From Makezine, great instructions on how to build a waterproof copter with PVC pipe elements:
WAVEcopter is a fully waterproof multicopter frame that I have constructed mostly from readily available and cheap electrical parts. My reasons for building it were to gain a new perspective on surfing photography, do aerial surveying of event sites, and to satisfy my general fascination with robotics and aviation.
I rebuilt the copter after it suffered a serious collision into a cliff on the south coast of Cornwall, England. (I believe it was a pilot error after relying too much on a GPS fix and moving the copter from its initial takeoff point.) Although this was a serious collision — full throttle into a granite cliff face at about 60 feet — all of the electronics and camera equipment was unscathed. This was testament to the ruggedness of the airframe; damage was limited to broken props, a cracked hub, and severed motor wires, all easily replaced for minimal cost.
The copter is now on build 2 as I’m planning on replacing the Naza M flight controller with an Arducopter control board to enable mission planning with waypoints.
There are lots of different setups for copter electronics, so I’ve skimmed over some of that detail as I think there are better setups than mine (like the Arducopter). The most important part of this project is being able to waterproof the frame while housing an optimum balance of battery power and weight.
The drone has made successful flights of over 10 minutes with no apparent overheating of speed controllers or motors, which was a big initial concern in a airtight/waterproof frame. I’m new to multirotors and I’ve read a lot about this, so it’s either a myth or I’ve been lucky so far. You can add heatsinks for the electronics on the underneath of the main housing if you’re overly concerned.
Comments
3M micropore tape works excellent over a small baro hole.
That's 1 way of getting a life preserver to someone. Just crash the quad into them.
I've just built a similar copter using a snap-lock container to house all of the flight electronics, and a separate container to house all the ESCs. Mine's more built to withstand a landing in the water without it being a total loss, but the aim will be to keep it out of the water. I have a front mounted 2 axis gimbal on mine, but I'm just trying to work out the best way to waterproof the gimbal IMU and also a way to use the gopro3's sealed case (or another equivalent case) while getting the live video stream out of the USB port.
I have a bunch of servo connectors external to the waterproof case that really should be waterproofed, but I'm not sure if there's a good product that will slip over and seal them when they're connected, but still allow them to be unplugged again.
You definitely will need to work out a way to equalise the internal air pressure or else any of your modes that rely on alt hold won't work.
Obviously in order for the barometer to work you would have to build in some means of internal air pressure equalization.
Aquacopter uses a membrane.
Probably good to ask this question straight on the video site.
How do you get the barometer working accurately through your waterproof case? Won't a sealed case give you a faulty air pressure?
Any issue with the barometric air pressure reading?
I always imagine the barometer will have a hard time getting reading from an air-tight enclosure.
I'm going to put a link to this in the Advanced multicopter design page.
Correction have put in the link.
http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/advanced-multicopter-design/#Homem...
Very nicely done.
This is an incredibly clever and clean design.
I really like the use of the central 4 way hub for stabilizing the tubes and the slip fit adjustable tension T's for motor mounts are also really great.
The mounting of an APM or Pixhawk would really require the separate GPS / Magnetometer module in order to work correctly.
There are a wide variety of latch type weatherproof electrical boxes which could be used for this and the only real necessity is to make sure you get CF tube with an outer diameter appropriate to the plumbing / electrical fittings you want to use.
I'll definitely be visiting the electrical and plumbing section the next time I'm in Home Depot.
Best Regards,
Gary