Setting up Retracts with Hexacopter and Taranis X8R Using SBUS

This video demonstrates how to setup retracts using the FrSky Taranis and X8R receiver configured for Mode 4. In addition to using a switch I also demonstrate how to setup a logical switch to trigger retracts with throttle goes over 50% for 3 seconds.

[@jkflorida]

You make learning the Taranis so easy! Pretty much everything I've learned about the Taranis was because of you. Thanks man!

[@dennisbaldwin]

jkflorida2013 Thanks for the good words. Much appreciated and I hope you're doing well.

[@rabeiro]

I have the 650 sport with retracts and assigned one switch which works great. Unclear why you needed the two channels however. I was trying to figure out the auto retract like this at launch, but forgot about the delay. Thanks! Also, you could assign the same switch to override the retract channel in case the gear doesn't come down during landing as a backup. Keep up the awesome vids!

[@dennisbaldwin]

Rabeiro Photography I used two channels because I didn't have a Y cable. So I had to plug each of the retracts into a separate channel. Appreciate the feedback and thanks for watching.

[@immolationful]

Dennis, Thanks a Ton man!!! I've gone through tons of videos to configure this and your video happens to be the best out of the lot! Great job once again! God Bless!

[@dennisbaldwin]

Sreeraj Chellappan Thank you so much for the good words. I really appreciate that.

[@blackmennewstyle]

This radio is a really a gift from fantastic chinese engineers

[@dennisbaldwin]

ABMNS PRODUCTION Really sorry to hear about your Taranis. Hopefully you can recover it. Thanks for watching and have a great week.

[@dougkuechenmeister8733]

Thanks Dennis, I've been using this binding mode with X8R and Eagletree Vector. It works great! I'd like to see some Flight footage from the FireFly. Thanks again!

[@dennisbaldwin]

Doug Kuechenmeister Good to know. I definitely plan on getting some footage of the FireFLY soon and will post it. It's just been crazy busy over here and there has been rain/wind for the past 2-3 weeks. Thanks for checking in and will keep you posted.

[@charliespann3967]

Cool Dennis, great video. very interesting. I still would like to come watch you fly some time I live in Cedar Creek out pas the airport. thanks Charlie

[@dennisbaldwin]

Charlie Spann Sounds good. We should definitely go fly. Maybe sometime this summer when all this rain lets up!

[@charliespann3967]

That will work. Thanks

[@RedHotPheasant]

Excellent tutorial Dennis, much appreciated

[@dennisbaldwin]

RedHotPheasant You bet. Thanks for watching and hope all is well.

[@Cyrusofficial63]

very detailed video thanks i learned lots from your videos :)

[@mhmdayash3041]

Is there a building video for the drone?

[@shainterry]

I was thinking about fail safe. Would these automatically deploy for a safe landing?

[@scottlitten9727]

Can you bind an R9 receiver the same way to get your extra 8 channels? I am having trouble getting my channels.

[@Mr17luchin]

hello, you have helped me a lot before and now I have the problem that my retractors did not get them to work with my pixhawk, you can further detail the procedure and configuration in mission planner I am using flysky radio control i6s thanks

[@FPVcambodia]

Hi Dennis, I blew a X8R already on my friend's UC680 as I powered the Retracted landing gear, through the x8R! :( Did you power it separately, using only the Signal wire, and ground for X8R, or did you power it from the X8R, as I see you has the 3 cables on the leads? Tks for keeping in touch; as I assumed it was the retracts that blew the X8R.... Cheers and Safe Flying!

[@dennisbaldwin]

FPV Cambodia Great question. I've heard the same from a few others regarding powering the retracts via the X8R. Yes right now I have them powered through the X8R but I'm going to power from a separate source. I'd rather not blow out my X8R while in the air! Thanks for the tip.

[@FPVcambodia]

Dennis Baldwin Cheers Dennis... Glad to hear it was not a defective x8r, if others say so.... It worked about 10 times, but when you flip up / down quickly it will indeed damage the x8r.... Take care and keep up the great job, seriously! Safe Flying....

