LotusRC T380 User manual

T380 Quadcopter Manual version
V2.1
(8 Feb, 2012)
LOTUS
www.lotusRC.com
RC
™

T380 Quad-copter
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Safety Precautions：
1. Please read this manual before building and flying the aircraft.
2. The product is remote control model, people without independent ability;
please do not operate it to avoid any adverse consequences.
3. Take necessary measures to prevent being hit by the rotating blades or motors
and avoid personal injury.
4. If you have never built a quad-copter before, we advise you to seek help and
guidance from someone who has.
Disclaimer：
1. Do not use this product for illegal reasons or purposes.
2. LotusRC and our dealers bare no responsibility on how this product is utilized.
3. This model contains a large number of sophisticated components and
electronics, which may fail overtime. LotusRC and our dealers assume no
responsibility to any losses, be it direct and indirect as a consequence to this
failure.
Agreement
Upon purchasing this product, you automatically accept to the above
agreements.

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Table of content
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………….……3
Brief introduction…………………………………………………………………………4
1. Function and features……………………………………………………………….….......…….….…………...4
2. Aircraft Dimensions.…………………………………… …………….………….……..………….....…………...5
3. configuration and specification…………………………………………….….….…..………...……………..6
4. Technical parameter…………………………………………………………….…..…............…………..…….7
Components ’name ……………………………………………………………………….8
1. Major body components………………………………………………………….……………....……………..…8
2. Electronics………………………………………………………………………………….………..…...…………..….9
3. Software system………………………………………………………………….…….………….…….…………..…9
Assembly………………………………………………………………………………..….9
1. Main body……………………………………………………………………..………………………..….............….9
2. Propeller mounting………………………………………………….………….…………............…………..….10
3. Remote control receiver device ……………………………….…………………………………………..…..11
4. Radio settings…………………………………………………………………………………………….………………12
5. Powering up for the first time ……………………………………………………………………………………13
First flight ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
1. WARNING: PLEASE READ BEFORE YOUR FIRST TEST FLIGHT……………………………………….14
2. Control directions………………………………….…………………………….….……………..………………….14
3. Lift off and hover………………………………………………………………………………..…………….....……16
4. Built in safety features……………………………………………………………………..….………………….…17
Feedback ……………………………………………………………………………......…18

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Foreword
Before utilizing T380 quad-copter, please read this instruction carefully. It
will help you to understand and know how to use it with less time. If there
still have some points can’t be realized during this reading, please contact
us, you will get optimal answer and help here. In order to provide optimal
service for you, please purchase this product via legal channel. People
utilize our product in illegal action or any other unclear places, including get
this product via illegal channel, cannot share our relative service support.
To any illegal behavior which people copy our products and distributing, marketing,
circulating, our company will claim for their legal liability.
Base on the continuous improvement and enhancement of product manufacturing
techniques and producing workmanship, we maintain our rights on changing
instruction and product parts, parameter index at any time; therefore we will not
inform our customer. You may know the latest product development by visiting our
website, welcome to send us any feedback of your feeling, opinions and
suggestions at any time.

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ⅠBrief introduction
1. Function and features
T380 quad-copter is a mid-level aircraft designed mainly for FPV players.
1) High efficiency: 8inch slow fly propellers and Disc brushless motors, the
optimal efficiency is able to reach 9g/W.
2) Stability: utilizes a high-performance MEMS sensor for 6DOF stabilization
with low drift, shock resistance ability.
3) Simple: a minimum 4remote control proportion channels are required to fly,
Property core system, it is compatible to all RC equipments.
4) Easy to operate：Can be installed in a few minutes.
5) The T380 can take off and land vertically, altitude hold, hover, fly left and
right, etc.
Left space in the front of the aircraft for camera installation

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2. Aircraft dimensions
Aircraft dimension
Rotating diameter (mm) battery placement (1P/2P)

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3. Configuration and specifications
No
Names
Specification
Quantity
Unit
1
Cover
aluminum alloy /PVC
1
Set
2
Arm beam
Glass fiber
8
Pcs
3
LG
Aluminum alloy/glass
fiber/rubber
1
Set
4
Motor
C2208 KV900 Out-runner
brushless motor
4
Pcs
5
Propellers
8045 Plastic composites
2
Pair
6
Brushless
ESC
2-3S 12A high speed ESC
1
Pcs
7
FC system
Inertial attitude
self-stabilization system
1
Set

