Quad H2O HexH2O V2 User manual

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The HexH2O V2 Build Guide
The following build guide is specifically for the HexH2o Version 2 model (go here for Version 1
models).
You are free to build the HexH2o in whichever way you wish, however we recommended you follow
is guide closely in order to get the most from your machine.
This tutorial is based on using the DJI E600 Tuned Propulsion System
HexH2o V2 is specifically designed for the DJI E600, if you wish to use a different propulsion
system please contact us before placing your order and we can supply you with the V1 model.
1. UNPACKING YOUR HEXH2O
Your kit will include:
Painted HexH2o V2 body
Foam buoyancy aids & retainer strips
Perspex viewing dome and rear hatch with retaining clips and seal
Carbon top and bottom plates
6 x Carbon Fibre 16mm arms
6 x Lightweight carbon motor mount assembly
6 x Folding centre arm assembly
HexH2o sticker kit
GoPro (3 & 4) anti reflection sticker
Electronics tray with DJI Naza and gimbal mounts
Distribution board mount
24v Cooling Fan
Bolt, washer and grommet kit
GPS Mount/casing assembly
Naza LED stand off and grommet assembly
Cable location mounts & cable ties
Velcro
Breather kit
2 x HexH2o hex keys and mini level
Gimbal lock (locks gimbal in place during transportation)
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1. TOOLS FOR THE JOB
Soldering Iron, flux, solder
Heat shrink (various sizes)
Quick drying (5min) Epoxy
Clear marine grade sealant (Sikaflex 291i recommended)
Hot (glue) gun
Cable for wiring harness and extending motor cables
Servo cable for extension LEDs (optional)
Bullet connectors, 18 x female (3.5mm)
Parallel lead (if using 2 lipos) (eg: XT60/XT90)
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Power connectors (eg: XT60)
Thread lock
Wire cutters
Hobby knife
Small socket set (7mm)
3. Dome and rear hatch
When removing the dome or rear hatch, turn the retaining clips quarter turn ANTI-CLOCKWISE. If
you try to open them by turning clockwise you will over tighten them and this may damage the
paintwork. To fit the dome, carefully align the dome evenly on the rubber seal and turn each
retaining clip quarter turn CLOCKWISE. Work around each opposing clip.
Use a finger to apply light pressure to the lip of the dome next to the retaining clip you are turning.
Lightly sand the dome lip if you find the clips are hard to turn.
Carefully fit the dome and proceed to do a water test. Fill your sink, bath or other suitable water
container. Carefully lower the front of the HexH2o into the water, just enough to ensure the dome is
submerged and check to ensure it’s water tight.
If water does come through check the following things:
1. Ensure your dome is seated correctly
2. Ensure the dome seal is in place
3. Check, and where required tighten the retaining clips *
4. Apply some silicone grease to seal as this will help to retain a water tight seal
* To tighten the retainer clips: remove the dome, put the clip to its ‘closed’ position. Holding the
clip in place carefully tighten the screw. Do not over tighten, otherwise you will not be able to get
the clip over the dome and/or may damage the paintwork.
If adjustment is required, only tighten the nuts 1 quarter turn at a time. Do not over tighten.
Once you are happy the dome is watertight, repeat the process with the rear hatch.
Once completed, remove both the dome and rear hatch and put to one side.
Keep your dome protected when not in use.
4. Fitting foam buoyancy aids
Using the provided velcro fit the buoyancy aids to either side of the hull, space the velcro evenly as
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this will allow you to adjust the buoyancy aids as required.
5. Top plate assembly
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Using the provided components, build up the top and bottom carbon plates, arms and mounting
clamps. You will note that the arms have holes pre-drilled at the ends. The arms can only be
inserted one way in order for the holes to line up.
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Ensure the non folding clamps are fitted with the provided 1mm washers – 2 at the top and 2 at the
bottom.
Don’t fit the motor mounts to the arms just yet.
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Note the bottom plate has 4 counter sunk holes (for the stand off bolts) – there are access holes in
the top plate allowing you to access the bolts after the plates have been built/fitted.
Don’t fit the top plate assembly to the HexH2o/stand-offs just yet.
6. Fit the grommets, stand offs, breather tubes
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Carefully fit the 6 larger motor cable grommets into the pre-drilled holes in the top of the hull, then
fit the 2 remaining smaller grommets into the pre-cut breather tube holes.
Fit the provided breather tubes through the breather tube grommets (leave approximately 4?
sticking out). The tubes are fixed in plan on the inside of the HexH2o using two of the supplied
cable tie clips, and supplied cable ties as per the picture below.
Use some 5min epoxy to fix the cable tie clips to the inside of the HexH2o body.
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Next, fit the supplied top plate stand offs to the HexH2o, ensuring you fit the supplied 2mm
washers on either side of the HexH2o body: bolt – washer – HexH2o – washer – stand off
(don’t forget blue thread lock).
