Another build....?

[LuMan]

So, my 550Hex has had its successful maiden, and I';ll be dragging it off to the flying field on regular occasion (until I start my new job).

But am I wrong in itching to do another build....?

I think I';m going to build a 250 quad as cheaply as sensibly possible. It doesn';t have to go like the clappers, nor does it have to perform mind-bendingly convoluted stunts. It just needs to flit about the sky in both atti and acro modes. No FPV initially.

I';ve got a couple of unused 2S 1500mAh packs kicking about, so would like to use those, instead of shelling out for 3S packs.

I';ve seen this frame, which looks fun, and costs near-on b*gger all:
https://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/fpv-250-ghost-mini-quadcopter-frame/
Obviously, I';ll get a few for that price....

But what of FCs, ESCs and motors? Any suggestions? They need to be cheap as chips. Aside from the radio and batteries, I';m wondering if I can get something airborne for under £100.

I';ve checked out some motors, and I can get >500g thrust per motor, off 2S, with a 7x2.4 prop. That being the case, I may be able to shove a higher mAh pack in...

Any suggestions (other than "you crazee, maaan!!") welcome  ::)

[guest325]

Can';t go wrong!!!
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=91951
Your turn now - just ordered 2x blue ones!!!

[LuMan]

Bloody hell, Darrell!!! That WAS quick! 

And for only 38 quid, I can';t go wrong (like you said).

Once again you cost me money, but also saved me money. 

Now, I just need to hang around the page until the discount offer pops up!!!! 

[guest325]

LOOK AT MY LAST POST ^^^^^^

[LuMan]

Blue ones?? Ah, you mean the frames? I was going to order the LED versions from HK, but they';re on backorder, so I';ll just buy a load of non-LED ones and get jiggy with the soldering iron! 

[LuMan]

Hehehe! Unmanned Tech had the LED Ghost frames in stock, so I got a clear one and 2 of the blue ones, so I can swap around as I see fit! I also managed to get some LED strips and GPS mast for my hex.

Putting the credit card away now... it';s getting a bit warm! 

[insx]

That';s a lot of kit for the money 

[LuMan]

That';s a lot of kit for the money 

It';s almost the full build. £39 for the motors, ESC, FC, BEC and props. £5.50 for the frame. I';ve already got the Tx/Rx and batteries, so I get a quad for under 50 quid! 

Plus - the CC3D FC software can use a Mac, so no digging the old laptop out, like I have to do with the Tarot!

[guest325]

I reckon we should start off an ';Ultra cheap racer build thread, would be interesting I think.
The motors you get look very much like emax to me so if they are it';s a remarkably good bargain!!!

[Powernumpty]

I picked up a LD-Power bundle that was only motors (2206/1900kv) and ESC';s (non BL 15A), that king kong kit is much better value and only a couple of quid more. In defence of the LD power kit the motors are just brilliantly machined, really nice engineering.

I picked up a Realacc QV210 clone with 4mm base a little while back to check out, can';t find the listing on Banggood now but superb little (mono base) frame beautifully finished and virtually no (large) holes in the base so want to build that into a budget quad (Frame was about £22), I';d be tempted to go up market a bit for the frame as I have one of the early versions of that plastic thing and it makes adding stuff a drag, it';s almost like the centre section is make for something 60/70mm square so the FC sits in there with awkward space that is hard to use around it and a low cover. Obviously for £5 can';t complain too loud 

[LuMan]

Unmanned Tech emailed me to say that there was a stock level issue, and they only had one of the blue frames left. In order not to delay the delivery, they decided to swap it for a red one, so I get one blue and one red. I must say, I was impressed by that. Means I still get my gear before the weekend 

I do like the look of the RoboCat frame. The canopy makes it look groovy:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__83161__HobbyKing_8482_RoboCat_270mm_True_Carbon_Racer_Drone_Green_.html

And you can get different colours  ::)

Maybe for my following build..... 

