Parallax ELEV-8 Assembly Manual

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ELEV-8 Quadcopter Kit (#80000) Information and Assembly Guide

Features

 Four-rotor system with fixed-pitch blades  Propeller P8X32A microcontroller flight control board  Pre-programmed with flight-control software  Custom plates protect motors and electronics  Designed to easily attach a camera mount

Specifications



Weight, without battery: 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) fully assembled

 Payload capacity, excluding battery: ~ 2 lbs (0.9 kg)  Average assembly time: 8 hours  Height (assembled): 7.5 in (19 cm)  Rotor-to-rotor width (centers, diagonal): 26 in (66 cm)

Additional Items Required



RC radio controller and receiver, 5-channel minimum for flight

 LiPo Battery, 3000 to 4400 mAh 3-cell 30 C discharge rate  LiPo Battery Charger

Application Ideas



Hobby RC flying

 Aerial photography  Flying tele-presence platform

CAUTION: READ ALL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (PAGE 2) BEFORE ASSEMBLY OR OPERATION!

READ THIS FIRST – IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION!



READ ALL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ON THIS PAGE BEFORE ASSEMBLY OR OPERATION!

 WARNING: CUTTING HAZARD. Rotating ELEV-8 quadcopter blades can cut

skin and underlying tissues. Stay away from a powered ELEV-8 quadcopter and never become complacent during operation.

 WARNING: ENTANGLEMENT HAZARD. Secure long hair and loose clothing

or jewelry when building, testing, and operating your ELEV-8 quadcopter to avoid entanglement with motors.

 WARNING: EYE HAZARD. Always wear eye protection when assembling,

soldering, operating, or repairing your ELEV-8 quadcopter.

 Customer agrees to fly at Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) approved

flying fields, maintaining insurance through their AMA membership.

 Inform yourself of and follow all current federal, state, and local laws

regarding the use of hobby RC aircraft in the area where you plan to operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter. Review the FAA’s rules in entirety – you are responsible for following them.

 An ELEV-8 quadcopter assembled and used as directed in in this document

is an RC hobby aircraft and does not constitute the use of an autonomous UAV or drone. Modifying your ELEV-8 quadcopter to function as an autonomous UAV or drone is not supported, recommended, or endorsed by Parallax Inc. If you choose to modify your ELEV-8 quadcopter to function as an autonomous UAV or drone, you do so entirely at your own responsibility and risk.

 This kit is not for beginners. Advanced mechanical skill is required for

building and flying an ELEV-8 quadcopter. RC aircraft experience is highly recommended.

 Follow the instructions carefully; incorrect assembly of your ELEV-8

quadcopter could cause risk of catastrophic equipment failure, personal injury to you or others, and property damage.

 Perform initial electronic speed controller (ESC) programming before

installing the propeller blades. Remove propeller blades before reprogramming the ESCs.

 Establish and test the radio link between the RC controller and RC receiver

before installing the propeller blades. Remove propeller blades before testing a different controller.

 Always disconnect the battery when not in use.  Store your ELEV-8 quadcopter and its radio controller out of reach of

children, pets, and those who do not know how to use them safely.

 Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter in an area with no children,

unsecured pets, or livestock, which can be harmed by contact with rotating blades. For example, children and dogs may try to jump and catch a flying quadcopter, or may run to investigate one that has just landed.

 Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter outdoors and away from crowded

areas. All observers should stand a safe distance

behind

the operator.

 Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter in an environment where you can

maintain unobstructed visual contact with it. Do not operate at night, or where there is fog, smoke, or dust that could limit visibility.

 Keep your ELEV-8 quadcopter dry! Do not submerge your ELEV-8

quadcopter or operate it in rainy or damp conditions. Beware of sprinklers and of landing in wet vegetation.

 Check the wind speed before flying your ELEV-8 quadcopter. Even a light

breeze can make flying difficult for beginners. No one should fly in high winds.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: PARALLAX INC. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND PERSONAL INJURIES, INCLUDING THAT TO LIFE AND HEALTH, RESULTING FROM THE CUSTOMER’S APPLICATION AND USE OF ANY PARALLAX INC. PRODUCTS. YOU, THE CUSTOMER, ASSUME FULL AND UNLIMITED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL CUSTOMER ELEV-8 QUADCOPTER APPLICATIONS AND USES.

