Quadcopter - DJC1000-X4 beta build

I have almost competed the build of my DJC1000-X4 in fiberglass. This is what I am calling the DJC1000-X4 beta build because it allows me to test fit everything before I get the carbon fiber cut to match my design. I am doing this so that I can catch all of the issue before shelling out the money for the cutting.

This has helped me to find a few minor issues and let me plan the new camera mount when it came in. The lower outer battery plate mount holes is partly blocked by the legs. I thought that this could happen when designing the frame, but I wanted to try it. I wanted to give it a try because the legs will be better the further out they are. The same goes for the lower outer battery plate mount. I'll work on that more and try to figure it out.

For now, here are pictures of what I have done with the 'beta build'.

More to come as this story develops :P

Quadcopter - Second Thrust Test

This is going to be a quick one just to get the info out there. I did some thrust testing with my test rig and my new equipment. The equipment used is:
- Turnigy 4000mAh 3S 30C Lipo
- Hobbyking SS Series 25-30A ESC (card programmable)
- Turnigy D2836/9 950KV Brushless Outrunner Motor

Results:
GWS 10"x6"x3 (1060 three blade)
918 grams
19 Amp
232.9 Watt

GWS 9"x5"x3 (9050 three blade)
701 grams
14.89 Amps
183.9 Watts

GWS 8"x4"x3 (8040 three blade)
456 grams
8.75 Amp
108.5 Watt

8:x4.5"x2 (8045 two blade)
520 grams
10.72 Amps
133.2 Watt

10"x4.5"x2 (1045 two blade)
609 grams
12.91 Amp
156.1 Watt

Here are the statistics from Hobby King's site:
Battery: 2~4 Cell /7.4~14.8V
RPM: 950kv
Max current: 23.2A
No load current: 1A
Max power: 243W
Internal resistance: 0.070 ohm
Weight: 70g (including connectors)
Diameter of shaft: 4mm
Dimensions: 28x36m
Prop size: 7.4V/12x6 14.8V/9x6
Max thrust: 850g


I hope this information helps someone with planning their quadcopter or air plane build.

Quadcopter - DJC1000-X4

If you have read my older blog posts then you know that I am working on a bigger, awesomer, carbon fiber quadcopter. I have been busy working on it, planning, designing the frame, ordering parts and researching. I thought that it would be a good time to brain dump some of the information for others to read. Enjoy!

Parts list: to date:

Hobbyking 2-8S Cell Checker with Low Voltage Alarm- Same as my old alarm, but in a case now
Turnigy D2836/9 950KV Brushless Outrunner Motor - My motors of choice this time
1/3-inch SONY CCD Video Camera (NTSC) - For future FPV plans
2.8mm F:2.0 Turnigy Micro FPV Camera Lense - Wide angle lens for the FPV camera
Hobby King Quadcopter Power Distribution Board - Easier than making my own, and good price
Turnigy 4000mAh 3S 30C Lipo Pack - Still have from the last build. Good size
PolyMax 3.5mm Gold Connectors 10 PAIRS (20PC) - To connect ESCs to Motors
Aluminium CNC Metal Motor Mount 4-Pack - Cheap, simple. May be replaced later
XAircraft CM130-TS Tilt Camera Mount with Shutter - Cheap from GLB (GoodLuckBuy) for Carbon Fiber
12MM X 10MM X 500MM 100% Carbon fiber Wing tube / Tail tube *4 - Arms - (From ebay seller "happychoice2009")
Carbon fiber landing gear / Undercarriage *2 - Start of landing gear - (From ebay seller "happychoice2009")
Carbon fiber sheet - To cut the main frame out of - (From ebay seller "happychoice2009")
4 pairs 12mm Fiber Glass Carbon Tube Fixture Part - To attach arms to main frame - (From ebay seller "vocanlo")
XAircraft X650 V4 L3002C Carbon Fiber Load Pipe Mount w/ Stopper - To mount xAircraft camera mount
XAircraft X650 Value 4 L3003 Loading Pipe Mount 2pcs - To mount xAircraft camera mount
XAircraft X650 Value 4 L3004 Loading Pipe Fixer 2pcs - To mount xAircraft camera mount
Turnigy Battery Strap 330mm - Duh, battery strap
Hobbyking SS Series 25-30A ESC (card programmable) - Speed Controllers
ArduPilot Mega 2.0 - With External GPS - Flight Controller!
Propeller set 10X45 EPP Style (Black) - First pros to try. May need to go larger or different pitch
Green LED strip (short, 3 LED strip) - To mark the arms of the quad. Green for right side, like FAA standard
Blue LED strip (short, 3 LED strip) - To mark the arms of the quad. Blue for left side, modified from FAA
White LED strip (short, 3 LED strip) - To mark the arms of the quad. White for front.
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger w/ accessories - Battery charger, no power supply
TURNIGY BESC Programming Card - To setup the ESC if I have issues
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver (Mode 2) (v2 Firmware) - Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx)
Turnigy 2650mAh 3S 1C LLF Tx Pack (Futaba/JR) - Battery for Tx
Turnigy 9X LCD Backlight Kit - White (DIY) - Backlight for Tx screen


