Quanum Trifecta Mini Foldable Tricopter Frame (KIT)

Started by rcimpulse, February 07, 2015, 06:48:12 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

rcimpulse

We ordered this Tri-copter Kit from HK and boy was I surprised it took fourty eight (48) hours from the time the order was placed to my door. It was an expensive affair because of fed-ex and the duty they charge. But is much faster than most LHS within India who fail to deliver a product that soon :banghead: baring a few stores  :bow:
We got two of these (another member and me got one each) and have only started building one as his older electronics (20amp esc and 2212 size motors) do not fit easily into the frame. Here is a link to the product with ample pictures. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__68596__Quanum_Trifecta_Mini_Foldable_Tricopter_Frame_KIT_.html.

Initial thoughts

We checked for missing hardware and browsed the instructions. All hardware included and an english manual too! wow what a great start.
We checked the tail motor gear and it was slightly jammed. Some oil did the trick for now.  
It is made of ABS plastic and nylon combination which makes it pretty sturdy and can handle some abuse.
It looks great and comes with plenty of mounting options such as mini FCB's like KK, Ardu naze and the whole line up. Has a dedicated plate to mount the GPS and a dedicated plate to mount your FPV Tx.
Also has a go pro mount and one more mount for mobius. Both have vibration dampening.
It can carry anywhere between a 1100 mah upto a 2200 mah 3 or 4 cell battery.
Great battery strap.
Power distribution board was included but not used. Instead we used a 2.5mm bullet (3pair)to JST which helped with a cleaner and lighter finish there is space to tuck away the connecter and bullets.

The Hardware

Multistar Elite motors 2204-2300KV smooth as silk (baby beast are out of stock)
Afro 12 Amp ESC
Multistar race spec 1400 mah 40-80C 3 cell lipo battery (has an xt30 connector)
Rcd 2200mah 40C battery.
KK mini FCB
Gemfan 6045 propellers
Turnigy TGY-9018MG Metal Gear Servo 2.5kg/13g/0.10


Assembly & Test flight

This part was the most exciting as the included English instructions make it fun to assemble and took only fifteen minutes.
It makes for a clean installation as most esc and motor wires are concealed.
The tail ESC is hidden away, only the two arm ESC's are visible. They can be attached inside (not sure). Yet to figure it out.
At first the tail motor gear was jammed but we could make it to move smooth with some 2t oil
The smooth motors and the powerful battery made it the fastest muti-rotor we flown till today. It reacted very well to the stick movements and the powerful motors made it easy to hover at around 40% throttle.
The main problem is the gear that attaches to the servo. It has about 2 mm play which translates to a terrible vibration in the tail motor(the rear) into a horrible wobbly flight experience.
Our initial test flight was with the Kk mini as it was easy to setup and tune.
We plan to put in the Naze 32 acro from HK but not until the tail issue is sorted.

Conclusion  
All in all a great looking tricopter. HK has done a good job 3D printing these frames. The hardware and plastics reek of quality never seen in this price range of frames.
This is a great mini foldable tri that can literally fit inside your jacket. Its light weight and looks like its ready to conquer the world. Ergonomics of the essential components are well thought of.
The few drawbacks that need to be looked into are the tail motor gear which HK is doing a recall and sending out a free tail gear. The landing gear is a little flimsy and height is just too low, incase of a hard landing you may damage the battery. I used some circular sponge pieces that come with remote controls of RTF helis (to protect the sticks)and cyno glued it into the legs. This adds a little height and gives it a great stance.  
Have heard that the Naze 32 is like putting this beast on rails.
Waiting on the tail gear from HK to rectify the problem and will post some thoughts on how it behaves after. Meanwhile soldering the Naze 32  Pins  ;D
Will try and post pictures sometime.

sooraj.palakkad

Please post some pics and if possible,a flight video tooo :)
RC Hobbyist and an Aerial Cinematographer..

aman1256

I will also really like to see the Images and The Video Too !!!
Regards,
Aman.:D

Propfella

It just goes to show how far the Chinese will go when it comes to the truth. "Forget it" must be their motto. Or maybe "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story"

I just watched the video and read the ad. It's left me with 2 questions.

1. Just how big are Chinese pockets. They say you can fit this Tricopter in your pocket. (But only if they're big pockets)

2. "Your own UAV" ??? Does anyone believe you can ride a kid's scooter down a mountain and have this thing follow you. ?  Of course not, simple editing has tried to fool you.

