3DR X8+, Operation Manual

Page 1: ...X8 Operation Manual Read before flying IMPORTANT ...

Page 2: ...rchasing an X8 The X8 is a powerful octocopter platform for aerial video Review this manual in its entirety before your first flight Additional instructions can be found in the X8 information portal at 3DR com X8 info Happy flying ...

Page 3: ...nnecting to a Ground Station 11 Flight Basics 12 Safety 12 Operating Limits 13 Controls 14 Modes 17 Return to Launch 19 Failsafes 20 Status Indicators 22 Flight Procedures 24 Takeoff 24 Landing 26 Monitoring 27 Missions 28 Planning 29 Saving 30 Initiating 31 Ending 31 Appendix 32 Troubleshooting 32 Maintenance 32 Specs 33 Resources 34 ...

Page 4: ...titude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch Loiter mode LTR hover Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch Stand back 4 6 The motors are now active Hold left stick down right until motors spin 2 1 Power on controller set to STD and RTL OFF Arm motors Press and hold safety button until solid red Connect charged battery Choose a clear launch point and face the X8 away from...

Page 5: ...3 Micro USB port not pictured side of Pixhawk X8 Front arms blue Rear arms black GPS mast Pixhawk autopilot Safety button Status LED Antenna ...

Page 6: ...nfiguration Complete these steps to prepare the X8 for flight 1 Unfold Arms 1 2 Remove the bolts and thumbnuts near the two folded black arms 1 Unfold the black arms re insert the bolts and secure with the thumbnuts 2 1 2 X8 Assembly Unfold Arms ...

Page 7: ...tical for the X8 to fly correctly To attach each propeller remove the nut and washer from the motor and add the correct type of propeller with the writing on the propeller facing the sky This is a tight fit apply pressure and twist the propeller onto the motor Replace the washer over the propeller and use the propeller wrench to tighten the nut on top 1 2 X8 Assembly Unfold Legs top motor SF botto...

Page 8: ...tform below and visit 3DR com download_software to install the application Windows Mission Planner OS X APM Planner Android DroidPlanner 2 Important Note About Vehicle Setup in Mission Planner and APM Planner Your X8 has been pre configured at the factory and is ready to fly Re performing the calibrations on the Initial Setup screen including the mandatory hardware configurations and setup wizard ...

Page 9: ...ly at the current position See page 20 for more information about failsafes To avoid a low battery failsafe regularly check the controller s flight data display to monitor battery voltage and end your flight before the battery reaches the low voltage limit Controller Press and hold the DN button to view flight data flight battery mAh consumed since armed Another way to monitor power consumption is...

Page 10: ...ight battery charging wiring Charging in process Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the battery permanently unusable Always fly with a fully charged battery Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only Always monitor the battery while charging Protect the battery from extreme heat extreme cold puncturing and flammable surfaces Always transport charge and s...

Page 11: ... the controller When fully charged the controller displays 12 V when completely out of charge the controller displays 9 V Replace the batteries when the controller displays 9 1 V Controller Press and hold the DN button to view flight data controller battery level 9 12 V Replace controller batteries at 9 1 V Controller Flight Data Display Screen 1 ...

Page 12: ...g the battery When powering off the X8 disconnect the battery before turning off the controller 1 Turn on the controller Ensure that the switches are set to CH 7 OFF STD and RTL OFF RC controller Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy X8 Connect battery keep level while initializing Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy CH 7 switch Mode swi...

Page 13: ...iew live data from the X8 2 Select AUTO and 57600 then select CONNECT When connecting directly to Pixhawk s micro USB port set the rate to 115200 Ground station laptop with radio connected Mission Planner Connect tool top right corner Mission Planner Flight Data tab connected to aircraft Laptop Mission Planner APM Planner 1 Connect the blue end of the Android adapter to your device and the black e...

