12inch quadcopter pre-flight config "sanity check"

ArduCopter Copter 4.6
1

Hi!

I have built a quadcopter with the following components, and I would like to ask the experts to take a look at the setup, before the very-first flight of the quadcopter:

  • FC: Micoair H743
  • Ardupilot 4.6.3
  • ESC: Micoair Bluejay 50A 4-in-1
  • Battery sensor: Mateksys I2C Power Monitor I2C-INA-BM
  • Battery: 6s3p EVE-40PL 4000mAh 21700 pack
  • Motors: EMAX ECO2 3115 400KV
  • Prop: 12x7.5x3
  • GPS: HGLRC M100-5883 M10 GPS Module with Compass
  • Compass: The compass on FC is not used, the external one on the GPS module is used (GPS is mounted on a 23cm standoff to avoid interference with battery and high currents)
  • VTX: Walksnail moonlight
  • Telemetry: Micoair LR24
  • RC receiver: ELRS 2.4G Diversity Receiver Dual Antenna RX Built-in TCXO

I have used AMC to configure the craft, and I reached the step where the very first flight should be made. Step 18, Notch filter setup is done.

Is there anything in the setup files, where I might screwed things up?
Are the default PID values safe for this huge copter? AMC support odcumentation mentions that “Larger vehicles usually require higher than default PID rate values.” Is this vehicle considered as larger?
Is there any abvoius issues in the config files?

.ZIP file from AMC:
12inch_drone_20260422_202716UTC.zip (88.2 KB)
.param file from MP:
12inch_pre_first_flight_log.param (21.9 KB)

Thank you!

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No. A 12" isn’t considered large. Well, maybe if you have only built 3-7" craft it might seem that way. The default rate PID’s, which are based on a generic 10" craft, should get it in the air OK for 1st flight. I would suggest the 1st things to review in the log and adjust but you are working in the AMC so you will arrive there anyway.

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Thank you Dave!

You are right, I only have experience with 3inch ant 5inch quads. When the props and the frame arrived, I was surprised how big this copter will be.

What is considered large?

4

What is considered large?

24’’ starts to be large.

9’‘-12’’ are standard, and can use the ArduPilot default PIDs.
Thanks for reporting the missing documentation, I’ll add this information.

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If I limit maximum PWM (MOT_MAX_PWM) can I avoid serious oscillations, on serious unexpected events at the first take off?

I’m thinking of limiting somehow the maximum thrust at the first flight, for safety reasons.

If everything goes well, of course, I will set back MOT_MAX_PWM to original value.

6

No. That is not recommended.

Follow the recommended steps, those are been tested hundreds of thousands times and produce good results.
The problems come when people start misinterpreting the documentation or ignoring the documentation. That is why AMC was created, to reduce the amount of documentation you need to read and interpret. If there are decisions that can be automatically done, AMC does it for you, so that you do less mistakes. This forum is full of users that misinterpret documentation or do not read it.

A 10’’ drone is nothing special, ArduPilot can control it fine!

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Thank you for helping, confirming! :slight_smile:
I was able to start the test flights. The copter flew pretty good with the values provided by AMC.

@amilcarlucas , the AMC is very very useful! It guides my through the process and it’s very well structured. Congratulations!

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Thanks. I did it to help ArduPilot users.

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