 3D-fix the LED(located on the top of the GPS) will begin to strobe. The buzzer will also emit one ping. Once the motors are engaged this will set the “home position”. If the operator initiates the “coming home” mode the mikrokopter will return to this “home position”.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE TWO VARIABLES ARE REALIZED BEFORE THE OPERATOR USES THE “COMING HOME” MODE
In summary, GPS “coming home” requires:
1.) A GPS 3-D fix (at least 6 satellites in fix).
2.) Start up of motors while the mikrokopter has a GPS 3-D fix.
During operation the operator should be aware that GPS satellite resolution may vary. The mikrokopter GPS requires at least 6 satellites to enable a 3D fix and can accept up to 12 satellites. With more satellites in fix better GPS control can be expected.
More info in the Wiki: WIKI
5.) First flying techniques
Always perform the following pre-flight checks:
- All mechanical links: correct and tight.
- All electrical connections: correct and tight.
- Propellers: properly fastened and undamaged.
- Motors: properly mounted and turn freely (some “magnet stepping” is normal but the axles should be straight and, on a push, the props should turn a few cycles without visible oscillations or vibrations).
- Landing gear: properly fixed and undamaged.
- Battery and other “loose” parts (e.g. camera mount, camera): properly mounted and fastened.
More info in the Wiki: WIKI
