Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update 3/25/15!

[J Dot]

Hello Everyone.
Well, I'm going to be down for a while, as I am changing some things on my P2v. I decided to tear it apart, and upgrade what I could.

On the bird:
I'm doing these mods:
1) GPS Antenna upgrade ( 4mm patch antenna )
2) copper foil mod
3) upgrading all antennas ( receiver, and camera )
4) an LED mod , I'll explain later!
( like the fiber optic mod, if you've seen that done? )
5) reflective arm bands ( Orange )
6) orange ( self tightening props )
7) orange leg spacers ( for new gimbal ) 2 axis
8) new gimbal ( lol ) 2 axis
9) printed flytrex mount
Already moded previously
10) lens filter kit
11) Bower lenses ( 3 different lenses )
12) flytrex 2 core
13) anti-static antenna
14) spring-clip motor upgrade
15) tracker & saddle bag
16) lost stickers w phone#

Controller:
Waiting delivery on new p2v+ style with wheel.
These are my plans:
1) slow pitch mod
2) slow yaw mod
3) upgrade antenna

Extender:
Re:700
1) upgrade antennas ( both )

Still reviewing which antennas I want for each application
1) tx & bird receiver antennas 5.8ghz
2) extender / fc200 camera antennas 2.4ghz
( ANY INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED ON THIS )Thanks!

Here are some pics ( still waiting a few items! )
Overview of misc stuff ( wires, prop guards, springclips, lenses, ect )

copper foil mod

Orange props ( white/Orange color scheme )

Misc sticker ect:

Reflective Orange sticker

GPS antenna mod ( antennas 4mm )

Gimbal parts:
Assorted anti-jello balls, anti-drop pins:

Battery charging bags ( safety first )

Gimbal for vision ( China-gimbal )

This is what I have so far, still waiting on a different plug and play CNC 2 axis gimbal to arrive, to see which to use? China gimbal is cast other is CNC.

I will keep you updated with pics as I go along.

I'm also planning on doing an led mod, had old crashed phantom esc, so I removed a 3 color 6 pin led from it ( red-yellow-green ) I'm mounting it to the top she'll facing up, as I had knee surgery, and cannot bend down to see lights, home lock ect.
This way I can see the lights from top side! Just something to help me out!

Take care!
J Dot

Ps: any questions or suggestions WELCOME!

 

[N017RW]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )

Hey JDot.

Sounds cool.

One thing I can think of regarding the P2 ESC LEDs... I believe there's actualy only two colors there red and green with a combined yellow. I don't know if that will help you in any way.

Cheers!

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )

Hey JDot.

Sounds cool.

One thing I can think of regarding the P2 ESC LEDs... I believe there's actualy only two colors there red and green with a combined yellow. I don't know if that will help you in any way.

Cheers!

Thanks,
Did not know that! I looked in eBay,
They have them but ONLY ( red-blue-green )
So I reused on off of the crashed esc, I going pin-to pin,
As not to short nothing out ( also using a 6 pin plug ) that way I
Can still take top off.

Take care, fly safe!
J Dot

 

[Cyclone]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )

Looks good. Cant wait to see the end result.

 

[dirkclod]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )

We have created a monster :shock:
Just changed my tinfoil mod to the same copper one ya got and it's nice .
Antenna's.. Am just partial to the FPVLR's and would go for the stage 3 kit !
Ya gonna have some fun now JD !

 

[J.James]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )

IfI can add some tips and pointers on some of them mods. I noticed you have the controller antenna mod for the new up graded controller. That makes me thing you want really really good distance. Which the new controller already has a butt load of.
But on that gimbal you have for the fc200 camera you very well may also want to think about an external antenna mod for your camera to. Right after I put that same gimbal on my p2v the videos range dropped considerably. From almost 4000 feet using a moded RE700 extender. Down to only about 1600-1800 feet. All the metal on the frame and the motors on the gimbal blocks a lot of signal. I plan to at some point fix that by doing the camrea antenna mod But I just haven't decided on if I was to maybe just move the internal patch antenna out side the cam and mount them on the out side of the gimbal or if I want to use a clover leaf. Being the chopped distance is the only real complaint I have with that gimbal.

and I always thougt I might want to mod my controller to have better antenna. But not so sure I even really need to do that now. I have a P2 I just built that has one of the new radio controllers but only its in 2.4ghz and Even tho the stated stock range is said to only be 1000m I had a test flight the other day to test out my fpv set up and I was out past 1600 meters and only 100m high in the city and I turned around when my video started to get to snowy to see. But I never lost control signal at all the whole time. I thought that was pretty kick arse distance.

