13BRV3

Hi Mike,

FWIW, United Hobbies has these now-
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...?idProduct=668

I have a bunch of -09 motors, so I'll resist the temptation to try the -12 version. Someone ought to try them though.

Also, if someone wants to try another cheap ESC, look at the motor/ESC/Prop combos on United Hobbies page:
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...&ParentCat=192

They have the TowerPro 2410-08 (and -09) packaged with a TowerPro 18A ESC, and a prop for about $15. I don't know how well the EXC will work, but at that price, I'll certainly have to try some when I order again.

Cheers,
Rusty (battling the UAVP)

Old Man Mike

Thanks Rusty,

Looks like I'm going to have to make an order for the -12 since they do look good on paper and I can't resist experimenting.

Mike

13BRV3

I love it when a plan comes together

Rusty (beating the UAVP into submission)

13BRV3

Too quiet around here, so I'll post a picture of the fleet

Rusty

Sky High

LMAO!! That comment is priceless!

USA251

Think you have enough quads there Rusty?

Has Mike gotten the gyro problem straightened out after the brushless conversion on his DF? I got my DF about a week ago and haven't done a thing with it yet. Waiting to get a cord for the sim and a tether for practicing (when I get to that stage). I know I want to do the same conversion on mine so it will lift more. Four or five ounces is not much added weight.

What and how well does the plane (?) fly that you have in the bottom of the photo. Sure looks interesting.

Tom

Old Man Mike

Guess I should not have left my yaw test comments hanging. I've been doing some fine tuning and extreme testing with the next conversion approach. Since I have all my DFs converted to the new design, I just wanted to check back with the people using my original brushless conversion to see if I had missed anything. Sounds like there was no problem and sorry that it caused any concerns.

I'm hoping very much to be able to make an announcement next week.

Mike

13BRV3

My wife does, if that counts for anything I've given some thought to an inventory reduction sale


The big heavy aluminum thing is the current UAVP. I'm still waiting for a ruling on whether UAVP topics are welcome here on the DFI forum. If so, I'll start a thread here, if not, it will be on another forum, and I'll post a link here.

The frame is all aluminum, using materials I already had on hand, so the frame alone is almost a pound. The original goal was to be able to build two identical frames, then compare the UAVP electronics with the DF BL conversion. I might still do that, but I may want to put the frame on a diet first. I also want to wait and see what Mike's working on now. Since he's retired, he has to try to work these projects into his busy shuffleboard schedule

Rusty

USA251

Mike.... I'm looking forward to your announcement. I tried to read your instructions on how to do this but for some reason all I get is a bunch of html language. Can't seem to get it to show me how to do it. I'm hoping someone on here may have saved (printed) the instructions to a pdf file that could be downloaded.

Rusty, your lucky.... My wife says I have enough already and I'm just getting started. I'm retired also and really looking forward to getting into this hobby.

Tom

msarid

Take a look on this y-ufo
http://www.modellbau-bichler.com/yuf...5m-p-8864.html
Moti

MORENOENNYC

Hi Rusty,

I'm currently in the process of building a frame for my Mikrokopter. My design will be built around my FX-100 camera. I'm using T-Rex 450 tailbooms for arms and all carbon fiber round and sqaure tubing along with carbon fiber sheets for the frame and electronics platform. The frame will be very light and STRONG. I'm copying my design from a MK builder, Djago..you'll see his design below, mine will be a spin off from that. My thinking is to have a slightly bottom heavy machine by positioning the battery way low the center of gravity to combat any chance for a roll of death to occur. I may abandon that concept and mount it a bit higher just under the center of gravity. See my ideas [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8344574#post8344574]here[/link]

I've updated this design since the orig post...I've added well needed CF support in suspect areas. Below you'll see the CF sheets which are about the thickness of a CD BUT 10 times stiffer and stronger.

I'd like to see how your "slim down" develops

Anthony

13BRV3

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for the comments. Mike has already made me promise to buy some of that 8mm square tubing, and I've already been thinking of how I'm going to assemble it. I'll be gettig some of the stiff CF sheet as well, but mostly, I need some type of clamp for the square tube. I'll be thinking a lot about this over the next few days.

BTW, I think it would be REALLY cool if the MK in your picture could walk as well

Rusty

Old Man Mike

Maybe these pictures will give you a head start.

