Choosing motors and the propellers for quadcopter

Started by ratuldas6, March 27, 2014, 10:17:37 PM

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maahinberi

Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

rcrcnitesh

Maker | Aeromodeller | Teenager

maahinberi

I haven't flown with the MultiWii.
I personally use a kk2 and have not faced a single problem with it. Moreover, it's very very stable, almost hands off.
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

ratuldas6

#28
I was a bit late in answering all the replies. But it is better to be late than never :) .
I am not sure about the thrust produced by this quadcopter, what is the thrust:weight after calculating the total approximate weight of this model?

I still need to get the total weight. But the cost is nearly 11k. Thanks to all of you guys, I have been able to compile a list over these two days. If you think that the cost can be reduced, or there is a better alternative to one of my choices, do not hesitate to make a post.

1> Frame (DIY)                                           - 200 (approx)

2> Flight controller                                       - 2450
(http://www.quadkopters.com/product/kk2-1-multi-rotor-lcd-flight-control-board-with-6050mpu-and-atmel-644pa/)

2> 4 Motors                                                - 2380
(http://www.rcdhamaka.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_93&products_id=391)

3> 4 ESCs                                                   - 2636
(http://www.rcdhamaka.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_95&products_id=1113)

4> 8 Propellers - 4CW, 4CCW (spares included)  - 1200
(http://www.quadkopters.com/product/sf-propeller-104-5-sf104-5-orange/)
(http://www.quadkopters.com/product/sf-propeller-104-5-sf104-5-green/)

5> 4 plastic balls for landing gear                    - 20
(Need to go to a kids toy shop)

6> Power Distribution Board                            - (Has it been mentioned here? If so, I must've failed to notice it. Please fill this up  :help:)

7> Machine screws (galvanised)                      - 50 (approximations have done lot of help to mankind  :giggle: )

8> Super Glue                                              - -- (unmeasurable quantity. not taken into account)

9> Battery (3S 11.1V)                                   - 2050
(http://www.quadkopters.com/product/qk-lipo-3300mah-11-1v-25c50c/)

ratuldas6

#29
Quote from: rcrcnitesh on March 30, 2014, 07:12:08 PM
BTW are you interested in a micro quad

I don't know anything about micro quads. But, I assume that they are autonomous quadcopters. If that is the case, then yes :D I am interested. I love robots.

maahinberi

No, micro quads are not autonomous.
A Power distribution board is basically used to provide power to 4 ESCs from one battery.
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23140__Hobby_King_Quadcopter_Power_Distribution_Board.html

I see that RCDhamaka keeps power distribution boards, but they are out of stock. You can also use this:
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/xt60-to-4-x-3-5mm-bullet-power-breakout-cable/

This is what I'm using on my quad.
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

maahinberi

I would suggest getting one more set of props, i.e. 12 props in total, but you can always order again later.
I notice that you haven't added a battery charger to your list. Do you already have a LiPo charger??
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

ratuldas6

Quote from: maahinberi on March 31, 2014, 09:10:00 PM
No, micro quads are not autonomous.
A Power distribution board is basically used to provide power to 4 ESCs from one battery.
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23140__Hobby_King_Quadcopter_Power_Distribution_Board.html

I see that RCDhamaka keeps power distribution boards, but they are out of stock. You can also use this:
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/xt60-to-4-x-3-5mm-bullet-power-breakout-cable/

This is what I'm using on my quad.

So, what is the difference between a PDB and a bullet Power Breakout Cable? Are these available locally?

Quote from: maahinberi on March 31, 2014, 09:13:02 PM
I would suggest getting one more set of props, i.e. 12 props in total, but you can always order again later.
I notice that you haven't added a battery charger to your list. Do you already have a LiPo charger??

Yes, I had forgotten about that bit. You had mentioned this charger earlier. Let's add it to the list.
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/b3ac-charger/

The cost is approximately 11,550 INR now.

maahinberi

Both the board and the cable serve the same purpose. Just the form factor is different. The cables tend to get messy at times due to clutter of cables, so if you want to keep it neat, you can go for the board. The cable is available locally at QuadKopters.
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

ratuldas6

Quote from: maahinberi on March 31, 2014, 10:57:08 PM
Both the board and the cable serve the same purpose. Just the form factor is different. The cables tend to get messy at times due to clutter of cables, so if you want to keep it neat, you can go for the board. The cable is available locally at QuadKopters.

