New with Questions. Working on a parts list.

[Mikerodrig27]

Hey guys. I'm building a Quadcopter for taking video (GoPro 3+ Black) on the big island of Hawaii where my wife and I will be living. I'm looking to build over buying a RTF or ARTF because I want the experience behind building and tuning it myself. My goal is to have a unit that is very stable for smooth video, and to have enough battery reserve for at least 20 minutes. Not planning on doing flips ect. Here are some of the parts that I've figured out so far. The top end of my budget is $850 with charger and telemetry. There's a lot of questions so if you only want to help out with part of the list, all help opinions are welcome. Thanks!

1) $54.49 280g Frame: Ordering two to make repairs of modifications.
2x https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__22781__Turnigy_Talon_Quadcopter_V2_0_Carbon_Fiber_Frame_550mm.html

2) 4x motors: I've heard good things about SunnySky motors. I don't mind paying extra for quality and efficiency if it's worth the money. I've used two calculators that say that I need 4.1s batteries with 756kv motors or 657kv w/ 3S?... I'm sure I did something wrong. The weight (according to my calc) is going to be 1.97kg loaded with a 3s 5000mah battery, gimbal, and gopro. Does this seem to heavy? Also, are 22 pole pancake style motors are more efficient? Would I be able to use them? I also want to be able to run two batts in parallel for longer run times.

3) $3.99 27.3g Distribution Board:

4) 4x ESC: Still planning this. Any suggested brands of ESCs that are proven?

5) Transmitter: Have heard good things about it and it already comes with the receiver which is nice. There's also a lot of support and mods for it.
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking..._Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

6) Male to Male servo leads: Just need the proper length I assume.

7) $279.00 54.8g Flight controller: I can't figure out any reason not to go with this FC. Thanks Earp.

3DR Pixhawk w/ uBlox GPS and Compass Kit

8) Propellers: Going to get two sets of Carbon fibers and two cheapy sets. From what I understand, smaller props make a more stable copter where as larger props make the copter more efficient. One calc says a 550mm wheelbase + quad can handle 15.31" props so I think i did something wrong here... Here's what I've seen other Turnigy Talon 550mm users use.
10" 4.5-5 pitch
9" 4.5-5 pitch


9) Batteries: I want to know if setting up the quad to carry two batteries would give me longer flight times.
5000mah 3s or 4s.
2x 5000mah 3s or 4s in parallel.

turnigy nano tech?

10) Battery charger:
Whats a good charger for a wall socket?

11) $124 200g Gimbal w/ gyroscope:
Tarot Brushless Gimbal for Gopro Hero 3 TL68A08
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1917049

12) Servo Leads: 10 x 10cm 3 pin male to male
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...e_to_Male_Servo_Lead_JR_26AWG_10pcs_set_.html

13) Lipo Sacks for charging

 

[Earp]

"Naza-m V2. w/ GPS - This one is very expensive but seems to be the best performing FC for someone getting into multicopters."

Look at the Pixhawk and then decide.

"and to have enough battery reserve for at least 20 minutes."

I don't believe that will happen.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I started messing with eCalc and It's definitely giving me a better idea of what I need. Earp, I think you're right. 20 minutes definitely isn't going to happen from the looks of what eCalc is saying. I'm going to check out Pixhawk right now. Thanks for the input.

Some guys are building copters that have a run time of 30 minutes and traveling 6km. How are they doing this?

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I like Pixhawk. The support seems to be there for it and the quickstart guide was easy to understand. Since it's $20 less, I think I'll give it a shot over Naza.

Updated the first post. I refined a few things today so I made the changes.

 

[jbrumberg]

The power distribution board you identified appears to have QC problems. At least one of the members here has had inflight catastrophic failure of that component resulting in a crash. I have read of other posters at RCG with similar problems. There are better PDB's available, or consider a heavier breakout cable/squid. You will also need an HK 10 pack of 10cm 3 pin servo wire connectors to connect the receiver to the FCB.

That transmitter is a mode 4 transmitter. Most USA users use a mode 2 transmitter. IMHO, the Flysky version of the 9X the FS TH9XB has the interchangeable modules with the antennas attached. The "B" model allows for an easier exchange of different transmitter modules without the hassle of messing with the transmitter's internal antenna wire if/when one changes transmitter modules.

Get extra props, maybe extra motors too for the inevitable crashes that occur during the early stages of the learning curve.

Just my $.02

Good Luck.

Jay

 

[Mikerodrig27]

Okay I took the distribution board off. Thanks for the tip on that. I still want to go with a PDB if there is a reliable one. I'll have to look for a discussion on one unless someone has one in mine.

I put the servo wires on the list.

I'm confused on the transmitter. It says in the link that it is a mode 2. Am I understanding this wrong? The TH9XB sounds nice but I can't think of why I'd want to change the transmitter. I'll have to read up on it a little more. If there is room in the budget, It would be nice to start off with a nicer radio.

