Quad From Scratch- Parts List

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

ESC
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__52338__Afro_ESC_30Amp_Multi_rotor_Motor_Speed_Controller_SimonK_Firmware_US_Warehouse_.html

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)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21758__10CM_Male_to_Male_Servo_Lead_JR_26AWG_10pcs_set_.html

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)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14348__FrSky_FF_1_2_4Ghz_Combo_Pack_for_Futaba_w_Module_RX.html

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

Alex,

The motor you choose cannot handle the 10 inch props, it goes only up to 9 inch, see "max performance" here:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8617__Turnigy_2730_Brush...

Also, the frame you choose looks very big; you probably need motors that are 4 times more powerfull, the one you choose can go up to 470 grams, and that's not much. Remember that the motors has to lift everything including the weight of the battery.

To choose a motor, estimate the total weight of the quad, let's say it is 3 Kg... now you divide that by 4 (since it's a quad), and you get 750 grams... and that is how much the motor has to pull JUST TO HOVER!! (that's at 50% throttle) so... you need a motor that can lift double that, so just one motor should be able to pull 1500 grams (1.5 Kg).

You will also need one or two 5V BEC to power the flight controller. DO NOT use the power from the ESCs to power the FC because the ESCs might interfeer with eachother. Most people say to cut the red (positive) wire of the ESC before you plug it in the flight controller, and use a 5V BEC to power the FC. Also put a 1000 uF capacitor at the output of the 5V BEC to make sure you get a smooth voltage.

You will also need a battery splitter cable so that you plug the ESC Cable you selected, and also another plug for the 5V BEC for the FC (and other things)

For Transmitter & receiver; why is it separate? I got the Tunigy 9x, and it comes with a receiver:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19673__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Tr...

You will also need a 3S 5000 mAH 40C (this depends on the motors)

You also need a charger, and power supply for the charger

I would also recommend a prop balancer (this is optional, but if the props are balanced, you get less vibration, and it comes in handy if you plan to put a camera on your quad)

This is what I got so far... good luck on your build!

Replies

- - Alexander > Michael Ciurescu December 7, 2014 at 8:27am
    
    Thanks Mike! This is super helpful- you got some nice shots with your Hex in that video. Interesting that you made your own landing gear- how does it work? You are in Canada eh? Me too, in Thunder Bay Ontario.
    
    I am still looking at these motors so sometime this evening when I have time I will hopefully update my list again. The list you have for your hex is very helpful and I might copy a few things haha.
    - Michael Ciurescu > Alexander December 7, 2014 at 1:15pm
      
      Hi Alex,
      
      Here is the version 1 of my landing gear:
      
      http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/diy-cheap-landing-gear
      
      I attached pictures on how I have it right now, much lighter and simpler :)
      
      PS. I live in Scarborough, and when I go out to fly, I usually go more east along the lake.
      
      By the way, I took a look at my orders from HobbyKing, and these items were also useful in my build:
      
      at least 4 of:
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11736__Turnigy_Battery_S...
      
      One of:
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21758__10CM_Male_to_Male...
      
      One of: (some batteries don't come with XT60 connector)
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9572__Nylon_XT60_Connect...
      
      One of:
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9374__Polyester_Velcro_P...
      
      I got 2 of:
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34120__Hobbyking_2_8S_Ce...
      
      I got 2 of: (because I have 4 batteries)
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__4134__Lithium_Polymer_Ch...
      
      Ohh... and if you don't want to use AA batteries for the Turnigy 9x transmitter, then this is the PERFECT fit Li-Po that fits in the transmitter:
      
      http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16529__Turnigy_2650mAh_3...
      
      And you only need to charge once every few months
      
      2014-12-07 15.40.23.jpg
      
      2014-12-07 15.44.26.jpg
      
      2014-12-07 15.39.16.jpg
      - Alexander > Michael Ciurescu December 7, 2014 at 10:05pm
        
        Thanks again Michael for this great info. I think I really need to change up the frame- looking at the reviews- it seems like it could be a little wobbly which I don't like since I want the option for a camera mount in the future. Im thinking this frame http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__30021__Hobbyking_X550_Gl...
        
        or a few others I have bookmarked. Thanks for these links-extremely useful. I think I will use the Li-Po you recommended for the transmitter. I probably need those servo lead things I'd imagine so I will probably pick them up too. Still revising my list a little before I update it again...this is quite fun! Im in no rush and am hoping to start ordering parts in January.
        
        Going to review more about the frame- compatible motors that fit the frame- and make sure the power suits the weight of my quad. I am a little suspicious about how light-weight my current component list is....something must be off. Updates to come tomorrow- going to read more into your parts and links also Michael.
        
        Im liking the new Transport Canada guidelines! Maybe I'll just deck out this quad until its 25kg just for the heck of it hahaha
Michael Ciurescu December 4, 2014 at 6:14am

Alex,

The motor you choose cannot handle the 10 inch props, it goes only up to 9 inch, see "max performance" here:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8617__Turnigy_2730_Brush...

Also, the frame you choose looks very big; you probably need motors that are 4 times more powerfull, the one you choose can go up to 470 grams, and that's not much. Remember that the motors has to lift everything including the weight of the battery.

To choose a motor, estimate the total weight of the quad, let's say it is 3 Kg... now you divide that by 4 (since it's a quad), and you get 750 grams... and that is how much the motor has to pull JUST TO HOVER!! (that's at 50% throttle) so... you need a motor that can lift double that, so just one motor should be able to pull 1500 grams (1.5 Kg).

You will also need one or two 5V BEC to power the flight controller. DO NOT use the power from the ESCs to power the FC because the ESCs might interfeer with eachother. Most people say to cut the red (positive) wire of the ESC before you plug it in the flight controller, and use a 5V BEC to power the FC. Also put a 1000 uF capacitor at the output of the 5V BEC to make sure you get a smooth voltage.

You will also need a battery splitter cable so that you plug the ESC Cable you selected, and also another plug for the 5V BEC for the FC (and other things)

For Transmitter & receiver; why is it separate? I got the Tunigy 9x, and it comes with a receiver:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19673__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Tr...

You will also need a 3S 5000 mAH 40C (this depends on the motors)

You also need a charger, and power supply for the charger

I would also recommend a prop balancer (this is optional, but if the props are balanced, you get less vibration, and it comes in handy if you plan to put a camera on your quad)

This is what I got so far... good luck on your build!
- Alexander > Michael Ciurescu December 5, 2014 at 9:21am
  
  Hey Michael
  
  Thanks so much. This is the reason I posted this article: to get valuable advice about my components before build phase. This helps me greatly. I will likely update my list again with your recommendations and post it sometime soon!
  
  Alex~
Alexander December 3, 2014 at 10:45am

Hey Bob-

I believe it was around the 350 dollar range. Somewhat reasonable I think. The knowledge gained from building this thing from scratch will be well worth it.
Rob December 2, 2014 at 2:58pm

What does it price out to be?

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This reply was deleted.

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Quad From Scratch- Parts List

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