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4. Technical parameters
Aircraft size
410x410x140
mm
Maximum
expandable size
615x615x140
mm
Motor to motor
Diagonal distance between two
motor centers
410mm
Propellers
frontal and versa professional props
8045
8inch
Battery
LiPo 3S 2200mAh 20C
standard1P
Aircraft weight(kit
only)
Without battery, receiver, applicable
payload
430gram
Take-off weight
3S 2200mAh 1P battery, receiver
610gram
Recommended
payload
Camera mount
≤380gram
Maximum payload
Use standard 1P battery
≤380gram
Maximum takeoff
weight
Use standard 1P battery
1300gram
Flight distance
Visual area
-
Flight time
3S 2200mAh 1Pbattery, receiver
18~25mins
Wind resistance
≤4
Class

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Ⅱ. Components’ names
1. Major body components (Aircraft exploded view)
No.
Components Name
Quantity
1
Propeller clip
4
2
Propeller
4
3
Brushless Motor
4
4
FC
1
5
Locking block(arm beam1)
4
6
Locking block(arm beam2)
4
7
Bottom cover
1
8
Cover
1
9
ESC
1
10
Arm beam
1
11
Motor locking block
4
12
Landing gear
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
12
9
10
11

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2. Electronics
1) 12A Maximum output load, 4 brushless motors.
2) Motor and ESC overload and burn-out protection: once overloading is
detected, motors will be turned off gradually.
3) FC with six high-performance micro MEMS transducer to achieve the stable,
reliable and drift-free stabilization.
3. Software system
1. The fuzzy logic algorithm, the aircraft stabilization is proprietary and
intellectually protected worldwide.
2. The T380 system has been fully field tested and intuitively easy to fly.
Ⅲ. Assembly
1. Main body
1) In order to ensure the optimal configuration, T380 aircraft has been mounted
and passed flight test before the delivery.
Aircraft (with main parts)

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Bottom view
2) Users only need to install propellers, landing gear and RC receiver.
Locate LG at the bottom of the airframe tightly by M3 bolt, screw nuts down till
LG is installed at right place snugly. (In case of break plastic chassis, please do
not screw it too tight.)
3) Install T type slot of battery at the bottom of the fuselage, notice that you need
a same-designed, female T type plug, ( a standard Deans Ultra connector)
4) Hold 3S1p battery, install Velcro we offered on the cross beam of the LG.
2. Propeller mounting
1) There are four 8 inch high efficiency slow fly propellers.
2) Install propellers on motor shaft directly, and screw down propeller clips.
3) Keys: Use Loctite or other thread locker when installing the Aluminum Blade

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Holder. This is to prevent it coming off during flight.
4) Propeller rotation ( pay attention to the“front”direction)
3. Remote control receiver device.
1) A minimum 4 channel Receiver is required to fly this system.
2) T380has been tested to work with major brands of RC Radios, including
Spectrum(DX), JR(DSX7,9XII),Sanwa (RD8000), Futaba(6EX,10C,FF9),
Hi-TEC(Eclipse7), GWS, WFLY(FT06-C),ESKY, etc.
3) Plug in the corresponding channels as shown below to your RC Receiver.
Front
Front
Back
Back

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T380 Input
Corresponding Receiver
Channel
Example:
Futaba Receiver
Example:
JR Receiver
CH 1
Aileron Input
Channel 1
Channel 2
CH 2
Elevator Input
Channel 2
Channel 3
CH 3
Throttle Input
Channel 3
Channel 1
CH 4
Rudder Input
Channel 4
Channel 4
CH 6
Camera Angle Control
Input (Optional)
Channel 5
Channel 5
4. Radio settings
1) Set your transmitter on fixed wing mode.
2) Set the end points of Channel 1, 2, 3 and 4to between 0-100%.

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3) Remove or disable any mixing between channels.
4) Set a straight line curve for Throttle channel. You may fine tune this curve
later.
5. Powering up for the first time.
1) Turn on your Radio transmitter, move the Throttle stick to the lowest
position (zero throttle).
2) Place the aircraft on level ground, install your LiPo battery and power up.
You will hear some beeps indicating power is on.
3) Do not move the aircraft until the initialization process is completed
(indicated by 3 beep-beep-beep tones).
Initialization Beep Tones:
No.
Beep
Indication
1
First Beep Tones after 2 seconds
Indicate battery is connected.
2
Second Beep Tones after Power
Switch is turned ON.
RC signal in detected and the lowest
throttle position is identified.
3
Final Beep Sound after 6 seconds:
“Beep Beep Beep”
Flight Control System is initialized and
aircraft is ready to fly.
4
Beep before flight (after throttle stick
is pushed up).
The aircraft confirms throttle stick has
been moved and propeller will now start
to rotate.

