I am building a Back to the Future car/drone that has EMFs as the hubs of the wheels .
I saw Ed Kirk's Scarab Quad video and figured that I could build the fans into the wheels just like in the movies.
I already have a prototype wheel/fan unit that transforms from a wheel with a rotating tire, to a horizontal turbo fan. I have the drive system figured out as well. In order to cut down weight I figure that the rear fans would control the forward and turning by speed control rather than by changing the pitch with servos.
I am planning on using 4 - new model 70mm Emfs from Hobby-King, with 7 blade fans and chromed to make good looking hubcaps for the wheels They extend to an angle approx 15 deg.off horizontal outwards.
I have no problems designing and manufacturing the physical car but my savvy of the electronics is minimal, just what I read on line.
Has anyone ever built one of these models ? I have designed it to drive like a car , stop and transforme
into a drone and then fly away , return to earth and transform back to a car. I am not planning for it to be a race car or do any loop D loops while it is in drone mode. Just simple moves.
I could use some good advice to avoid some of those inevadible tragedies.
Replies
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the interest in my EDF quadcopter, my first recommendation is to build a standard quadcopter before even trying an EDF setup. Start with a simple controller like MultiWii or KK, there are some very nice 250 to 270 frame kits available using 5 and 6 inch props and the latest motors are very impressive. Take a look at MultiWiiCopter, he has good kits for someone who can build, program and learn the basics.
http://www.multiwiicopter.com/products/scarab-knife-270-red-air looks like a nice start.
I designed the mechanics and rotating boom he uses in his tricopters and Avatar.
Ducted fans multicopters fly great although flight time is short, I was getting up to 10 minutes. There have been great improvements in electronic speed controllers, at least 6 cell batteries are a must, when I was experimenting I had to use at least 80 amp ESC's for even a 65 mm ducted fan, real challenge. The batteries have also improved. I haven't seen where anyone has had any success with multicopters and ducted fans. I have had the best results with the High Torque ducted fans from Hobby King at least for the price. Listed specs are useless, I also found the numbers from my dyno stand didn't work in actual flight. EDF's really suck up the current in flight but there is plenty of power.
Ed
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