OK, so I finally got sick of testing my motors/esc/props on make-shift test stands. I decided to make something that will be as close to finished product as possible and hopefully, if there is any interest I could make it into an official product.
Without further ado, I present Motor Master 5000 (as in 5000g max thrust). Here are the specs:
1) Max voltage - 28V (0.1V resolution)
2) Max current - 50A (0.01A resolution)
3) Max load - 5000g (1g resolution, ~175oz)
4) Max RPM - 30000 (for measuring performance without the prop)
5) Size - 50 x 35 x 10 cm (LxHxW ~ 20"x14"x4")
6) Weight - 2kg (~ 4lbs)
Right now It's a standalone product and it displays data on the color LCD and also sends data via serial connection to the computer where you can further analyze it.
It sends data in ASCII or binary format (to be interpreted in the client application e.g. Processing which I will post soon too). Here is the sample ASCII output that can be pasted in Excel and then you can do with it as you please.
MotorMaster 5000 ver 1.0.1
VCC[mV] 4935 Cell K 0.186423 Offset 2083.6311 RAM 972
Servo RPM Vb[mV] I[mA] Thr[g] Cell Eff[g/W]
1000 0 11229 0 2.49 2097 0
1000 0 11229 0 2.49 2097 0
1050 382 11200 114 4.17 2106 3.43
1050 410 11200 105 3.98 2105 3.68
1100 804 11200 168 24.49 2215 13.56
1100 813 11200 168 25.42 2220 14.11
1150 1081 11200 265 45.93 2330 15.81
1150 1082 11200 259 46.12 2331 15.91
1200 1362 11168 441 70.16 2460 14.30
1200 1369 11170 413 71.10 2465 15.45
...
I would like it to (eventually) become an open source project but for now I will keep polishing it until it is ready for "public scrutiny" 
Here are some pictures (sorry for the lighting) and I will soon be posting more and some videos too.
Oh and yeah, good news is it's also an Arduino! (Pro Mini which was even cheaper than the ATMega328p chip and you can easily replace it or use elsewhere in a dire need)
I'm open for suggestions and comments so please feel free to write.
Cheers,
Misa
You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!
Replies
Some motors will have trust greater than few kg so maybe some clamps for fixing it would be good...
Right, it starts to slide when the thrust goes over 1kg. Currently I just have holes on the bottom to put screws through but am looking into some sort of clamps that would hold against the edge of the table.
This is great! I am a buyer, just let me know when you can deliver?
For 99$ count me in as well...
Thank you! I should probably update the main description (if it's possible in this forum) and put the price in since it is looking more realistic.
Great, I got you as +1 :)
Seriously, I want to get the price down to $99 (+S&H) and for that I need 500+ people. I will start a campaign soon enough and I hope you will commit.
As for delivery first "0 series" batches (meaning first production run of 10-20) will be ready in about one month but I don't know if I can get the cost down enough to sell it at $99 ($150 is more likely).
Maybe I'll have to eat up the cost and have those first customers pitch in with design and feedback (which is bound to happen no matter what).
mee too, Unless somebody already said it, what about using Kickstarter to get your started ?
Exactly, that's what I had in mind when I mentioned the campaign. Actually either Kickstarter or Indiegogo, not sure which is better, but am leaning towards KS.
I am also interested in getting one.
Great, got you written down.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next