Apart from that, not a bad looking unit. I am rather concerned about so much electronics being crammed into such a small area. Great care with cabling and connections, plus routing of same would be a definite. Keeping cabling short certainly won't be a problem although care would have to be taken to ensure everything is as well separated as possible. Looks like a good project for the tidy and meticulous RCer.  I'm just not too sure If I could sit and watch the FPV footage after all those flips and rolls though.

Can you imagine wearing Black Sharks during those stunts. I'm sure I'd be headed for the Gents. :)
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

rcpilotacro

Quote from: Propfella on February 08, 2015, 03:30:44 PM


Can you imagine wearing Black Sharks during those stunts. I'm sure I'd be headed for the Gents. :)

:giggle:
Gusty's Hangar and Introduction.

A Good pilot will practice until he gets it right,
A Great pilot will practice until he can't get it wrong.

rcimpulse

Quote from: Propfella on February 08, 2015, 03:30:44 PM
It just goes to show how far the Chinese will go when it comes to the truth. "Forget it" must be their motto. Or maybe "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story"

Well more than the Chinese I think its the great minds far away in the west who are pulling it of. HK seems to be placing a large foothold in the American market and the video seems to come from that end of the globe may be im wrong.  :headscratch:

Quote from: Propfella on February 08, 2015, 03:30:44 PM

1. Just how big are Chinese pockets. They say you can fit this Tricopter in your pocket. (But only if they're big pockets)

2. "Your own UAV" ??? Does anyone believe you can ride a kid's scooter down a mountain and have this thing follow you. ?  Of course not, simple editing has tried to fool you

Great way to market it huh! imagine a prop breaking in your pocket or poking in the wrong place! :giggle: or even worse a Lipo

Hey, but it wont be long for the follow me drone segment to pick up! These days technology rapidly becomes a reality from the imagination to market time is lightning fast.

Quote from: Propfella on February 08, 2015, 03:30:44 PM
Apart from that, not a bad looking unit. I am rather concerned about so much electronics being crammed into such a small area. Great care with cabling and connections, plus routing of same would be a definite. Keeping cabling short certainly won't be a problem although care would have to be taken to ensure everything is as well separated as possible. Looks like a good project for the tidy and meticulous RCer.  I'm just not too sure If I could sit and watch the FPV footage after all those flips and rolls though.

Can you imagine wearing Black Sharks during those stunts. I'm sure I'd be headed for the Gents. :)

From the price point its not a bad tricopter and it was my first so not much I can talk about in comparison to the others who make larger ones. I have not flown it enough to gauge if the crammed cabling and low guage wire are a serious worry although they do feel warm after an 8 minute hover. I would love to dial it in properly with my Tx and believe it has great potential to be an FPV racer.
Its compact and calls for a neat build with esc and motor wires being cut accordingly. I plan to do it after I can tune the Naze 32 with my JR XG8 :banghead: Im having a tough time getting them to talk to each other.
Dont know about flips and rolls but I plan to use the 'blue and white' sharks that absorb less heat and fly FPV through trails and narrow coffee and pepper plantations that are plenty around in the south of India.

rcimpulse

Meanwhile here are some pictures from the first build  ;D

gunnu


rcrcnitesh

That FS receiver is huge!!!!
Awesome and clean love it.
Maker | Aeromodeller | Teenager

rcimpulse

The FS receiver is bigger than FC  :giggle: I know and the build is not the cleanest yet.
Was having a tough time binding and setting it up with JR XG8 which has a park receiver hence the temporary fix.

rcimpulse

By the way the second frame and a few matching electronics for mini quad and FPV that will suit this type of frame size is up for sale on the forum in my for sale thread here. Do check it out - http://www.rcindia.org/for-sale/brand-new-(nib)-skyzone-fpv200-set-goggle-diy-multtri-copter-fpv-kit-e-osd-hk/

rcimpulse

Thanks guys! here are some more pictures. With the go pro (its just placed not screwed on)
Also note the Naze 32 with side pins that were soldered. My first time soldering on such a small board each pin is close to the other!

Khan786

#12
hi...guys
I need to set my dx6 new version with KK mini...but I cant find the right settings for trifecta... its wobbling 2 much and i cant figure out how to trim it..i need to set ..my d/r and expo? or change some PID settings in KK mini
thanks


pravesh736

Lower p and I gain. Not limit. Kk has no D
Keep testing till ure happy.

rcimpulse

I know its rather late to post but if this helps anyone nothing like it.
The Trifecta has a weak tail servo gear setup. HK was doing a recall or sending out better gears I believe.
The recommended servo cannot push hard enough and twitches at times.
A digital heavier servo might help.