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Ⅳ. First flight
1. WARNING: PLEASE READ BEFORE YOUR FIRST TEST FLIGHT.
1) Default factory setting for the T380 “X Mode”configuration.
2) Two of the Motor Arms are colored yellow as a marker to indicate the front
side.
3) To ensure your safety, the following flight tests must be done carefully with
small controlling increments.
2. Control direction
To check your RC Transmitter control settings, carefully test as instructed below.
If the movement is incorrect, reverse the channel accordingly.
Safety note: this can be successfully done without the propeller installed.
No.
Control Input
Aircraft Reaction
1
1
Increase
Throttle Gently
(do not lift off!)
Motor revs up and down as per throttle input:
2
2
Manually
checking
control
direction.
1. Carefully hold the aircraft by hand.
2. Gently increase throttle until the motors just begin to rotate.

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3
3
Roll left /
Right
1. Move the Aileron stick to the left; you should observe the right
motor speed up while the left motor slows down.
2. Observe the opposite when rolled to the right
4
4
Forward /
Back
1. Move the Elevator stick to the front.
You should observe the back motor speed up while the front
motor slows down.
2) Observe the opposite when Elevator stick is moved to the back.

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5
Rudder
left / right
(direction
of rotation)
1. It is easier to check correct rotation if the aircraft is allowed
to lift off slightly (do not hold the aircraft in your hand if you
do this!).
2. If you move the rudder stick to the left, the aircraft should
rotate to the left, and vice versa.
3. Lift off and hover
1) After you have tested and confirm all 4 channels in your RC radio are set
up correctly, it’s time for your first flight.
2) As before, place the ARF on the flat ground, turn on the power and go
through the initialization process. Do not move any control sticks or the
aircraft during this process.
3) Gently move your throttle to start all motors. Push the throttle stick
higher until the aircraft begins to lift off and fly.
4) If the ARF looks stable, allow it to hover, maintain altitude before gently
bringing the throttle stick down for a soft landing.
5) Continue to test hover the aircraft, flying low and slow until you get used
to its characteristics before going into higher altitude and forward flight.

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4. Built in safety features
1) Loss of RC signal
a. In case of RC signal is not detected during flight, the aircraft will
automatically enter the security protection mode (SPM).
b. In SPM, the aircraft will emit a long “b-e-e-e-e-p” tone intermittently.
c. The aircraft will not fly until a RC signal is received by the controller.
2) Start-up throttle protection
a. During power up, if your radio throttle stick is not in the lowest position
(zero throttle), the SPM will be activated.
b. In this state, the aircraft will not respond to any command until the
throttle stick is placed in the lowest position.
3) In-flight Protection during RC signal lost
a. If RC signals is lost or interrupted while in flight, the aircraft will
immediately self land.
a. And intermittent beep tone would also be emitted.
b. When RC signal is regained, this protection will be deactivated and the
aircraft can continue flying.
4) Low battery protection
a. Upon detecting low battery, the aircraft will beep intermittently while still
flying.
b. Please land as soon as possible and replace a battery.
c. If this warning is ignored, the aircraft will slowly power down and self-land.
You still have flight control during this time, but not throttle control.
d. Default is 3.2 volts per LiPo cell.
5) Beeping tones summary
No.
Alarm sound
Indicator for:
Action Required

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1
Beeping sound during flight.
Motor power down.
Low battery
Replace battery
2
Intermittent long beeps
No RC signal detected or
throttle stick is not zero
at start up.
Check your radio
transmitter
3
Quick Beeps during flight
Low battery or the RC
signal was lost
Check battery voltage
and RC connection.
4
Quick Beeps and flight
control is not allowed
Low battery or the RC
signal was lost
Check the batteries and
RC Connection
Ⅴ. Feedback
We would like to hear from you to improve both the product and our services.
Please do not hesitate to contact us via email:
Skype: F490905002 Website: www.LotusRC.com
Technical services: [email protected]