Getting into Multirotors - first build

[wes1007]

Hi guys!

So ive been eyeing building myself a multirotor for at least 3 years now. I finally have a job and some cash to spend over the next 2 months.

I am placing an order for a Hubsan X4 107D to get some practice on (as well as a few extras blades and such)

At the same time I plan to start piecing together a Hexacopter (radial). I decided to go for a hex as its not as expensive as a octa (which i originally wanted) and it also provides that added security of being able to fly with one motor dead (just in case)

The plan is to buy a kit frame; The ATG 700-X6-AL (aprox 400g) or the H550 V1 (aprox 470g). ATM im leaning towards the ATG 700 for its fold-able arms and slightly larger span and lesser weight.

Ill be running the whole thing off an Ardunio mega with Aeroquad flashed. for now it will just be running with a 9DOF IMU and the TX/RX system. At a later stage a gymbal (probably self made) ultrasound range detector and gps module will be added Maybe even FPV capabilities

The rest of the kit i plan to use:
Motors: EMAX BL2215/20 1200KV Series
Esc: ZTW-Spider-Series-40A-OPTO
IMU: 9 Axis BMP085 Magnetic Field Acceleration Gyro Atmospheric\
Ultrasound range: Ultrasonic Module HC-SR04
Props: Either APC style 1238 or Emax 1045
Battery: Probably a 3s 6000mah 35c/50c or there abouts

Tx: Walkera Devention DEVO 10 2.4GHz 10ch
Rx: Wakera devo RX1002-w
and possibly the telemetry TX at a later stage


Ecal:

Battery Load: 24.68 C Voltage: 9.81 V Rated Voltage: 11.10 V Flight Time: 2.4 min Mixed Flight Time: 3.5 min Hover Flight Time: 11.5 min Weight: 507 g 17.9 oz <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Optimum Efficiency Current: 13.31 A Voltage: 10.33 V Revolutions*: 10282 rpm electric Power: 137.4 W mech. Power: 107.8 W Efficiency: 78.5 % <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Maximum Current: 24.68 A Voltage: 9.66 V Revolutions*: 7687 rpm electric Power: 238.5 W mech. Power: 174.5 W Efficiency: 73.2 % est. Temperature: 74 °C 165 °F <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Hover Current: 4.42 A Voltage: 10.84 V Throttle (linear): 29 % electric Power: 47.9 W mech. Power: 28.8 W Efficiency: 60.1 % est. Temperature: 40 °C 104 °F specific Thrust: 6.53 g/W 0.23 oz/W <tbody> </tbody>

Total Drive Drive Weight: 1277 g 45 oz All-up Weight: 1877 g 66.2 oz add. Payload: 2963 g 104.5 oz Current @ Hover: 26.51 A P(in) @ Hover: 294.3 W P(out) @ Hover: 172.8 W Efficiency @ Hover: 58.7 % Current @ max: 148.08 A P(in) @ max: 1643.6 W P(out) @ max: 1046.9 W Efficiency @ max: 63.7 % <tbody> </tbody>

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Most of my stuff will be sourced from banggood.com as i am from South Africa and they ship there relatively cheaply.

What do you guys think? Anything you would recommend i change or is it pretty spot on. I know there is an issue with the IMU i am looking at purchasing and i did find a discussion on how to fix/make it compatible with Aeroquad.

This will be built in stages. First order will be in the next few days which will consist of the Hubsan, Hubsan crash kit, A wide angle lens for the Hubsan, A Ardunio Mega, The range finder and the IMU. This way i can start flying with the small copter and also learn how the Aeroquad software works (i do have 2 Unos but would prefer to work on the actual platform i plan to use.)


Thanks in advanced guys and girls!

 

[PeteDee]

Have a closer look at these motors if you want quality at budget prices from banggood. http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-S...Motor-For-RC-Airplane-Quadcopter-p-60600.html You are better off not going with the long shaft motors that need the collet style prop adapters.
Pete

 

[wes1007]

Have a closer look at these motors if you want quality at budget prices from banggood. http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-S...Motor-For-RC-Airplane-Quadcopter-p-60600.html You are better off not going with the long shaft motors that need the collet style prop adapters.
Pete

Why do you suggest these over the ones I am thinking of getting? Im guessing you have experience with one or the other

EDIT: okay now i see...

Didnt notice that the Emax had a longer shaft...