[Powernumpty]

GearBest do the RoboCat much cheaper than HK, even says that in the comments.
Not sure about it myself, streamlined as long as your camera angle suits the cover I suppose.

[LuMan]

Built in a day! Just needs a maiden. Quickest build I';ve ever done from concept to flight-ready!

[attach=1]

I';ll video the maiden if I get chance!

[LuMan]

Well, it flew like a peach. I need to set the idle speed on motor-3, as it';s stuttering on arm and I need to fiddle the throttle to get it to catch up. But, other than that, I';m really happy 

I';m thinking - if the UBEC and ESCs can take anything from 2S-6S, then can I just shove a 3S pack in there instead of the 2S? It flies nicely on 2S, but, with FPV kit added I may need more oomph! 

[Saleem]

You got that King Kong kit didn';t you,arnt the esc 2-4s?
 

[guest325]

Well, it flew like a peach. I need to set the idle speed on motor-3, as it';s stuttering on arm and I need to fiddle the throttle to get it to catch up. But, other than that, I';m really happy 

I';m thinking - if the UBEC and ESCs can take anything from 2S-6S, then can I just shove a 3S pack in there instead of the 2S? It flies nicely on 2S, but, with FPV kit added I may need more oomph! 

Did you use the esc';s standard or re flash them? and what firmware did you use on the cc3d?
Mine, when I get round to it is going on 3S I';ve got some 3S1500';s but only 25C, be ok to try out.

[LuMan]

@Saleem - yeah, they are, but it was easier to just include it all in the same sentence 

I didn';t re-flash the ESCs, but I may consider it, as one of the motors stutters a bit on start up. I may need to up the idle from 1036 to 1050 in LibrePilot.

I';m not sure on the cc3d firmware. I downloaded the latest version of LibrePilot for Mac and it automatically offered up the latest version.

I';ll check the versions when I next get to fiddle with the settings 

[apollo7]

these builds are great fun, just added more lights to my hex, its like an xmas tree now 
will be starting my next build in a few weeks......Titus 600 tricopter with sunnysky x3108 motors and APM 2.8 gps, not going with a gimbal might just bung my mobius on for fun, even getting a complete radio set for it

[LuMan]

Spot on, apollo. My first build was a cautious labour of love, but this one was done in a day! It';s amazing how much you can learn from doing builds and chatting on this forum.

I';ve now got some LEDs for the Hex, and I';ll be spangling it up big style! 

I want to build a full-on FPV jobbie, using a Robocat chassis. Mainly ';cos I like the funky cowling (which I will be customising with all manner of paint, stickers and graphics!).

But first, I';ve got an LED-laden Ghost frame to do something with. The hangar is growing, and I can';t even blame Darrell this time!!! 

[guest325]

But first, I';ve got an LED-laden Ghost frame to do something with. The hangar is growing, and I can';t even blame Darrell this time!!! 

Makes a change   
Your fault I got 2x Ghost frames....
They are pretty good for a fiver though, should stand a bit of abuse!!!
You going to get another King Kong power set?

[LuMan]

Hehe. Payback, Darrell! 

They are good for a fiver, though. They seem quite tough, but the legs pop off, even if you sneeze close to them! But I suppose it';s better than them actually breaking.

I may go for the KK set, but the Micro CC3D is a PITA to fit. The moulding in the frame, along with the length of the FC when the motors are attached, resulted in me fitting it to the ';roof'; of the frame, even though the supplied screws are about 3mm too short!! 

I may look at another FC now - I';ve got a Tarot ZYX-M and a CC3D - so, I may look at something else and see which one I like the best 

I';m going to drop one of my 3S packs into the mix and see what happens, although it did fly nice and smooth with the 2S.