This mounting approach allows the motor to be slid to any position on the 8mm square tubing and tightened with a single screw. Although United Hobbies say that the motor comes with these very nice motor mounts, only one of my six included it. At least I had one that I could use to develop a mounting approach. You can order the mounts and 8mm tubing from hobby-lobby (part number MMC3001). The .025" aluminum sheet is the same material that I used to make the roll cage and is available at most hardware stores. This total weight for the mount, motor and prop is only 2.45 oz. This is 0.25 oz less than the fieago motors with motor mount, gear reduction and prop! I believe that a larger frame using the 8 mm square tubing should be close to the same weight as the original DF frame with the brushless feiago conversion.

The 8mm tubing comes in 1000mm lengths. I have been thinking about using the entire length for the X frame with the motors mounted near each end but far enough away so that prop will not protrude beyond end. This would prevent the prop from ever hitting the ground during a poor landing or takeoff. The only way the motors/props could be damaged is if the assembly flips up side down.

Now if someone could PLEASE find a source for those removable spring leafs used as legs on some of the german quads. They look perfect to mount underneath the square tubing.

Mike

13BRV3

So this is your brilliant idea for adjusting the gyro gain

For an adjustable mount, this looks pretty good. I'd wonder if it will be able to wiggle around a bit more than it would if it were clamped over a broader area.

As for legs, what about CF landing gear along the lines of these- https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=5103

In other news, the UAVP board is now mounted on a large DF frame (1 lb lighter than the aluminum frame!!!) that's exactly like the one I have a BL DF board on. Everything is the same except for the electronics, so let the showdown begin

Rusty

Old Man Mike

I know you are joking but just for those casual readers - no.



When that screw is tighten, it is like it is welded into place - absolutely no wiggle under any amount of twisting. I could hardly believe it after testing the first assembly.

I'm sure the CF landing gear is lighter than those metal leaf springs the Germans use but at $28 each it would cost over $100 to place them under each of the four motors. Plus, I don't think they will give the shock absorber effect that I'm hoping the metal springs will.

Mike

USA251

Don't know if this will help or not.

[link=http://www.fancyfoam.com/everythingelse.htm]Spring metal landing gear.[/link]

Tom

Old Man Mike

Thanks Tom,

But I'm looking for the type of legs shown in the quad copter below. I think that I've seen some that are even thicker and more of a flat strip than these. I've sent a PM to the builder of this quad asking for info.

Mike

jesolins

@Mike,
Piano wire is spring steel. Jewelry memory wire might be another option for landing gear. More thoughts: The spring steel from a wind-up toy, or the recoil spring from the pull starter from an old 2, or 4 cycle engine. After a walk through Home Depot, it looks like the tines from a leaf rake would work too!
Cheers,
Jim

Old Man Mike

Tines from a leaf rake!! What a GREAT idea. I'll be shopping for for a large rake tomorrow. One rake should be good for half a dozen copters.

Thanks!

Late additional note:

Tend2it sent me a response saying that they had been using .04"" pianowire but has since switched to .05" Carbon Fiber Rod. I did not think about using anything CF because of how stiff it is. But I guess if it is small enough diameter it can be flexible too.


Mike

jesolins

@Mike
They have a $6.50 rake at Home Depot with silver tines. I got one. The tines come out easily by flexing a retaining tab. One tine weighs 10.7g. I think you could make landing gear out of just one of them if you wanted to keep it light. A loop of CF rod would definitely be lighter.
Cheers,
Jim

msarid

Hi all
enclosed Pic's of my alum. frame after shorten the frame to 58cm axis to axis.I install the Flycam camera from HLobby and make some test fly inside my home, the video is very nice compare to the camera weight and size. Iwill send the video when i will fly it outside.only promlbem is that i have again the motor stopage and it make me "crazy"

USA251

Fine job you're doing there Moti... You've put a lot of work into that. I hope you find out what's causing the motors to stop. If you do, please let me know.

Tom

13BRV3

Looks good Moti. What's the total weight, minus the battery and camera?

Rusty

msarid

Hi Rusty
720 G . what should i do about the motors problem I know that this is an old issue but it scared to fly when you know that you are not safe. i sent an email to Mike Dammar regarding this problem.

Moti

13BRV3

Hi Moti,

That's not too bad on the weight.

As for the problems, I have to admit that I don't recall any details of your motor issues. Can you point me to a post where you described this, or perhaps describe it again? What is the throttle setting when the motor (or motors?) stops?

Rusty