So, I have compiled this list of what I am considering ordering: this is my first time building a quad. Just curious if anyone wants to take a look and has any better recommendations--or tell me if I am missing anything. From what I can tell, the parts should be compatible with one another. I am still not sure about the strength the motor should be.... I want to make sure I have the right parts before I order- as I will surely do a blog on this website.
I am trying to make this on a tight budget--so I thought maybe others would be interested in this list. I know its annoying to click all the individual links. If anyone has any feedback I'd be grateful.
Remember that I have never built a UAV before. So parts that I assume are part of the body weight may not actually be part of the body. This is all new to me hahahha. I hope as this list develops it can be used to help other hobbyists starting out.
***Updated Dec. 8th, 2014***
BODY
Flight Board
http://www.getfpv.com/dji-naza-m-lite-multi-rotor-stabilization-controller.html
Cost:$70
Weight: 32g
5V UBEC x2
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16663__HobbyKing_8482_HKU5_5V_5A_UBEC.html
Cost:$5.75 x2
Weight: 11.5g x2
1000uF 16V Capacitor x2
http://www.amazon.com/1000uf-Capacitor-High-Radial-Leads/dp/B004O21PPE
Cost:$2.67 x2
Weight: not specified
Splitter cable x8
http://www.helipal.com/product_info.php?currency=CAD&products_id=10449&gclid=CNbmh_y6r8ICFS6ZMgodTkkA4A
Cost:$4.88
Weight: not specified
Cost:$14 x4
Weight: 26.5g x4
ESC Cable
http://www.rctimer.com/product-899.html
Cost:$3.36 x4
Weight: 27g x4
Motor: (updated)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__12921__d2830_11_1000kv_brushless_motor.html
Cost : 11.79 x6 (buying 2 extra)
Weight: 52g x4
bolt-19 mm
battery
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10306__Turnigy_5000mAh_3S_40C_Lipo_Pack.html
Cost:$45 x2
Weight: 443g (x1) -1 lipo is for transmitter/controller
Battery strap (updated)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11736__Turnigy_Battery_Strap_330mm.html
Cost:$1.59 x4
Servo Lead (updated)
Cost:$5
Props (updated)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25818__8045_SF_Props_2pc_Standard_Rotation_2_pc_RH_Rotation_Black_.html
Cost:$2.79 x 2
Weight: not specified
Frame (updated)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__36428__Hobbyking_X525_V3_Glass_Fiber_Quadcopter_Frame_600mm_EU_warehouse_.html
Cost:$21
Weight: 346g
Specs:
Width: 600mm
Motor Bolt Holes: 14~30mm
Required:
Multi-Rotor control board
15~25A Brushless ESC x 4
28-XX 1100~1300KV Brushless motor x 4
8x4~9x5 Propeller - 2 standard/2 reverse rotation
OTHERS
transmitter/receiver (updated Dec. 11)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__28297__Turnigy_9XR_Transmitter_Mode_1_No_Module_.html
cost: $50.00
Module (updated Dec. 11)
Lipo Battery Charge Pack (updated)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__4134__Lithium_Polymer_Charge_Pack_18x22cm_Sack.html
Cost: $2.00
I still need to update my parts for compatibility as was given from the last suggestion- will do this later on today. Thus the costs and weights are subject to change.
Total Cost: $440
Total Body Weight:about <1500g
Replies
Was shown this today:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__55106__quanum_nova_fpv_g...
Its pretty awesome considering it has all these components for so cheap. I am thinking of perhaps picking this up and modding the copter myself. I would love to increase its flight time. Nonetheless, still waiting on my funding so whatever I decide it is still to be determined.
Well, I just changed my controller to the turnigy 9xr, added a module and an extra lipo- and changed my control board to naza. Still am going to change some things around later including the frame.... the price has gone up to 440 for the time being. I've gotta get it lower somehow
Alex, you are updating only the text, but the links are the same (and some wrong) "1000uF 16V Capacitor x2" or "5V UBEC x2"
Naza is expensive! is the $70 including the GPS? the link for that is also incorrect as it still points to the HobbyKing KK2
Hi Alex,
The Naza that you selected is without GPS, I searched and found the one you choose for $70, but I also searched and found the one with GPS:
http://www.getfpv.com/dji-naza-m-lite-flight-controller-with-gps-co...