I'm going to throw an extra motor in there. I'm already getting four sets of props.

Thanks for the help. Your 2 cents is saving me a lot of time and energy fixing bad parts ect.

 

[PeteDee]

I started messing with eCalc and It's definitely giving me a better idea of what I need. Earp, I think you're right. 20 minutes definitely isn't going to happen from the looks of what eCalc is saying. I'm going to check out Pixhawk right now. Thanks for the input.

Some guys are building copters that have a run time of 30 minutes and traveling 6km. How are they doing this?

6S packs and 35xx motors with 14-15 inch props.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

Thanks Pete. The Pancake motors and 6s setups are expensive. They get over $1000 quickly. Let me know what you guys think. I wanted to go with the turnigy multistar 3525-750kv but they got expensive. Oh, Ecalc says that this can lift my DSLR (without a gimbol) for 11 minutes. I'm going to see if I can set something up for aerial photography. Maybe a cheap pancake lens. This would be good for if I see a cool waterfall and want a shot from 40' up.

Here's where I'm at. You have to add $280 for the pixhawk + shipping.

 

[jbrumberg]

Mode 2 is what you want: Throttle/Yaw on the left stick is the common transmitter setup in the USA. The reason I mentioned the "B" version is some users switch transmitter modules to other transmitter-receiver protocols like the DSM's, Frysky, etc. The ability to switch out modules without having to modify the internal antenna wire contained within the other models' internal wiring of the 9X transmitters is a convenience. I might add that the necessary antenna modification is not difficult. The 9X transmitters are basic, 9 channel transmitters. They do have one 3 way toggle switch and one potentiometer that can be dedicated to a 3 way switch. They have great range. They work. They are programmable and upgradable. I have one (actually two) I like them. I will be buying a fancier, fuller featured transmitter some day.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

My budget is already blown with the 9x (things add up quick) so it'll have to do. When I upgrade stuff down the road I may get a better unit but for now it should get me by. Thanks for the suggestion. What do you think of the eCalc and the parts list?

 

[Mikerodrig27]

Well, I managed to spend just under $1000 :black_eyed: wish me luck. I'll do a thread in the build section talking about the setup and if it worked well or not. Supposedly it can lift the DSLR with 81% throttle with my 550g lens on it. I'm going to get a small pancake lens and hopefully get the throttle range down to ~65%-70%. I'd just lift it to snap a shot then lower it back down. The copter is mainly going to be for the GoPro with gimbal.


$218 Tarot Iron Man 650. This frame is a lot more popular than the Turnigy v2 550 I was looking at
2x http://www.ebay.com/itm/181362789053?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

$139.82 Tarot Gimbal that everyone talks about.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281290403240?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

$279 PixHawk. Looks like a really nice unit.
https://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-pixhawk

$93.10 Good rating and large capacity. I hope it'll fit the frame.
2x ZIPPY Flightmax 8000mAh 3S1P 30C (USA Warehouse)

$62.75 Good ratings and eCalc liked it. They're cheap which is nice.
5x Turnigy D2836/11 750KV Brushless Outrunner Motor (USA Warehouse)

$62.49 SimonK seems to be good stuff.
5x Afro ESC 20Amp Multi-rotor Motor Speed Controller (SimonK Firmware) (USA Warehouse)

$24.07 Good ratings but I'll have to get a wall to DC setup.
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger w/ accessories (USA Warehouse)

$8.22 Not much talk on these but They're cheap
1x Slow Fly Electric Prop 1447 (2 pc - Grey)
1x Slow Fly Electric Prop 1447 (2 pc - Grey) Right Hand Rotation

$23.02 Same as previous but I'd figure I'll try them. If they don't work I'll get some APC 14 x 5 pitch at the LHS
2x 14x4.7 SF Carbon Fiber Propellers CW and CCW Rotation (1 pair)

$3.65 Simpler then mounting a board.
1x HXT 4mm to 4 X 3.5mm bullet Multistar ESC Power Breakout Cable

$4.75 Referred by someone.
1x 10CM Male to Male Servo Lead (JR) 26AWG (10pcs/set)

7.21 For the Afro ESCs with Simonk
1x Afro ESC USB Programming Tool

$3.80 Good insurance
1x Hobbyking 2-8S Cell Checker with Low Voltage Alarm

$5.34 For the 8000mah batteries.
1x HXT4mm w/12AWG silicon wire 10cm (battery side) (5pcs/Bag)

$3.99 For the ACC6 charger to battery connection.
1x HXT 4mm to XT60 Battery Adapter Lead (2pc)

With GoPro and Tarot Gimbal:

With DSLR. I'm hoping to get the weight down with a custom bracket and a really light lens.