Since it is imperative when planning auto missions to know your flight times I have been testing with stabilize/loiter hovers and measuring air time while I familiarize myself with the Arducopter platform.
I now have 17 full flights with respect to battery failsafe at 10.5 volts. I bought 3 batteries with the IRIS.
On these batteries the best hover time I can get is 10.5 to 11 minutes.
Yesterday I bought a more expensive Thunder Power RC G6 Pro Performance 3850mah 45C battery and a HI-Tech X1 MF balance charger. On the first flight with that battery I got 13 minutes hover/loiter. I hope to try it again today. Maybe it will get better after a couple of cycles. I only charged it with 1.9 amps for the first charge.
BTW - The $74 I spent on the charger was worth it. It charges the IRIS 3500 packs in an hour at 2 amps(well below 1C). The stock charger was taking 2.5 hours. it also displays the individual cell voltages and has a storage charge feature.
All battery tests were done with no payload. No legs, no camera, just like it comes out of the box.
I am curious to know what others are getting. The IRIS was advertised 10 to 15 minutes flight time. Assuming that it means 15 minutes with no payload and 10 minutes with legs and gimbal I would obviously like to be at 15 minutes with no payload. Doesn't seem possible as delivered.
Thanx,
mp
Replies
What configuration of Iris - camera, tarot, log legs etc?
12 minutes flight this morning with IRIS GoPro 4S 3000mAh 20C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl_4WxZ9u1w
Are you using the stock 10x4.7 propellers? Also are your motors getting hot?
Christian,
I would like to know what is so different between his Iris and ours. With the full stock payload(legs, gimbal camera) and the ZIPPY 5000 I don't have enough power below 11 volts to maintain altitude. My motors get extremely hot. I have even change out every motor. 120 to 145 degF as measured with a temp gun. I already gave up though. Stripped it down and will be building a new machine from scratch.
Mark, where are you located at? What's the elevation of your location?
I'm located at sea level and judging from the Youtube video of Murat, he must be as well.
If you are located at a higher altitude (+ higher temperatures to make it even worse) your performance will suffer quite a bit. Have a look here: http://diydrones.com/group/iris/forum/topics/iris-with-gimbal-and-t...
In e.g. Denver you won't be able to get IRIS off the ground safely.
Beautiful location BTW.
If your run a 4s battery you must use a BEC if your are using the gimbal. some guys are running these with good results. you must cut the ends off and put xt 60 connecter on. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8579__zippy_flightmax_50...
also these. excellent but spendy. again you must put your own xt 60 end on
http://www.thunderpowerrc.com/Products/4400-mAh/TP4400-3SPP25
My 3000 4s is 27mm thick and its a very tight fit into IRIS' battery compartment.
HK spec says 25mm thickness for the 5000maH, wonder if that's accurate.
i have this 5000 from HK.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...
Size: 146 x 50 x 25mm
the thickness is fine, the width makes it snug in the foam, the length is ok but probably the longest i would go. ive had a few flights now with it and have been getting over 17mins with a gopro 3 in the waterproof case on the front.
i also got bored and took my iris apart, and i took some pictures of the inside of the battery compartment, the front section has a piece of foam that could be cut down to allow a longer battery to fit into the compartment, the only problem is that the 2 threaded inserts for the front gopro mount stick down into the battery compartment around 3mm or so. either these would need to be removed, or a battery that is not as thick could be used.
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