While I am waiting for my parts to arrive from David and HobbyKing, I did a little mock-up of my setup. Mostly to be able to do some future tweaking with gimbals and so on.
Mock-up
A little mock-up :-)
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It has begun :-)
The first of many packages arrived today. Waiting for so far 4 packages from HobbyKing, and two packages from RCexplorer. I ordered some screwpacks and wires dampeners from David, and because the Tricopter is awesome, the kit even though I might not need it. I figure I build a training version first to learn to fly and crash, then build the kit when I am fairly sure I won’t destroy it!
I decided to build the 3S version since I have a lot of 3S 2200mAh 40C batteries lying around. I will be using a FrSky Taranis Tx and X8R receiver, since that is what I use for fixed wing. I also am a Phantom 2 Vision observer. Not a pilot, since that would imply that people who launch Phantoms have some sort of say in where it flies, and when to land etc… I created a gimbal for the P2V, you might want to look up “MotorPixie”.
Well, as said, the first package has arrived. The first thing that hit me when I opened the package was how small everything is. Watching the Tricopter on Flitetest I imagined it to be bigger, but the V3 is slimmed down size wise, not performance wise. I opted for the NTM Prop Drive Series 28-30 1200kv / 400w motors, which at 3S will produce 352 watt at 28A. A bit high, but will run 4S as well. Ordered one Afro 30A and two Afro slim 20A, only to realize that I was a power source short. The Afro 30A only supplies 0.5A on the BEC, so it might not even be strong enough to power the servo. To be sure I ordered another Afro 30A and a designated 5v/5A BEC. (Actually two, since I need power for a later addition of a GoPro). I wanted the two Afro slims to go on the front booms, and the Afro 30A to go on the back boom, but since the KK-Mini 2 1.5 draws it power on M1 and does not share with M2-M8, I had to have a full size Afro on the front boom. Those ESC are really big! I think I’ll end up mounting two Afro 30A on the front booms, and a Afro slim (which does not have a BEC) on the tail boom.
Using my Solidoodle 4, I have printed all the 3D parts that David has been so nice to make available for download. Since I will be using 3mm plywood for my first build, I might have to make some modifications to the parts, or make my own based on Davids awesome designs. I also ordered some inferior carbon fiber booms from HobbyKing to have spare parts for my training sessions. Since the zip tie design on the front motors no longer is used, I suspect some broken booms and motor mounts. I created my own combined motor mounts and landing gear and 3D printed them. That way they will hopefully break before the booms / motors do.
First order of business was to cut the shafts of the motors. Remembering Davids point about metal shavings in the motors being a BAD! BAD! thing, I covered them in tape first 🙂 http://youtu.be/YCPMC_fiSMI?t=6m16s
My setup as ordered so far is:
3x NTM Prop Drive Series 28-30 1200kv / 400w motors
3x NTM Prop Drive 28 Series Accessory Pack
4x 9x5E Multistar Carbon Fiber Propellers L/H and R/H Rotation (1 pair)
2x Afro ESC 30Amp Multi-rotor Motor Speed Controller (SimonK Firmware)
1x Afro Slim 20Amp Multi-rotor Motor Speed Controller (SimonK Firmware)
1x HobbyKing™ HKU5 5V/5A UBEC (EU Warehouse)
1x HobbyKing® KK-Mini Multi-Rotor Flight Control Board 36x36mm (30.5×30.5mm)
1x XT60 to 3 X 3.5mm bullet Multistar ESC Power Breakout Cable (don’t know if I am going to use it, or solder my own)
1x TGY-210DMH Metal gear Coreless Digital Servo w/ Heat Sink 3.9kg / .13sec / 16g
2x Carbon Fiber Square Tube 750x10mm (EU Warehouse)
4x Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 18AWG (1mtr) Red (EU Warehouse)
4x Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 18AWG (1mtr) black (EU Warehouse) (Backordered – show stopper)
Existing gear:
FrSky Taranis transmitter
1x FrSky X8R 8 16Ch S.BUS ACCST Telemetry Receiver W Smart Port
1x FrSky Variometer Sensor w Smart Port (High Precision Version)
1x FrSky FLVSS LiPo Voltage Sensor With Smart Port (1pc)
2x FrSky Receiver antenna 25 cm
GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition
FPV:
1x Hobbyking 3-Channel FPV Video Switcher (GoPro and CCD)
1x Skyzone Plug-N-Play FPV 200-Set With TS5823 TX, RC832 RX, Sony CCD and Circular Polarized Antennas
