Hey,
I'm planning to purchase the Arducopter but have very serious payload limitations, I understand that the vehicle can lift off with 1400 gm max weight. My questions are:
1) What are the weights of the aluminium frames(both 22cm and 28 cm configurations)?
2) What is the weight of the whole device excluding the battery(preferably for both 22 and 28 cm frame configurations). This is because I'm planning to duplicate the frame in carbon fibre
3) I'm planning to use a 3S 11.1V 2200 mAh battery, the APM needs 5V.....how is this voltage drop accomplished on the power distribution board, this is becaue I did not notice any passive or active elements on the PDB.
Thanks.
Replies
Empty weights for those frames are around 220-250gr. Having shorter arms does change weight just some grams. I bet it can lift way more than 1400gr. 1400gr is just one weight of whole ArduCopter that I have been using on one of our test testups.
Payload is not limited so much by frame it's more like battery capacity, motor, propeller, length of flight time issue. Naturally frame should be as light as possible but still strong enough to carry full weight and to handle rough landings. Everything els e is just a sum of compromises and efficiency.
ArduCopter v1.0 basic frame packet with all electronics/motors etc included is around 840-870gr depending on receiver and are you using magnetometer too.
PowerPCB does not have any powersource currently so it connects just one of the ESC's to APM / you can use external BEC to provice +5 to APM.