Controlling the gimbal pitch with the Futaba 8FG Super

I´ve successfully connected the pitch of the Tarot T-2D brushless gimbal to the Futaba 8FG, so I´m able to control that movement with the right slider.  It is really easy to configure it with the Futaba.

I´ll probably control it with another position of the radio, because using the slider with the same hand that controls the forward-backward movement is a bit tricky if you want to obtain smooth movements. The slider is great though, because it allows you to choose the perfect position for your shots.

The gimbal already comes with the wire that connects the gimbal board with an empty channel in the receiver. To control the pitch you only need the white and black ones, connected as in the picture below.

Here is the gimbal attached to these tubes, so I can place it under the quad easily and quick, as you can see in a previous post about the Tarot T-2D brushless gimbal.

This is the video I've followed to have it working, I hope it can be useful to you too:

Tarot T-2D gimbal test quad aerial footage

V007. Recording date: 19-10-2013

As I couldn't definitely get rid of vibrations and jello with other solutions (earplugs, moongel, etc), I bought the Tarot T-2D gimbal, also because a camera stabilization system is the only way to go for having good quality aerial (and not aerial) videos.

Comparing this video with my previous tests, the gimbal really makes a huge difference. It makes THE difference. When I saw the video, I was impressed with the results (although they can be much better!), I didn't have to modify the gimbal settings at all, it worked out of the box. I use a 500mAh 3S 20C for the gimbal, lasting around 1h30m.

In one hand I've improved video quality, but on the other hand I've added too much weight to the quad (gimbal + stuff to hold it + gimbal battery + landing gear), going up to 1.7kg, which is a lot, probably for the type of motors and of course for the simple plastic propellers (a few times they broke in the air because of the weight!).

Setup:

Frame Whirlwind FY450
BL-2830/11 1000kv rotors
20A SK ESC
10x4.5 Plastic HK propellers
KK2 controller board
GoPro H3 black, 1080x60, N FOV
3300mAh 3S 20C battery
Turnigy 9XR transmitter
FrSKY V8FR-II receiver
Fatshark FPV camera
Fatshark Predator goggles
ImmersionRC 600mw Tx
1000mAh 3S 20C battery for video Tx
Gimbal Tarot T-2D
500mAh 3S 20C battery for gimbal
Plastic landing gear

TAROT T-2D Gopro Hero 3 brushless gimbal

October 2013. I decided to buy the TAROT T-2D Gopro Hero 3 brushless gimbal. This is a two axis gimbal for stabilizing the GoPro Hero 3. Please find at the end of the post the technical specifications and software.

This gimbal comes half assembled but it's really easy to complete it. In order to have it working I have bought a 500mAh 3S 20C LiPo battery, which gives you enought power to stabilize the camera for about 1h30m. It works out of the box! I've been afraid of connecting it with the software in case I screw it up :)

I've managed to fit it under the quad, being hold by two extra tubes I had, so I can put the gimbal or remove it in a matter of seconds, for flying only FPV or for recording video.

The quad now weights around 1.7kg, depending on the battery I put. I have a 0.5kg 5000mAh one! So it's really heavy now for the plastic propellers that will replace one day with anothers of carbon fiber.

T-2D PTZ is TAROT company for GoPro Hero3 camera was developed, used in photographic film and entertainment, advertising and many other areas of model aircraft photography. PTZ using 6061T6 aluminum alloy full CNC precision machining, brushless direct drive motor, the overall framework designed with the idea of ​​compact, easy installation and other characteristics. Stable head structure allows the aircraft is flying at high speed state, still be able to precisely control the camera mounted GoPro Hero3 remain stable, so that the screen output to achieve the best model aircraft photographic effects.

Gopro two-axis brushless PTZ English software description and download link:

Manual & Assistant Download V1.3 Firmware Download

Product Features:
1, support GOPRO Hero3 video auxiliary output
2, support the supply voltage polarity protection and voltage compensation
3, support the motor drive end short-circuit protection
4, support for custom initial pitch angle
5, support sensitivity parameter adjustment and software 3D pose show
6, the support rocker rate mode and position mode
7, support Receiver: conventional receiver, S-BUS receiver, DSM2/DSMJ/DSMX receiver
8, support for remote devices: PPM/PCM/2.4G
9, the working voltage: DC 7.4V ~ 14.8V (Recommended 12V, three lithium battery)
10, working current: 200mA-500mA (power supply voltage and the motor related)
11, the working environment temperature: -15 ℃ ~ 65 ℃
12, the processor: Dual 32-bit high-speed ARM core processor
13, the sensor: Three rotor MEMS gyroscope rotor MEMS accelerometers and the three
14, the maximum angular rate: 2000°/ sec
15, the maximum acceleration: 16g
16, the control frequency: 2000Hz
17, the motor drive frequency: 20KHz (no noise smoothing driven)
18, the control accuracy: 0.1°
19, the control angle range: -45 °~ 45 °(roll), -135°~ 90°(tilt)
20, pose solver algorithms: PTZ dedicated brushless motor decoupled EKF algorithm
21, for shooting equipment: GOPRO Hero3
Related Part Number:
Head hanging hook TL68A01
GOPRO camera fasteners TL68A02
GOPRO brushless PTZ camera frame assembly TL68A03
GOPRO head roll arm TL68A04
GOPRO PTZ stand arm motor base TL68A05
GOPRO brushless motor TL68A06 PTZ
GOPRO two axes PTZ shock group TL68A07
GOPRO brushless pan rack assembly TL68A08
GOPRO head roll axis brushless motor TL68A09
GOPRO PTZ suspension ball TL68A11
GOPRO two-axis gyroscope ZYX22 PTZ
Specifications:
GOPRO brushless pan rack assembly TL68A08 x1
GOPRO two-axis gyroscope ZYX22 x1 PTZ
Weight: 195g