Since I got my hands on some T-Motor U13's I decided to try them out and build a quadcopter.
List of parts:
*T-Motor U13 (100kV) - 4pcs
*T-Motor Flame 80A 6-12S ESC - 4pcs
*T-Motor 29x9.5 3-bladed prop - 4pcs
*T-Motor prop Quick-release for U13 - 4pcs
*Custom 4mm thick carbon centerplates
*Custom 3mm thick aluminium motor mounts - 4pcs
*Custom navigation strobo LED setup
*Custom vibration damper
*30/28mm Carbon tubes - 4pcs
*3D printed parts
*Vulcan UAV 400A PDB
*Pixhawk FC
*Castle Creations CC BEC (One for Pixhawk, one for retracts) - 2pcs
*Gens Ace 16 000 mAh 6S (2S2P) - 4pcs
*Futaba T14SG + R7008SB (+telemetry)
*ARRIS L1000 V3 retracts
What's the prurpose of the build?
Trying out the biggest and meanest T-Motor U13 motor. Let's see how they perform in different weather, can they be used on an AP rig and how much flight time will they offer.
I have previously tested a single U13 + Flame 80A + 29x9.5 prop set. You can find additional info about the weight, thrust and other important data in the following link:
http://www.dronevibes.com/forums/th...29x9-5-3-blade-prop-review-thrust-test.31750/
STEP 1. Make the drawings
Well, this was easy. Since I've been flying U7 (490kV) based X8 for a while I had already drawings of the centerplates, vibration damper, dome and 3D printer parts that will also fit the U13.
STEP 2. Acquire parts
Very easy yet costly step.
STEP 3. Start building!
1. Cut centerplates, vibration damper and battery plate (CNC)
2. Cut aluminium motor mounts (Laser cutter)
3. Anodize motor mounts
4. Start the 3D printing factory!
5. Assemble.
START
Let's start with a size comparisson to show how big and mean an U13 motor is. From the left: MN4014, U7 and U13.
T-Motor goodies:
Power System
This thing is going to run on 12S. I am most likely using Gens Ace 16 000 mAh 6S batteries (4pcs). I will wire 2 in series and 2 in parallel to get 32 000 mAh 12S. The copter has four frame mounted EC5 connectors. Since Castle CC BEC does not run on 12S one EC5 connector has to be the "main" that gives 6S power to both of the BEC's and LED system. In this case:
1. The first "main" 6S battery will power up the Pixhawk, retracts and LED system.
2. The second 6S battery will complete the 12S system and power up the ESC's.
3. Third and fourth 6S battery will add another 16 000 mAh 12S to the power system.
Double EC5 mount.
Single EC5 mounts on both sides.
In addition. To be sure that the motor-ESC-prop combo is up to the task...one must run the motor at full throttle for long period of time...just to be extra sure
T-Motor U13 + Flame 80 ESC + 29x9.5 prop @ Full thottle for 12 minutes:
Calculated weight of the copter without payload and with 4x 16 000 mAh 6S is 17,2kg (~37,92 lbs)
Antenna holder
Since there are props spinning near the centerplates one would not want receiver antennas to flap around. Solution - a 3D printed 90 degree mount.
Motor mounts
Since my carbon sheet order took too long to arrive I chose to power up the 4kW laser cutter and cut out some nice 3mm thick motor mounts. I also anodized them (black) so they would match with all the other components.
Removable arms
Transporting this beast would be a nightmare without the removable arms. There are 4mm female bullets in the arm tubes and 4mm males ones between the centeplates. Just slide the arm in and lock it with the quick-release with safety pin. Quick an easy
Next step - flight video
List of parts:
*T-Motor U13 (100kV) - 4pcs
*T-Motor Flame 80A 6-12S ESC - 4pcs
*T-Motor 29x9.5 3-bladed prop - 4pcs
*T-Motor prop Quick-release for U13 - 4pcs
*Custom 4mm thick carbon centerplates
*Custom 3mm thick aluminium motor mounts - 4pcs
*Custom navigation strobo LED setup
*Custom vibration damper
*30/28mm Carbon tubes - 4pcs
*3D printed parts
*Vulcan UAV 400A PDB
*Pixhawk FC
*Castle Creations CC BEC (One for Pixhawk, one for retracts) - 2pcs
*Gens Ace 16 000 mAh 6S (2S2P) - 4pcs
*Futaba T14SG + R7008SB (+telemetry)
*ARRIS L1000 V3 retracts
What's the prurpose of the build?
Trying out the biggest and meanest T-Motor U13 motor. Let's see how they perform in different weather, can they be used on an AP rig and how much flight time will they offer.
I have previously tested a single U13 + Flame 80A + 29x9.5 prop set. You can find additional info about the weight, thrust and other important data in the following link:
http://www.dronevibes.com/forums/th...29x9-5-3-blade-prop-review-thrust-test.31750/
STEP 1. Make the drawings
Well, this was easy. Since I've been flying U7 (490kV) based X8 for a while I had already drawings of the centerplates, vibration damper, dome and 3D printer parts that will also fit the U13.
STEP 2. Acquire parts
Very easy yet costly step.
STEP 3. Start building!
1. Cut centerplates, vibration damper and battery plate (CNC)
2. Cut aluminium motor mounts (Laser cutter)
3. Anodize motor mounts
4. Start the 3D printing factory!
5. Assemble.
START
Let's start with a size comparisson to show how big and mean an U13 motor is. From the left: MN4014, U7 and U13.
T-Motor goodies:
Power System
This thing is going to run on 12S. I am most likely using Gens Ace 16 000 mAh 6S batteries (4pcs). I will wire 2 in series and 2 in parallel to get 32 000 mAh 12S. The copter has four frame mounted EC5 connectors. Since Castle CC BEC does not run on 12S one EC5 connector has to be the "main" that gives 6S power to both of the BEC's and LED system. In this case:
1. The first "main" 6S battery will power up the Pixhawk, retracts and LED system.
2. The second 6S battery will complete the 12S system and power up the ESC's.
3. Third and fourth 6S battery will add another 16 000 mAh 12S to the power system.
Double EC5 mount.
Single EC5 mounts on both sides.
In addition. To be sure that the motor-ESC-prop combo is up to the task...one must run the motor at full throttle for long period of time...just to be extra sure
T-Motor U13 + Flame 80 ESC + 29x9.5 prop @ Full thottle for 12 minutes:
Calculated weight of the copter without payload and with 4x 16 000 mAh 6S is 17,2kg (~37,92 lbs)
Antenna holder
Since there are props spinning near the centerplates one would not want receiver antennas to flap around. Solution - a 3D printed 90 degree mount.
Motor mounts
Since my carbon sheet order took too long to arrive I chose to power up the 4kW laser cutter and cut out some nice 3mm thick motor mounts. I also anodized them (black) so they would match with all the other components.
Removable arms
Transporting this beast would be a nightmare without the removable arms. There are 4mm female bullets in the arm tubes and 4mm males ones between the centeplates. Just slide the arm in and lock it with the quick-release with safety pin. Quick an easy
Next step - flight video
