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Mini Quad Bros 250 Kit Build Guide
Mini Quad Bros 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Table of contents
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Introduction
Were happy to release this build guide to facilitate the build process for the MQB 250 kit. You
will learn the correct build methods, as well as extra tips in tricks that we have learned along the
way. Please do your due diligence and research the vast community resources before you send
an email with a question :)
Thank you!
Build of Materials
Depending on which variation and options you ordered with your kit, the list of materials will
vary. At the minimum, you will have the standard kit:
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Zen Desk
Take time to clear your workspace, a cluttered workspace leads to missing pieces and extra
stress. Lets keep it zen :)
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Now that the motors are mounted, we can attach the ESCs
Depending on how you connect each ESC wire to the motor leads, that motor will spin a certain
way. The Naze32 is expecting each motor to spin in a specific direction depending where they
are located on the frame. Heres a diagram for your reference.
As you can see, we need the rear right, and front left motors to spin clockwise, and the rear left
and front right to spin counter clockwise. Youll also notice the numbers on the diagram. Those
are referring to the Naze32s ESC order. That is the order they are plugged into the Naze32
ESC port, but well touch on that later.
Motors 1&4 will plug into the ESC with one wire crossed. This makes those motors spin CW.
Motors 2&3 will plug directly into the ESCs straight on, making them spin CCW. Changing motor
direction can also be done regardless of wiring via BLHeliSuite using a USB Linker.
You can use the provided bullet connectors, or clip them off, desolder the ESC leads, and
solder the motor leads directly to the ESC. This will lead to a cleaner build with less points of
failure.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Step 5: Prepare the ESCs power leads to be soldered to the PDB. If using
the Upgraded 12v/5v PDB, please skip to page 25 for a wiring diagram.
Note that your PDB has + and - connectors all over the board. We need to plug the r ed wires
into the + and black wires into the -. Failing to do so correctly will fry your ESCs or other
components!
Just insert them in for now, were going to flip the PDB and solder them next.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Trim each connection if youd like, or just keep the slack and solder them in. Make sure that +
and - connections never touch and they stay within their pods.
This is how it should look, note the solder is nice and shiny and one solid blob. This is where a
good temperature controlled soldering iron is handy. I set mine to 375-300 Celsius for these
connections.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Note the + and - markings on the XT60 connector. Solder the r ed and black wires accordingly.
Slip on the heat shrink to cover the connections and use a lighter or heat gun to shrink it down.
Its advised to attach the XT60s counter connection to dissapate heat while soldering the silicon
wire.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Step 9: Get those pesky ESC signal leads out of the way.
I prefer to wire my signal leads through the frame to keep them out of the way. You can keep
everything out in the open if youd like. Its just preference :).
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Step 10: Prepare the VBAT cable and solder to the PDB.
The VBAT cable allows the Naze32 to monitor the lipos voltage via the PDB. It will solder to the
PDB on one end, and plug into the Naze32 on the other. That way the Naze32 knows the exact
voltage of your lipo and will alarm the low voltage buzzer, indicating its time to land.
This can be done with a male servo cable by removing the white wire (or not, it doesnt matter)
or a JST cable.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Now solder the connector to the PDB. I chose the left side, because the Naze32 will be rotated
90 degrees, so the VBAT pins will be on the left side of this quad. This connector will look
similar to the UBEC connector.
Please note these two are NOT to be mixed up. If you plug the VBAT connector into the
Naze32s 5v rail(where the UBEC goes), you will fry the Naze32. The VBAT connector is only to
be plugged into the VBAT pins on the Naze32 to monitor voltage.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
PV200 Kit as it
There are many FPV setups possible these days. I will touch on setting up the F
is a common addition purchased with the kit.
This is a solder free FPV Kit, but I like to solder it to the PDB for simplicity. If you choose not to
solder it, you may power it with the balance lead of a 3s lipo.
The FPV200 Kit will draw its power into the VTX from the red and black wire. The VTX will
provide 5v to the camera on its own.
