FPV in Roban MD-500E 700 Build

[PawPaw]

Thanks for that Futaba upgrade info, DC! My trusty T10J finally met it’s match on this project which I never thought would happen. I was already maxed out at 10 channels with this FPV project then learned the Beast X Pro version, needed for the rescue bailout feature, requires a separate channel also. Sure ain’t looking forward to reading another manual ‘tho. 😡

[DCORSAIR]

Oh boy, someone got a new toy, and sorry PawPaw that I haven't been around on here much to see this project, glad you sent that pm about the Futaba radio I made you buy or I wouldn't have known about this project, that is going to be so awesome if your able to get this one up and flying, can't wait to see it done and your 500 looks great by the way, as you know I 'm a Hughes 500 nut..:stuck_out_tongue_wi

[PawPaw]

FPV MD-530F Updates: The door fans mod worked, at least for 3-3 1/2 minutes in 82* OAT and 70+% humidity, which is typical of SE Texas summers. The door fans create just enough negative pressure in the fuselage to keep decent air flow. Definitely will be an early morning flyer which suits me just fine.
I am a little disappointed with her weight: 7303g all dressed and ready to party. IMHO, that’s a little too heavy for 600 mechanics with nylon gears so the rocket pods and mounts won’t fly…at least at first.
I still need to upgrade the Beast X to the Pro version for the rescue feature. Also, I am giving some serious thought to upgrading my T10J Futaba to a newer radio just because the 16/18 SZ series radios allow the assignment of the trainer switch (needed for head tracking) and the T10J does not. Haven’t made peace with a tie wrap holding that spring switch on while I’m wearing goggles

[PawPaw]

I discovered the single Tornado Plus fan mounted on the Caddx FPV air unit helps, but doesn’t fix it’s overheating issue when the heli is outside in 85* air temp and the ESC and motor are heating up the fuselage interior. Since the MD-530F can be configured with vented solid rear doors as an option, I built a set of doors from styrene and mounted a 30x30x10mm Tornado Plus fan in each set to exhaust mode. These fans are rated at 5.5cfm each so will completely replace the fuselage air volume 4 times a minute and hopefully help the Caddx fan. We’ll see….

[Gravythe clown]

Well at least not in the last 10 minutes.

gravy

[sfcfury]

Whaatttttttt well I never...

[PawPaw]

Buhaha! What I need is an app that screens sfcfury’s PMs for $$$ before I open them. I’m still behind on that awesome sound card he’s making me buy for this MD.

[Gravythe clown]

Someone is admiring their dirty seduction of evil FPV work.


Gravy

[sfcfury]

I got the cockpit interior section finished and installed between camo painting sessions on the fuselage. I received the Futaba trainer cord from Motionsic and their head tracker unit works great. The software install for the tracker is a little tedious but got the unit configured easily once configured on my PC. I am a little disappointed that Futaba assigned the Tx trainer switch to a non-configurable spring loaded one, so unless I open the Tx up and resolder switch pins (not happening) I am stuck with using a tie wrap to hold the switch “on” while flying. The good news is the head tracker automatically defaults the camera to center position if the tie wrap slips off so I will still see straight ahead. Getting closer to the maiden daily…

[PawPaw]

I got the cockpit interior section finished and installed between camo painting sessions on the fuselage. I received the Futaba trainer cord from Motionsic and their head tracker unit works great. The software install for the tracker is a little tedious but got the unit configured easily once configured on my PC. I am a little disappointed that Futaba assigned the Tx trainer switch to a non-configurable spring loaded one, so unless I open the Tx up and resolder switch pins (not happening) I am stuck with using a tie wrap to hold the switch “on” while flying. The good news is the head tracker automatically defaults the camera to center position if the tie wrap slips off so I will still see straight ahead. Getting closer to the maiden daily…

[PawPaw]

Here’s the “dirty” setup I am testing. So far, so good. The Caddx mounting cradle allows 1/8-3/16” clearance between the unit and fan base that’s not visible in the pics.

[PawPaw]

First cooling test looks pretty good. I bought 2 Yeah Racing “Tornado Plus” aluminum case 25mmx25mmx10mm fans from AMain that are rated at 5.1cfm each, and are good from 5-7.2v. I cut a square of .060 polystyrene the size of the Caddx air unit mounting cradle and cut a hole in the middle for one fan to match the fan blade OD. Taped that assembly to the Caddx cradle and powered everything up as before. This time, after 15 minutes, the unit was only warm. Before, it kicked into low power mode after less than 5 minutes without any air flow. That’s encouraging, but summers in coastal Texas are miserable so the final design may need both fans. I will post a pic when the fan install is complete.

[PawPaw]

Painting ‘posed to be relaxing. It ain’t, for me anyway. I’m doing a camo scheme per the Chilean military mostly because the MD-530F Defender is an export version and my other option was the Afghan Air Force which is now owned and operated by the Taliban. Couldn’t find a Taliban pilot figure.

[PawPaw]

Thanks for joining us on Hobbysquawk, and particularly this thread, lwright. As I stated earlier, this FPV effort is new to me and so far the learning curve has been reasonable. My cooling fans are due to arrive today and that will start my effort to design and build a simple bracket to get the fan(s) mounted. My goal is to determine if this FPV will work inside the MD-500E’s cockpit without removing any of the front windshield panels either for visibility or cooling. Your input will be much appreciated, sir!

[lwright292]

Cool!

I first built my rig in 2018 and it's been a science project ever since. I'm about to adapt everything to a Roban UH1 800.

[PawPaw]

Outstanding, sir! That’s the vid sfcfury sent me that started me on this path, in fact. I’m getting closer to test phase and just need the Futaba trainer cord adapter to arrive for my vibration tests. On yeah….need to finish painting the MD-500E also.

[lwright292]

Hey PawPaw!

I've been flying FPV helicopters for a while now. I use a Puma flight control system with Cyclic, Collective, and anti torque control along with DJI FPV. Just added the BAG and working on anti vibration measures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPJlQ1NitDc

[PawPaw]

Answered the “low power” no recording question. The air unit goes into low power mode when it overheats, as stated in the manual, but I didn’t realize it gets hot that quickly. It certainly does if no air is flowing, which will be an issue in a heli setup vs fixed wing, so gotta figure out a good cooling fan setup.

[PawPaw]

Making progress, I think? Motionsic finally replied to my email re Futaba trainer cord adapter. They now have those added to their products online, so it’s ordered. They did say a standard 3.5mm mono-to- Futaba mini square adapter, as commonly available, will work only if you open up the mini square plug and resolder the PPM out pin to the PPM in pin. I did order one of those a few days ago and will try that….much later, I’m guessing.

[sfcfury]

You’re right. I shoulda waited to the second paragraph, at least.

At least! Now hurry up and get it figured out for me!