I know the skywalkers have been done to death but im just starting mine.
So here's pt1 of my build blog, feel free to leave comments/criticism & hope you enjoy.
http://rangler.co.uk/2014-skywalker-1900-build-log-pt1/ (http://rangler.co.uk/2014-skywalker-1900-build-log-pt1/)
Looks great
Is it necessary to place the Rx and GPS away from eachother? As they both listen are they not quite content next to each Other?
If so- you could put the video Tx on the other wing which would give you even more separation than on the tail. Plus will keep the weight on the wing tip roughly equal? I suppose it's less important with 5.8. And maybe it's easier to wire in the tail?!
Looks good, nice clean methodical :)
How can you only be using a 4 channel rx ? How do you control AP and multi cam switch ?
Quote from: benitoculito on January 20, 2015, 01:07:43 AM
How can you only be using a 4 channel rx ? How do you control AP and multi cam switch ?
Quite simple
Servo ch1 - outputs SPPM 1 to 7 plus RSSI on SPPM 11 and LQ on 12
Servo ch1 goes to the SPPM intput on the ET Vector
Servo ch2 - outputs TX ch10 for the camera switch
Servo ch3&4 - outputs TX ch9&10 for the P&T servos.
Exactly how i've done my Penguin and Bixler2 builds makes for a tidy lightweight build.
I really need to learn about this sppm stuff. Great build blog
Few more blog updates below
http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-gps-wing-mount/ (http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-gps-wing-mount/)
http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-motor-mount-mod/ (http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-motor-mount-mod/)
http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-slow-progress-marking-out-ezuhf-placement/ (http://rangler.co.uk/skywalker-1900-slow-progress-marking-out-ezuhf-placement/)
Looking good :D like the idea of being able to switch to the tail cam mid flight!
Do people have problems when mounting all the components on the main body? I only ask because I see a lot of people putting the rx or vtx out on the wings. I put mine all on the main body and it seems to be performing really well.
Quote from: AdamG on February 17, 2015, 05:37:31 PM
Looking good :D like the idea of being able to switch to the tail cam mid flight!
Do people have problems when mounting all the components on the main body? I only ask because I see a lot of people putting the rx or vtx out on the wings. I put mine all on the main body and it seems to be performing really well.
1.3 video often causes interference with UHF control if the video Tx is powerful and close by. The further away you get the more of an issue it can be.
I believe it's less of an issue with 2.4 video. Its almost a non issue with 5.8 video.
Im running on 1200 video no issues :) i have the Dragonlink antenna in the tail and my vtx on the front pod
Quote from: AdamG on February 17, 2015, 09:42:14 PM
Im running on 1200 video no issues :) i have the Dragonlink antenna in the tail and my vtx on the front pod
That's still a decent amount of physical separation. 40-60cm perhaps?
The quad guys find it much more tricky. Or putting both of them in the hatch of a plane 5-15cm away is asking for trouble.
Quote from: Billy_boy_2010 on February 17, 2015, 11:29:32 PM
Quote from: AdamG on February 17, 2015, 09:42:14 PM
Im running on 1200 video no issues :) i have the Dragonlink antenna in the tail and my vtx on the front pod
That's still a decent amount of physical separation. 40-60cm perhaps?
The quad guys find it much more tricky. Or putting both of them in the hatch of a plane 5-15cm away is asking for trouble.
Yeah i'd say the two are at least 60cm apart :) Im building a quad at the moment and hope i dont run into inteference problems (?)
I'm only using 5.8GHz video and 2.4 Frsky for control but I'm going to put my vtx out on the wing just in case I change to UHF in the future... regardless, the separation certainly won't do any harm in the meantime :)
Quote from: Steve W on February 18, 2015, 12:01:22 PM
I'm only using 5.8GHz video and 2.4 Frsky for control but I'm going to put my vtx out on the wing just in case I change to UHF in the future... regardless, the separation certainly won't do any harm in the meantime :)
Its definitely the best way to get distance between the two. I just wanted to avoid butchering the wings and having extra electronic to connect in the field when attaching the wings :)
Rangler are your tail reinforcement rods in place permanently? I haven't put mine on yet but trying to do it so I can still remove the tail for transportation.
Its permanently in place, i have a skoda fabia estate and trasport all my ariframes with the back seats down.
I wanted strength more than anything for this build.
On My SW 1900 i run my vtx up the front as a FPV pod type setup, A dipole on a long sma extension out on a wing tip, with the open LRS rx in the top section, and then the gps is on a screened cable extension (old usb phone charger lead) out on the little plywood mount down the boom. No problems with interference, loads of range and crystal video.
P.S what batteries will you be using? FYI i run a pair of 4s 5200mah multistar batteries, with careful throttle use i can expect to get over an hour flight times, although so far ive only kept it up for 45min. i did run it with 6000mah 4s but i found it really seems to like flying on the heavier side. Rudder has greater authority, better penetration in a breeze, less floaty.
Setup will be Tiger 830KV motor and a 12x6 APC prop.
I've calculated i should be able to use either my 3S8400 lipos or 4S6600mah or up to 4S10000mah.
I get approx 30 mins flight from a 5000 4s.
I'm going to try 2 x 5000 4s soon and will post results
i run 2 x 4s 5200 and can confirm that the 1900 flies beautifully setup that way!
I'm going to run 3x2200mAh up front .. 2 in parallel for the motor, and one to power the video / lights / etc.
Hoping it balances nicely :)
Glad this is getting some discussion :)
Done a little more tonight, added the vector OSD and motor.
http://rangler.co.uk/sw-1900-vector-installation/ (http://rangler.co.uk/sw-1900-vector-installation/)
Looks like you have a lot more space in your version of the Skywalker :o
Very nice build!
Regarding the separation between 1,3 video and UHF control, I never had problems with interference with those two. I had problems with GPS reception, due to the 1,3 video. On my X-8 I have them 1 meter apart and that works fine. I have flown it on a X-5 and had lots of problems with GPS reception, but none with UHF. Good luck!
:)
Looks close to me.....but if it works it works ;) Anyhow, if you get problems with GPS reception, the 1,2G is the reason. I am running a FY system, maybe a bit more sensitive but with FY this wll not work. I 'am changing out the FY for MFD though.
From memory the recommendation is to keep items at least 1/2 wavelength apart so
1.2Ghz = 25CM full WL so 1/2 that is around 13CM.
Keep all your listening devices together (RX & GPS)
And all your TX together (i.e. VTX)
Quote from: UAV Aviation on February 18, 2015, 11:34:41 PM
Looks close to me.....but if it works it works ;) Anyhow, if you get problems with GPS reception, the 1,2G is the reason. I am running a FY system, maybe a bit more sensitive but with FY this wll not work. I 'am changing out the FY for MFD though.
Yeah works great for me, GPS signal never drops below 4 out of the 5 bars and it acquires it very quickly on startup :thumbsup:
Rangler thanks for that info, interesting :)
Well shes almost built, i added the tail camera and tested.
http://youtu.be/oN6Wbg8DVsI?list=UUYh7ftJV6jfQl37FYacI1fw (http://youtu.be/oN6Wbg8DVsI?list=UUYh7ftJV6jfQl37FYacI1fw)
As you can see the 55deg viewing angle is a little narrow, so ive ordered a 4G nano camera which has a 90degree angle which should arrive this week.