[Slayer23]

I got a turnigy talon tactical to build don';t know what FC to put in yet have a kk a name and a crius aio might just invest in a pic and I can have the lot lol
Want it to be fairly autonomous so might go for another APM mini have a couple of GPS units here so would be a option I guess

[LuMan]

Gaaah! I was doing REALLY well, not spending money and stuff, then I stumble across this on Amazon!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LHI-Robocat-Quadcopter-Controller-Propeller/dp/B015KCZCQE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474903546&sr=8-2&keywords=robocat

I like the look of the RoboCat, and this looks like too much to resist.... And I just got paid...

[guest325]

No......no......no must resist.........must resist.......resist.......
You';re not getting me this time 

[Powernumpty]

You';re like a bunch of addicts, wouldn';t catch me falling for every offer...


Anyway back to reality, I wanted a FrSky X4 type RX to put in a quad, I know I have "a few" so obviously I';d have one spare, but couldn';t find it then I realised I have a quite a few models now, mostly cheap foam planks and quads from inexpensive parts but the list of things I have to fly is longer than I thought and they all need RX. My last X4SB went into a X1 plane and I';ve another waiting for the DLG to be assembled (HK offers of course).

I can quit anytime.

[LuMan]

I can quit anytime.

OK, who let that flying pig out!! 

I know where you';re coming from, Powernumpty. These things creep up on you - my hangar is getting a bit crowded, and I now have 2 frames that need utilising (although, I could save my red Ghost for when the blue one has the inevitable FPV-related <ahem> landing...).

I';ve also seen an LED-equipped PDB for the Robocat, which is only about a fiver. Looks like it sits above the bottom of the fuse, but I';m not sure how obvious the LEDs will be, what with the base being under it...

hmmm..... In the meantime, I';ll be ordering 2 more R9Ds for my Radio Link AT9 and some servo extenders, so I can get the STOL up again.... I might look at getting a decent carbon-fibre Robocat, and some stupidly fast hardware, just for the bl**dy hell of it! 

[LuMan]

Well, I decided to shove a 3S into the 250 this afternoon - just to see how it fared. As you can imagine, it went like the bloody clappers, but also a hell of a lot more stable. Not sure that I';ll bother putting the 2S back in... unless I';m at the field and have a couple charged up and kicking about in my battery bag....

My office is now empty and ready to be converted into a nursery for our youngest, so I';m banished to the Summer House for my builds now. Good job we insulated, lined and powered it up! It';s got lights, heating and internet... I may never go home again! 

I also used the promo code Slayer sent me, and got a Robocat 270 and all the gubbins for about 70 quid! Thanks LOADS, Slayer    I wonder if I can build the LED Ghost before it arrives.

[Slayer23]

Lol no need to thank me I just remembered seeing both of them posted on here

I have a QAV 250 to build but can';t get motivated lol

[LuMan]

Took the Ghost 250 to the local field and threw it about in anger. In the back garden I can only give it a bit of a hover, but across 2 football pitches at the field I could really let it rip!

It';s not as fast as some of the FPV racers you see, but it';s fast enough for me! Makes the S550 look like a bus! 

Got a bit squiffy at one point, as it just became a black blur against the grey sky. But a bit of fiddling brought it back under control.

Looking forward to building the Robocat now.. after I slam the LED ghost together 

[clivesax]

I picked up a LD-Power bundle that was only motors (2206/1900kv) and ESC';s (non BL 15A), that king kong kit is much better value and only a couple of quid more. In defence of the LD power kit the motors are just brilliantly machined, really nice engineering.

I picked up a Realacc QV210 clone with 4mm base a little while back to check out, can';t find the listing on Banggood now but superb little (mono base) frame beautifully finished and virtually no (large) holes in the base so want to build that into a budget quad (Frame was about £22), I';d be tempted to go up market a bit for the frame as I have one of the early versions of that plastic thing and it makes adding stuff a drag, it';s almost like the centre section is make for something 60/70mm square so the FC sits in there with awkward space that is hard to use around it and a low cover. Obviously for £5 can';t complain too loud