Page 14: ...ar away from you make sure you can always see its orientation Don t fly in low light high winds rain or other conditions that might impede visibility Always fly at least 5 miles 8 km away from airports and other areas where pilots operate manned aircraft visual line of sight 400 ft 120 m 100 ft 30 m 5 miles 8 km visual line of sight 400 ft 120 m 100 ft 30 m 5 miles 8 km Spinning propellers can cau...

Page 15: ... s operating limits Maximum altitude 100 m 328 ft Range 300 m 984 ft from launch point GPS lock GPS lock required at all times Maximum estimated flight time 15 min Payload capacity 800 g 1 7 lbs X8 Operating Limits While geofence enabled default ...

Page 16: ... altitude Set the throttle stick to center to maintain the current altitude left stick Left Stick Left Stick Move the left stick vertically to control altitude Set the throttle stick fully down to land once the X8 is a few inches above the ground Left Stick To take off and to gain altitude push the throttle stick slightly above center position Left Stick Left Stick Controls Throttle ...

Page 17: ...tivate ld until propellers p spinning Move the stick to the left to rotate counterclockwise Move the stick to the right to rotate clockwise left stick Left Stick Release the stick to stop rotating and maintain the current orientation Move the left stick horizontally to rotate the X8 and change orientation For a slow rotation move the stick slightly away from the center in either direction Moving t...

Page 18: ...left arms or right towards the right arms How far you move the stick from the center before releasing it tells the X8 how fast to move Left Back Forward Right Left Back Forward Right Move the right stick left to fly left Move the right stick right to fly right Flight Tip The X8 moves according to its orientation The blue arms face forward and the black arms face backward Before using the right sti...

Page 19: ... new to flying start your first flight in loiter instead of standard Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch mode switch The X8 includes three flight modes manual flight STD altitude hold hover mode LTR loiter and mission flight AUTO Use the switch on the right side of the controller to select a flight mode To avoid sudden changes ...

Page 20: ... of the camera in flight Visit 3DR com X8 info for instructions Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Land CH 7 land at the current position Set the CH 7 switch to ON to end your flight and land at the current position Once you activate land set the throttle stick fully down and the X8 automatically disarms after landing The X8 does not disarm automatically unless the throttle stick is set ...

Page 21: ...hieves minimum altitude of 15 m 50 ft or maintains current altitude if above 15 m 2 Moves to launch point and loiters for 5 seconds 3 Lands at launch point Wait for a few seconds until the X8 disarms automatically launch point 15 meters 1 2 3 hover 5 seconds Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch Return to Launch Reposition during landing During landing use the right stick on the cont...

Page 22: ...e data or communication channels required for flight Although certain failsafes have assigned LED indicators and tones it is unlikely that you will be able to see these at a distance Monitor the ground station for failsafe indications If a failsafe is triggered the assigned behavior activates To override the failsafe behavior use the controller to switch to standard mode and regain manual control ...

Page 23: ... we recommended changing the GPS failsafe behavior to land Visit 3DR com X8 info for more information about configuring the GPS failsafe Altitude Failsafe The X8 has a 100 m 328 ft altitude geofence enabled by default If the geofence is breached the X8 automatically switches to RTL 400 ft 120 m manual control 100 m 328 ft Range Failsafe The X8 has a 300 m 984 ft horizontal geofence enabled by defa...

Page 24: ...s of GPS signal switch to standard mode altitude hold Initializing hold the X8 still and level Acquiring GPS please wait Armed Autopilot ready GPS locked Status LED The Pixhawk LED indicates the status of the X8 During flight the LED won t be visible instead use a ground station to view the status of the X8 Visit 3DR com X8 info to listen to Pixhawk s status tones X8 Status LED LED ...

Page 25: ...y Button The safety button indicates the status of the motors to allow you to arm and disarm the X8 safely Safety button X8 Safety Button Motors inactive safe to handle Motors active deactivate before handling ...

