I've been working on getting a better range and endurance. This QAV-540 weighs 5.5 lb's and I just flew it for 18 minutes today. Previously 16 minutes was my record, the change is that I went up one inch in prop size. This is not stripped down for endurance, I want something that will fly a long time and do some work, like carrying a Gopro. This one was carrying a Gopro and a gimble.
Trying different battery types will probably be next as well as even larger props. I am using a FRsky Taranis and am using the X9R receiver, but will be changing over the the Rmilac LRS system. I have been using Open Pilot so far but will probably switch to the Pixhawk. I haven't set up the FPV yet, but will be going to a 1.3GHZ very soon.
Anyway, I'm pretty stoked about the 18 minute flight, but looking for better!
Comments
Hello Stu,
I have multistar 4225 610kv motors
CAn you please give me the link of the simonk firmware you reflashed on your afro30a ESC to get your 4225 motors running sweet ?
Regards,
JC
Thanks for your comments Carl.. Yes the battery's I'm using were chosen mostly because the fit the space and were sufficient for early tests. The C rating on then are higher than necessary, thus they weigh more. They don't even get warm nor do the motors or controllers. I don't have a amp reading on there yet as I haven't install my OSD and FPV gear yet. lighter batteries of sufficient capacity are definitely possible.
EngineerX. .I have seen the negative stuff about the Rmilec LRS, but I will test and see for myself. Some products improve after they first come into use. I have been testing and I like what I see at this point.
@Richard your machine looks "robust!" since you are using "off the shelf" components some things you could try are smaller but more battery packs and when one depleats you can jettison and use the next another thing you could do is try flying at night or when it is really cold. the air is more dense and you would have more lift Good Luck!
RMILEC LRS? - are you sure? I read several reviews about it and most said they didn't like it, but I stopped trying to find out more about that LRS system and concentrated on the other usual suspects.
Anyone tried the t-motor U series "efficiency" range yet? Look to be a good solution, and able crank 18+" props. At a price, it should be noted.
Yes, I have some nice 15" props to try but have to make some longer arms to make it work, will post an update when I get to try that..
RE
Basic physics, the quad copter flies by creating thrust proportional to weight.....
The smaller this column of air, the higher speed... energy is force times velocity of the air...
So bigger props will move a bigger column of air, with a slower velocity so since for same weight forces are the same, energy imparted (wasted) in the air stream will be lower.
So the bigger the props the better the efficiency....
I would think you could run 15" props with that kv.
Hi Cody
I am using 12-5 CF props and Tiger Motor 370KV Navigators (MN4010-14) The motors are available at EncoreRC.com.
Carl, yeh I read about that last year an it is amazing, but I suspect it was a very single purpose machine optimized for just keeping itself in the air and nothing else.