Owner’s Manual & Technical Information (UK)
Specification All-up weight:........................560g Weight without battery:........390g Size (motor diagonals):........280mm Length:..................................232mm Width:....................................234mm ESCs (x4):.............................12A continuous; 15A peak; ONE-SHOT enabled Camera:................................Semi wide-angle lens Video Transmitter:................25mW – 32 channels on 4 bands Video antenna:.....................
In This Manual Introduction................................................................................. 4 Contents...................................................................................... 4 Required to complete.................................................................. 5 FCC Information.......................................................................... 5 Safety precautions...................................................................... 5 LiPo battery warnings...........
Introduction The Ares Z-line Crossfire Racing Quad is a high-performance quad that’s ideal for getting started in 250 class racing. The Crossfire provides natural flight characteristics designed and tuned for FPV racing through a custom flight controller that’s preloaded with the latest Cleanflight software and supports future updates via a micro USB port. The 32bit flight controller is also customizable with multiple flight modes, including Acro (3-axis) and SelfLeveling (6-axis) mode.
Required To Complete 1 x 6-channel (minimum) computer radio set. 1 x 6-channel (minimum) end pin receiver. 1 x Strip of self-adhesive hook and loop tape. 1 x Suitable 3S LiPo battery charger. You will also need access to Cleanflight open-source software in order to configure your Crossfire’s flight control board. FCC Information This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference 2.
• Never operate your model if the voltage of the batteries in the transmitter is too low. • Always operate your model in an open area away from obstacles, people, vehicles,buildings, etc. • Carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support equipment (chargers, rechargeable batteries, etc.). • Keep all chemicals, small parts and all electronic components out of the reach of children. • Moisture causes damage to electronic components.
Identification of Parts Cloverleaf antenna Counter-clockwise motor Clockwise motor Canopy mount Video transmitter Outrigger support RP SMA antenna mount Video Transmitter Channel Selectors Counterclockwise motor Video camera Flight Control Board Outrigger arm Spektrum Satellite port Clockwise motor USB port 7
Set-Up & Programming 1. Remove the canopy. Withdraw the rear body clip and gently ease the canopy from the airframe by gently unclipping the fairings from the outrigger supports and sliding the canopy forward, over the camera. 2. Canopy protection. For transport the canopy is protected by a thin shrink wrap film covering. Remove this to appreciate the full color luster of your Crossfire’s paintwork. 3. Transmitter programming/preparation.
Hitec/Futaba • Red/Black/White – Aileron CH1 • Red – Elevator/CH2 • White – Throttle/CH3 • Green – Rudder/CH4 • Blue – Auxiliary 1/CH5 (normal gyro/self level gyro) • Yellow – Auxiliary 2/CH6 (lost model beeper) Spektrum/JR • Red/Black/White – Throttle/CH1 • Red – Aileron/CH2 • White – Elevator/CH3 • Green – Rudder/CH4 • Blue – Auxiliary 1/CH5 (normal gyro/self level gyro) • Yellow – Auxiliary 2/CH6 (lost model beeper) 5. Reciever Connection.
7. Antenna installation. Install the cloverleaf downlink antenna using the 8mm wrench. WARNING! The Crossfire should NEVER be powered ON without the antenna connected as this can damage the video transmitter circuitry. 8. Download the Cleanflight Configurator software. Before flying your Crossfire you’ll need to configure and tune the Flight Control Board using Cleanflight open-source software. This software can be sourced via Google Chrome using the following method: a. Open Google Chrome. b.
9. Open the Cleanflight Configurator software. Click the CF icon to access the Cleanflight Configurator ‘Welcome’ page. 10. Connect your Crossfire. Ensure all propellers are removed, switch your transmitter on, then connect the small end of the supplied USB cable to the micro USB socket the Crossfire’s Flight Control Board and the large end to a spare USB socket on your computer. When the cable is connected the Cleanflight ‘Setup’ window will automatically be displayed.
11. Cancel the beeper. When you first connect the Flight Control Board, a beeper will be heard. This is a warning alarm that indicates the following: • Slow beep – Loss of signal from your transmitter. • Fast beep – Incorrect throttle position. Alarms can also be configured to highlight a number of alternative user-defined issues from locating a lost model to indicating a battery low voltage warning. During the set-up process we suggest you switch this off.
12. Calibrate the accelerometers. Place your Crossfire on a level surface and select the ‘Calibrate Accelerometer’ option. The Flight Control Board will beep in confirmation and calibrate the accelerometers accordingly. • Use the live graphic to ensure that the accelerometers are working as they should, i.e. by tilting the quad to the left and checking that the quadcopter graphic tilts left is unison. • Check the roll, pitch and yaw functions in the same way. 13. Port configuration.
. Basic set-up. Select ‘Configuration’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface and check/adjust the following. • Mixer – Set to ‘Quad X’ • Board and Sensor Alignment – No adjustment required. • Receiver Mode – Select the receiver you’re using.