Here is a forum thread on my frame design. I have made many many improvements and changes over the last month+. I have come up with a name for the quad (with the help of a friend) and the name is DJC1000-X4. "DJC" for my online name 'djchew'. "1000" for the 1000mm wheelbase of the quad. Lastly, "X4" becuase it is an x4 quad.
http://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?p=949774
Here is a picture of the latest revision of the main frame design:

I also just got a great deal on an X450 Carbon Fiber frame on ebay last night, so that will will be the test bed where I build this quad while I work on my custom designed frame. After that, I will sell the X450 frame. I think that it is a great frame for the cost, it is just not big enough and does not have all of the features that I want for the long term.

Several things are in the mail and I am waiting on them in order to do more testing or fly (like the Tx).



Research:
YouTube - Good video to explain the differences between gyroscopes and accelerometers
DIY Drones - Good article to  explain the differences between gyroscopes and accelerometers
YouTube - Interesting DIY Vibartion Dampners
YouTube - Interesting homemade vibration dampers using rubber
YouTube - Video on prop balancing, including balancing the hub
flitetest - Opinions from a talented cinematographer/film maker (Shadow74/Shadow Studios) on multirotors, cameras, ect: flitetest - Shadow74 - Multi rotors - Aerial Filming
flitetest - Shadow74 - Pilot flying a camera or Professional aerial film maker


New people to check out videos of on YouTube:
Youtube - vegetoast1 - videos
Youtube - shadowstudiosllc - videos
Youtube - Hoverbot1TV - videos
Youtube - gundamnitpete - videos
Youtube - stockfoodpics - videos
Youtube - eyeinsky1 - videos
Youtube - RonALampman - videos
Youtube - Extremeaerials - videos
Youtube - foxtechonline - videos


That's all that I have for now. I hope to have more soon. Perhaps the next thing I will do is balance a bunch of props, my new motors and do some more thrust testing!

Quadrocopter Build - A new hope

I have sold the X525 Quadcopter that I built. Now it is time to work on my new, larger, more powerful, carbon fiber quadcopter.

I have ordered lots of parts for it already over the last 3 days. Here is a list of what I already have:
4x 12mmx10mmx500mm carbon fiber tubes
19 3/4" x 15 3/4" x 1.5mm sheet of carbon fiber
4x Aluminium CNC Metal Motor Mount
4x 12mm Fiber Glass/Carbon Tube Fixture Part

Here is a list of what I have ordered for the project:
ArduPilot Mega 2.0 with External GPS
4x Turnigy D2836/9 950KV Brushless Outrunner motors
4x Hobbyking SS Series 25-30A Electronic Speed Controllers (card programmable)
TURNIGY BESC Programming Card
1/3-inch SONY CCD Video Camera (NTSC)
2.8mm F:2.0 Turnigy Micro FPV Camera Lense (Viewing Angle: 115 degree)
Hobbyking 2-8S Cell Checker with Low Voltage Alarm
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver (Mode 2) (v2 Firmware)
Turnigy 2650mAh 3S 1C LLF Tx Pack (Futaba/JR) (to go in Turnigy 9x)
Turnigy 9X LCD Backlight Kit - White (DIY)
Turnigy Receiver Controlled Switch
Rubber Grommet for servos (10pcs/set) (could make good vibration dampers/isolators)
Heli Canopy Rubber Grommet Medium (6pcs/bag) (could make good vibration dampers/isolators)
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger w/ accessories
HobbyKing UBEC 3A / 2-6s LiPO (mostly for testing)
Turnigy Battery Strap 330mm


I am currently working on redesigning the main frame for the new carbon fiber quadcopter. I have got feedback fro ma few people and I found a few problems myself. I am working to get all of the issues discovered worked out then I will post again to get more feedback and hopefully work out any new issues.

More to come as soon as I finish the next version of this frame design!