Page 55 - Build Your Own Quadcopter_ Power Up Your Designs with the Parallax Elev-8

34 Bu il d Y o ur O w n Q u a d c o p t e r

• Follow the instructions carefully; incorrect assembly of your ELEV-8 quadcopter could
cause risk of catastrophic equipment failure, personal injury to you or others, and property
damage.
• Perform initial electronic speed controller (ESC) programming before installing the
propeller blades. Remove propeller blades before reprogramming the ESCs.
• Establish and test the radio link between the RC controller and RC receiver before
installing the propeller blades. Remove propeller blades before testing a different controller.
• Always disconnect the battery when not in use.
• Store your ELEV-8 quadcopter and its radio controller out of reach of children, pets, and
those who do not know how to use them safely.
• Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter in an area with no children, unsecured pets, or
livestock, which can be harmed by contact with rotating blades. For example, children and
dogs may try to jump and catch a flying quadcopter, or may run to investigate one that
has just landed.
• Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter outdoors and away from crowded areas. All
observers should stand a safe distance behind the operator.
• Only operate your ELEV-8 quadcopter in an environment where you can maintain
unobstructed visual contact with it. Do not operate at night, or where there is fog, smoke,
or dust that could limit visibility.
• Keep your ELEV-8 quadcopter dry! Do not submerge your ELEV-8 quadcopter or operate
it in rainy or damp conditions. Beware of sprinklers and of landing in wet vegetation.
• Check the wind speed before flying your ELEV-8 quadcopter. Even a light breeze can
make flying difficult for beginners. No one should fly in high winds.

Most of the above safety items listed are common sense. I did not list several items from
the original document, since I believe that they were based more on a legal perspective with
regard to the company selling a product that might cause damage and/or injury if not used
properly. A complete written copy of the Parallax Assembly instructions is included in every
Elev-8 kit sold. Please refer to that document to read the original version.

Tools and Additional Materials

The following is a recommended tool list that you will need to build the Elev-8:

• Soldering iron and rosin-core solder (acid-free solder flux optional)
• Component clamp stand
• #1 Phillips screwdriver
• ∕4-in (0.6-cm) wrench, box-end or socket
1
• 11 ∕32-in (0.9-cm) wrench or nut driver
• Wire strippers/cutters (12-16 AWG)
• Scissors
• Needle-nose pliers
• Diagonal cutter
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Heat gun
I would recommend a soldering iron or solder station that is temperature controlled, as
you will need quite a bit of heat to solder some large connectors and multiple wire assemblies.
Other, smaller connectors will not require that much heat energy to melt the solder. Also, I
recommend that you buy the best quality rosin-core solder that you can find. It is well worth