Author: Terje

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.

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)