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore )update #1

Hello pilots,
Here is update #1 ( GPS 4mm antenna mod )

I used ( TaoGlas CGGP.25.4.a.02 )
Bought from ( mouser.com )
Part #960-CGGP254a02
Pic:

Here was the procedure

I did get 7 satellites which is not uncommon, I also had a bit of a fail!
I used this tip

I do not recommend it, use this instead:

As I used the pointy one to remove solder, then removed old antenna, but when I pushed new antenna back through hole, it pushed up a little solder donut ( circle ) which I pulled off, not realizing it was the copper circuit board part with solder on it, and I just broke it off! So when I put fat/flat top on gun, I ran extra solder over to the tiny piece left after breaking it off, not sure if I ruined the GPS or not?

As I said I did get 7 sats, but that is normal, I usually get 6-9 sats.

My question :
To anyone who has done this mod, did you get more sats? Or just connect faster? Please let me know?
I'm hoping I did not screw up my GPS! I would think it would get 0 sats if I broke it, or antenna was not making good connection?

I got same sats, in about the same time 6 sats under 3 minutes, pretty typical with old antenna!
( I did NOT get airborne, only ground test, no props )
Also WITHOUT FOIL MOD
( did not want to foil mod, until I confirm my GPS is good )

Take care, fly safe!
J Dot

 

[saltire]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1

I did this mod and i dont notice any difference at all .I know it has helped folks but no great improvement for me .

 

[dirkclod]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1

I put the same one you did on my puck and saw really no change to mine but I have the V3 puck and having 9-13 sats was the norm anyway . I did the tinfoil mod and still looked good but changed it to the copper like you have last nite and flew today 3 battery's out and only had 10 at the most.
When I open it up again I am going to switch back to the tinfoil and just use that .
I thought the copper one would be better but was not on mine .
Ya don't know what ya gonna get till you try it !

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #2

Ok all,
Update #2 working with China gimbal
( some parts say ( goodluckbuy ) on them.)

Ok,
Let's first review the gimbal, and how to hook it up! I would like to extend my upmost appreciation to ( J James ) for all his help on this!

The gimbal:
What you get ( banggood ) vision gimbal!

Ok,
Next let's look at 6 pin control board:

Now,
Let's look at hookups on gimbal:

Now,
First we need to do some alterations
Like this:
( we only need 1 wire ( pitch wire ), so let's remove unwanted wires, to keep from shorting things out )

Ok
Next hook multi colored wire like this:

Now hook altered wire like this:

Then hook other end like this:

Let's look at naza first

ok hook like this:

Pitch control, should look like this:

Ok, now for other multi colored wire,
( from gimbal base ):

Hook the wire like this:

Ok,
Now for main power supply ( red / black wires:
First inside phantom vision main board:

Hook like this:

Ok
That is it, I will hook mine up this week, and keep you updated! After install, you might have to do some adjusting in software, to get it level, and rolling right, without glitches!
I will go over all this when I get to that point, I just wanted to discuss how to install, before I actually install it! Also to help others who might be lost with this gimbal! Can be Very confusing!

Take care, Fly safe!
J Dot

 

[dirkclod]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1&2

I got same sats, in about the same time 6 sats under 3 minutes, pretty typical with old antenna!
( I did NOT get airborne, only ground test, no props )
Also WITHOUT FOIL MOD
( did not want to foil mod, until I confirm my GPS is good

Before you try the copper try tinfoil . I had used that and was getting around 11 to 13 average when flying and had 15 one time with that . Thought I would try the copper one just to see and dropped sats . The copper one is harder to remove than the tinfoil as it has the sticky side if it's like the one I got off E-Bay . I do have the V3 puck and that might be why it didn't work so well with mine but just redid mine back with the tinfoil just now and it is much better now than with that copper and back to having what I did before . Just thought I would share that with you .
Here is my copper now

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #3

Good news guys/gals,
My second gimbal came in:
Here are some pics:
( looks to be a MUCH higher quality gimbal , than the banggood one )

Ok here we go, opening box!

Here is a closer look at gimbal:

Here is the literature:

Am going to try both out, will keep you updated! I do like this new gimbal, very nice quality, all wires nicely retained, very CLEAN ,Simple design, easy to hook up, and offers the sweet ( camera wire extension )
Which is not stiff at all, will allow camera to move VERY FREELY!


