Developer Comment by Ryan Beall on December 5, 2010 at 9:48pm

Exactly what Doug and I were going to start on! Thanks Chris!

Moderator Comment by Gary Mortimer on December 5, 2010 at 10:44pm

Now thats cool

Comment by MarcS on December 6, 2010 at 12:56am

Couldn´t we use the ArduIMU to build such a system?
Or is there something preventing this use?

Does anyone know other open source flybarless systems?

Developer Comment by Mark Colwell on December 6, 2010 at 5:45am

Wow, Now I will add Parallax Propeller to my learning curve ! This a mature device with several great options, We could add our ArduIMU v2 and Mag Compass to add 9DF vs gyros only IMU. maybe Heli Hacker could sell this thru our DIY Drones store?

Comment by Jiro Hattori on December 6, 2010 at 5:51am

Sure, I would like to buy parts kit from DIY Drone :)
Anyway, good chance to go back traditional Heli.

Comment by Ryan Fraser on December 7, 2010 at 5:43am

Sweet, if you look retail systems there like $3-500! Chris always finds the best stuff.

Comment by Rhine on December 7, 2010 at 1:54pm

well i have a trex500 will this work with a flybar to keep the helicopter stabilization am looking for something also that will keep it in one spot!! how much does that cost?

Comment by Rhine on December 7, 2010 at 2:01pm

how much this it? and where can i buy it at? will it be easier to do a yaw with it?

Comment by Ryan Fraser on December 7, 2010 at 2:12pm

@Rhine
It should work with any 4 channel or more FlyBar copter. All that changes is the direct coupling of the swash plate to the rotors. Most kits that I've seen provide longer tie-rods and sometimes a shorter main shaft.
So I'm sure the trex can do it you'll just have to dig up longer tie-rods.
This system (or any Fly-Barless) system won't position lock the copter. The Arducopter "Traditional Helli" set-up will do position lock, but you will still need the Fly-Barless module.

Comment by Greg Glenn on December 8, 2010 at 5:49pm

Thanks to Chris for mentioning my project here. I had thought about posting something here, but I didn't think the PhuBar really qualified for drone status. To answer some of the questions:

Rhine: I don't sell kits but I do sell the PCBs from time to time. I should have a few extra, maybe 3-4, by the end of December if anyone wants to build their own. Otherwise, you can order your own PCB from the link on the Wiki->Parts page here: http://code.google.com/p/phubar/wiki/Parts.

MarcS: I am sure something similar could be built using the ArduIMU. I chose the Propeller because it is easier to manage multiple real-time inputs and outputs with its 8-core architecture. And with the ITG-3200, the whole thing is light and compact, which is good for tiny helicopters.

I really want to get other people involved in writing code to add more features to the PhuBar3.

I am currently awaiting delivery of some Freescale accelerometers so I can build a PhuBar6 with full DCM implementation for true self-leveling and pirouette stabilization. It remains to be seen if the Propeller can handle DCM with fixed-point math, or if I will need to wait for the MPU-6000 next year.

Heli Hacker

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