First clip off the Balance Port connection. You are left with a red and black wire. Shorten and
solder those wires to the PDB. Now once you plug your lipo in, your FPV system will also
receive power. NEVER power the VTX W ITHOUT an antenna attached! This will fry the VTX
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
If using the upgraded PDB, you may connect the FPV gear in the same away above, or, as
shown in the below diagram.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Screw on 4x more 6mm standoffs on top of the PDB, then, mount the Naze32 on those
standoffs so it clears the PDB. Mount as shown in the below pictures. Notice its rotated 90
degrees from its usual position. This makes it so the USB is accessible from the side of the
quadcopter, making connection to your computer easier.
Make sure to tighten down the m3 nuts on top of the Naze32 to secure it. If you dont apply
these, the Naze32 will be loose, and will move during flight. That will surely result in a sad
maiden flight!
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Now that the Naze has been mounted, lets get everything plugged in correctly. Follow this
diagram. Remember to plug the ESCs into the corresponding ports on the Naze32. Signal
(white) is on top, ground on bottom. The UBEC plugs into the 5th slot, next to the ESC leads.
DO NOT PLUG THE VBAT CABLE IN HERE.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
v UBEC b
This PDB eliminates the need for a 5 ecause it has a 5v output.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Were going to use the Piezo buzzer to make a low voltage alarm, so you will know when its
time to land. First, take a servo cable, and remove the white wire. Then solder the red and black
wires to the buzzers + and -. You can note the positive (+) on top of the buzzer, it is also the
longer pin. Once soldered, remove each wire from the servo connector, and place heat shrink
over. I also cut the servo connector down to remove the empty third slot.
Now attach it to the Naze32s buzzer port, with positive on top, ground on bottom like shown
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
If youre using the Taranis and the D4R-II, this is done with one cable, rather than the full
breakout cable. The D4R-II will be using PPM protocol, meaning all eight channels will be
condensed and sent on one signal wire, rather than eight different wires.
Plug it in as shown, mismatching the polarities will result in the receiver or Naze32 frying. Also
note the black jumper on the 3&4 signal pins of the D4R. Applying the jumper puts the D4R into
PPM mode, which is required.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
On the ZMR250, there is no SMA hole designed into the frame, so we have to make our own! I
chose this area to drill out. I started with a smaller bit, and worked my way up so as not to stress
fracture the carbon fiber from using a large bit first. Mounting your antenna this way will protect
the VTXs sma mount from stress during a crash.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
This is how I normally mount my D4R receivers on the top plate. Use zip tie, double stick tape,
or both. I mount it with the button on the D4R facing up, so I can bind it to my radio, and set the
failsafe without taking it apart.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Now Im going to mount the D4R antennas (3D printed mount), attach the Mobious mount,
GoPro mount, a non slip material for the lipo to sit on, and my lipo strap. Ill also attach the VTX
antenna because next well be powering it up for configuration, and anytime you power the VTX,
the antenna needs to be on. Leave the props off for now, were going to be doing some motor
testing soon.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Step 17: Connect the Naze32 to your Computer, and flash Cleanflight
Firmware.
First, make sure the micro USB cable you are using, is a true data cable. Most standard phone
charging cables will work, but some dont have a data stream for connection, and simply charge.
Once those are download, plug the Naze32 in and figure out which comport you are using.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Click Flash Firmware. It will begin to flash firmware onto the Naze32.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
It will say successful and turn green when complete. If it fails it is because your Com Port is
incorrect, or your USB cable doesnt have a data stream. Once it is successful, press c onnect
at the top left.
alibrate Accelerometer.
Now youre in! Put your quad on the flattest surface possible, and hit C
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Once your accelerometer is calibrated, go to the Configuration Tab. Note the settings I have
here. Specifically the highlighted ones.
Board Alignment: We input 90 into the Yaw Adjustment, because our Naze is turned 90
degrees from its native position on the quad.
ESC/Motor Features: Motor stop is enabled so that when you arm the quad, the motors will not
start spinning up automatically. I believe this is the safest way and should be enabled.
Enable OneShot125.
I also drop Minimum Throttle to 1050.
Receiver Mode: Select RX_PPM if youre using PPM on your radio system. The Taranis and
D4R-II uses this PPM mode.
If youre not using PPM, select the appropriate protocol.
Battery Voltage: Enable VBAT. This allows the Naze32 to measure the voltage of the PDB via
that cable we made. The minimum and maximum voltages determine when the buzzer will
alarm. Keep them at 4.3 and 3.5.