Page 26: ...e underside of the vehicle Remember to hold the X8 still and level while the sensors initialize The controller is set to CH 7 OFF standard STD mode loiter mode for beginners and RTL OFF The status LED displays blinking green indicating that the X8 has acquired GPS lock This can take a few minutes depending on your flying location The X8 is situated at a safe unobstructed launch point facing away f...

Page 27: ...ors inactive safe to handle Motors active deactivate before handling 2 To arm the motors hold the left stick down right until the motors spin Controller left stick arming position Safety button indicators The arming and disarming procedures ensure that you can safety start and stop motors without risk of injury The X8 s motors will spin when armed Make sure the propellers are clear of any obstruct...

Page 28: ...e before handling Controller left stick disarming position Safety button indicators Do not handle the propellers or pick up the copter while the safety button is active solid red Remember to disconnect the battery before turning off the controller when powering off If you end your flight using the Ch 7 land command or RTL the X8 disarms automatically wait for the motors to stop and proceed to powe...

Page 29: ...level 14 16 8 V connection strength current latitude current longitude altitude in meters flight time altitude in meters GPS status speed in m s flight battery mAh consumed since armed End your flight at 14 1 V Do not exceed 8000 mAh for a fully charged X8 battery 80 of available capacity Monitor the X8 in flight using the controller s flight data screens Controller Controller Flight Data Display ...

Page 30: ...ur flying location and local regulations Remember the X8 cannot avoid obstacles during a mission it completes the mission as planned Select altitudes that avoid any obstacles such as trees and comply with the safety information in this manual Speed By default the X8 travels at 6 5 m s 14 5 mph during a mission Power As the operator it is your responsibility to ensure that all missions comply with ...

Page 31: ...nt types To plan a mission power the X8 and connect to your ground station Ground station applications require an Internet connection to access maps Tablet DroidPlanner Laptop Mission Planner APM Planner DroidPlanner Edit waypoints Mission Planner Flight Plan Takeoff and Landing Both ground station applications provide the option to configure automatic takeoff and landing into the mission Missions...

Page 32: ...8 Select Save WP File to save the mission to your computer for future use After planning the mission save the mission to the X8 The Pixhawk autopilot can store one mission at a time When you initiate the mission the X8 starts the mission stored to the autopilot at the time Tablet DroidPlanner Laptop Mission Planner APM Planner DroidPlanner Send Mission option menu Mission Planner Flight Plan ...

Page 33: ...d raise the throttle to initiate the mission For manual takeoff initiate the mission in flight by switching to auto mode Controller mode switch Controller mode switch Controller left stick Automatic Landing For missions configured with a land waypoint the X8 disarms automatically after landing Ensure that the throttle stick is set fully down during landing the X8 cannot disarm automatically unless...

Page 34: ...e Perform radio calibration or RC controller re binding Accelerometer Calibration Failure Perform accelerometer calibration Compass Calibration Failure Perform compass calibration GPS Failure Wait for improved GPS signal or move to a more open area most common failure Video tutorials for performing calibrations are available at 3DR com X8 info Replacement parts for the X8 are available for purchas...

Page 35: ...e Ground Station Radio 3DR Radio v2 915 MHz or 433 MHz Motors SunnySky V2216 12 KV800 II Frame Type X Propellers APC Propeller 11x4 7 SF 4 APC Propeller 11x4 7 SFP 4 Vehicle Dimensions 13 7 in x 20 1 in x 11 8 in 35 cm x 51 cm x 20 cm Payload Capacity 800 g 1 7 lbs Vehicle Weight with Battery 2 56 kg 5 6 lbs Maximum Altitude 100 m Range 300 m from launch point 1 km when geofence disabled Maximum E...

Page 36: ... the pages below Online information portal 3DR com X8 info Terms and Conditions 3DR com terms Contact 3DR Support at help 3DR com Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm PST Happy flying 3D Robotics 1608 4th Street Suite 410 Berkeley CA 94710 3DR com X8 Operation Manual DCT0004 v C 2014 3D Robotics ...