[@AnthonyGalati]

Dennis, I love your videos. What could I expect to spend on a Tarrot 650 rig like that. I already have the Taranis and such. I want to get into a photo-rig like that.

[@dennisbaldwin]

Tony Galati If you're looking to carry a GoPro and Tarot T2D gimbal you can expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,250....not including the camera. I'm flying with Pixhawk and there are cheaper flight controller options to get that price down. It depends on whether or not you plan on using the capabilities of Pixhawk for autonomous flight. Good luck and keep us posted on your search.

[@mhmdayash3041]

Is there a building video?

[@hcrazy24]

Thanks for the post. I wondered if that was possible

[@dennisbaldwin]

Joe C No problem. Thanks for watching.

[@baja67]

You mention a Y cable to allow only using one channel. Could you do a video on that?

[@dennisbaldwin]

Check out this cable: www.amainhobbies.com/hitec-6-yharness-jr-rcd-hrc57351s/p40047?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6La0mr6t1wIVBpR-Ch37QwYIEAQYASABEgL5TPD_BwE It basically sends the signal to both outputs. So you plug it into one channel on our RX and that signal will be sent to both servo motors (landing gear in this case). Hope that makes sense. If I can get around to a video I will do one, but it's no different that wiring your RX up to a single servo. Except in this case you're connecting from the RX to both servos.

[@baja67]

Thank you, that's what I had pictured. I think the disconnect for me is my landing gear only has one channel connection for the radio... I'm guessing yours has two! Thank you for replying

[@nickpsar]

Hi Dennis. Do you know if it is possible to change endpoints form Tarot retracts via Taranis Software? Thanks

[@dennisbaldwin]

I wasn't able to get this working through software because it looks like the retracts are designed to be at 0 or 100%....nothing in between. One thing I did find a while back is a few videos on youtube where users had done a physical modification to limit how far the retracts go up or down. It would be awesome to have the ability to do this from the Taranis, but this version of the retracts don't appear to support it. Good luck.

[@jorgealan997]

Will this work with linear actuators to deploy and retract for a quadcopter??

[@drone7922]

I was thinking about using logical switch with pitch control, switching 2 angled cameras, one facing up for racing the other angled slightly down for takeoff and landing

[@dennisbaldwin]

Juan Sarti Cool idea. Let us know how it goes.

[@drone7922]

Dennis Baldwin Works perfect! Logical switch a>x Ele 40 (0-100) For my 3 video switch default is channel 8. On page 6 mixer channel 8, source L#(logical switch), weight 100, offset -100, and on the right column I set a switch that will override the logical switch (just in case). It works great, thank you!

[@elieeid8865]

thank you for this video. but i do have a question how can i use X8R Sbus with apm2.6 or 2.5.

[@jimmeeGray]

Dennis, in return to launch mode would it work the same way? A demo would be nice

[@jake08742]

jimmy gray Yes, that would make sence.

[@dennisbaldwin]

Dwight Mc Lean jimmy gray I think it should be pretty easy to get retracts working in RTL mode. I'll look into it an post an update. Great idea.

[@Paulivewire]

Hey Dennis, Off the topic, do you fly your pixhawk after auto tune or do you prefer the old fashion manual in air tunning using a knob.... Thank you

[@dennisbaldwin]

Paul DTOM Good question. I AutoTune and then I fine tune manually after that.

[@Paulivewire]

Dennis Baldwin thanks for the reply, I see you get thousands of question. Flies great! but once a little wind hits the quad its ALL over the place even when I raise or lower my PID's ... IM clueless . props balanced, fc anti vibration is on.... ppfffuuu... clueless like that movie..

[@JakeBullit123]

Nice Dennis.Think I`d prefer retracts on a physical switch as those sliders are very easy to knock.

[@jake08742]

Jake Bullit Yea I agree.

[@dennisbaldwin]

Dwight Mc Lean Jake Bullit Yeah that makes sense. I like having them on the slider but can understand why you want them on a switch. I'm going to work on a video where they are controlled by Pixhawk in RTL mode. Thanks for the feedback.

