I am working on building a new 6X hexacopter with the primary intent aieral photography and videography.I already have a flight control system, APM2.6 with GPS and 3DR. It is currently on a DJI F450 quad where it replaced the Naza controller for the purposes of learning the APM2.6. The DJI was bought as a kit so it want really my own build making this my first true build. I also have both a Spectrum DX7 and a Turingy 9X.Because of space for transportation I'm only looking at frames that are foldable or collapsable. For reference my transportation to and from flight locations is an Escort ZX2.Currently I am looking at the Tarot FY690S frame(600g?) with the Tarot 2-Axis Gimbal with controler(200g) and Hero3+ camera (74g)Here is what Im looking at for the other components.Battery:ZIPPY Compact 5000mAh 4S 25C Lipo Pack (488g) [open to suggestions]ESC:I want to ensure that I get an ESC that can pe programed via PC and can easily have the firmware upgraded.Motos and Props:As I mentioned the primary function of the craft is photo/videography so a balance between stability and flight time and less focus on speed/aerobatics.FPV:I am leaning heavily towards the FatShark PredatorV2 RTF FPV Headset System w/Camera and 5.8G TX[kit](42g onboard), but I will probably use a laptop with a video capture instead of the goggles, but I like having the goggles as an option. I'm not real keen on 5.8Ghz as it has significantly less range/watt as 2.4Ghz or 900Mhz so again I am open to any suggestions here.Please try to include links and reasons for your suggestions as I'm using this as a learning process too.Thanks
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What is the ideal sweet-spot kv for aerial photo/videography?
In my research it seems like most of the really high end rigs are using something in the range of 480kv motors and I was originally looking at around 620kv.
If I use the Tarot frame I mentioned above I can go as high at 13" props, but I want to use whatever is going to give me the best stability and balance. I know the APM2.6 is really good at keeping the craft in a stable hover but better matched all my motors, props and balance are the less work the motos have to do and thus the longer the flights and the less wear over time.
With a 4s battery, I doubt you want to go as low as 480Kv. Most ships running that low are using 6s batteries.
Using ecalc.ch and making some guesses about your final weight, and assuming a 12in prop, I get the following:
With 620Kv motors you will hoover at around 40% throttle for 12.5min. If you use 480Kv motors you will hoover at roughly 65% throttle for 11.5min. With 11in props you might not get off the ground with the 480Kv motors. Increasing to 13in props will give you roughly 0.5min more hoover time.
I can't speak to which will give the the best stability, but I would guess that either 12 or 13 would function acceptably assuming the props and motors were well balanced.
Replies
Ok so Im doing some calculations and here is what I have so far:
So with the FPV and the APM2.6 I'm estimating weight at 2.5kg. Using 10x4.7 props here is what eCalc gives me:
min
I'm curious where everyone sees room for improvement and any recommendations.
12 in props are a serious increase in hover time, which is how camera ships fly.
(ignore ecalc's "flight time" number, that should really be labeled "flight time at max throttle", which is not what you're going to be doing.)
Ok, with 12x6 props:
What is the ideal sweet-spot kv for aerial photo/videography?
In my research it seems like most of the really high end rigs are using something in the range of 480kv motors and I was originally looking at around 620kv.
If I use the Tarot frame I mentioned above I can go as high at 13" props, but I want to use whatever is going to give me the best stability and balance. I know the APM2.6 is really good at keeping the craft in a stable hover but better matched all my motors, props and balance are the less work the motos have to do and thus the longer the flights and the less wear over time.
With a 4s battery, I doubt you want to go as low as 480Kv. Most ships running that low are using 6s batteries.
Using ecalc.ch and making some guesses about your final weight, and assuming a 12in prop, I get the following:
With 620Kv motors you will hoover at around 40% throttle for 12.5min. If you use 480Kv motors you will hoover at roughly 65% throttle for 11.5min. With 11in props you might not get off the ground with the 480Kv motors. Increasing to 13in props will give you roughly 0.5min more hoover time.
I can't speak to which will give the the best stability, but I would guess that either 12 or 13 would function acceptably assuming the props and motors were well balanced.