Id like to put as big as possible props on the copter so 11" is probbably where i will go if i get the 2212. Only problem is locally i can only really get a hold of 10" props, I havnt checked banggood for 11" ones yet... Will definitly have to order a couple extra props if i cant find locally.

might also get some 10/9/8" for if i want to muck around a little for that quicker response

 

[wes1007]

Redid an ecalc with the x2212 motors:

Remarks:

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Battery Load: 15.79 C Voltage: 10.39 V Rated Voltage: 11.10 V Flight Time: 3.8 min Mixed Flight Time: 5.3 min Hover Flight Time: 14.7 min Weight: 420 g 14.8 oz <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Optimum Efficiency Current: 6.50 A Voltage: 10.71 V Revolutions*: 9292 rpm electric Power: 69.6 W mech. Power: 59.4 W Efficiency: 85.3 % <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Maximum Current: 13.16 A Voltage: 10.31 V Revolutions*: 7666 rpm electric Power: 135.7 W mech. Power: 109.9 W Efficiency: 81.0 % est. Temperature: 42 °C 108 °F <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Hover Current: 2.89 A Voltage: 10.93 V Throttle (linear): 35 % electric Power: 31.6 W mech. Power: 25.0 W Efficiency: 79.1 % est. Temperature: 29 °C 84 °F specific Thrust: 8.21 g/W 0.29 oz/W <tbody> </tbody>

Total Drive Drive Weight: 1155 g 40.7 oz All-up Weight: 1555 g 54.9 oz add. Payload: 1587 g 56 oz Current @ Hover: 17.33 A P(in) @ Hover: 192.4 W P(out) @ Hover: 149.8 W Efficiency @ Hover: 77.9 % Current @ max: 78.97 A P(in) @ max: 876.5 W P(out) @ max: 659.5 W Efficiency @ max: 75.2 % <tbody> </tbody>

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Might look at doing a 2p config that way I get:

Battery Load: 8.37 C Voltage: 10.72 V Rated Voltage: 11.10 V Flight Time: 7.2 min Mixed Flight Time: 9.4 min Hover Flight Time: 21.0 min Weight: 840 g 29.6 oz <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Optimum Efficiency Current: 6.60 A Voltage: 10.88 V Revolutions*: 9443 rpm electric Power: 71.8 W mech. Power: 61.2 W Efficiency: 85.3 % <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Maximum Current: 13.94 A Voltage: 10.64 V Revolutions*: 7844 rpm electric Power: 148.4 W mech. Power: 119.7 W Efficiency: 80.7 % est. Temperature: 44 °C 111 °F <tbody> </tbody>

Motor @ Hover Current: 4.05 A Voltage: 10.97 V Throttle (linear): 45 % electric Power: 44.4 W mech. Power: 36.9 W Efficiency: 83.1 % est. Temperature: 30 °C 86 °F specific Thrust: 7.57 g/W 0.27 oz/W <tbody> </tbody>

Total Drive Drive Weight: 1617 g 57 oz All-up Weight: 2017 g 71.1 oz add. Payload: 1289 g 45.5 oz Current @ Hover: 24.29 A P(in) @ Hover: 269.6 W P(out) @ Hover: 221.3 W Efficiency @ Hover: 82.1 % Current @ max: 83.67 A P(in) @ max: 928.7 W P(out) @ max: 718.5 W Efficiency @ max: 77.4 % <tbody> </tbody>

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[wes1007]

This is what I've come up with so far .... Only problem is that I'm now running over the limit of the motor with 1047 props (well according to ecalc that is)

Manufacturer details have the motor listed with 11" props (pulling 191W)

also whats the best way to increase my flight time? throwing on another battery in parallel adds weight but also more money

 

[wes1007]

Ive done some more research and found a small handful of people using the NTM 28-26A Has a slightly higher KV but on the plus side has a higher max wattage and can run on a 4s battery

The only problem is the Prop adapters ... Anything anyone else can recommend? Ill order from anywhere in the world if i have to for the motors

 

[PeteDee]

It is well known that the SunnySky 2212 motors will run fine of 4S and give heaps of lift on 9 or 10 inch props.

Pete

 

[wes1007]

Yeah. I've done a whole life to more reading today and those 2212-13 motors are pretty darn good. I'll order a 11inch and 10inch prop (apc and emax respectively) and see how it goes. I'll also be picking up a prop balancer.

can't find a lot on the devo 10 transmitter...

 

[wes1007]

Done some more reading and thinking...

Im dropping the Devo 10 transmitter and receiver because they are just costly and will be ordering a th9xb. Come with a reciever and is simmilar to the th9xr in that the modules seem to be swappable. Will maybe look at flashing the firmware but thats a whole different story.


ive also put some thought into the frame. Id rather get the h550 V3 from hobyking. Ill order 2 so i have spares as i cant seem to find any spares for it. I like the idea of the built in PDB and i know ill have to try isolate it from the IMU and maybe even GPS antenna but ill come to that when i get there.

So far it looks like this build will come to about $475 I just hope I dont get nailed with import duties...