Comments

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  Deon van der Merwe August 12, 2012 at 4:40am

  Rick, it seems that we have similar needs and ideas for aerial photography. My subjects include red cedar forests, crops, and natural prairie. I use a hexcopter for close work, and the Zephyr for area mapping. Where the hexcopter shines is in the compilation of many overlapping images for photogrammetry. The Zephyr is good for covering larger areas where the objective is to produce an orthophoto. I used a Zephyr without an autopilot up to this point, and I may may still do that to some extent. The autopilot has some important advantages though, because it will be possible to follow an extended flight path more precisely, and at a more accurately controlled altitude, which is better for mapping. One of the important keys to success is having a robust platform that does not require repairs after a rough landing - the Zephyr fits that bill nicely. Next are the right cameras and software.
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  Rick Eis August 12, 2012 at 1:15am

  Comment by Rick Eis 1 second agoDelete Comment

  So.....I bought a Zepher 2 kit from Chris a few weeks ago...primarily to take some video of some channel stabilization work and forest fire burns.  (I'm doing it on my own time for now :) I work for the USDA Forest Service  

  I also have been playing with a APM2 board for a quad copter for the last 6 months or so, primarily out of interest and fun, but also to take video of the same type of projects.  I wanted to see which will do the nicest video, so I am pursuing both platforms. Actually, I think both platforms might be the trick for me.

  But it wasn't until recently that I started thinking about putting the APM2 into the Zepher.  I was going to fly it manually with the gopro.....

  The Zepher 2 was very easy to build if your good with working with your hands. I play around a lot with composites and foam so maybe that helps also. Chris at Right wing has been more then helpful answering any questions via phone and email.

  So I'd like to know someones thoughts on if I should pursue installing an APM2 board into the Zepher for this type of work I am describing.  I can see creating a mission and sending the Zepher up and down the water courses in a smooth path from one way point to the other.  Then I can see zooming down and close into some of the drainage control structures with the copter. The more I think about it the more it sounds like the way to fly.....
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  Quadrocopter August 11, 2012 at 9:20pm

  Does someone have a good starting param file for the Zephyr 2?
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  Patrick Dudley August 10, 2012 at 12:36am

  I contacted Tim at ReadymadeRC to ask if he sells the motor separately to the whole motor/esc package, as nobody else does. He emailed back thismorning to inform me he is now, from today going to sell these motors as an individual piece ! Great news, if you don't need the rest of the kit. Here it is : Ritewing motor

   Thankyou Deon
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  Deon van der Merwe August 9, 2012 at 3:33pm

  Dudz, the G10 may be a little underpowered for the job. I think the closest motor to the Ritewing OEM that HK offers is the NTM Prop Drive Series 35-42A 1250Kv. The ESC and SBEC you listed should work well.
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  Patrick Dudley August 9, 2012 at 8:22am

  Thanks. I don't like to change things if something is proven to be functioning right, but I would like to make a saving where the motor and esc is concerned.

  I am looking at the "Turnigy G10 Brushless Outrunner 1200kv" seen here ; Turnigy G10

  And this for the ESC : TURNIGY TRUST 70A SBEC /

  Lastley the ; SBEC

  Is this the right spec for the job please ?

  TurnigyG10 Brusu200kv
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  Deon van der Merwe August 9, 2012 at 7:54am

  My setup is: Ritewing OEM motor; 10x6 prop; 80 A Castle Creations ESC; 5V 10A Castle Creations UBEC; 2 x 3300mah 3S Nanotech batteries in parallel; APM2.0 (of course!); 915 Mhz Xbee data radio; standard size sevos.

  The motor draws 38A at full throttle (about 450 W). It is not overpowered, but lively enough for my purposes. 4S batteries could be used to increase power and speed if desired. 

  Weight, ready to fly with cameras, is 2.3 kg (5 lb). 
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  Michael Wooten August 9, 2012 at 6:39am

  The bay lid does come with the kit, the magnets do not. He is using the Ritewing OEM motor, the new one...you can get it at readymaderc.com ESC is preference but do not go below 65amp. Do NOT use the esc for powering your servos and rx. Use an external BEC. 
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  Patrick Dudley August 9, 2012 at 6:32am

  That's a great setup. Please could you list your motor ,esc,bec,and servos ?

  Does the bay lid and magnets come with the wing kit ?
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  Michael Wooten August 9, 2012 at 5:41am

  That is awesome. I had considered doing that with mine but held off until I figured out what if any issues "NOT" having it at the cog and the center of the plane would have...so, I am assuming that since your flight was successful, your keeping it there? I think this is a perfect set up for me too because I have my EZ gear on the other wing...this would help balance. Thanks for the pics Deon!