• Serial Receiver Provider – Select the option that suits the receiver you’re using, i.e. for Hitec, Futaba and Spektrum receivers with 1024 resolution, select SPEKTRUM1024 • RSSI – Leave switched OFF • GPS – Leave switched OFF • ESC/Motor Features – Configure as noted below.
• Accelerometer Trim – Leave both Accelerometer Roll Trim and Accelerometer Pitch Trim set to zero. • Battery Voltage – Set VBAT (Battery voltage monitoring) to ON and adjust the Cell Voltages to: ▪▪ 3.3 – Minimum Cell Voltage ▪▪ 4.3 – Maximum Cell Voltage ▪▪ 3.
• Current Sensor – No adjustment required. • System configuration – Set as noted below: ▪▪ 3500 – Flight Controller Loop Time ▪▪ 286 – Cycles/Sec (Hz) • Other Features – For US versions of the Crossfire that feature 6 motor output connectors on the right-hand side of the Flight Control Board, set SERVO_TILT to ON. For Flight Control Boards with 7 motor output connectors on the right-hand side of the Flight Control Board, set SERVO_ TILT to OFF.
15. Initiate failsafe. Select ‘Failsafe’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface and switch ON. Set Failsafe Throttle to 1000. Click ‘Save and Reboot’. 16. PID Tuning. Select ‘PID Tuning’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface and ensure that the PID Controller is set to MultiWii (2.3 – latest). Leave all other values as displayed. Click ‘Save’. 17. Adjust the channel center points.
Allow the roll, pitch and yaw sticks on your transmitter to ‘centre’, then manually and precisely centre the throttle stick. Precisely centre the roll, pitch and yaw trims, then reduce the throttle trim to its lowest position. Now use the bar graph to check that roll, pitch, yaw and throttle are set to 1500, i.e. their centre points. If any of the values are higher or lower than 1500, use your transmitter’s sub trim function to adjust. 18. Establish a switched mode function for gyro stabilized flight.
22. ESC calibration. Select ‘Motors’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface and check / adjust the following: ▪▪ If you’ve already attached the propellers to your Crossfire, REMOVE THEM NOW. ▪▪ Read the ‘Motor Test Mode Notice’ and confirm that you’ve removed the propellers by pressing the disclaimer button to enable motor control. ▪▪ Drag the ‘Master’ slider control to the top of its travel.
24. LED effects. No changes need to be made under the ‘LED Strip’ heading in the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface. 25. Gyros and accelerometers. Select ‘Sensors’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface and ensure the Gyroscope and Accelerometer boxes are checked/ticked. 26. Tethered Logging. No changes need to be made under the ‘Tethered Logging’ heading in the menu bar on the left-hand side of the Cleanflight interface. 27. Blackbox.
Flight Preparation 29. Re-fit the canopy. Disconnect the cloverleaf antenna using the 8mm wrench, refit the fuselage molding using the rear body clip, then reconnect the antenna. 30. Battery installation. Insert the fully charged 3s 2200mAh Li-Po and secure it with the hook and loop strap. As the LiPo is installed from under the Crossfire, the fuselage molding does not need to be removed. 31. Arming the motors.
33. Check gyro compensation at zero throttle. With the throttle stick at its lowest position, tilt the Crossfire from side to side and check that the motors remain inactive. If the motors rotate when the quad is tilted, this is clear evidence that gyro compensation at zero throttle is still active and that Step 28 will need to be repeated. 34. Disarming the motors.
36. Propeller installation. Install the propellers using a 1.5mm L-shape hex drive. Apply adequate, but not excessive, force to securely tighten the nuts. Note that the black nuts have a left-hand thread and tighten counter-clockwise. Your Crossfire is now ready to fly. VTX Channel Selection The video transmitter’s 32 channels are made available via the DIP switches on the top of the unit.
Adjusting the Camera Angle The video camera can be adjusted to your preferred flight angle using the following procedure: • Clip the cable tie immediately behind and to the right of the camera. • Gently prise apart the top and bottom frames to release the camera mount from its locating slots. • Reposition the camera mount in alternative slots to achieve the desired angle of tilt. • Refit a new cable tie to secure the camera.
Lawful Operation Please note that specific guidelines exist regarding the lawful flying of ‘Small Unmanned Aircraft’ and ‘Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft’ such as the camera-equipped Crossfire. To stay within the law visit the website of your country’s aviation regulating authority and read the operating guidelines within which you must operate. USA: The Federal Aviation Administration – https://www.faa.gov UK: The Civil Aviation Authority – https://www.caa.co.
AZSZ2836.............................Canopy standoff AZSZ2838.............................FPV camera plate AZSZ2839.............................Battery tray AZSZ2842.............................25mW VTX unit AZSZ2843.............................Camera unit AZSZ2844............................
Warranty, support and service (UK) This product is covered by the current statutory guarantee regulations. If you wish to make a warranty claim, please contact the model shop where you originally purchased the product from. You should also present your proof of purchase.
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