Hey ( Dirkclod )
Good advice thanks, I will take it into consideration, I was going to try it loose first, and if improves, use it,
And if worse, scrap it. Dirk, can you let me know what, and how you did your mod ( aluminum )? Thanks

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #3b

Oh,
Forgot to add, got these today as well:

1) 3d printed ( flytrex ) mount

2) set of 14mm leg extenders ( to compensate lower gimbal )
Customized ( Orange )

Ok, that is it for now, will keep you posted!

Take care, Fly safe!
J Dot

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #3c

Hello,
This new gimbal is AWESOME, check out how easy to hook up, I'm REALLY impressed!

Here is the magic:

Here is it all together ( TRUE PLUG and PLAY )

Does not get any easier than that folks! $80+ is a steal.NO SOLDERING, just plug it in, DONE..
I've still not hooked it up, but will tonight, will post tomorrow, as I don't know which software settings I might need to adjust yet? I will keep you informed.

Take care, Fly safe!
J Dot

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #3d

Hello,
Ok I installed the ( Plug and Play ) CNC Gimbal, on my P2v.

Here are a couple pics:

Wanted to add a couple things here,
First, the gimbal is Low Profile, works with stock legs, ( I have spacers ) because I grass launch, as you can see, the gimbal JUST clears the ground!
2nd, I only needed 1 zip tie, to keep wires tight against frame. That was nice!

Mounting gimbal ( 5 minutes ) NO NEED TO OPEN BIRD!
1) unplug camera cable
2) remove camera ( off jello balls )
3) unplug servo wire
4) remove 4 screws on gimbal mount
5) NOTE BELOW replace 4 screws with New gimbal plate
6) install gimbal to jello balls
7) plug in 3 wires
8) DONE!
( NOTE: I had to take servo plug wires, loose from plastic end, because gimbal covers hole in bottom of phantom , and only has tiny hole in mount, too small for plug to pass through, so I disassembled plug, pushed it though, reassembled plug ) only hangup I found!
You also have to take camera egg off of servo mount, attaches with 4 screws to gimbal ( sorry forgot to add that part )

Here is it powered up:

I turned it on and it worked, out of the box, tracked perfectly with no adjustments, however I did have to adjust pitch limits a bit.
( My camera went WAY past straight down, almost to rear facing, and also up went up until it hit gimbal mount )

Default ( Max 1000, Center 0, Min -450 )
I had to do this:
( Max 900, Center 0, Min -250 )
This gives me straight down, level center, and up just enough to barely see phantom arm.

Trial flight,
Video very stable, took about 1 minute worth of video
( will post when I figure out how? )
I can do pics, but have never done video before?

This is where, I hit a SNAG!
Low battery warning, 78%? Went from 78% to 7% in seconds, but battery had 2 bars solid, 1bar blinking
But phone says 7% and alarm going off, phantom auto lands?
Turn the phantom off, then on , now 76%, flew 2 minutes, alarm again, 7% auto land! 2 bars solid. So I ran phantom ( on ground ) high idle for 20 minutes to get to 1 bar blinking on battery! Hooked to assistant, battery 97% life, 18 discharges, all cells were within 8 points of each other, no error warnings, but also says 7% ( I did get low battery warning ( 4 ) when I first hooked to assistant, but no error message?

So
My next priority, is battery issue, then back to mods, I will keep you posted
I'm running 3.8 assistant says you are running current firmware, no updates, I thought they released 3.12?

Take care, Fly Safe!
J Dot

 

[dirkclod]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1,2,3+!

Just checked in mine and if you look in info it says that but if ya hit upgrade it's there. At least it was in mine .

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1,2,3+!

Just checked in mine and if you look in info it says that but if ya hit upgrade it's there. At least it was in mine .

Thanks, I will check it out!
J Dot

 

[J Dot]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1,2,3+!

Hello,
Seems my problem was a software/firmware issue? Or
My fault for storing batteries at 0 or 100%.
I was using an older version of PC assistant, and an older
Firmware version in my P2V. There may have been some
Mia communication somewhere? Causing the battery to
Discharge ( or Misread actual levels ) ? I updated EVERYTHING.
Tx, phantom, RC assistant, PC assistant...charged up BOTH batteries,
Will fly when I get off of work today! See if problem persists? I
Will keep you updated! Take care!

Ps : don't store your batteries at 0 or 100% for extended amounts
Of time, ( drain or charge to around 50% to store )

Take care, fly safe!
J Dot

 

[Cyclone]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1,2,3+!

Nice modding J Dot. I like those leg extenders

 

[dirkclod]

Re: Taking the next step ( mods galore ) update #1,2,3+!

Nice modding J Dot. I like those leg extenders

Just looked again and he got his name on em ! Cool