Voltage Scale may need to be adjusted by 1 or 2 numbers. Its typicaly 109-112. To find the
perfect value. use a multimeter on a battery, remember that voltage, that lipo into your
quadcopter, and go back to the Setup page. On the right side, you will see a voltage number. If
it isnt what the multimeter measured, you can adjust the Voltage Scale accordingly.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Failsafe: So depending on your radio, you will need to enable this. The D4R has its own
failsafe that you need to set, refer here to do that. I highly suggest you set it at 0 throttle so it
doesnt fly away on lost connection. If you have a receiver that doesnt have a built in failsafe,
you can set this value to a low number to represent 0 throttle.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
PID Tuning: PID Tuning gets complicated, but luckily most of the default settings for each PID
Controller works well for most setups.
Were going to use PID Controller 1 as I prefer it. PID 2, Luxfloat, would be another good
choice.
For PID 1, the stock settings will work for the MQB Kit. But here are some tweaked settings that
I use. Make sure to Select PID Controller 1, hit save, then input these PIDS, then save again.
You can also mess with the different rates on the right side. These make the quad do things
faster and more responsive. It would be nearly impossible to do a single flip with the rates at 0,
but with them at .45, I can do 5 flips in a second. You may want reduce these to .20 or .30 if
youre new as they will be touchy.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Taranis Setup: Now we need to setup your Taranis channels and switches. First. make sure
your Taranis is whatever channel map you choose, in this case, we chose T AER1234. To add
these channels, go to your Channel Mixer page on your Taranis. Then add each channel like
the below image. You also need to add two extra channels for your Flight Mode Switch, and
Buzzer Alarm switch. To do this, click on C H5(Aux1). It will open a new menu where you can
ource. Once you click Source, you can flip any
select a name or leave it blank. Then click on S
switch on the radio that you would like to be your flight mode switch. I suggest using a 3 position
switch, such as SE. Now you have a flight mode switch to corresponds to the Angle, Horizon,
and Acro. Acro is enabled when no other mode is selected, so in this example, it will be when
the switch is pulled all the way towards you. Start with Angle mode and work your way down.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Now added another channel on CH6. This will be your buzzer switch. I like to use SH on the
right hand side of your radio. If you plug your quad in, turn your radio on, you can now flip these
switches and look at the modes in cleanflight, they will change and turn red/green. Green is
enabled, red is disabled. Flip the buzzer switch and your buzzer should alarm!
Receiver: This is where you setup your receiver settings. The most important thing to do, is to
set your Channel Map correctly. Look in your radio or receiver and see what channel order
AER1234
theyre using. In our example, we set our Taranis to T
Throttle
Aileron
Elevator
Rudder
AUX 1
AUX 2
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
ECT.
You can also plug in your quadcopter, turn on your radio, and move the sticks. They should
correspond to the channels at the top left. If its working, but the channels are not corresponding
to the right sticks, you must pick a different Channel Map a nd click Save. If when you plug your
lipo in, nothing happens, then you did not set your Receiver protocol on the first page correctly.
Go back and make sure its set on PPM or PWM, then try again. If nothing is working at all.
Make sure your receiver light is on. If its not on, then your receiver isnt getting power from the
Naze32.
Also note the RC Rates and RC Expo, these numbers will make your stick movements more
responsive. The higher the Rates, the more reaction each stick movement gets. The lower the
Expo, the less dampening your movements become. So if you want a less touchy quad, you
want to decrease your RC Rates, and increase Expo, and vise versa for a more responsive
quad.
Modes: This tab allows you to use radio switches to change flight modes on the quad. You can
also enable an active buzzer switch, just in case you cannot find your quad in tall grass or trees.
This is how mine is setup using the Taranis settings above.
Once again, make sure your Taranis has two additional channels on CH5 and CH6. These will
be your Aux channels for Flight Modes and Buzzer.
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MQB 250 Kit Build Guide
Motors: Now were getting close. We need to calibrate your ESCs, and spin up your motors to
test if they are spinning in the correct direction. If a motor is not spinning in the direction it
should. All you are going to do is swap any two of the ESC to motor connections. This will cause
the motor to spin in the opposite direction.
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