He there ya'll! Hope you guys are having a good day. I am currently a drone flyer with a Syma, a Hubsan h107c and a Hubsan h107d. I am researching a quadcopter that I can build myself and have a FPV setup for possible racing. Here are all of the materials that I am looking at for the drone. If anyone has any advice or comments on better parts, please feel free to share! I will take as much advice as possible! Thank you all so much!
Motors, and esc's- http://store.flitetest.com/e-pack-better/
Frame- http://store.flitetest.com/ft-210-frame/
Power distribution board- http://store.flitetest.com/matek-power-distributuon-board-xt60-w-bec-5v-12v/
Transmiter and reciver: http://www.banggood.com/FlySky-FS-i6-2_4G-6CH-AFHDS-RC-Transmitter-With-FS-iA6B-Receiver-p-983537.html?p=CG24181822629201506N
(I need some help with this one because I am debating wether it would be best to buy this since it is a bit more affordable, or just straight up buy the FrSky ACCST Taranis Q X7. Please help me with this!)
Head set- http://www.banggood.com/KDS-Kylin-Vision-64CH-5_8G-Full-Band-FPV-Goggles-5-Inch-VR-Headset-with-Battery-p-1053030.html?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=cussku&utm_campaign=5635792_1053030&utm_content=1081&p=CG24181822629201506N(This is also i am not sure of. Should I get these of spend more and get fatsharks?)
cyclone props- http://www.banggood.com/2-Pair-DALPROP-T5045C-5-Inch-3-Blade-Propeller-Clover-Prop-Black-Red-Orange-Green-p-1110019.html
Antenna FPV - http://www.banggood.com/5_8G-Gain-Petals-Clover-Mushrooms-Antenna-Set-For-FPV-System-p-919079.html?rmmds=search
Thanks for your thoughts guys! I really appreciate it!
Replies
Hi Caleb,
I would actually recommend if at all possible you consider going with the 2550 I recommended and 6" props and a 4S battery setup.
6S batteries are problematic and definitely not for the beginner, their higher voltage is considerably more likely to result in problems.
Also, although 6" props are only one inch larger in diameter than 5" props, they have over fifty percent more swept area and this means they operate much more efficiently and can also accelerate more quickly without inducing cavitation or turbulence.
This means that for otherwise equivalent aircraft the 6" prop will out perform and outlast a 5" diameter one by a considerable margin.
It may mean you need slightly longer frame arms, but it is a very worthwhile trade off.
As far as performance the 2550 with 6" props should actually yield noticeably superior performance and flight time to the 2050 on 6S with 5" props.
The props you use are also very important to final max tuning of your craft and you will want to try a variety of 2 and 3 bladed props in which ever diameter you do finally settle on.
Generally the best performing props are expensive CF ones, but they can also slice you to ribbons and are brittle and break when they hit things, so definitely not the best to learn with.
Best of Luck,
Gary
And also here is the list that I now currently have:
Motors (x4)- https://www.kdedirect.com/collections/uas-multi-rotor-brushless-motors/products/kde2306xf-2050 $116
ESC (x4)- http://www.getfpv.com/lumenier-30a-blheli-esc-2-4s.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gdffi=747627bc7e464db68e5f529d971aacf3&gdfms=F2B2393D1F7E4AFDAE8B2516797A9797&gclid=CPX2_t-uttICFYW1wAodOcAHvg $76
Frame and power distribution- http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/262670556023?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true $47
lock tight- https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Blue-Threadlocker-6-Milliliter-20972... $6
Runcam eagle- http://www.banggood.com/Runcam-Eagle-800TVL-DC-5-17V-FOV-130-Global-WDR-169-CMOS-FPV-Camera-PAL-NTSC-Switchable-p-1081812.html?rmmds=search $55
Heat shrink- http://www.banggood.com/328pcs-21-Polyolefin-Halogen-Free-Heat-Shrink-Tube-Sleeving-5-Color-8-Size-p-969574.html?rmmds=search $4
NAZE32-
http://www.banggood.com/DALRC-NAZE32-REV6-MPU6050-32-bit-6-DOF10-DOF-Flight-Controller-for-Multicopter-p-1020774.html?rmmds=search $12
VTX- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lumenier-TX5G2R-Mini-200mW-5-8GHz-Raceband-FPV-Transmitter-3090-/291568454282?hash=item43e2d58a8a:g:imUAAOSwsB9V~aSQ $42
Zipties- https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Self-locking-Nylon-Cable-Black/dp/B01FKA5RS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486612424&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=zip+ties&psc=1 $6
Transmiter and receiver: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/FrSky-ACCST-Taranis-Q-X7-2-4GHz-16CH-Transmitter-Black-375669.html?Currency=USD&catargetid=120190870000000467&cadevice=c&gclid=CJmL0cOpttICFQa1wAod6CoJYg $130
Head set- http://www.banggood.com/FatShark-Fat-Shark-Teleporter-V5-FPV-Goggles-5_8G-7CH-Video-Glasses-Headset-p-1041414.html?rmmds=search $165
4 sets cyclone x3- http://www.banggood.com/2-Pair-DALPROP-T5045C-5-Inch-3-Blade-Propeller-Clover-Prop-Black-Red-Orange-Green-p-1110019.html $18
Solder wire- https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-AT-31604-60-40-Solder-Ounces/dp/B00030AP48/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1486612533&sr=8-3&keywords=solder+wire $6
