Building my UAV

Here is my log on my attempts on building my own drone.

I am going to post just about everything i do and perhaps other can learn from my mistakes :o)

Feel free to comment my work.

/Stefan

I am planning to use 2 Easystars. one for RC training and one for the real thing.

Stuff i am going to use:

Airframe: Easystar

Motor: Turnigy 2835 2200kv

BEC: HobbyWing Pentium 25 A

Battery:LiPo 1800 3S 25C

Prop: APC-E 6x5.5

Radio: Currently a salvaged 4 channel 2.4 GHz from an ArtTech Parkflyer. Will upgrade later.

Assembling the Easystar

The manual was easy to follow, but instead of glue for assembling the fuselage, i used double sided tape. (used for carpets)

I placed the controller inside the fuselage.I am not planning to at full speed so heat will not be an issue (i hope).

Double sided tape in place.

Even more tape...I will not use quite as much on the next Easystar

Closeup of the motor mount. Airflow is needed around the motor so only tape on top and bottom

Fastening the servos

A little tight...easy to fix with some sandpaper

hehe =]

I was just wondering; I have flown my RC plane that I'm now using as an airfrome for my UAV with the ESC mounted inside, en never felt any serious heat after landing. Not in the battery, motor nor the ESC btw. Does that have to do with the power/weight ratio? Or the fact that i'm only using a 2s battery? Or the whole battery/esc/motor/prop combination? Or would it have to do that my fuselage is only 6mm depron?
I fly this combo http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=... with a 2s 1300 lipo in a 430 gram plane.

Repharsing the question; my plane is now a lot heavier (540 grams) with APM and I have mounted the esc in a small closed compartement of thicker foam. Will this be present a problem?

thanks!

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Comments

A. Rafael Ptacnik October 2, 2010 at 9:37am

i actually carved all the big compartments in the fuselage an reinforced the tail with carbon fiber strips inserts of 6m from http://www.graysonhobby.com/ and also caved just where the back and the tail boom meets for the cable for the video Tx so i can place it on the tail im currently looking for a way to reinforce the nose and the bottom i was thinking about using carbon fiber but with time the epoxy will get really bad.
Jonni Lehtiranta September 29, 2010 at 7:40am

Guys,

do you seriously mount your ESCs outside? I've never seen anyone doing that, and I think my EZ* manual instructed to put it into the cockpit (which doesn't have any air intake, although there are tiny holes to where the servos are).

I never noticed any heating either, not with a 3S battery either, with Multiplex controllers.
Distributor

Stefan Olofsson September 29, 2010 at 6:12am

Hi Serge,

I am (almost) a complete beginner on this. I have been dabbling with RC and electronics before but not at this level. I am blogging for the reason of helping other getting started with UAV by learning from my hits and misses.

Maybe someone of the more experienced pilots here can help you

/Stefan
Serge September 29, 2010 at 5:46am

hehe =]

I was just wondering; I have flown my RC plane that I'm now using as an airfrome for my UAV with the ESC mounted inside, en never felt any serious heat after landing. Not in the battery, motor nor the ESC btw. Does that have to do with the power/weight ratio? Or the fact that i'm only using a 2s battery? Or the whole battery/esc/motor/prop combination? Or would it have to do that my fuselage is only 6mm depron?
I fly this combo http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=... with a 2s 1300 lipo in a 430 gram plane.

Repharsing the question; my plane is now a lot heavier (540 grams) with APM and I have mounted the esc in a small closed compartement of thicker foam. Will this be present a problem?

thanks!
Distributor

Stefan Olofsson September 29, 2010 at 4:52am

The controller is a HobbyWing Pentium 25 A. Nothing fancy and problably not the ideal controller for that motor..
Take the advice from the Pro´s:
Mathurin September 28, 2010 at 9:20am

Hey, what was the ESC you bought for your motor?
Ritchie September 27, 2010 at 2:43pm

I would suggest putting the ESC outside as it will get seriously hot but you only really need the hot surface to be outside. I've had my BEC blow in my ESC and after taking it apart I've stuck a RAM cooler on it to help. Not exactly hard stuff but it should keep the temps fine and means next time I can mount it further internally.
Ground Loop September 27, 2010 at 9:17am

Also -- check the BEC rating of the ESC. The advice I got was that UAV use will keep the servos busy and overheat the linear regulator.

I bought a Castle BEC, switching, programmable output voltage, good for 10A. Only $22 or so.
Ground Loop September 27, 2010 at 9:15am

I'll pass on the same advice I got in my similar thread. :)

Get that ESC out of there. The foam acts like an ice chest. It always sheds some heat, and in that box it will just get hotter and hotter. Try it on your bench first, and see how long it takes at 50% power to overheat. Airflow is mandatory. I was surprised.

Also, I think you might have too much prop & motor for a 25A ESC. At least put it on a current meter before committing.
Schwabenkart September 27, 2010 at 7:33am

I would pt the speed controller outside too. Even if you don't fly with full speed, the controller produces more heat.
The controller of my son's plane will get hot without running the engine within less than one minute.

Why do you use double sided tape to glue the fuselage halves together ? Do you plan to open the fuselage later on ? If don't, I woud use UHU por for gluing.

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