[@jake08742]

Dwight Mc Lean Sliders, I use the left slider for the Gimble and the right slider for the volume control. It makes cents that you use a switch for RTH and another switch for the retracts, which they tell me either they are up or down, true the radio programming and sounds. Because when the Quad is far away you cannot tell if they are up or down.

[@jake08742]

Dennis Baldwin When I did my retracts I ran a separate power supply by removing the red wire from the Sbus. I was told the retracts could draw too much power and overload the Pixhawk. Does that make since?

[@dennisbaldwin]

Dwight Mc Lean Yes probably not a bad idea. I should probably do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@warleymendes2007]

Hi +Dennis Baldwin. I'm building a hexacopter with Tarot 680 Pro frame and I would like to know which ESCs are you usually use with this frame? Also I'm using the Taranis radio + X8R receptor. Which ESC? And Which firmware? Simonk or Blheli? Thanks a lot and congratulations for your videos!

[@dennisbaldwin]

I'm using HobbyWing 30A Opto ESCs with the standard firmware. Good luck with your build. I really love this frame.

[@warleymendes2007]

Hi Dennis, thanks for your answer. I have two more questions: 1 - Which motor are you using (brand and KV)? 2 - Which propeller are you using (brand and size)? Thanks again. You are the best!

[@llamasama4458]

You should build a mini version of the quadcopter/aircraft carriers in avengers! That would be awesome, a sort of proof of concept build

[@dronesvisionsaeriennes]

Hello Dennis, I come back to you after a few years without flying, here is my concern. My 360 ° servo turns in full rotation BUT jerky only millimeter by millimeter (in both directions of rotation). My connections ... X8R in Sbus to converter RMILEC V3 in Sbus ... output w14 RMILEC to positive for servo, negative for servo, signal to Arduino nano. Arduino allows micro up / down switches for servo shutdown RMILEC powered by Pixhawk 2.4.8 RC output Taranis..CH14 for SA switch That's it, if you need clarification .... thank you for a possible solution Philippe

[@MrTaz0079]

I done the same sort of thing on the APM 2.7, Did you run a Ubec to power the retracts? I didnt to begin with but found that in flight mode The retracts pulled to much power from the Apm and rebooted ,

[@dennisbaldwin]

MrTaz0079 Thanks for that tip about the APM rebooting. That wouldn't be good. Others have said that the retracts can cause the X8R to fail, which would be another disaster in the air. I definitely plan on powering them with a separate BEC.

[@MrTaz0079]

mine rebooted in mid air, thankfully i only broke 2 props

[@joeprt]

helo do you now if using ppm mode will be able to connect the same to 6 or 7 channel the retracts ? thanks

[@dennisbaldwin]

+joel bessa In ppm mode you can specify which channel to send signal to your retracts. So if you have the retracts connected to CH6 then you can configure your TX to control retracts on that channel.

[@canrooster4003]

This worked great but if I turn off the transmitter first the retractable landing gear goes up. Normally, you'd turn off your TX first but what happens if I lose TX and RTH, it will land without gear. How to I make sure that gear is down even if TX is off?

[@dennisbaldwin]

+Rob Nascimben See this page: ardupilot.org/copter/docs/landing-gear.html It states: "Furthermore, the landing gear will automatically deploy immediately upon entering Land mode, as well as the landing phase of RTL mode, or an auto-land in Auto mode. This is especially important in the case of radio failsafe RTL events, where it would not be possible for the pilot to lower the gear manually." I'll put together a demo soon.

[@zinfer1]

Dude! Flying that Monster in your garage?! Skill! I think I made a mistake in buying the Tarot TL65B44 when I maybe should have bought the TL96030 w/ TL8X002 Controller? Just concerned about failsafe. Possible to add the TL8X002 for the failsafe features and combine the two? Thoughts? Running the Tarot 680Pro Hex and confused.

[@dennisbaldwin]

Yes I think that's certainly possible. Since the TL8X002 looks to have a servo input you could hook that up to your receiver and control via switch. Or you can use an AUX port on your Pixhawk and trigger that through an autonomous mission. You'd set the servo output to high when you take off (rectracts up) and servo low before you land (retracts down). It's also possible to do something like one your throttle goes above 50% have the Taranis send a signal to your retracts to raise them and then lower them when less than 50%. You have several options here. When I get some time I'll put together a video. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[@zinfer1]

Never got a Pixhawk. When first building my 680 I used Yellowbonez' videos as an aid. May look into adding a TL8X002 to the mix.

[@jake08742]

What would happen if you lost signal and your quad went into failsafe, would your retracts work?

[@dennisbaldwin]

Dwight Mc Lean Not currently, but I plan on setting that up and sharing how to do it. Great question.

[@Philbzeb2]

Howdee Mr I see u have the pixhawk. thank you and be blessedBaldwin, another great video u got here. now my retracts work on my F550, and for my 680pro build. any recommendations for flight controller? or stick with the naza m v2? have a great week.

[@dennisbaldwin]

NAZA V2 is a great FC. I would stick with it for the time being. Just set your retracts up on another channel on your receiver so you can control directly from your TX.

[@Philbzeb2]

Good morning. Gonna take your advice on the Naza and the retracts. thank you much and, have a great day!!

[@nemorotatory]

Hi Dennis,can you give the the link for the landing gear?

[@dennisbaldwin]

Here you go: www.helipal.com/tl65b44-motorised-landing-gear-set.html

[@nemorotatory]

Dennis Baldwin thank you sir

[@marinemarine]

How to setup this landing gear with fsi6s and pixhawk?

[@danielday3162]

Quick question, if using the telemetry units with Pixhawk, is it necessary to have such a fancy controller? I'm working with pixhawk for a school project and I am trying to mitigate some of the cost for the drone.

[@dennisbaldwin]

No. I would say it's not necessary but I'd recommend having at least a one configurable switch to change the flight mode and be able to setup RTL just in case your ground station runs into any problems and you're far away. I've found that the ground station is very reliable so you should be fine. Good luck with your project.

[@dennisbaldwin]

No. I would say it's not necessary but I'd recommend having at least a one configurable switch to change the flight mode and be able to setup RTL just in case your ground station runs into any problems and you're far away. I've found that the ground station is very reliable so you should be fine. Good luck with your project.

[@goclimbing]

What motors are you running on your hex?

[@dennisbaldwin]

Douglas La Farge Tiger motors 770kV. I wished I would have gone slower so I could fly bigger props, but this thing flies really well with 11" props and GoPro with Tarot T-2D gimbal.

[@elieeid8865]

thank you for that . you thonl it will be the same setting on X9D plus? and thank you for thatand for replying

[@dennisbaldwin]

It should be. Let us know how it goes.

[@elieeid8865]

it works great .

[@tomtoka]

So I think my tarot 650 with pixhawk got messed up after this video, I had my landing gear connected to pixhawk and powered from battery, I did like in this video, I connected the signal cable to receiver, I noticed just like Dennis lose of power, so I disconnected the signal cable from receiver and from the power, and since then my drone donest fly, I need to apply like 70% to take off and hoover, and I have to keep increasing the power to maintain the altitude, the drone keeps loosing the power, so I have to keep adding the power, and eventually I will be at 100% power, to hoover, and he will go down anyway!, I installed old and new firmware , recalibrated few times everything , didn't help. I don;t know what is wrong

[@dennisbaldwin]

+Zycie w Californii That's really strange. Not sure what's going on but I'll see what I can think of.

[@tomtoka]

it looks like one of the motors isnt working good, Channel 3 is offf a lot, and I can visually notice that this motor from channel 3 is spinning slower

[@jimmeeGray]

Nice. I like it. Keep up the good work dennis. _jimmy _

[@dennisbaldwin]

jimmy gray Thanks man! It's great to hear from you and hope all is well.