One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Most of my parts are now IN for the megahexacopter.  All that remains is batteries (very expensive), a backordered GPS unit for the telemetry unit, and propellers.

In order to mount the PDB (power distribution board) with thread lock so the screws don’t vibrate loose, I had to take the damn thing apart, completely.  After a few hours, I was back to where I’d gotten a month ago, except the PDB is now permanent.

I spent quite a bit of time simply playing tetris with the components I need to install on the copter.  Now that I have the xAircraft flight controller, the receiver for the remote, voltage sensors, GPS units and a few other parts, I’m able to place them around and try to figure out how I’m going to mount them.  The flight controller needs to be mounted dead center in the copter, at the center of gravity.  That’s fine, except there’s a big hole where it should be mounted, so some creativity will be needed.

I made a makeshift plan, but will not be able to try it out until I’ve run the wires for the motors to the PDB.  So that’s next: mounting the motors, and running the cabling from the ESCs/motors to the PDB.  I have to solder some connectors to the motor leads first, which is going to take an hour or two, then somehow fish the cables through the arms.