DJI F450 (CUAV v5+)

This topic provides full instructions for building the kit and configuring PX4 using QGroundControl.

Key information

• Frame: DJI F450

• Flight controller: CUAV V5+

• Assembly time (approx.): 90 minutes (45 minutes for frame, 45 minutes autopilot installation/configuration)

Finished setup 1

Bill of materials

The components needed for this build are:

• Flight controller: CUAV V5+:

  • GPS: CUAV NEO V2 GPS

  • Power Module

• Frame: DJI F450

• Propellers: DJI Phantom Built-in Nut Upgrade Propellers 9.4x5

• Battery: Turnigy High Capacity 5200mAh 3S 12C Lipo Pack w/XT60

• Telemetry: Holibro Transceiver Telemetry Radio V3

• RC Receiver: FrSky D4R-II 2.4G 4CH ACCST Telemetry Receiver

• Motors: DJI E305 2312E Motor (800kv,CW)

• ESC: Hobbywing XRotor 20A APAC Brushless ESC 3-4S For RC Multicopters

In addition, we used an FrSky Taranis controller. You will also need zip ties, double-sided tape, a soldering iron.

The image below shows both frame and electronic components.

All components used in this build

Hardware

Frame

This section lists all hardware for the frame.

Description	Quantity
DJI F450 Bottom plate	1
DJI F450 Top plate	1
DJI F450 legs with landing gear	4
M3*8 screws	18
M2 5*6 screws	24
Velcro Battery Strap	1
DJI Phantom Built-in Nut Upgrade Propellers 9.4x5	1

F450 frame components

CUAV V5+ Package

This section lists the components in the CUAV v5+ package.

Description	Quantity (Default Package)	Quantity (+GPS Package)
V5+ Autopilot	1	1
DuPont Cable	2	2
I2C/CAN Cable	2	2
ADC 6.6 Cable	2	2
SBUS Signal Cable	1	1
IRSSI Cable	1	1
DSM Signal Cable	1	1
ADC 3.3 Cable	1	1
Debug Cable	1	1
Safety Switch Cable	1	1
Voltage & Current Cable	1	1
PW-Link Module Cable	1	1
Power Module	1	1
SanDisk 16GB Memory Card	1	1
12C Expansion Board	1	1
TTL Plate	1	1
NEO GPS	-	1
GPS Bracket	-	1

CUAV V5+ components

Electronics

Description	Quantity
CUAV V5+	1
CUAV NEO V2 GPS	1
Holibro Telemetry	1
FrSky D4R-II 2.4G 4CH ACCST Telemetry Receiver	1
DJI E305 2312E Motor (800kv,CW)	4
Hobbywing XRotor 20A APAC Brushless ESC	4
Power Module(Included in the CUAV V5+ package)	1
Turnigy High Capacity 5200mAh 3S 12C Lipo Pack w/XT60	1

Tools needed

The following tools are used in this assembly:

• 2.0mm Hex screwdriver

• 3mm Phillips screwdriver

• Wire cutters

• Precision tweezers

• Soldering iron

Required tools

Assembly

Estimated time to assemble is approximately 90 minutes (about 45 minutes for the frame and 45 minutes installing the autopilot and configuring the airframe.

1. Attach the 4 arms to the bottom plate using the provided screws.

   
2. Solder ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) to the board, positive (red) and negative (black).

   
3. Solder the Power Module, positive (red) and negative (black).

   
4. Plug in the motors to the ESCs according to their positions.

   
5. Attach the motors to the corresponding arms.

   
6. Add the top board (screw into the top of the legs).

   
7. Add double-sided tape (3M) to the CUAV V5+ flight controller (it has internal vibration damping, so no need to use foam).

   
8. Attach the FrSky receiver to the bottom board with double-sided tape.

   
9. Attach the telemetry module to the vehicle’s bottom board using double-sided tape.

   
10. Put the aluminium standoffs on the button plate.

11. Plug in Telemetry (TELEM1) and GPS module (GPS/SAFETY) to the flight controller.
12. Plug in the RC receiver (RC), all 4 ESC’s (M1-M4), and the power module (Power1) into the flight controller.

    The motor order is defined in the Airframe Reference > Quadrotor x

That's it! The final build is shown below:

Finished Setup

Vehicle Configuration/Calibration

QGroundControl is used to install the PX4 autopilot and configure/tune it for the frame. Download and install QGroundControl for your platform.

Full instructions for installing and configuring PX4 can be found in Basic Configuration.

First update the firmware and airframe:

• Firmware

• Airframe

You will need to select the Generic Quadrotor X airframe (Quadrotor x > Generic Quadrotor X).

Then perform the mandatory setup/calibration:

• Sensor Orientation

• Compass

• Accelerometer

• Level Horizon Calibration

• Radio Setup

• Flight Modes

For this build we set up modes Stabilized, Altitude and Position on a three-way switch on the receiver (mapped to a single channel - 5). This is the recommended minimal set of modes for beginners.

Ideally you should also do:

• ESC Calibration

• Battery

• Safety

Tuning

Firmware installation sets default autopilot parameters that have been configured for the selected frame. These are good enough to fly with, but it is a good idea to tune the parameters for a specific frame build.

Video

Acknowledgments

This build log was provided by the Dronecode Test Flight Team.