Neatness is not a priority. I can remember which wires go where. Ask my computer, it has a huge mess of wires, but it still keeps working.  ;D
I want to make the frame with aluminum. What should be dimensions of this frame? And also, what will be the total weight of the setup? I need to get the thrust:weight ratio after the final weight is obtained.


maahinberi

Aluminium might become heavy. My quad is exactly 1kg. Thrust to weight ratio is perfect and it is very durrable
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

maahinberi

Hovers at half throttle and has more than ample power
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

utkarshg13

@maahinberi aluminium frame is not that heavy. It is even more crash proof and has good strength. My quad weighs under 1kg with motor to motor distance 50cm.
"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

utkarshg13

Hey Ratul,
If you want to go with an aluminium frame then go to any local hardware shop and ask for 12mm aluminium tube with square cross-section. It comes in full length of almost 12 feets. If you would be lucky then he'll cut it for you otherwise you'll have to take whole. I don't know the price there, but here it is available for Rs.120 full length. Now, comes the main centre plate. you can use any wood or best is glass fibre plate. You'll get that on shops that deal with sign boards etc. Plate also done. So, now just have some tools, some zip ties for tying ESC's, few nuts and bolts and of course a drill machine. Assemble your frame. Keep length of each arm either acc. to standard SK450 frame or yours. Don't go for motor to motor distance above 45cm. Otherwise, you'll have a big airframe that is much more heavy. Weight would be almost 250-300gm.
:hatsoff:
"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

utkarshg13

You'll be also needing a power distribution board. If you are familiar with softwares such as Express PCB or Eagle, then design one yourself. But, in my suggestion, buy one for you. These are easily available on all stores. Also, ones I remember arun.sreekalam here on forum was selling one. Don't know whether he has it or not. Check ones.
:hatsoff:
"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

utkarshg13

"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

ratuldas6

Quote from: maahinberi on April 01, 2014, 11:39:59 AM
Aluminium might become heavy. My quad is exactly 1kg. Thrust to weight ratio is perfect and it is very durrable

Hovers at half throttle and has more than ample power

Aluminium is more durable than carbon fiber and or wood. But I am still deciding the dimensions of the frame I am going to make. And also, which material have you used to make your quad's frame?

Quote from: utkarshg13 on April 01, 2014, 12:23:54 PM
@maahinberi aluminium frame is not that heavy. It is even more crash proof and has good strength. My quad weighs under 1kg with motor to motor distance 50cm.

Hey Ratul,
If you want to go with an aluminium frame then go to any local hardware shop and ask for 12mm aluminium tube with square cross-section. It comes in full length of almost 12 feets. If you would be lucky then he'll cut it for you otherwise you'll have to take whole. I don't know the price there, but here it is available for Rs.120 full length. Now, comes the main centre plate. you can use any wood or best is glass fibre plate. You'll get that on shops that deal with sign boards etc. Plate also done. So, now just have some tools, some zip ties for tying ESC's, few nuts and bolts and of course a drill machine. Assemble your frame. Keep length of each arm either acc. to standard SK450 frame or yours. Don't go for motor to motor distance above 45cm. Otherwise, you'll have a big airframe that is much more heavy. Weight would be almost 250-300gm.
:hatsoff:

You'll be also needing a power distribution board. If you are familiar with softwares such as Express PCB or Eagle, then design one yourself. But, in my suggestion, buy one for you. These are easily available on all stores. Also, ones I remember arun.sreekalam here on forum was selling one. Don't know whether he has it or not. Check ones.
:hatsoff:

Check this:
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/xt60-to-4-x-3-5mm-bullet-power-breakout-cable/

I am planning use 10x4.5 propellers. The frame will be made out of 12mm aluminum tubes. As you say, any frame bigger than 45 cm will add unnecessary weight. Will a frame that has a motor-to-motor length of 18 inches (45.7 cm) work well? Or is it a bit more than necessary?

In the previous posts, maahinberi had recommended the same power breakout cable as the one you have mentioned. I suppose that this component negates the need of using a power distribution board.

ratuldas6

Is there a circuit diagram for the whole setup?

