F550 Hexacopter Build

[Morp]

I just started this hobby about 2 months ago after buying my first SYMA X11C mini quad. This is my second build after FPV QAV250. After some LOS flying with QAV250, I noticed that I need a new MR for aerial photography.

At first I chose from F450 to S500. But after I read from a lot of forum discussions from western to eastern, I decided to go with a hexacopter F550.

So I just bought a F550 package online from China. Buying a bundle saved me a lot of time to deal with different sellers. It includes:

1.) F550 frame

2.) XXD 30A ESC X 6

3.) Angel A2212/980KV X 6

4.) 1045 propeller X 6

5.) Landing skid

6.) QQ Super Thunder FC

7.) Power distribution board ( The seller listed this in extra goodies together with cable ties, heat shrink)

Then I bough other parts from other sellers to enhance this build:

1.) Gimbal-ready Landing skid

2.) Receiver

3.) KBM 2D 2axis gimbal (assembled and configured)

4.) Boscam FPV 5.8G TS351 200mw

5.) Remzibi OSD Extended version with air pressure sensor

6.) LION Power 11.1V 5200M 30C X 2View attachment 24429

 

[Morp]

I overlooked item #7, which is Power distribution board, from the bundle list since it was listed in extra MISC parts like screws, cable ties, and heat shrink.

I thought the bottom plate came with power distribution like F450 and S500. But it did not.

After some layout examination, I discovered that the cables from ESC were not long enough if I wanna place the power distribution board in the center of bottom plate and ESC on the arms.View attachment 24430

 

[eskil23]

I thought the bottom plate came with power distribution like F450 and S500. But it did not.

If it didn't, it's a cheap ripoff and not a genuine DJI bottom plate.

 

[Morp]

If it didn't, it's a cheap ripoff and not a genuine DJI bottom plate.

I knew it was a knock-off version of DJI from the beginning. But with that price tag, I wouldn't complain.
But even a knock-off version from China now comes with power distribution at the bottom plate now.

In order to get this done, I had to place all my ESC on the bottom plate. The pic below shows the layout of how it's done.View attachment 24431

Since I planned to place FC, receiver, video transmitter above the bottom plate. I ended up placing the power distribution board and ESC under the top plate.

 

[Morp]

After a few days of messing around with it, I finally put everything together and put it to a test flight.View attachment 24432

But it didn't even lift at all. Then I noticed that I mounted all the propellers in the wrong direction that actually created down force.

After reinstalling all the propellers, it hovered in the air nicely.
I live in a city. There's no much space for me to fly unless I bring it to a public soccer field. So I just hovered it around 5 feet above the ground at my front yard.

The cheap QQ Super Thunder is quite good at its price range. It can hold this hex decently in the air.