I have been searching high and low for a good affordable large hexa system, with the main objective to lift 500gr (camera, FPV transmitter, etc) for as long as possible, and have the video stabilized.
The S800 looked ok, but due to some issues around the boom flexibility and cost, I ditched that idea. The Carbon Core, Steadidrone H6X also looked very nice, but once again cost played a big role.
So, I stumbled across the Tarot T810, for $330 I got the frame. I needed to add some extras for folding landing gear (not retract) and the camera rail mount which was not included.
I'm doing a build log to not only "hopefully" help someone out there, but also have a place to get some input from the community in getting the max flight time. The Hexa will be used for local security missions and possibly also help in the Rhino Poaching crises we're facing in South Africa.
My system:
- Tarot T810 Frame
- Sunnysky 4112S 400kv
- 40 Turnigy Plush
- 15X4.7" props
- APM (of course!) - Looking forward to a maiden flight on AC3rc6
- Martinez gimbal controller
- Brushless Gimbal
- Gens Ace 6S 5500Mah X 2
- Estimated AUW including gimbal and camera - 5.3kg
The frame went together nicely, only issue I had was the hole in one of the landing gear braces was skew, I just drilled it straight with a bigger drill bit.
Here is a view of the frame in it's folded position. It folds nice and small - about 900mm in length
Here are the motors I'm planning to use, hopefully I get my flight time. Powerrrr! Notice the ESC mounting plates under the motor mount.
I like the prop attachment.
I also like the way the booms lock in place with a dovetail clamp, very secure.
Here is a shot of the little power distribution "lugs" - I just soldered all the power wires in place with huge amounts of solder.
I'm planning to install the ESC's under the motors, I have read about some scare stories on RCGroups about this idea, but I have never personally had problems with this.
I am however a little concerned about the wire gauge for power - using 16AWG to the motors and 12AWG to the battery. I'll do a full power test to see if they heat up, and by how much.
I'm wating for my ESC's to arrive, and will continue the log once they're here!
Comments
All I have are a few videos that I made here and there during my build. And I few photos I posted to face book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGuYUt9P8Ps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kDvHatOuDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz_3W4FWjRA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEXtweaqIa4
Photos have been posted here.
https://www.facebook.com/AirborneMediaPros
As far Chinese reliability that can be hit and miss. I would have suggested Foxtech as I was having great luck. But when I got the parts for my T-960 I found that 4 out of the 6 ESCs were used. One even had a very dirty heat-sync.
It sounds like you are going about this the right way and I'm happy to hear you have previous heli experience. That goes a long way.
BTW William,
I am taking another look at your build log here. Do you have any test shots/video from your ensemble yet? I've been talking to some friends of mine who suggest that perhaps lifting an SLR isn't the best option. They were recommending that I look at smaller cameras. I am not opposed to the idea myself. So, with your rig, what sort of camera were you looking at attaching to it?
Do you have photos of the finished product yet? :)
I was interested in the 680mm folding Tarot frame.
I am reading your build log inventory of parts, would you mind itemizing all the parts you are and will be using and perhaps the source of the parts?
Thanks again!
Thank you William. I've bee told by others that these resources are good references for starting out. I appreciate your advice.
As for the advice regarding where to start from (in terms of payload), I've been eyeing the same approach. Ideally, it comes down to me finalizing the weight allowance and then from there, determining:
(1) Suitable frame that can handle the stress
(2) The proper battery, ESC, and motor combination to create enough lifting force.
(3) Selecting suitable RC equipment.
It has been nearly 20 years since I last built an RC copter... the good ole days of high school with such little money to invest in my hobby. Now, I find myself realizing that my high school hobby is fairly cheap these days in comparison to the multi-rotor industry. Of course the application of each are very different... I'm finding myself getting giddy just as I was when waiting for a part to arrive in the mail.
Although current FAA rules restrict any use of RC craft for commercial purposes now, I am hoping that they finally come up with suitable rules in the spring that would allow me to perhaps make some little cash on the side for aerial work.
BTW, I have asked others the same question and perhaps you can give me some insight. I have seen a ton of Chinese suppliers out there but like with all purchases of chinese products, I am very concerned about quality. Are you familiar with both the Turnigy and Sunnysky brand motors? If so, what is your opinion about these products?
Another general question for anybody out there... but has anybody attempted to build your own frames from scratch? I would think that the only viable option to building your own frame is aluminium or some facsimile since wood would not be very durable over the long term.
Oh... and something just hit me in the head... are there any recommended large-scale Y6 and hexacopter frames that fold up nicely on the market that somebody might recommend?
Thanks again!
Here are the links to get you started.
http://www.ecalc.ch/
http://www.ecalc.ch/xcoptercalc.htm?ecalc&lang=en
http://www.ecalc.ch/motorcalc.htm?ecalc&lang=en
I wish you all the luck. Go slow and do it right, or it can end up costing you a whole lot more if you have to keep buying and reburying parts to make it work the way you want.
Find out what your potential clients want and what you want to carry. You kind of have to build your multirotor around your camera (weight needs) not the other way around.
Enjoy the journey.
Thank you William for the insight. I'm going to have to research the calculator a bit more.
The best way to get extended flight times is to research motors, props, powersystem and your all up weight. Then choose carefully, especially batteries.
There is a guy in town who biulds his own systems from the flight controller up, I mean he builds everything even the flight controller. He gets 1 hour flight times. But this is not easy to do and takes a lot of knowledge.
There is an online motor calculator that is really useful, but you must know your All Up Weight first, down to the gram. Then cross calculate that by the average tempature you'll be flying in along with the average air pressure. If you can take all this into account and don't mind spending a lot of time and money then there is no reason you can't get extended flight times. I like the Tarot stuff as it's not too expensive and the parts are easy to get, but if you want to go light then look at hexacrafter or Carbon Core, their frames are really light. You can also look at how to make your components light. Changing wires for lighter ones as long as they can handle your current selcting connectors that are light as long as they can handle your current, selecting cameras and camera parts that are light and gimbals that are light. Go as light as you can and then you can add more battery. Have fun with this and learn as much as you can.
In short, making things fly is one big compromise.
Wesley,
BTW, beautiful site. Reading through it now.
Wesley,
I appreciate the input. I shall send you my contact info through your website form.
Just for everybody's information and for discussion, my goal is accordingly:
(1) I am leaning toward a hexacopter concept
(2) My planned usage is for aerial photography and video work (no surprise).
(3) I would like to have extended flight times beyond the usual 15 mins that most rigs enjoy.
(4) Payload capacity should be around 2 pounds +/-.
(5) I like to receive telemetry and have FPV. Integration of a laptop or tablet would be nice.
(6) Waypoint programming and navigation would be a nice feature
These are my goals.
Hi Steven, my first concern with this kit is the quality of the RC system. You cannot go on the cheap with this... you'll be buying a one way ticket for your UAV... Next, the ESC's - stick with what most people are using (I have had great service from the Turnigy Plush range). The rest looks ok, but... it all depends on what you want to achieve. Check out my site www.easyuav.com ...and possibly like it :)...
Submit a contact form, and I'll contact you so we can talk more about the various options you need to consider (and no, I won't try and sell you stuff, I only deal in my country).
And I am torn between the Naza M V2 and the APM system. I have read somewhere that the Naza M V2 can only reliably fly copters up to about 700mm in size. Is this true? Furthermore, what has been your experience installing and calibrating the APM 2.5/2.6 system into a new build? Herein is my biggest concern... getting the APM finely tuned. I am a novice and learning quickly... so I am trying to figure out which best serves my needs.
Thanks again!
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