utkarshg13

Yes, 45.7cm seems to be no problem. Just ensure the power setup that you've decided is capable enough for that. And, the power breakout cable could be used without worries. I'm leaving you with an other option too. Check this out:
http://www.sp4mm3r.com/connectors-wires/quadcopter-power-distribution-board.html
When are you going to start building... Now, come into action. Just make a list of all the things you need, place an order for them and then buy all airframe and construction related things from local market.
:hatsoff:
"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

maahinberi

You will have to connect one positive and one negative wire from your power cable to each ESC. The Signal cables from the ESC go to the right side ports on the KK2, as shown in the picture.
The cables from your receiver go to the left hand side ports.
The cable marked as Auxillary is connected to Channel 6 on my Rx and is used to toggle on/off self level mode. You can keep this on any channel you want. If you don't want to keep self level mode on a separate channel, you can also use the main sticks to turn on/off self level mode.
As you notice, all the signal wires go towards the screen (i.e. all the orange colored wires are towards the screen. If you have a red, black, white wire, then keep the white wire towards the screen.)
This reminds me, you will also need Male to Male servo extensions to connect your Receiver to the KK2:
Either
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-3cm-10pcs/
Or
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-10cm-10pcs/
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

ratuldas6

Quote from: utkarshg13 on April 01, 2014, 10:47:11 PM
Yes, 45.7cm seems to be no problem. Just ensure the power setup that you've decided is capable enough for that. And, the power breakout cable could be used without worries. I'm leaving you with an other option too. Check this out:
http://www.sp4mm3r.com/connectors-wires/quadcopter-power-distribution-board.html
When are you going to start building... Now, come into action. Just make a list of all the things you need, place an order for them and then buy all airframe and construction related things from local market.
:hatsoff:

I will need to see whether the thrust is capable of lifting the quad at half-throttle. What will be the thrust generated by 4 EMAX CF2822 motors with 10x4.5 propellers?

I will go with the power breakout cable. No need to solder here.

I will order the materials at the end of May. That is when my summer vacations will start. I will have plenty of time then. I might buy the parts for making the frame soon.

maahinberi

The thrust should be enough to lift at half throttle.
Maahin Beri - Introduction and Hangar
Seagull Arising Star, Seagull Low Wing 40, AviSport (SPAD), Phoenix Scanner, VortexRC Speedster, Martian 220 Racing Quadcopter.

ratuldas6

Quote from: maahinberi on April 02, 2014, 12:33:39 AM
You will have to connect one positive and one negative wire from your power cable to each ESC. The Signal cables from the ESC go to the right side ports on the KK2, as shown in the picture.
The cables from your receiver go to the left hand side ports.
The cable marked as Auxillary is connected to Channel 6 on my Rx and is used to toggle on/off self level mode. You can keep this on any channel you want. If you don't want to keep self level mode on a separate channel, you can also use the main sticks to turn on/off self level mode.
As you notice, all the signal wires go towards the screen (i.e. all the orange colored wires are towards the screen. If you have a red, black, white wire, then keep the white wire towards the screen.)
This reminds me, you will also need Male to Male servo extensions to connect your Receiver to the KK2:
Either
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-3cm-10pcs/
Or
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-10cm-10pcs/

Which receiver would you recommend? And also, are the servo leads available locally?

utkarshg13

@ratul he is talking about the receiver of your radio. Which radio set you are having?
'Servo leads' or male to male servo extensions as rightly said are difficult to find locally. Yes you could find them on stores having robotics stuff. But, they are bit over sized. You need a few jumper cables. Either order them from some store make on your own. Link is as follows:
I use this for making my male to male servo extensions. You just need to pull the wire from white connector and then solder them together as you need.
http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/237-transmitter-wire-13p-to-jr-housing.aspx
Also, just a suggestion, although "money" is a big problem :giggle: but whatever things you've to order online kindly do it ASAP. Sometimes, things are out of stock whenever you need them.
:hatsoff:
"If you were born with wings, do every thing you could, for flying."

ratuldas6

Quote from: utkarshg13 on April 02, 2014, 06:45:53 PM
@ratul he is talking about the receiver of your radio. Which radio set you are having?
'Servo leads' or male to male servo extensions as rightly said are difficult to find locally. Yes you could find them on stores having robotics stuff. But, they are bit over sized. You need a few jumper cables. Either order them from some store make on your own. Link is as follows:
I use this for making my male to male servo extensions. You just need to pull the wire from white connector and then solder them together as you need.
http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/237-transmitter-wire-13p-to-jr-housing.aspx
Also, just a suggestion, although "money" is a big problem :giggle: but whatever things you've to order online kindly do it ASAP. Sometimes, things are out of stock whenever you need them.
:hatsoff:

I don't have a radio set (receiver and transmitter), that is why I was asking him for any good recommendations. I need a receiver which has 6 channels. My priority would be to make a working quadcopter first. Then I will look forward to adding a camera, a self leveling mode, etc.


I will order the servo leads which maahinberi had suggested:
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-3cm-10pcs/
http://www.quadkopters.com/product/male-to-male-servo-lead-jr-10cm-10pcs/

Even if I order the parts right now, I won't be able to start assembling the quadcopter, as my school reopens on the 7th of April.