Hi everyone,
I'm new to these sort of projects, and I'm trying to prepare all the components I need to build a hexacopter. I'm looking to buy the jD-Simplex Hexa (RTF) from jDrones, with the upgraded motors, ESCs, and the 12x45 props. I'm also planning on purchasing the radio set with it. However, I'm in a dilemma about the battery I should get and what the flight time will be. I've read almost everything I can about how to select a battery and how to calculate the flight time.
With the upgraded motors and ESCs, I'm thinking I need a 8000 mAh 3S1P 30C battery, because 8 Ah * 30C = 240 A, and the ESCs run on 30 A (so 30*6=180). Can someone clarify this selection for me?
Also, if I calculated correctly, this copter at 75% throttle will have about 4.5 minutes of flight (with the 8000 mAh battery). Does anyone that has experience with this drone have a longer flight time than that?
Thanks so much,
Kate
Replies
Pixhawk can use the same programming as APM. It's just a newer, faster, and has more features, space, etc.
Also since this is your first please watch this video I put together that shows everything you need to know before taking it airborne. http://youtu.be/lw6an0M_25Q
Thank you, so glad to finally get a straight answer. I was about to lose my mind in confusion.
no the IRIS is pixhawk based which is an STM32 processor, the APM line is based on 8 bit processors which are at EOL in the software for the most part.. not enough processor cycles...
hzl
Hi Kate,
Consider getting a RTF quad from 3DR.
To carry a GoPro for 12 minutes solid, a 4000mAh 3s is more than enough.
That is what I'm doing, in full on Auto missions, APM 2.5.
And I seriously suggest to get in touch with at least one or two people that are actually flying their multicopters in the various modes that APM is capable off.
Else get 3DR IRIS, flies out of the box, but still get someone experienced for the first few flights.
Really no need to re-invent the wheel, and paying for it !
gk
Oh, APC now makes a range of multirotor props, I fly with them, confidence inspiring kit they are....
Agreed Gustav.
My first few were scratch builst. I learned a lot. A lot about what NOT to do. I bought a RTF and learned right away how it's done right! Maybe the build it yourself experience gave me a better eye on the second go around though.
Since buying that one RTF and doing several scratch builts afterwards, not one crash, not even a broken prop. That's after 2 yrs since I bought the first RTF.
I guess the experience with the first scratch builts made me a better pilot and gave me lightning reflexes.
So maybe make your first flights "inexpensive"!
LOL
At least it seems you have the adventurous spirit. That's a must!
" not one crash, not even a broken prop. That's after 2 yrs since I bought the first RTF"...I guess you didn't fly a lot....
Gustav,
The copters from 3DR were some of the first I looked at. However, someone from customer support told me that they don't offer programming flexibility. I would like to be able to go in and add some of my own code.
I've heard about those APC props... I'll have to take a look at those.
Thanks!
Hi Kate,
Weird, the code is open source.
You can open it with Arduino, write extra modules, add it into the main code, re-compile it.....
Run Mission Planner, see the flexibility of missions and waypoint functions, talk to me again :-)
Oh, you can write scripts, make the 'copter do really funny things......
Well... this is a game changer.
I've got Arduino and the ArduCopter code downloaded on my computer, and I've also installed the Mission Planner and APM Planner 2.0. I was planning on going with the jDrones because the 3DR people told me I couldn't alter the code in their copters.
I'm planning on maybe getting a really inexpensive, durable copter to practice with first.
I'll be looking into those 3DR copters again..
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