PCS edventures RubiQ Technical specifications

COPYRIGHT NOTICE | Copyright © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to owners of this PCS Edventures! curriculum to make photocopies of the student pages
ONLY, BUT use is restricted to students attending your program ONLY. Beyond this use, any reproduction of these
pages for wider dissemination or for commercial sale is strictly prohibited. The content of this manual is furnished for
educational use only, is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by
PCS Edventures, Inc.

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL
Get ready to meet RubiQ, your modular, open-source training drone! She’d get up to shake your hand, but as
you can see, she’s a little out of sorts right now. That’s where you come in. This guide includes your step-by-
step instructions for piecing RubiQ together. Follow them in reverse to disassemble. This kit includes all the
parts and tools needed for assembly, along with a few spares for any accidents along the road. Once RubiQ is
built, visit rubiq.edventures.com to access her online Conguration Guide. From there, you’ll need to have the
following standing-by in order to get RubiQ off the ground:
Battery: Any high-quality 3S 35C+ LiPo (2000-2500 mAh recommended)
Radio: Rubi’s receiver is compatible with FrSky radios
FPV Goggles: Rubi’s video transmitter is compatible with any 5.8 GHz goggles
Li-Po Compatible Balance Charger: Any
All these items are included in the full Discover Drones package and can be purchased, along with any spare
parts, at edventures.com/collections/drones
DISCLAIMER:
• Drones are powerful and can be dangerous — RubiQ is no exception. Flying requires experience
and thorough knowledge of ight safety. Only start ying after proper training and with a full
understanding of the drone regulations in your area.
• When cared for properly, LiPo batteries provide the reliable, lightweight power that makes
multirotor ight possible. However, LiPo batteries pose a severe re hazard if improperly charged
or poorly maintained. Review all battery warnings and instructions carefully, and follow all safety
procedures when handling LiPo’s.
• There’s always a slight chance that RubiQ’s motors could spin unexpectedly, causing bodily harm.
Play it safe: remove her props when inside and disconnect the battery whenever possible!
• Be sure the video antenna is attached whenever you connect the LiPo battery! Powering up any
drone without an antenna may cause permanent damage to the VTX (video transmitter).
PCS Edventures accepts no responsibility, or liability, for any injury, or damage, to persons or property, caused
by the use of RubiQ, radio transmitters, FPV goggles, LiPo batteries or LiPo battery chargers. PCS Edventures
also accepts no responsibility for damage caused to RubiQ by operating without a TX antenna installed or by
connecting cables in an improper conguration.
BUILD PLAN
CAUTION

2RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
INVENTORY
To build RubiQ, you’ll need:
Props
(Qty 4)
Video Transmitter (VTX)
(Qty 1)
TX Antenna
(Qty1)
Battery Plate
(Qty 1)
Power Distribution Board (PDB)
(Qty 1)
Lower Chassis
(Qty 1)
Prop Nuts
(Qty 4)
FPV Camera Assembly
(Qty 1)
UFL to SMA Cable,
Lock Washer & Lock Nut
(Qty 1)
Arm/Motor/ESC Assemblies - CW
(Qty 2)
Arm/Motor/ESC Assemblies - CCW
(Qty 2)

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL
EXTRA PARTS:
• M3x6 Screws
• M3x12 Screws
• 12mm Standoffs
• 25mm Standoffs
• Zip Ties
• Props
M3x6 Screws
(Qty 28)
Zip Tie
(Qty 5)
Battery Strap
(Qty 1)
LEGEND:
ROTATE
FLIP 2
REPEAT 2 TIMES
12mm Standoffs
(Qty 4)
25mm Standoffs
(Qty 16)
M3x12 Screws
(Qty 12)

4RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
TOP VIEW:
POWER DISTRIBUTION BOARD
BOTTOM VIEW:
BATTERY CONNECTOR
DIPSWITCH
MICRO-USB PORT
GPS
MOTOR CABLE
CONNECTORS
LED’s
RECEIVER (RX)
ESC CABLE
CONNECTOR PINS
VIDEO TRANSMITTER
(VTX) CONNECTOR CAMERA CABLE
CONNECTOR PINS
FLIGHT
CONTROLLER

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL
IMPORTANT NOTES
When you reach Step 2 and attach the camera:
CAMERA CABLES:
Connect cables as shown, with the black wire to GND, red to 5V and yellow to Video.
From the bottom view of Rubi, GND is the pin closest to the center of the drone.
Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to RubiQ.
GND = Ground - black wire
5V = 5 Volt - red wire
Video = Video - yellow wireyellow wire
FIRE RISK

6RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
IMPORTANT NOTES
When you reach Step 9 and connect the motors:
MOTOR CABLES:
ESC CABLES:
V+ = Positive Voltage - red wire
GND = Ground - black wire
SIG = Signal - white wire
GND = Ground - black wire
FIRE RISK
Connect cables as shown, with the red motor cables connecting to V+ and black to GND.
The white ESC wire connect to SIG and the black wire to GND.
Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to RubiQ.

BUILD PLAN
&
CONFIGURATION
GUIDE

8RubiQ BUILD PLAN © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
1
ASSEMBLY
PARTS 1
12mm
M3x6
1
2
CAUTION
Attach all screws as rmly as possible to keep the frame stable during ight.

