Friday, May 25, 2012

Quadrocopter Build - Part 12 - Thrust testing

I have built a bit of a collection of propellers and I have wanted to build a thrust test rig for a while. This video helped guide me in the right direction:
Flite Test : Measuring Thrust - FLITE TIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTq3rNDc5g

There are many threads on RCGroups.com and many other RC sites on how to test props. Some I liked, some I did not. I took the parts I had available to me and built this thing.


I built a thrust tester and tested the props I have with one of my XXD A2208 1200KV motors. I used a Hobbywing Skywalker 20A and a Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 40C LiPo. The results were:
8x4.5x2 - 1 lb 7.6 oz (669 grams) of thrust
8x4x3 - 1 lb 3.8 oz (561 grams) of thrust
9x5x3 - 1 lb 11.8 oz (788 grams) of thrust
10x6x3 - 2 lb 3.7 oz (1012 grams) of thrust


Here are more pictures of the rig. I also have videos is anyone is interested.

I am interested to see what would happen if I put the 10x6x3 props on the quadcopter. I had thought that the motors would be too fast for these props to catch the correct amount of air for the about of tilt and surface area of the props. However this test seems to imply that they would actually do fairly well. Could be a good test if I get the time.

Also, my X525 quadcopter is for sale to free up cash for the new carbon fiber quad that I have started.



Kijiji post:
http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-hobbies-crafts-X525-Quadcopter-W0QQAdIdZ382623941

4 comments:

GoFaster said...

Cool rig. Did you get a chance to measure current voltage with the various props?

Derek said...

Hey GoFaster,
I totally forgot about hooking up my watt meter! I will need to retest these props and see what I get.
Thanks!

Derek said...

Hello GoFaster,
Sorry, but I have sold this quadcopter so I can't do the test to see what the amp/watt usage was for the different props.
However, I will be doing this testing again with my new motors. I still have several prop sizes I can test from the last batch for testing. I hope this will help you out!

GoFaster said...

Thanks for the update Derek. I'm curious to see how real world tests compare with eCalc predictions.
Looking forward to reading about the build of your new DJC1000-X4!