UAV Mapper Electronics and Pixhawk Installation Guide

Overview

Do each of the steps below in sequence to install your motor, servos, ESC, and Pixhawk.

1. Electronics Required when DIY building a UAV Mapper airframe
2. Pixhawk pin out and accessory locations
3. Install the motor
4. Install the pitot tube
5. Install the parachute
6. Mount Pixhawk, airspeed sensor, and I2C splitter
7. Install GPS/Compass
8. Mount the telemetry radio
9. Install Pixhawk and make final connections
10. Install the FrSKY L9R RC receiver
11. Install the servos

Electronics - not included with airframe

• Sunnysky 2814-1000 brushless motor.
• Hobbywing Platinum 40 amp ESC.
• APC 12x6 electric propeller.
• Servos (2) Corona DS329MG.
• Holybro Pixhawk autopilot. There are many brands of Pixhawks, however, the UAV mapper is designed to use the Holybro Pix32. Use 433 telemetry in Europe. Use 915 telemetry in the USA and all other countries except those in Europe. Sources for Holybro Pixhawks:
  • Holybro direct
  • GetFPV
  • Banggood
• Airspeed sensor.
• FRSky Taranis X7 RC Transmitter
• FRSky L9R RC Receiver
• 5000 - 6600 mAh 4S LiPo battery.
• Battery cable adapter HXT4mm to XT60.
• LiPo battery charger.
• Camera - Sony Nex 5 (N, T, R, all okay), or a6000 with Sony 16m Lens (SEL16F28). Find these used on eBay or Amazon. Or Micasense RedEdge.
• Camera trigger cables available in the Tuffwing store.

Pixhawk pin out and accessory locations

The UAV Mapper parameter file configured for the following accessories and positions:

• RC 9 Parachute
• RC 10 Camera Trigger cable
• Pin 53 hot shoe geotag cable. Also used to connect Reach to the Pixhawk.

Install the motor [SunnySky 2814-1000]

1. Install the X mount and prop adapter.
2. Insert the 3 motor wires through rectangle opening in the bottom of the motor mount.
3. Attach the motor using the supplied 16mm x 3mm screws and nuts.
4. Important: Add washers to the left side of the motor mount. This helps counteract torque roll during take off.

Danger: Do not install the propeller until all configuration is complete.

Install the pitot tube

1. Slide pitot tube into mount and install screw. Cut silicone tubing in 1/2 and push through body.

Install the parachute

1. Insert the four 3mm screws (included with the parachute) into the composite plate on the bottom of the body.

2. Install the parachute with the servo to the back of the body.

Mount Pixhawk, airspeed sensor, and I2C splitter

1. Hot glue the airspeed sensor and I2C splitter to the Pixhawk mount board.

2. Stick the loop Velcro to the back of your Pixhawk and place on board.

3. Install the following servo extensions:

Pixhawk	Extension Length	Peripheral
RC	30cm	SBUS out from receiver
SB	30cm	RSSI out from receiver
MAIN OUT 1	30cm	Right wing servo
MAIN OUT 2	15cm	Left wing servo
AUX OUT 4	15cm	Hot shoe
AUX OUT 2	15cm	Camera trigger
AUX OUT 1	15cm	Parachute


4. Connect the I2C splitter to the I2C port on your Pixhawk.
5. Connect the airspeed sensor to the I2C splitter.

6. Install the ARM button in the body.

Mount the GPS/compass

1. Use the supplied Velcro to stick the GPS/Compass to the mount. Aim arrow at notch. (left)

2. Slide the GPS/Compass wires through the top half of the orange wire guide.

Mount the telemetry radio

1. Insert the telemetry radio into the foam cut-out.

Install Pixhawk and make final connections

1. Slide the Pixhawk into the body.

2. Plug the 6 pin connector into the GPS port on the Pixhawk. Plug the 4 pin connector into any port on the I2c splitter.

3. Connect the silicone hose to the tubes as shown.
   1. Straight pitot tube (stagnation tube) to port further from circuit board.
   2. Angle pitot tube (static tube) to port closest to circuit board.

4. Connect telemetry radio to TELEM 1 on the Pixhawk.

5. Connect the ESC servo connector to MAIN OUT 3.

6. Connect power module to ESC and Power port on Pixhawk.

7. Connect the three motor ESC wires to the motor. Connect in any order. Switch any two wires to make the motor spin the correct direction.

Install the FrSKY L9R RC receiver

1. Set receiver and antennas in the receiver mount. Attach with hot glue.

2.  Insert the receiver into the right wing.
3. Connect the SBUS wire from the L9R

Install the Servos

1. Use needle nose pliers to push the servo wire through the hole in the bottom cover.
2. Install the pushrod in the middle outside hole on the servo arm. Widen the servo arm with 1/16" drill bit so the pushrod will fit.
   Note: You will center the servos later when you configure your Pixhawk and transmitter.



3. Connect 15cm servo extensions and shrink tube (included).

Note: Install shrink tube after you push the servo wire through the bottom cover.

4. Tuck servo extension into groove on wing bottom and tack with hot glue. Do not use CA as it will be too permanent.

5. Install the wings on the body
   • Connect the right wing servo to MAIN OUT 1.
   • Connect the left wing servo to MAIN OUT 2.

Continue to UAV Mapper Transmitter and Pixhawk Configuration Guide >>