Jump into the world of drone upgrades with an exciting tutorial on enhancing a Nazgul Evoke FPV drone. This guide takes you through the process of upgrading with ELRS (ExpressLRS) and a GPS module, providing you a detailed yet straightforward walkthrough. From soldering hardware to configuring settings in Betaflight, you’ll receive beginner-friendly guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, this tutorial will open new avenues in your FPV experience.
The video primarily focuses on teaching you how to solder ELRS and GPS onto your drone and configure them efficiently. With practical tips on using personal batteries and ensuring safety during the upgrade, you’ll appreciate the clarity and simplicity with which complex tasks are made approachable. You’ll also learn how to set up GPS Rescue to guarantee a safer flying experience. Join Craig’s journey from a DJI protocol drone to an upgraded model with new capabilities and improved reliability, ensuring successful flights whether you’re in freestyle mode or exploring long-range possibilities.
BUILD Your Own FPV Drone with GPS & ELRS! 🛠️ Helping You Upgrade Your Nazgul
Want to collaborate? [email protected]
You wanted ELRS and GPS on your Nazgul Evoke, but had no idea where to start… so we’re here to help you out!
In this video, you go through the full process of upgrading your Nazgul with ELRS and a GPS module. From soldering the hardware to configuring everything in Betaflight, you’re covered. Tim walks you through each step—clear, simple, and beginner-friendly.
You’ll learn:
How to solder ELRS and GPS onto your quad
How to set everything up in Betaflight
How to configure GPS Rescue so you can fly with peace of mind
Tips for using your own batteries with the setup
Whether you’re flying freestyle or long-range, this guide will help you get your quad dialed in and ready to rip. Let’s go!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this helped you out!
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Squadding Quads
Overview of FPV Drone Upgrades
Upgrading your FPV drone can be an exhilarating venture, opening new horizons for your quadcopter adventures. Whether you’re a freestyle enthusiast or eager to explore long-range flights, enhancements like GPS and ELRS can significantly heighten the performance and reliability of your drone. By diving into these upgrades, you’ll not only extend your drone’s capabilities but also gain invaluable skills in drone maintenance and modification.
Understanding the Nazgul Evoke FPV Drone
The Nazgul Evoke FPV drone is known for its robust build and impressive flight capabilities, making it a favorite among FPV enthusiasts. However, like any piece of technology, there’s always room for improvement. With a durable frame and sophisticated flight components, the Nazgul Evoke serves as an excellent platform for upgrades like GPS and ELRS, which can enhance navigation and control.
Why Upgrade to GPS and ELRS?
Switching to GPS and the ELRS (ExpressLRS) protocol is a game-changer for any serious drone pilot. While GPS enhances navigational capabilities, allowing features like GPS Rescue, ELRS offers superior range and reliability compared to older protocols like the DJI system. These upgrades will not only make your drone more dependable, especially for long-range flights, but also grant you peace of mind knowing you can track and retrieve your drone if it strays too far.
Benefits for Freestyle and Long-Range Flying
For freestyle pilots, the improved control and feedback from ELRS will make complex maneuvers easier and more fluid. Long-range flyers will benefit from the added security of GPS, reducing the anxiety of potential signal loss. Overall, these upgrades ensure you get the most out of your drone, pushing your flying capabilities to new heights while maintaining reliability.
Tools and Materials Required
Equipping yourself with the right tools and materials is crucial before starting the upgrade process. Having the proper gear ensures not only efficiency but also safety during your DIY project.
Essential Soldering Equipment
Soldering involves melting solder to join electronic components, and having quality soldering equipment is key to creating solid, reliable connections. At the very least, you’ll need a reliable soldering iron with adjustable temperature settings, quality rosin-core solder, and a desoldering pump or braid for correcting mistakes. Additionally, having a set of precision tweezers and a magnifying glass can significantly help when working with tiny components.
Recommended GPS and ELRS Modules
Choosing the right GPS and ELRS modules is vital for a successful upgrade. For your Nazgul Evoke, reliable options include the FlyFish M10 Nano GPS module for its compact design and fast satellite acquisition. For the ELRS receiver, the RadioMaster RP1 is a recommended choice for seamless integration and enhanced range. Make sure these modules are compatible with your current setup before purchasing.
Safety Tools: Smoke Stopper and Heat Shrink
Safety cannot be overstated when working with electronic components. A smoke stopper is a vital tool that helps prevent damage to your drone in case of a short circuit. Heat shrink tubing is another essential, providing insulation and strengthening wire connections after soldering. With these tools in hand, you’ll minimize risks and ensure your upgrade goes smoothly.
Dismantling the Nazgul Evoke
Before any upgrades can take place, you’ll need to carefully dismantle the Nazgul Evoke. This step requires patience and precision.
Carefully Removing Drone Covers and Shields
Start by removing the drone’s propellers for safety. Then, carefully unscrew and remove the top cover and any protective shields. This will give you access to the internal components. Pay close attention to how parts are connected and take pictures if necessary to ease reassembly later on.
Identifying Key Components for Upgrade
Once the drone is open, identify the flight controller, the existing receiver, and any available UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) ports. These are crucial as they will need to be accessed during the installation of the ELRS and GPS modules. Understanding the existing layout ensures you know exactly where to solder and connect new components.
Installing the ELRS Receiver
Now we get to the heart of the upgrade: installing the ELRS receiver, which involves some deft soldering skills.
