FPV Quadcopter basic parts list (JABcopter)

[plexer]

@JAB1a I've got 410mm centre to centre on this and at the moment will be using the same motors which could be interesting

 

Can always swap the arms out for longer ones if needs be there is just 1 m3 bolt and a nylock that holds them in.

 

Ben

[JAB1a]

excellent @plexer, using the same motors will give you so much power as long as you keep the weight down. How is your other quad build going? did you manage to sort out all the wobbles?

[plexer]

The other one is flying ok but will be cannibalised to provide the parts for lil blue she'll be flying with her new 3d printed enclosure which is currently on the printer

 

Ben

[JAB1a]

Here is my TeslaHex build...

 

This is the first part of the build, just testing the frame...

 

Here is a comparison between the Skywalker 20Amp ESC's and 1000Kv motors from my big Quad compared to the mini 12Amp ESC's and 2500Kv motors of the mini hex

[plexer]

I see you plumped for the Afro's you seen they do a slim version too?

 

Ben

[JAB1a]

I see you plumped for the Afro's you seen they do a slim version too?

 

Ben

 

Hmm interesting, I didn't think they did a slim version of the 12Amp due to them already being so small compared to the 20/30Amp ones, I will have a search around

[TwoZeroAlpha]

Minor setback, second set of test flights resulted in liftoff and then spectacular pile in thanks to 15 degrees of aileron applied by controller as default (thought I had checked, whoops). Broke all props, one prop mount lost, one motor mount broken. Next test flight will be done strung between a couple of trees. Lesson learned.

 

Probably spent another £35 buying a replacement X525 frame (woo, loads of spares), prop mount and props. Should be good to fly again this weekend. Until then, here's a pre-crash photo with my wife's 1:72 scale airfix spitfire project (she wanted to build something too and we were in the model shop)

[plexer]

Hmm interesting, I didn't think they did a slim version of the 12Amp due to them already being so small compared to the 20/30Amp ones, I will have a search around

 

Not sure if they do atm to be honest.

 

Ben

[Ant]

Wow, looking at all the progress being made in this thread has well and truely put me to shame. Since my last post, I have made exactly zero progress on my main quad. It's still hanging up waiting for me to finish the wiring so I can connect the FC.

 

In the meantime, I'm still having fun whipping the Hubsan out every now and then and having a fly around. I've gone through 2 motors, a few props and a whole new shell. Oops. Ended up making a 5 battery charging harness for it too meaning I can fly around the house for longer, much to my wife's disappointment.

[JAB1a]

@TwoZeroAlpha the build is looking good, shame about the crash but its all a learning experience. The X525 is a great frame with modifications, might I suggest you get rid of the horrible/flexy/brittle motor mounts and mount the motors directly to the arms, it reduces so much flex and vibration and you wont end up breaking the mounts everytime you land hard. I used one of the holes already there for the motor mounts and drilled another hole to fit the motor (also a large hole between the two screw holes for the motor shaft to fit into)(get rid of the horrible soft metal X motor mounts that came with the motors).

 

With the frame plates, turn the extra little third plate around so that it locks the arms into position restricting the folding action, I have seen quads drop from the sky due to one of the arms unexpectedly folding away lol, not nice to see.

 

I also swapped out the ali arms for stronger ali arms as the metal they used for the red and black arms is just one stage above tin foil lol, the swap added 80g to the flight weight but made the quad feel like it was on rails.

 

I can't wait for some time off to get stuck into my own build, bring on Xmas!

[plexer]

I've got a hubsan for xmas for practice

 

Ben

[Ant]

Forgot to add, I did eventually get a camera attached the Hubsan! It was a little heavy though even without the battery making the flight a little sluggish.

[JAB1a]

@Ant lol wicked news that your still playing with the Hubsan, it will put you in a Very good state to then fly your large Quad. Did you run into trouble making your quad or was it just a lack of time that ground you to a halt?

[Ant]

@Ant lol wicked news that your still playing with the Hubsan, it will put you in a Very good state to then fly your large Quad. Did you run into trouble making your quad or was it just a lack of time that ground you to a halt?

Just lack of time and priorities I'm afraid! We're doing some redecorating too so there isn't the space for me to leave all my soldering, wires, and bits lying around to have a dabble every now and then. BabyAnt will be making an appearance next year too, so my mind has been elsewhere!

[plexer]

lil blue should be flying tomorrow or even tonight if I have time after my meeting to strip the other one

 

Ben

[JAB1a]

lil blue should be flying tomorrow or even tonight if I have time after my meeting to strip the other one

 

Ben

 

I look forward to seeing the video hint hint lol

[plexer]

@JAB1a I know I know

 

Ben

[Olliesaurus]

I really want to start getting into making quads, my dad and I used to make gliders together years ago, he is pretty capable electronics wise.

 

Any hints for a real cheap startup quad just to see if its something that we would be interested in?

[JAB1a]

I really want to start getting into making quads, my dad and I used to make gliders together years ago, he is pretty capable electronics wise.

 

Any hints for a real cheap startup quad just to see if its something that we would be interested in?

 

I 100% recommend the Hubsan X4, this will get you trained and give you the buzz of how multicopters work at a minimal cost and risk, they range from about £22-£39. After you have mastered that then you can decided if you want to pour money into a bigger Quad/multirotor

 

Grab one for each of you this Xmas period, you will both have SO much fun indoors or outdoors

Edited December 17, 2013 by JAB1a
changed sentence

[plexer]

@JAB1a Lil blue has her top on

 

 

Ben

Edited December 17, 2013 by plexer

[JAB1a]

@plexer that looks excellent Ben, like a fortress of solitude for your flight controller, do you know how much the top weights? One note for your next printing session might be to angle those walls a bit otherwise in a cross wind your quad will be shaking like a nutter being pushed from above its CG.

 

The print quality looks amazing, I would say you have this 3D printing lark nailed down.

[plexer]

@JAB1a angles are always an issue with printing the overhang and I try and print without support if possible I also intend to make the second version a little less tall as I over cooked it a bit with regards to space.

 

There's room in the tail section for the received and possibly video tx as well.

 

Ben

[plexer]

@JAB1a Lil blue all done

 

 

Will do a video of her flying later although she's not so little as she weighs 1.3KG.

 

Arms swap out with one bolt in the event of a crash or if I wished to put longer arms on for bigger props

 

Ben

Edited December 18, 2013 by plexer

[JAB1a]

@plexer Lil blue is looking great! some hard work has paid off there. I see your using the horrible soft metal X's under the motors, I found these to give me no end of trouble due to them just bending even half a mm which will make a huge difference in handling, shaking and vibration. They were good for absorbing the impact from a crash but after you bolt the motors direct to the arms then the next bit to break on a crash will be the motor shafts but your quad will be locked in, it was shocking what difference it made getting rid of them. I look forward to the video

[FragglePete]

That looks so sweeeet !!!

 

Pete