Bill of Materials

This bill of materials is provided so you may inventory each bag in your ELEV-8 Quadcopter Kit before beginning construction. If you are missing any parts, contact sales@parallax.com directly for assi stance. Note th at some items are small sub-kits with additional compon ents not listed separately. Parts and quantities subject to change without notice. Some items are available online from www.parallax.com.

ELEV-8 Quadcopter Kit Contents (#80000) ELEV-8 Hardware Kit (#80060) ELEV-8 Electronics Kit (#80070)

Part # Qty Description Part # Qty Description Part # Qty Description 31500 1 Hoverfly OPEN Board 900-00021 2 Nylon Strap, Black 800-00080 5 3-wire ext.,22AWG,F/F,8"

700-10003 1 Safety glasses 725-00067 1 1.5 mm Hex Key 800-00039 6” 1/2" Heat Shrink Tubing (black)

80050 1 ELEV-8 Airframe Kit 720-28001 1 Light Pipe 800-00036 24” 3/4” Heat-shrink Tubing ( clear ) 80060 1 ELEV-8 Hardware Kit 713-00051 4 Spacer,#4x1/2",NY 800-00023 27” 3/16” Heat-shrink Tubing (black) 80070 1 ELEV-8 Electronics Kit 713-00043 16 Standoff, #4-40, 5/8", Nylon 800-00022 2 16" Black Pluggable Jumper-Male 85000 1 ESC Programming Card* 713-00025 4 Standoff, #4-40,1 1/4", Nylon 800-00021 2 16" Red Pluggable Jumper-Male

712-00004 4 Washer, #6, 3/8" OD, Zinc 750-90002 4 Brushless 1000Kv Motor

ELEV-8 Airframe Kit Contents (#80050)

710-00100 8 Screw, #4-40, 1/4", PH, Black 750-90000 4 Gemfan 30A ESC Speed Controller

Part # Qty Description

710-00042 4 Screw, #4-40, 1-1/4", PH, SS 750-00059 18” 12AWG Red Wire

730-00060 4 ELEV-8 Boom (Black) 710-00039 16 Screw, 3x6 mm,0.5 thread, black 750-00058 1.5 12AWG Black Wire

721-80010 1 ELEV-8 Control Board Top Plate 710-00036 24 Screw, #4-40, 3/8", PH, SS 750-00056 15 16AWG Red Wire

721-80007 4 ELEV-8 Landing Gear 710-00002 16 Screw, #4-40, 1",PH,SS 721-80001 2 10x4.7 Slow Flyer CW 1045R Blade

721-80005 4 ELEV-8 Motor Mount Top/Bottom 700-00106 1 Loctite 242 721-80000 2 10x4.7 Slow Flyer CCW 1045 Blade

721-80003 2 ELEV-8 Quad Chassis 700-00093 12 Zip Tie, 4" Black 452-00088 1 EC3 Plugs(10 pairs/sets)

721-80002 1 ELEV-8 Control Board Mount Plate 700-00059 16 Internal-tooth Lock Washer, #4, Zinc 450-00050 2 Extra Gold Bullet Conn 10-Pak

700-00024 4 Locknut #4-40, 1/4" 350-00045 8” White LED Tape

350-00044 8” Red LED Tape

120-00007 8” Red/White Checkered Sticker

120-00006 8” Black/White Checkered Sticker

800-00080 5 3-wire ext.,22AWG,F/F,8"

*Note: The ESC Programming Card was added to kits in April 2013. They are also available separately from www.parallax.com; search “85000”. Version 1.1: Bill of Materials correction.

ELEV-8 QUADCOPTER ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

These instructions are for assembling the ELEV-8 quadcopter in its most standard configuration. Some steps are optional; we’ll explain those along the way. The ELEV-8 quadcopter platform is designed for creative experimentation and adaptation; however, we recommend that you try the standard configuration first, and then experiment at your own educated risk.

These instructions are available online as a full-color PDF; go to www.parallax.com and search “80000”.

Preparation

1. Read the entire assembly instructions before beginning. Assembly and testing takes about eight hours on average.

2. If you are missing any components, email support@parallax.com or call 888-512-1024 (inside continental US) or 916-624-8333.

