ArduCopter Configurations and Settings for beginners !

[Rui Manuel Cravo Marques]

Hello.

I'm starting this discussion since there's a lot of confusion and lack of knowledge about PID settings and control theory, so, you can find here a table with several different frames, multycopter types and firmware versions in order to let you start flying and tuning your copter. Be aware that this are not rigid values. Each person has it's own configuration and flying preferences, but, if you have an identical configuration, you may start using those values and tune them for yourself. If you'd like to share your configuration, specs and settings, as well as flying tests, weather conditions and videos, I'll try to keep it up to date.

Thanks.

 Ok, I have inserted a googledocs file, never worked with this before :) It looks easy, here's the link

 

 

[Dave C]

Ron I look forward to the day when i can say I've built my own full sized helicopter, and yes caution will be the key I'm sure!

In the meantime I completely agree the hand test is invaluable for RC stuff, especially multi-copters.

Not only will you have a better tuned, safer beast to fly, but you learn so much about how the airframe handles, how external influences might affect it and most importantly how the P's I's and D's influence how it flies and responds.

I recommend to everyone, where possible, get your helmets/plain-glass welders masks/ safety goggles, gloves, body armour on, whatever makes you safe whilst you've got four spinning blades above your head and go for it - full throttle at times!

And as we all occasionally need reminding of what might happen, here's what happened to me 2 weeks ago...

I was trying out some new cheap HK prop savers, and one of them gave up while i was chucking 'the beast' about in the lounge. I had my helmet on, but no gloves. Prop saver gave up, prop came off, straight at me and hit the back of my hand. Even after flying, unpowered, for a couple of meters towards me it cut me twice, close together, and wrapped my other finger pretty well too, and obviously by this point it wasn't even attached to a motor. 

2 cuts, 3 weeks later - the first was 'to the bone'... Only pleased that this was my finger and not my lovely eyeballs ;)

[Maki, Eric J]

A note on safety for hand PID tuning: the more the better! 

Balistic shooting glasses are the mimimum safety gear I wear while I've been tuning PIDS with my quad in hand overhead (ever seen a prop come apart at 10k rpm?)  Blowing dust and grit in the air are another reason for glasses.  Gloves are unwieldy, but a long sleeve shirt works fairly well to turn potential puncture wounds into a torn shirt or mild scratch.  Props do come apart, prop adapters can come off the motor shaft, and control circuits can fail.  Eyeballs are cool, I like mine.

[Paul Emous]

Hey guys,

I have some issues with PID tuning as well. I use a carbon Y6 950mm frame with 850 motors and 10" props. Everything is pretty centre so no COG issues if I look at the copter.

Currently I use: Rate Roll / Pitch 0.120

when the copter takes of, it is fare from stable in the beginning and flies around (15 meters radius) trying to sort itself out without success. Any suggestions?

Thx.

Paul

[Brian McGrath]

Hi folks! Thanks for starting this kind of thread. I am starting a build of a Scarab YSiix (standard configuration - 775k motors, 10amp ESC, 2650mah 4S) and I am planning on using the APM2 as the flight control system. Any suggestions for starting setup?

 

Thanks!

 

Brian.

[Jason Tinacci]

Hi Rui, 

Any news on updated standard PIDs for the standard 3DR quad? There have been several releases since the last param file was posted in the wiki back in February?

Thanks,

Jason

[Rui Manuel Cravo Marques]

Hi Jason, I haven't posted anything since no one has been sending me configurations. I think the actual AC versions, since 2.4, by default have the PIDs' tunned for 3DR frame and motors. I'm flying different frames so my PID are no good for you, but if I can help you with anything please let me know. I'm waiting for a version with the best loiter dev team can get to update my firmware.

[Dave C]

One of my airframes is a 3dr, 850kv kit, I use completely stock params for rate and stab sometimes, and other times tune starting with rate_D for a more ninja feel. It flies pretty well either way, and most places in between. Best way to get it perfect is to start stock and use channel 6 to go 20% up and down from stock, see if you get any improvements. Do rate first and then stab.