Pre-tinning Pads: Preparing Your Soldering Points
Before connecting any components, pre-tin the solder pads. This involves applying a small amount of solder to the pads where wires will be attached, enabling a better bond. Apply heat to the pad and add a small amount of solder until the pad has a shiny, metallic coating.
Correct Soldering Techniques for ELRS Hardware
Soldering the ELRS receiver requires precision. Match the TX (transmit) and RX (receive) pads on the flight controller to those on the ELRS receiver, ensuring they are crossed properly. Soldering requires a steady hand—use the soldering iron to heat both the wire and the pad simultaneously before applying solder. Ensure the connections are secure but avoid excess solder, which can cause short circuits.
Using Heat Shrink for Wire Protection
Once soldered, slide heat shrink tubing over each connection and carefully apply heat to shrink it in place. This process provides essential insulation and fortifies the connection. A properly insulated connection prevents shorts and reinforces the wires against vibrations and movement during flight.
Integrating the GPS Module
With the ELRS receiver installed, it’s time to enhance your drone’s navigational capability with a GPS module.
Choosing the Right Placement to Avoid Interference
GPS should be placed where it can receive a clear signal but away from potential interference from other components like the ELRS module or video transmitters. Typically, the best placement is at the rear of the drone, secured with a 3D-printed mount if available.
Soldering the GPS: Tips and Techniques
When soldering the GPS module, ensure you connect the correct power, ground, TX, and RX wires, which often differ from other components. Refer to the drone’s schematics for accurate connections. Remember, each component may require specific settings or power differences, so checking the compatibility of these pieces is key.
Ensuring Proper Power and Ground Connections
Ensure that the power is taken from a 5V or 3.3V pad, depending on the requirement of your GPS module, and that the ground connection is secure. Proper power arrangements guarantee functionality without overloading or underpowering the module.
Configuring Betaflight Settings
With hardware installation complete, configure the software within Betaflight to communicate with the new components.
Changing UART Allocations for GPS and ELRS
Betaflight configuration involves reassigning UART ports for new modules. Access the “Ports” tab, and enable GPS control for the designated UART, followed by enabling Serial RX for the ELRS receiver. These actions allow the flight controller to receive and interpret data from the new devices.
Updating Receiver Protocols
In the “Configuration” tab, update the receiver protocol to suit ELRS if it’s not already set up. This ensures that the signals from your remote control and the drone are in sync and responsive, facilitating reliable control.
Saving and Testing Configuration Changes
After adjustments, always save your configurations in Betaflight and perform a preliminary check. Verify that both GPS and ELRS modules are functioning correctly by ensuring data is being received and displayed properly on the Betaflight interface.
Setting Up GPS Rescue for Safety
One of the most enticing uses of a GPS module is the GPS Rescue feature, which can automatically return your drone to its takeoff point.
Understanding GPS Rescue Functionality
GPS Rescue is designed to bring your drone back to you in case of signal loss. By using satellites to track the drone’s position, it can navigate back safely, minimizing the risk of losing the drone.
Tailoring Setup to Match Specific Drone Batteries
In the “Failsafe” tab of Betaflight, tailor the GPS Rescue settings, including altitude and angle, based on the capacity and characteristic of your specific drone batteries. Setting accurate parameters ensures the drone can return without exhausting its power supply.
Testing GPS Rescue Before Flying
Before taking your drone on a full flight, conduct ground tests to confirm GPS Rescue is set up accurately. Simulate signal loss to observe how the drone responds, ensuring the feature activates correctly and smoothly.
Testing the Upgraded Drone
With everything in place, it’s time to ensure everything functions as expected through a series of tests.
Initial Flight Checks
Conduct static tests with the drone powered on but without liftoff. Verify GPS locks on to satellites, and that the ELRS binds correctly to your transmitter. Ensure response to control inputs is prompt and exhibits no anomalies.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter issues, check the wiring and solder points for any missed connections or shorts. Common problems such as GPS not locking or ELRS not binding can usually be traced back to errors in soldering or misconfigurations within Betaflight.
Ensuring All Components Function Correctly
Before a full flight, double-check all drone components, ensuring every new part works in harmony with the existing system. A successful test flight should yield improved control and navigation.
Safety and Practice Tips
Safety should be your top concern throughout this process, ensuring both your safety and that of your drone.
Using a Smoke Stopper
Always use a smoke stopper when powering on the drone for the first time after making upgrades. This tool can save your investment by halting power flow if it detects a short circuit.
Practicing Soldering on a Practice Board
If new to soldering, hone your skills on a practice board before attempting crucial connections on your drone. Practicing solidifies techniques, reducing the chances of mishaps on important components.
Flying Safely with New Equipment
With new equipment installed, avoid diving straight into complex flights. Start with simple, controlled flights to familiarize yourself with the enhanced capabilities and responses of your upgraded drone.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the Upgrade Process
Upgrading your FPV drone, while complex, is highly rewarding, teaching you the mechanics behind better performance and resilience in flight. The journey itself is a valuable experience, expanding both your knowledge and your appreciation for the intricacies of drone technology.
Highlighting Key Takeaways
Key takeaways from this upgrade include mastering the art of soldering and electronic assembly, understanding software configuration, and gaining essential troubleshooting skills. These competencies not only enrich your current build but prepare you for future projects and challenges.
Encouraging Continued Exploration and Learning
With your new GPS and ELRS setup, consider this a springboard for further exploration into the FPV hobby. Engage with the community, share your insights, and keep pushing the limits of what your drone can achieve. This continuous learning path empowers you to keep innovating and deriving maximum joy from the exhilarating world of drone flying.