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Fuel Cell for a Quad

Posted by Jake Simon on February 24, 2012 at 12:13pm

I'm working on a project in which we're trying to get a quadcopter to fly for 30 minutes and transmit telemetry data (including video) for 3 hours and 30 minutes. We got a GAUI 330X-S with a 3s LiPo battery (and no telemetry on board) to hover for 28 minutes.

We were thinking about getting a fuel cell but the only one we found that was small enough was Horizon's HCell 2.0, but it only gives 150W at 7.4V.

Any ideas about where to turn to make this quad fly longer?

-Jake

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Replies

  • Andi April 10, 2012 at 3:57pm

    Hello Jake,

    maybe this links would help you a little bit !

    This Motors...

    http://flyduino.net/Smartdrones-650KV-Motor_1

    This Props...

    http://flyduino.net/15-Handmade-Full-Carbon-Propeller-Set-2-CW-2-CCW_1

    Result is

    http://vimeo.com/34753564

    Kind Regards

    Andi

  • Dave February 24, 2012 at 5:38pm

    Need to distinguish between instantaneous power (i.e. what the quad is drawing right now in watts) with total power needed for the flight - (average power x time) in watt-hours.

    The 150W figure for the fuel cell is the instantaneous peak power capability, and seems it's achieved by using an additional (probably LiPo) battery.  That would be nowhere near enough for the Quad which might need something nearer 800W for the situation where you're using max power (i.e. not just hovering).

    Actual total power is only 30Wh - 24Wh from the fuel cell plus presumably 6Wh from the charged LiPo battery.  A 3S 2500 mAh LiPo will deliver about the same.

    An obvious suggestion, but if you have the weight budget for the fuel cell, have you instead looked at using a larger or additonal battery?

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