3. Gather all of the additional items and tools required.

4. Charge your LiPo batteries with their charger.

Additional Items Required



RC radio controller and receiver; 5-channel minimum required for flight

 LiPo Battery, 3000 to 4400 mAh 3-cell 30 C discharge rate  LiPo Battery Charger

Tools Required



Soldering iron, solder, and flux

 Component vise  #1 Phillips screwdriver  1/4 inch wrench, box-end or socket  11/32 inch wrench or nut driver  Wire strippers/cutters (12-16 AWG)  Scissors  Needle-nose pliers  Ruler or measuring tape  Heat gun or blow dryer (for heat-shrink tubing)

Step 1: Motor Set Screws

Start by applying Blue Loctite to the motor set screws, to prevent them from coming loose during flight and causing equipment failure.

1. Locate the Blue Loctite 242, the four motors, and the small Allen wrench in the ELEV-8 Hardware Kit.

2. Refer to the drawing on the next page. Using the Allen wrench, carefully remove the Motor Set Screws (item 2) from each motor (item 1). The screws may be very tight; be careful not to break your Allen wrench.

3. For each motor, apply a small amount of Blue Loctite to the Set Screw threads and carefully reinstall the screws. Seat each screw firmly but do not over-tighten. Allow the Blue Loctite to set for 10 minutes. It fully cures in 24 hours.

Step 2: Solder the Motor and ESC Speed Controller Connectors

In this step you will solder long leads to the motors. Then, you will solder EC3 connectors to each lead and each Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). The EC3 connectors will give you the ability to switch around the wire connections when you check your motor direction later in the build. Be sure to use all of the same “gender” for the leads, and all of the opposite “gender” for the speed controllers. Follow the instructions below.

1. Gather together your motors, the red 16 AWG wire, EC3 connectors, wire cutters, wire stripper, ruler, and soldering supplies.

2. Using a ruler and wire cutters, measure and cut twelve lengths of the red 16 AWG wire, each 12 inches (30.5 cm) long.

3. Use wire strippers to remove the insulation and expose about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) of metal at one end, and 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) at the other end.

4. Solder a wire (the 1/4-inch exposed end) to each lead on all four motors.

5. For this step, use all male or all female EC3 connectors (we used male EC3s here). To solder an EC3 connector to the opposite end of each lead, insert the 1/8-inch exposed tip of the wire into the cup end of the bullet connector, and fill the cup with solder.

6. If necessary, use wire strippers to expose 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) of metal on the end of each speed controllers’ blue wire leads.

7. Solder an opposite-gender EC3 connector to the end of each speed controllers’ blue leads.

8. Connect the male EC3 connectors to the female EC3 connectors of your speed controller, to verify that they fit properly.

9. Disconnect them again for now.

Step 3: Apply Heat-shrink Tubing to Motor and ESC Leads

Heat-shrink tubing will protect the solder joints and prevent unintended electrical contact. In the top picture, the tubing is fully shrunk over the motor-ESC lead solder joints. However, in the bottom picture, the tubing is only partially shrunk over an ESC lead’s EC3 connector. This keeps the leads from accidentally making contact with each other, yet the connectors to be plugged and unplugged if needed when testing motor connections in a later step.

1. Locate the 27-inch length of 3/16” black tubing. Measure and cut it into 3/4-inch (1.9 cm) pieces, 36 pieces total.

2. Slip a piece of tubing over each solder joint on each motor lead.

3. Apply heat with a heat gun or blow dryer to shrink the tubing over the solder joint, as shown (top).

4. Slide a piece of tubing over an ESC lead.

5. Plug in the opposite connector from the motor assembly. Position the tubing to cover both connectors and solder joints.

6. Disconnect the motor assembly lead but keep the tubing in place. Carefully apply heat to just the very end of the tubing where it covers the ESC lead and connector solder joint. Apply just enough heat to secure the tube to the wire behind the connector, as shown in the picture (left). Do not let the other end of the tubing shrink.

7. Test that you can still plug and unplug the motor lead connector into the ESC connector.

8. Repeat with the other 11 ESC leads, and then disconnect the motors from the ESCs for now.

+ 18 hidden pages

Parallax ELEV-8 Assembly Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual