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This chapter covers the basics of the DeltaQuad Evo.
In this chapter, we will discuss the DeltaQuad Semi Solid-State Li-ion battery, how to handle it, how to place it inside the DeltaQuad Evo, and how to power up the vehicle.
Auxiliary battery placement
The DeltaQuad Evo and its accessories are stored in a rugged flight case.
1 x Fuselage
2 x Wing
4 x DeltaQuad Evo Semi Solid-State Li-ion battery
DeltaQuad Dual Battery Charger
1x auxiliary battery payload box
1x empty payload box
Ground Control Station (Controller or ruggedized laptop) and accessories
Optional payloads
When removing the fuselage from the flight case you gain access to five extra compartments
*Depending on the Evo version, the Ground Control Station can be either a hand controller or a ruggedized laptop. The functionality and use of this equipment will be discussed in a later chapter of this manual.
This chapter will discuss how to properly handle the DeltaQuad Semi Solid-State Li-ion battery.
The DeltaQuad Evo is compatible with the DeltaQuad Semi Solid-State Li-ion battery. Using other batteries is not recommended and will impact your warranty.
Use only the DeltaQuad Dual Battery Charger. Do not use a NiCd or NiMH charger - Failure to do so may cause a fire, which may result in personal injury and property damage.
Never charge batteries unattended unless you charge inside a Battery Safe. When charging Li-ion batteries you should always remain in constant observation to monitor the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur.
If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon or swell up, discontinue the charging process immediately. Disconnect the battery and dispose of it safely. Continuing to charge a battery that has begun to swell will result in fire. Likewise, never use a battery if you find it swollen or ballooned.
Since a delayed chemical reaction can occur, it is best to observe the battery as a safety precaution. Battery observation should occur in a safe area outside of any building or vehicle and away from any combustible material.
Wire lead shorts can cause a fire! If you accidentally short the wires, the battery must be placed in a safe area for observation for approximately 1 hour. Additionally, if a short occurs and contact is made with metal (such as rings on your hand), severe injuries may occur due to the conductibility of electric current.
A battery can still ignite even after 1 hour.
A battery that makes a hissing sound is almost certain to ignite. Consider your own safety and that of your environment before attempting any action
In the event of a crash, after a 15-minute period to ensure the battery was not compromised, you must remove the battery and dispose of it safely.
Only place the battery before the flight, and remove the battery directly after the flight. Always transport the battery in the dedicated compartment of the flight case or in a safe transportation unit such as a fireproof bag or storage container.
In this section we will explain how to power on the vehicle.
After placing the main battery as described in the chapter the XT90 connector of the battery needs to be connected to the XT90 socket in the battery bay.
The XT90 socket is located on the right side of the battery bay (front view).
The XT90 connector and socket have key features that allow for easy identification and proper alignment during connection. The constricting shapes at the left end of the connector and socket need to align. This design ensures that the connectors can only be plugged in one way.
Insert the XT90 connector of the battery into the XT90 socket of the Evo until fully joined.
Be sure to push the connector in fully to ensure a secure connection. If the connectors are not fully joined, the vehicle will still be able to switch on but the connectors could overheat. During the flight, due to vibration, the battery plugs could even come loose resulting in the vehicle losing power.
When powering up the DeltaQuad Evo, it will go through an initialization routine that can be monitored on the Evo's LCD display located above the avionics bay:
After the successful initialization, the LCD will read "Ready to fly".
If the initialization can't be completed due to an error, the LCD will give information indicating how to resolve it.
The following is a complete list of messages and their explanations.
Every payload box carries information about its weight and weight distribution. This information is stored on the I/O board of the payload box.
Depending on the installed payloads the DeltaQuad Evo will automatically balance itself by moving the main battery tray to the front or to the back.
The DeltaQuad Evo can compensate to a greater extent for tail heaviness rather than nose heaviness. That is why the main battery tray can move more forward than backward. This is the reason why the heavier payload must be always installed in payload slot one, the most aft payload slot close to the pusher motor.
In this section, we cover the steps for assembling and disassembling the DeltaQuad Evo.
For the initial hardware setup, make sure you have ample room to work. Carefully unpack all components from the flight case and inspect them for any damage. If there is damage to your vehicle please document and report this damage to DeltaQuad.
Take the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case and place it on a flat surface with the landing gear deployed.
The wing has a big spar close to the leading edge and a smaller spar close to the trailing edge. In front of the big spar is a keying mechanism located in the form of a cuboid.
This keying mechanism prevents mounting the wings on the wrong side.
The wings of the DeltaQuad Evo must be mounted in such a way that the wingtips point downwards.
Slide the carbon spars of the wings into the corresponding blind holes of the fuselage.
When fully locked a clicking sound from the wing lock mechanism must be audible and the wing lock must sit flush with the fuselage.
The wing is not properly installed if the wing lock doesn't make a click sound or doesn't sit flush with the fuselage.
To disassemble the DeltaQuad Evo, follow the steps for the assembly in reverse order.
Press down the wing lock mechanism with the thumb while the same hand is holding the fuselage in place. With the other hand pull the wing away from the fuselage.
When storing the fuselage inside the flight case, the landing gear must be deployed.
It is recommended to transport the DeltaQuad Evo in the flight case.
| Nr. | Compartment |
|---|---|
| LCD message | Explanation |
|---|
1
Controller* and accessories
2
Battery compartment
3
Payload compartment
4
Dual Charger compartment
5
Ruggedized laptop*
Ready to fly | The vehicle has found no errors and is ready to fly. |
Left wing not detected | The left wing is not detected. Please attach the left wing. |
Right wing not detected | The right wing is not detected. Please attach the right wing. |
Reverse payloads | The heaviest payload should be in the rear (slot 1). This message indicates that the payloads should be reversed. The payload in slot 1 should be installed in slot 2 and vice versa. |
No payloads found | The software has not found any payloads. When flying without payloads the empty payload boxes (placeholders) need to be installed. |
Slot 1: No payload | No payload was found in slot 1 (rear payload). Both payloads should be occupied. With a dual payload, this message should not appear. |
Slot 2: No payload | No payload was found at slot 2 (front payload). Both payloads should be occupied. With a dual payload, this message should not appear. |
Slot 1 not Configured | The payload printed circuit board (PCB) for the payload in slot 1 has not been programmed. |
Slot 2 not Configured | The payload printed circuit board (PCB) for the payload in slot 2 has not been programmed. |
Balancing Error XXmm | The payload makes the vehicle to nose or tail heavy and cannot offset the center of gravity (CG) with the nose battery (between -5 and +35 is ok). |
Automatic balancing | The system is balancing the vehicle by moving the nose battery fore or aft. |
Arming denied: XX | Arming UAV is denied because of reason XX. |
Battery not fully charged | Battery level below 80%. |
Nose battery moved XX mm | The vehicle moved the nose battery XX mm to offset the imbalance caused by the payloads. |
Payload to heavy | The total payload weight is above 3000 grams. This is not within vehicle specifications. |
Updating params | The vehicle parameters are being updated to accommodate the payloads. |
Writing parameters failed | There was an error while writing the parameters. |
The DeltaQuad Evo comes with 5 propellers, 1 composite "pusher" propeller, and 4 carbon fiber VTOL propellers. The propellers should already be attached when you receive the vehicle. When replacing the propellers please follow these guidelines.
The VTOL propellers consist of 2 Clock Wise (CW) propellers and 2 Counter Clock Wise (CCW).
The bullet-type nut on the propeller adapters is self-tightening, which means they close by turning them in the opposite direction of how the motor/propeller spins. This is done to ensure the propellers do not become detached when the motor spins up. This means that to undo the nut on motors 1 and 2 it turns left, and on motors 3 and 4, it turns right.
The propellers are centered with a small ring inside the mounting hole, this should result in the propeller sitting tightly around the shaft.
Always ensure the centering ring is present and the propeller fits tightly around the shaft.
Mount the propellers in the following positions noting the direction of the propeller as indicated below:
The propellers are attached by removing the motor nut and washer, sliding the propeller on the shaft, sliding the washer on top of the propeller, and fastening the nut.
For the vertical motors (VTOL motors), please make sure to install the washer in the right orientation. The washer has a wider side on top.
After changing the pusher propeller a test flight is necessary to verify that the vibration of the pusher motor is within tolerances. Please contact our support ([email protected]) and share the log file for review.
The DeltaQuad Evo pusher propeller is an APC 15x10E propeller that contains a modified ring to mount properly on the DeltaQuad Evo pusher motor. Please only use DeltaQuad-approved and balanced pusher propellers.
The pusher propeller should be mounted so that the propeller produces thrust towards the rear, this means that the top of the propeller (the side that has the text engraved) should face the motor as shown in the diagram below.
Note: All propellers are balanced in our factory by hand. This can leave scratch marks on the propeller blades. This does not indicate damage or that the propellers are used. A sign of damage can be structural weakness such as a bent propeller blade. If you find gouges or missing parts anywhere at the tip, the outboard region, or the trailing edge of the blade you need to replace the propeller.
This chapter will discuss the proper placement of the main and the auxiliary battery.
The DeltaQuad Evo has a battery bay (blue), a payload bay (green), and an avionics bay (red).
The main battery needs to be placed on the tray in the battery bay which is located at the front of the fuselage.
The tray has the same form and shape as the underside of the battery.
The battery must be placed in such a way that it fits on the tray.
The thicker power cables must exit the bottom of the battery and lead over the top of the battery toward the XT90 socket of the DeltaQuad Evo.
The battery tray will move forward or backward to correct for the center of gravity depending on which payload is installed. Always make sure that no battery cable is located between the battery and the back wall of the battery bay.
The main battery must be always installed in the battery bay as explained above. To extend the flight time and the total mission range of the DeltaQuad Evo, in addition to the main battery, the auxiliary battery can be installed in the payload bay.
Never attempt to fly only with the auxiliary battery as this will lead to an incorrect center of gravity. The main battery must always be installed.
Every DeltaQuad Evo comes with an auxiliary battery payload box.
As with the main battery tray the auxiliary battery holder is shaped like the battery bottom plate.
The auxiliary battery must be placed in such a way that it fits on the tray. The thicker power cables must exit the top of the battery and lead over the top of the battery toward the XT90 socket of the DeltaQuad Evo.
There is a latch mechanism on the auxiliary battery holder which secures the battery in place. After the battery is placed the latch needs to be rotated 90 degrees so it is positioned above the battery.
Always install fully charged batteries! Installing two batteries with different voltage levels can cause a fire.
The auxiliary battery payload box must be installed in payload slot 1, the payload slot at the rear end of the fuselage, as it is the heaviest payload.
Every payload box displays two arrows on top of each handle.
There are corresponding arrows on the left and right sides of the DeltaQuad Evo's payload bay.
The arrows of the payload boxes must match the arrows in the payload bay.
The payload box orientation is important as its I/O board must align with the respective I/O board of the payload slot.
Slide the payload box into the payload slot.
Push both payload box handles down until you hear a click from the payload box locking mechanism to make sure that the box sits properly in its slot.
The frame of a properly installed payload box sits flush with the frame of the payload bay.
Before takeoff, the payload bay must be fully loaded with either two single payload boxes or one double payload box. If not the LCD above the avionics bay will read one of the following messages:
If payload slot 1 is loaded with, e.g. the Nighthawk 2, payload slot 2 needs to be loaded with the empty payload box which comes with every DeltaQuad Evo.
This section covers the flight controller's safety features. To access the safety features configuration screen you will need to switch the vehicle on and establish a connection between the Ground Control Station and the vehicle.
To modify the parameters click on the Menu Icon in the upper left corner of Auterion Mission Control. A drop-down menu will open. Click on the Vehicle Setup tab.
A new drop-down menu will appear. Click on the Safety tab.
Now you have access to all safety settings.
Default: Return at critical level, land at emergency level
Default Warn level: 10%
Default Failsafe level: 7%
Default Emergency level: 5%
These parameters define what the vehicle does when reaching low battery levels.
Note: The levels are those estimated to be reached when having flown to the landing site. This means that the further the vehicle is from its intended landing location, the sooner these actions will be taken. The vehicle will attempt to maintain these values when landed.
Warn level: The percentage where the vehicle will give a visible and audible warning to the Ground Control Station
Failsafe level: The level at which the vehicle initiates the critical battery action. (return)
Emergency level: The level at which the vehicle initiates the emergency battery action. (land)
Default Failsafe Action: Return mode
RC Loss Timeout: 5.0s
Set the action on RC loss, and how quickly the vehicle responds.
This setting defines the behavior when the Radio Control (RC) Link is lost. The RC Link refers to the communication connection between the DeltaQuad Controller (transmitter) and the DeltaQuad Evo.
The DeltaQuad Controller will have both RC and Data Link functionality. It is recommended that you leave this setting as is.
When flying in Altitude mode (manual control), and the connection with the vehicle is lost, the system will initiate the Return mode after 5 seconds regardless of the settings in the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger.
Default: Disabled
Default timeout: 100s
This controls the behavior of the vehicle when the telemetry link is lost. When flying fully autonomous missions where the loss of telemetry is allowed or expected, this parameter should be set to Disabled.
Some local laws require this value to be set to Return mode.
The Settings of the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger should be checked before pausing the vehicle mid-flight. If the trigger is disabled and the Data Link is lost after the vehicle is paused and in Hold mode, the pilot has no possibility of giving a new pilot command. Until the Data Link is regained, the DeltaQuad EVO will remain in Hold mode. If the Data Link can't be re-established, the vehicle will remain in Hold mode until the Low Battery Failsafe Trigger will be activated.
Default action: Warning
Default max radius: Disabled
Default max altitude: Disabled
The geofence failsafe trigger can be set to limit the vehicle's radius and/or altitude. When settings these parameters the vehicle will perform the defined action upon breaching any of these.
Default climb: 60m
Default home action: Land immediately
These settings define how the vehicle behaves when it engages the Return to Land function. The Climb altitude is the minimum altitude relative to home the vehicle will maintain for its return path.
If the altitude of the DeltaQuad EVO is lower than the Default climb value, in this case, 60 meters, the UAV will ascend to that Default climb altitude of 60 meters.
If the vehicle is higher at the point where the Return to Land is triggered it will maintain that altitude to return.
The DeltaQuad EVO can perform an autonomous Return to Land when instructed from the Ground Control Station, when instructed from a mission, or when triggered by a failsafe event.
If the DeltaQuad EVO is in Fixed-wing mode when the Return to Land event is triggered the UAV will make use of the Landing Pattern from the planned mission.
The DeltaQuad EVO will return in Fixed-wing mode to the Loiter waypoint of the Landing pattern in a straight line at the altitude the UAV is at when the RTL was initiated.
If the altitude of the DeltaQuad EVO is higher than the Default climb value the UAV will stay at its altitude and return to the Loiter Waypoint.
When reaching the "Loiter" waypoint the DeltaQuad EVO will loiter and descend to the set Approach Altitude. In the final approach towards the Land item, the DeltaQuad will perform a transition to Multirotor mode and land as planned in the mission.
Be aware that if your planned Land item is not at the same location as your Launch item, the DeltaQuad EVO will land in a different location rather than your Home Position.
If the DeltaQuad EVO is in Multirotor mode when the Return To Land event is triggered the UAV will return to the Land item in a straight line at the altitude it is at when the RTL was initiated.
Because the DeltaQuad EVO is in Multirotor mode it will not make use of the Loiter waypoint and the Landing Pattern but head directly for the Land item.
If the altitude of the DeltaQuad EVO is lower than the Default climb value (60m) the UAV will ascend to that Default climb altitude (60m) whilst heading for the Landing item.
If the altitude of the DeltaQuad EVO is higher than the Default climb value the UAV will stay at its altitude and return to the Landing Pattern.
When reaching the Land item the DeltaQuad EVO will descend in Multirotor mode and touchdown at the Land location.
Be aware that if your planned Land item is not at the same location as your Launch item, the DeltaQuad EVO will land in a different location rather than your home location.
Default Descent Rate: 1,2m/s
Disarm after: 2s
This controls the landing behavior. The default descent rate is the maximum speed the DeltaQuad EVO descends in Multirotor during a landing.
In windy conditions, the vehicle will correct itself by applying a lower descent rate and the indicated descent rate might not be achieved. The DeltaQuad will brake and slow down its descent from approximately 8 meters above the Home Position to guarantee a soft landing.
The default value of the Descent Rate can be left at 1,2m/s. Nevertheless, if it needs to be changed it should not be increased above 1.5m/s.
The disarm time is the time the vehicle waits before disarming (stopping the motors) after it has detected a landing. The value should not be set lower than 2 seconds.
This chapter will discuss how to charge and store the DeltaQuad Semi Solid-State Li-ion battery properly.
The DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery is capable of charging within 1 hour at 20 Amperes. Charging at this rate will limit the durability of the battery. It is recommended to charge the battery at no more than 15 Amperes for a maximum lifetime.
Power on the DeltaQuad Dual Charger.
Plug the yellow XT90 connector from the power cables of the battery into the charger.
Take the balance lead which is the smaller group of cables with the white connector and plug it into the respective balance port of the charger.
With the DeltaQuad dual charger, you can charge two batteries simultaneously. Therefore make sure to connect the cables of one battery to the same channel.
Per channel, you have two buttons. One for the current and one for the mode.
Set the mode to "Charge" by pressing the mode button.
We recommend charging the DeltaQuad Evo batteries at 15 amperes. You can cycle through the available values by pressing the current button.
Press start.
Your DeltaQuad Evo battery is now charging.
When not using the battery for a longer period of time it is recommended to storage charge the battery with the provided DeltaQuad Dual Battery Charger. By doing so the battery will be either charged or discharged to 3.7V per cell which equals 50% battery capacity.
Plug in the power and balance cable of the battery to one of the channels of the charger.
Set the mode to "Storage" by using the mode button.
Press "Start".
If the battery is fully charged when using the storage mode, the charger will discharge the battery to 50% of its capacity. This process can take longer as the discharge power per channel is only 40W.
If the battery is below 50% capacity when using the storage mode, the battery will be charged to 50% capacity at the set current value.
The battery should be stored in a safe and dark location between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius. If the battery has been fully discharged, putting at least some charge (+- 50%) before long-term storage is recommended. This can be done by using the storage mode of the dual charger.
