Large arducopter based vehicle tuning process

ArduCopter Copter 4.7
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1

Hello everyone,

I’m building a heavy-lift, 40", quadcopter based on ArduCopter. My current approach is to use a 7-inch test quad to configure the firmware with AMC (Methodic Configurator). Once I have a good baseline, I transfer the configuration to the larger aircraft and adjust the initial tuning parameters to better suit the heavier frame. Using this method, the large quad flies quite well.

However, I’m wondering if there’s a better or more standard approach for setting up and tuning a large heavy-lift quadcopter safely.

Would it be better to continue using my current workflow and then fine-tune the larger aircraft with AutoTune or QuickTune? Or is there a recommended process that experienced builders follow when moving to a much larger platform?

I’d appreciate any suggestions or advice from those with experience tuning heavy-lift ArduCopter builds.

Thanks!

2

The best way is to copy the AMC files of the small copter into a new directory.

Use the old directory exclusively for the small copter.
Use the new (copyed and properly named) directory exclusively for the new big copter.

On the new copter start the steps from the very beginning. Enter all the component information and perform the steps as described in the documentation.

Yes, that is the best way to do it.

In the end both vehicles will be well tuned and well documented.

And if you add a third, do the same again with a new directory

You need of couse to use the normal gui complexity, not the simple gui complexity.

3

Is that safe way to do it? Including the sample flights necessary mid tuning?

4

Very safe, if you do it step-by-step without skipping anything.