1x Quanum DIY FPV Goggle Set with Monitor (KIT) (Yes, I know it is crap – but really cheap)
3x Female JST battery pigtail 12cm length (for future gimbal, GoPro and FPV transmitter)
1x JST Male 2 pin connector set (10pcs/set) (EU Warehouse)
1x Super Slim GoPro 3 A/V Cable And Power Lead For FPV
Misc:
1x Afro ESC USB Programming Tool (EU Warehouse)
1x Turnigy Heat Shrink Tube 20mm Transparent (1mtr) (EU Warehouse)
2x Anodised Aluminum M3 Sockethead Washers (Black) (10pcs) (EU Warehouse) (Because I am using hex bolts)
2x 3.5mm Washer (10pcs/bag) (EU Warehouse)
2x M3x20mm Hex Screw (12pcs/bag) – Trailblazer XB and XT 1/5
1x Hex Screw M3x40 (20pcs) (EU Warehouse) (For servo)
2x HobbyKing Super Glue CA (50g / 1.7oz) Thick
1x Insta-Set CA Accelerator 2. oz (EU Warehouse)
1x HobbyKing™ Servo Tester (EU Warehouse)
2x Peel-n-stick foam double sided tape 10x5inch 4mm thick
2x PolyMax 3.5mm Gold Connectors 10 PAIRS (20PC)
1x Polyester Velcro Peel-n-stick adhesive side V-STRONG (1mtr) (EU Warehouse)
1x XT60 Harness for 2 Packs in Parallel (1pc) (EU warehouse) (for future use. 2x 2200 mAh)
4x Flat 26AWG servo wire 1mtr (R/O/B) (EU warehouse)
1x Servo Terminals (JR) Gold Plated (10pairs/set) (EU Warehouse)
1x Wire Mesh Guard Black 6mm (1mtr) (EU Warehouse)
HobbyKing Buddy Codes, valid till 2014-10-25
Hi there everyone.
I’m nut sure if you are interested in buddy codes, or if it is OK to share the codes like this, but I give it a try. Of course, I will benefit from you using the BC’s at the same time as you get some discount on the given products.
AeroSIM RC Multi-Function Flight Simulator System
Main Blade Holder Bearing 4X8X3mm for 450 Size Heli (4pcs/bag)
HKPilot Mega 2.7 Flight Controller USB/GYRO/ACC/MAG/BARO
10CM Servo Lead (Futaba) 32AWG Ultra Light (10pcs/set)
All BC’s expire October 25th 2014.
My Tricopter V3
Based on the 4s setup, but using an HKPilotMega2.7, external GPS, wireless USB, frSky X8R and frSky battery telemetry.
First episode of Rotor DR1, and I’m in the U.S.
The first episode of Rotor DR1 is here!
Chad asked if I wanted to come over to the US to visit and help out with a couple episodes. The timing was just perfect as the parts for the tricopter kits wont arrive for for another couple of weeks. So I’m currently in the US until Thursday the 23rd.
So far we’ve been making props and shooting some inserts. I’m actually going to be a character in the show and here is a picture of how I’m going to look:
The canon is inspired by the Overkill FPV ground station. It’s 2.4GHz helical attached to a nerf gun that Chad painted and weathered. Here is a short behind the scenes video on the RF canon:
Swedish post update
Hi guys,
Here is a little update on the swedish post shipping
When the order ships out you will receive a confirmation email from posten. As soon as you receive this email it means that your package has been sorted at the local post office and is on it’s way to you. This email does not contain a tracking number. This is because the tracking number is a “weak” tracking number, meaning that it will only get updated when it’s sorted in Sweden and and won’t update until it is delivered. However I post the tracking number as a customer note on all orders to better keep track of things, as well as making the tracking number available to you. But please don’t freak out if your package doesn’t update from the service station, the package is not stuck, it’s on it’s way. As soon as you receive the email from posten you know you package is on it’s way to you.
Posten offers better tracking options but the shipping cost is much higher, and the delivery time isn’t faster. However if people want a more expensive and more trackable shipping option (Trackable in 46 counties), I can make that available. Prices would be around 10 USD higher for international shipping than the current shipping class.
Thank you all for the great support and feedback on the kits so far! Looking forward to seeing some flight videos!
Tricopter V3 unboxing / build
Received my RC Explorer V3 Tricopter Kit today (Wednesday, October 8th) !!!!!
Not bad to the states all the way from Sweden. Here’s a link to a you tube video of the unboxing.
Please subscribe and like. I plan to upload building and maiden fight of this tricopter soon. Feel free to leave comments or questions.
Thanks David for this great kit.
Using a mobius on the Tricopter V3
For the people wondering how to mount a mobius on the Tricopter V3 camera tray, here is a very short guide:
Happy flying!