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Where to buy ArduCopter Hexa HexCopter kit and parts?

Posted by Dave Jones on October 1, 2011 at 1:45am

Hi

I'm looking at getting a HexCopter kit (or suitable parts) based on the Ardupilot MEGA and IMU

I have found jDrones offering a full kit:

http://store.jdrones.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=achxkit1&CartID=1

But is there anyone else selling parts and full or partial kits?

jDrones for instance don't seem to sell the Hexa base plate and other things separately.

Ideally I'd like to pick'n'choose what parts I want, but will get a full kit if I have to.

 

It doesn't have to be an actual Hexa kit, it could be any other HexCopter based kit, but I want to use the ArduPilot MEGA and IMU as the control.

 

My frame will be customised in various anyway, in terms of skids and mounting etc, so I'm not that fussed about the mounting hardware. But of course I need a good basic Hex frame and mounting plate to start off with.

 

I'm based in Sydney Australia.

Thanks

Dave.

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Replies

  • Jan Schermer January 24, 2012 at 10:29am

    Take a look at http://www.flyduino.com - FlyduSpider. It's not really big but it is a very good frame with built-in power distribution. Also very cheap compared to others.

  • ThomCastel January 24, 2012 at 5:39am

    Hi everyone,

    I'm kind of new to the RC world. I currently have a project that involves an hexa Arducopter (jDrones).

    My goal is to do live image processing, at first it will just detect specific objects in the scene.

    I have already picked everything I need to capture, transmit and treat the video feed, but I need some help for flying hardware and LiPo.

    From what I saw there is basically 2 sets for hexas, 850kv motors with 20A ESC and 10x45" propellers, but also a more powerfull one with 880kv, 30A and 12x45".

    My overall weight will be between 2,8 and 3kg (with 1,6 or 1,8kg for the hexa if I have been told right).

    So from the previous posts I assume that the 880kv motors are necessary to have enough thrust to lift it all.

    Am I right? If yes, do I take the ESC and propellers according to the motor type or not necessarily?

    About the flight, it will be slow movement if not hovering and 10 to 20 mins would be nice.

    Also, I am completely lost for the choice of a LiPo... Between 3S or 4S, I don't see the difference, one more cell gives you more dischage? One or two LiPos...

    I got that the mAh values gives you a flight time, but do you have any formulas to narrow down the right model?

    I'm aware that it's a lot of questions, but I thank you in advance for your help!

    Thomas

  • Tomas Soedergren October 2, 2011 at 5:01am

    Hi Dave,

    Here is one dealer that offers a kit. I recently bought it for myself, still in the process of putting it together.

    I am new with multicopter and this is my first step into it. Purpose is Aerial Phography and video, like yourself.

    By the way, your canyon project seems very challenging and inspiering - good luck and I hope to see the footage some day!

    Dealer link (Sevilla, Spain): http://www.electronicarc.com/catalogo/product_info.php?products_id=...

     

    // Tomas

  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen October 1, 2011 at 7:31pm

    @Mike

     

    Original jDrones ArduCopter quad weights 740 gr without battery and with 3S 2200mAh battery it is about 940gr. So yes there is big difference between frames.

     

    Tested flight time in modest (0-3m/s) wind was 12:30 mins with 3S 2200mAh battery. With our motors and ESCs. Remember there are similar looking motors on market but they are original only if they have jDrones stickers.

     

    ArduCopter Quad frame weights 275 gr includes everything to the frame including power pcb

    ArduCopter Hexa frame weights 512 gr and this even those 20cm high riselanding gears

     

     

     

     

     

  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen October 1, 2011 at 7:17pm

    ArduCopter HEXA is the original ArduCopter kit that is sold by jDrones sells. jDrones is the maker all those original ArduCopter kits. And they have always the latest parts on sale.

     

     

    jDrones, R/C UAVs and More....
    Manufacturer of ArduCopter frames and parts. Custom airframe manufacturing, Custom design services for all your R/C UAV needs
  • Dave Jones October 1, 2011 at 2:27pm

    Awesome, thanks for the figures Mike. It looks like it's in the ballpark at least.

    Ok, now for another questions, what is going to make the frame break?

    I'm assuming the center plate and the amplified vector loads caused by the long arms with the left on the ends of them?

    If so, would another frame design work better? (I was think around the lines of a circular or square frame to begin with. More weight, but maybe stronger?)

     

    Thanks

    Dave.

  • Steven Harsanyi October 1, 2011 at 12:43pm

    I use this web site to get motor/prop/battery/esc calculations.  The flight times it calculates are pretty accurate.

    And it gives you lots of stats.  http://www.ecalc.ch/xcoptercalc_e.htm?ecalc.

  • Charles Wolfsandle October 1, 2011 at 9:27am

    I also carry the same Arducopter Hexa kit that jDrones carries. Right now there are no individual parts, only kits. I currently have one in stock, but I am located in Texas, USA. I imagine that shipping might be cheaper from jDrones once they have them in stock. If you are interested, please take a look at my website Viper Flight Systems.

     

    Charlie

  • James Roney October 1, 2011 at 7:20am

    @Mike, Where did you get those calcs from, is it a custom spreadsheet?  Looks a little bit more interesting that moto-calc...

  • Björn Geir Leifsson October 1, 2011 at 4:50am
    When you say this is your first foray into RC, my immediate thought is: Get a simulator and practice your a..s off.
    RC simulator practice has saved me thousands and made my RC life really enjoyable. My son is a master aerobatic RC flyer thanks to hundreds of simulator hours.
    You should set up the APM in an HIL (Hardware In Line)setup and practice flying,trimming and tuning,auto flight and whatnot. It is rather easy to do and absolutely indispensible for getting to know the systems and flight training. The X-plane simulator is dirt cheap. I look forward to follow your project as I have similar plans for a hexa.
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