Finally fit your top plate assembly to the stand offs using the provided counter sunk stand off bolts
(don’t forget blue thread lock).
7. Fitting GPS Unit
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Next mount the base of GPS holder (the smaller half) to the top plate using some of the provided
3M tape or one of your Naza GPS stem 3M pads as pictured, (do not cover any top plate screws or
the stand off location holes). Ensure the opening for the GPS cable is pointing to the front of the
HexH2o.
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Using the provided 3M tape, mount the GPS unit to the inside of the provided GPS mount.
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Then using some Marine grade sealant run a bead around the inside of the top half of the GPS
holder and inside the neck (where the cable comes out. Gently push fit the top half of the GPS unit
in place, effectively sealing the Naza GPS inside the holder.
Run the GPS cable through the pre-drilled slotted hole in the top of the HexH2o frame, then using
the supplied cover plate and bolts fit in place using Marine grade sealant so seal it in position.
Ensure the area is water tight.
8. Fitting motors, motor cables
Fit each motor to the provided carbon motor mount plate (don’t forget blue thread lock) using
the motor bolts provided with the DJI E600 tool kits.
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Note you will need to extend the cables to suit. First cut off the motor bullet connectors.
Then create your 18 extended leads (using 18AWG cable) with female bullet connectors at one
end. Each motor extension cable should be 60cm long.
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Feed the cables through the motor grommets from the inside of the HexH2o out, then run them
down the arm, leaving the ends of the cables poking out the end.
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Slide all of the cables through the motor mount and slide the motor mount onto the arm.
Each arm has pre drilled holes at each end, one end specifically fits the motor mounts whilst the
other end is for the clamps.
Ensure you mount the correct rotation motor on the correct arm (they have arrows on the sides of
the motors). Refer to your E600 manual for more information.
Using a soldering iron, join the extended cables to your motor. On our RTF builds we also use
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liquid electrical tape under the heat shrink to give extra protection to the joint.
Then carefully pull the cables back through from the inside of the HexH2o.
11. Sealing the HexH2o body
Generously apply marine grade sealant to the motor cables, grommets holes, breather tubes, GPS
cable and the four stand off bolts from the inside ensuring you make a good watertight seal.
12. ESC’s and distribution board
Inside the HexH2o are 6 ESC mounting brackets. These are specifically designed to mount the
E800 ESCs. Before they can be installed you will need to connect them to the E800 distribution
board.
Solder each of the ESCs to the distribution board.
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Then solder your main power cable to the board (approx 6? long using 12AWG cable) with your
chosen connector on one end (this will connect to your flight batteries).
Next you will need a cable to connect to your electrics tray in order to power all of your components
(approx 4? long using 16AWG cable), again fitting your chosen connector on one end.
Once completed decide where you want to locate your distribution board in the HexH2o (we
recommend on the top just in front of the grommets).
Ensure you leave enough room for the electronics tray to be fitted.
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Bond the provided distribution board stand off to the HexH2o (using 5min epoxy), then screw
the distribution board to the stand off using one of the E800 bolts (supplied in the E600 tool kit)
Now its time to fit the ESC’s in place, gently clip each ESC into the ESC holders.
Note the direction the ESC’s are facing (all 3 facing back). This will make it easier to connect
the motor cables later on.
Now connect the 3 motor cables to each ESC (at this stage you do not need to worry about the
order in which they are connected, you will test this later when you bench test your machine. The
cables can then be easily swapped using long nose pliers.
13. Electronics tray
Next up is your electronics tray. How you mount your components is up to you, but we have
provided a specific location mount for the NAZA V2, don’t forget the tray sits at the top of the
HexH2o so you must mount the Naza ‘upside down’ on the board (see pic). Screw the fan in
place as per the picture. Mount all your components using 3M tape and once you are happy with
their positions, cable tie them in place using the provided cable ties. Tidy the wiring using the
provided cable ties and cable tie clips as required.
Note the power and video cables for the video transmitter (see #14). Also the NAZA LED (see
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#15).
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14. Video Transmitter
If you are using a video transmitter for a downlink, you will need to connect this to the power on
your electrics tray, or power distribution board and connect the video link to your Gopro, gimbal or
OSD (depending on your setup).
Mount the VTX (away from the other components) to the HexH2o frame using velcro. We
recommend you fit the VTX with the provided heat sink to aid cooling.
We then recommend you use a 30cm SMA cable which connects to the antenna on the outside of
the HexH2o, to the VTX inside the HexH2o. Drill a 8mm hole in the side of the HexH2o body where
you want to mount the antenna and fit the supplied grommet. Pass the threaded end of the SMA
extension lead through the grommet. Once fitted ensure you seal the area from the inside using
marine grade sealant.
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