...and it is $170
Here is my history with flight controllers:
I first got the MultiWii Pro with GPS
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26588__MultiWii_PRO_Flig...
But I had problems with MultiWii in general, it is soooo difficult to calibrate it! I did not know anything about PIDs and I could not get almost anything to work, no auto level, no barometer (to maintain altitude), and finally, when I tried to enable the GPS, 1 second after I flipped the switch to turn on the GPS my hex turned sideways and started to fly (to my left), and it hit the ground 2 seconds later... it happened so fast that I could not even react to it, especially because I was not prepared for that...
I searched the web, and found a better GPS:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__31135__NEO_6M_GPS_Module...
and it really is better... I got satellites even inside the house. But I still did not get the PIDs and altitude to work on my MultiWii, and to have the feature RTH (return to home) it needs those to work, so that it stays at the same altitude while it comes back. Enabling the GPS without the basics working is pointless, so I did not really got to put the new GPS to use.
Later I found out about Naze32 (note it's not Naza, it's NazE); everyone says it is an amazing FC:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__55819__AfroFlight_Naze32...
and it REALLY IS AMAZING! I put it on my DIY wood quadcopter:
and without doing any changes to PIDs, it flies perfectly with DEFAULT SETTINGS!! (I still had to calibrate the sensors of course), I even managed to do flips with this quad!
But this flight controller is without barometer, so again... no altitude hold!
The next thing I want to do is to get the full Naze32, a quick search returned:
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&a...
I don't know when I will get it, but when I do, I will finally be able to attach the GPS and try to do a return to home.
Thanks for the great info. First- your wooden frame looks really awesome! Never seen something like that before. Was it tough to get a perfect center of gravity with that?
For a flight controller, would you recommend me getting the Full Naze 32? I noticed it has a barometer and lots of great features- comes with a manual- and most importantly- is made in Japan. Seems pretty good and affordable....what do you think?
Hi Alex,
You don't need to get a perfect gravity center. As long as the flight controller is calibrated properly (on flat surface & horizontal), if you have more weight on one side than another, then the flight controller will "tell" the motors to spin faster on the heavier side, so the quad will always be leveled... but of course you get better flight performance when it's balanced, what I am trying to say is that it does not have to be perfect.
It's hard to tell what flight controller is best for you, I recommend the Naze32 because it's easy fly with it, you don't have to spend months to get the PIDs correct. The Naze32 was created for people who want to fly around for the fun of flying, and to do acrobatic things (like flips), it's good to learn to fly with it. It might be good for the beginning, but when you want to do your farm scanning thing LOL (sorry I don't know how to call it), then you should get a better flight controller (something where you can set with GPS points)
Cool thanks!
Well, I am using some other industrial fixed-wing for my crop scanning... this quad will be more for fun--potentially it can be used in future crop endeavors if it really seems feasible. I am going to consider another flight control board if I find something reasonable that allows me to set gps points and create flight plans.....but its not necessary for me at the moment. I may just stick with this naze32 for the time being....
Anyways, heading to Toronto for the holidays...got some more free time to try and fix this list up! I may try to find some cheaper parts and I am going to switch up the frame too :)
Can anyone recommend a relatively cheap flight controller/board that has GPS?
I realized the one I currently have in my list does not have GPS. Thanks
Just updated ..... im also wondering how strict some of these frame specifications are.... because I have 30A ESCs and a 1000kv motor selected which is just out of the 'required' compatibility.... any thoughts guys? ladies?
The motor takes a max current of 21A, so a 30A ESC is fine for it.
The frame you choose has 9x5 props as the highest, but I am sure it can take the 10x4.5 props.
The frame you choose looks heavier than the one you had before, so that will lower your flight time. It's nice that it can fold though :) but this frame does not look like it's easy to add a gimbal to it; especially if you need a big gimbal for your multispectral sensor that you were talking about in previous post.
So if you add the gimbal and sensor weight together with the heavier frame; you might need bigger motors...
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