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ BUILD PLAN
1
PARTS
ASSEMBLY
2
1
34
2
M3x6
25mm
Connect cables as shown, with the black wire to GND, red to 5V and yellow to Video.
From the bottom view of Rubi, GND is the pin closest to the center of the drone.
Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to RubiQ.
FIRE RISK
CAUTION
Attach camera with wires close to PDB for right-side-up camera feed.

10 RubiQ BUILD PLAN © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
1
ASSEMBLY
PARTS 3
12
25mm
M3x12
4
Install all four arms as shown,
with matching colored cables
diagonal to each other to avoid
erratic behavior in ight.
Wait until STEP 7 to plug in the
cables to avoid bending the pins.
CW
CCW
CCW
CW
CAUTION

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ BUILD PLAN
1
PARTS
25mm
M3x12
ASSEMBLY
4
12
CAUTION
Leave some slack when securing the receiver’s antenna. Too much tension will cause
the wire to separate, rendering your receiver inoperable.

12 RubiQ BUILD PLAN © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
1
ASSEMBLY
PARTS 5
1
34
2
CAUTION
Hold the SMA connector and tighten the nut with the prop wrench. To avoid damaging the cable, stop
tightening as soon as the rubber grommet begins to compress.
If the nut is tightened
correctly, there will be
a few metal threads
visible after the
antenna is attached.
Orient the VTX so each pin slides into its
own connector.
CAUTION

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ BUILD PLAN
1
ASSEMBLY
PARTS 6
M3x6
1
2

14 RubiQ BUILD PLAN © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
1
ASSEMBLY 7
1
2
MOTOR CABLES:
ESC CABLES:
V+ = Positive Voltage - red wire
GND = Ground - black wire
SIG = Signal - white wire
GND = Ground - black wire
4
The orientation and casing-type of the ESC connector in this diagram may differ from your RubiQ
drone. Depending on the batch of motors, the smooth plastic casing of the ESC connector may
face in (as shown here) or may face out. Either way always secure the ESC connector so the
white wire connects to SIG. Always connect black wires to GND. Failure to do so may cause
irreparable damage to RubiQ.
FIRE RISK

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ BUILD PLAN
1
PARTS
ASSEMBLY
8
12
3
M3x6
CAUTION
Attach battery plate with the hole directly above the receiver to facilitate radio binding.

16 RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
POST-BUILD INSPECTIONS
CAUTION
Make sure camera cables exit from the top of camera, close to PCB. (see Step 2)
CAUTION
Make sure the VTX is properly installed so that none of the pins are exposed. (see Step 5)
CAUTION
Make sure arms with CCW (red) and CW (black) cables are installed with matching colors diagonal
from each other. (see Step 3)
CAUTION
Make sure the VTX antenna base has been securely fastened with a wrench. (see Step 5)
CAUTION
Make sure hole in battery plate is directly above the receiver (RX). (see Step 8)
CAUTION
Always remove props before connecting the battery while indoors.
CAUTION
Always wear safety glasses when connecting battery.
FIRE RISK
Make sure black camera cable is connected to inner GND pin. (see Step 2)
FIRE RISK
Make sure black motor cables are connected to GND connectors. (see Step 7)
FIRE RISK
Make sure black ESC cables are connected to GND pins. (see Step 7)

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© 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc. RubiQ BUILD PLAN
PARTS
ASSEMBLY
9
Always charge and store LiPo batteries inside a reproof container.
FIRE RISK
CAUTION
Tighten battery strap as rmly as possible to avoid shifting during ight.
CAUTION
To unplug the battery, hold onto the battery connector and pull straight up; DO NOT pull directly
on the wires and DO NOT wiggle the battery connector side to side when removing it from the
board. Side to side motion will weaken the connection between the battery and the board.

18 RubiQ FLIGHT MANUAL © 2020 PCS Edventures, Inc.
COMPONENTS
CONFIGURATION
Visit rubiq.edventures.com, click on Conguration in the top right corner of the page and begin the
RubiQ Conguration process:
Step 1. Bind the RX to the Radio Controller.
Step 2. Verify RX Channels.
Step 3. Verify AUX Channels.
Step 4. Verify Failsafe.
Step 5. Verify Switches.
Step 6. Verify LED’s.
Step 7. Verify Motor Rotation.
Step 8. Calibrate ESC’s.
Step 9. Calibrate Accelerometer.
Step 10. Set Magnetic Declination.
At the end of a successful conguration, INAV’s Pre-arming checks, found in the Setup tab, will show all
categories with a green check mark except for “Compass Calibrated” and “Navigation is safe.” This is for
two reasons:
• The compass needs to be calibrated outside as part of the pre-ight check.
• RubiQ comes with GPS lock enabled, which means she won’t indicate that navigation is safe or be
able to y without rst connecting to seven satellites, something she can only do while out at the
ight eld.
Follow the Pre-Flight Checklist on the following page to fully prepare RubiQ for liftoff. If you reconnect
RubiQ to INAV after the compass has been calibrated and she’s locked onto the satellites, “Navigation is
safe” will give you the green light.
CONFIGURATION GUIDE