Battery x2- http://www.banggood.com/Infinity-4S-14_8V-1300mAh-70C-Graphene-LiPo-Battery-XT60-Support-15C-Boosting-Charge-p-1062565.html?p=CG24181822629201506N $44
Charger- http://www.banggood.com/Charsoon-DC-4S-2-4S-Li-polyLi-ion-Battery-Balance-Charger-Voltage-Detector-with-Power-Adapter-p-1081892.html?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=cussku&utm_campaign=5635792_1081892&utm_content=1081&p=CG24181822629201506N $12
Double sided tape- https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Extreme-Mounting-60-Inch-Black/dp/B005SRECEU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1486652269&sr=8-7&keywords=heavy+duty+double+sided+tape $9
Antenna - http://www.ebay.com/itm/FatShark-5-8GHz-Circular-Polarized-Mushroom-Antenna-For-FPV-Aerial-Inner-Pin/121935385232?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D1679b1bac0f94954bdb6d51f98ba23e7%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D14%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D111939289754 $7
From,
Caleb
P.S. I have found a way to get all of the gear I have wanted, like the tarranis and the FatSharks, for only $150 dollars more. This would be over $300 dollars more without your help, so thank you very much.
Generally speaking, for small quads the following is true: Lower KV = higher efficiency but at lower performance and vicea versa.
For FPV racing there is a tendency to go with higher KV higher RPM motors, but props of the smaller diameter, spinning faster are considerably less efficient than slower, bigger props, so battery life is considerably shorter.
Normally I would recommend low KV motors for increased efficiency and longer flight times, but FPV racing is the exception to that rule.
Basically the motor size and lifting capacity needs to be matched to the frame size and prop diameter you are going to use as well as the aircrafts final all up weight.
For high performance flight you want at least a three to one thrust over weight potential.
Meaning your copter should be able to generate at least 3 times the thrust required to hover your copter.
If it weighs 2 pounds max power should be at least 6 pounds of thrust total for all for motors for an FPV racer.
More would be better, this power surplus is translated into the ability to accelerate quickly and to make tight turns at high speed.
Even non racing copters benefit from a high max thrust versus weight ratio because generally motors and props are considerably more efficient at lower speeds and well below maximum power input.
The big failing of most FPV racers in my opinion is in using too small propellers, because, not only is efficiency directly compromised, but the ability of the propeller to immediately apply thrust can be caused by cavitation and turbulence in high G maneuvers and this problem is reduced with larger diameter props.
Three blade props are popular in FPV racers, but they are also intrinsically less efficient than 2 bladed ones.
Competitive FPV racing is something that is pursued passionately and the most successful people all have their own "secrets".
All I can do is give you some advice for getting started, most of the rest you will have to uncover as you go, anything I say now would be outmoded in a few months anyway.
Most FPV racers are in the 2+ pound range and I would consider this KDE motor a good starting point you could use it on 2, 3 or 4 cell batteries with 6 inch props and with 4 cell it would have plenty of excess power to be competitive.
https://www.kdedirect.com/collections/uas-multi-rotor-brushless-mot...
Make sure your ESCs can handle the 4 cells and maximum motor currents and also make sure your flight controller setup will work with a 4 cell battery.
Best Regards,
Gary
Hi Caleb,
Done this a lot.
First, look at the DIYDrones wiki here: http://ardupilot.org/copter/
Then Look at my Quadcopters Are Fun site here: http://www.quadcoptersarefun.com/ it's a bit out of date, but contains a ton of information.
FPV racing has become a very specialized and rapidly advancing field and there are a lot of good frames and components out there.
Generally higher end is better with sturdy CF frames and not the cheapest possible components, they last longer in this extremely crash prone sport and also provide the performance you need to win.
I suggest you Google FPV racing and Also look on Facebook, there are a ton of sites devoted to it.
KDE builds top quality motors that will withstand the rigors of FPV racing better than most: https://www.kdedirect.com/collections/uas-multi-rotor-brushless-motors - You would need the smaller cheaper ones, not the big expensive ones.
Taranis seems considerably superior to FlySky and is what I use.
FPV camera and HMD are most important and I recommend FatShark, certainly not the cheapest, but cheap ones are not competitive. http://www.fatshark.com/
Plan on buying lots of props and get a frame that is known to be sturdy in FPV racing use.
If you are really going to race FPV, you are going to crash - a lot!
Best Regards,
Gary