Next build thoughts

[tipsy trucker]

So, I've had a lot of fun researching and then building my tbs discovery clone but the flight times are a little disappointing so I spent a lot of time on ecalc, trying different components and not really making a big improvement. Longer arms and 15" props got me up to about 20mins (hover) as opposed to 14mins that I can apparently get at the moment - which amounts to well over £100 for an extra 6mins, very much a waste of money.

I've been looking at other options and must say I'm tempted to go the tarot 650 route; with 17 or 18" props and 5008 motors, ecalc  says 28mins hover if I don't go much over 2kg so for ~ £160 I can double my hover time and sell what's left of the disco (frame, propellers and motors).

I can't help but wonder what my other options are before I take the plunge though?

[apollo7]

I have an S600 frame coming from Aliexpress, this will house my sunnysky 3108 720kv motors from my crashed AQ600, this was running 11x4.7 props that gave me a safe 16mins on 5200 4s, on the new frame i will be going up to 13x4.7 props so hoping for 18mins on same lipo

[tipsy trucker]

I can't find sunnysky 3108 on ecalc, 3520 720kv says 17.5mins hover with apc prop's and you'd need over 32A esc (for that motor).

I'm more or less settled on the tarot idea, and I like the numerous addons and bits that are available for them - I'm struggling to find much else in the same sort of size - I can't say I'm as keen on the s600. The price has gone up a bit as the advert I'd seen didn't make it very clear whether it had alu arms or carbon so I've plumped for one that specifically says carbon. Propellers certainly aren't cheap for it so I'll have to be extra careful.

I think I was looking for suggestions of anything a similar size more than anything though, I'm reluctant to spend that sort of money without considering a few options first. Any other frames I could look at?

[Lamaule]

I think it's important to understand what you're looking to achieve. I also started with a TBS disco running ten inch props. I was getting 18 minutes flight time on mine. 

I was also fascinated by endurance quads at the time and nearly built something big and efficient, but in all honesty it will be a SERIOUS bit of kit, more akin to something commercial grade, and could do some serious damage should you get it wrong.

I was encouraged to try flying in rate/acro mode by a friend at the time, so I could learn to fly 'properly'.  I can honestly say it was the best advice I have ever had!  It will also take you towards the smaller builds which give a much more rewarding flying experience - and that are a lot safer (relatively).

Like I say, it depends what you want out of the hobby, but I can attest I no longer crave longer flight times. 3 mins of acro flying is plenty for me! [emoji23][emoji1787] - it's much more engaging than a 20min hover on ecalc.

So, I've had a lot of fun researching and then building my tbs discovery clone but the flight times are a little disappointing so I spent a lot of time on ecalc, trying different components and not really making a big improvement. Longer arms and 15" props got me up to about 20mins (hover) as opposed to 14mins that I can apparently get at the moment - which amounts to well over £100 for an extra 6mins, very much a waste of money.

I've been looking at other options and must say I'm tempted to go the tarot 650 route; with 17 or 18" props and 5008 motors, ecalc  says 28mins hover if I don't go much over 2kg so for ~ £160 I can double my hover time and sell what's left of the disco (frame, propellers and motors).

I can't help but wonder what my other options are before I take the plunge though?

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

[apollo7]

I think it's important to understand what you're looking to achieve. I also started with a TBS disco running ten inch props. I was getting 18 minutes flight time on mine. 

I was also fascinated by endurance quads at the time and nearly built something big and efficient, but in all honesty it will be a SERIOUS bit of kit, more akin to something commercial grade, and could do some serious damage should you get it wrong.

I was encouraged to try flying in rate/acro mode by a friend at the time, so I could learn to fly 'properly'.  I can honestly say it was the best advice I have ever had!  It will also take you towards the smaller builds which give a much more rewarding flying experience - and that are a lot safer (relatively).

Like I say, it depends what you want out of the hobby, but I can attest I no longer crave longer flight times. 3 mins of acro flying is plenty for me! [emoji23][emoji1787] - it's much more engaging than a 20min hover on ecalc.

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

The S600 frame is only available fromAliexpress and is cheap, i paid about £33 shipped, already got the SS 3108s motors and 40 amp little bee esc`s that are in the crashed AQ600, plus the Naza M V1, BTY the S600 is part carbon  with nylon/GRP arms, but its light and sturdy, they build and fly well, i have already had S500 and S550 , this quad will spend most of its working life hovering filming my flying wings from the air

[tipsy trucker]

Absolutely 

For me, I think it's all about fairly high flights and enjoying views and just generally seeing the world from above - obviously that could change as time goes on but, for now that's what floats my boat 

[Lamaule]

Cool - great to hear.

To be clear I wasn't talking about the cost to build and replace when I mentioned commercial grade.  I was referencing 15/18 inch props. They can and will do some horrific damage if you or anyone else gets in their way.

Take it easy and stay safe! - props off at all times your working on it powered. [emoji106]

Absolutely 

For me, I think it's all about fairly high flights and enjoying views and just generally seeing the world from above - obviously that could change as time goes on but, for now that's what floats my boat 

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

[apollo7]

Yes large props can inflict very nasty wounds, i got an arm strike from a 600 Tricopter that went berserk, 11" carbon props did a fair bit of cutting 

[ched]

So this isnt a solution for you but it might help with some ideas.
https://youtu.be/BnOX6QdqdhE
It's Painless360 on his 'endurance build' he is only using 10" props and I think getting 25mins or there abouts flight times.
Not sure it's up to gimbals etc but he might have some good info for you and he is very knowledgeable.

[tipsy trucker]

  Just that little bit late mate but thankyou very much anyway

I've taken the plunge  I have 20-40 days to wait now unfortunately 

I did my research and have come up with;

Gartt 5008 400kv motors
Tarot 650, fully carbon fibre and folding
18"X5.5 props - They'll just miss apparently and the video below confirms (in the comments he claims to have not changed anything).

With 18s https://youtu.be/iClxp6LNYr8

With this, I'll be using;

flysky tx & rx (and main battery voltage telemetary)
cheap gimbal and firefly Q6
eachine (boscam?) vtx
naza inc gps
lost model buzzer
voltage alarm
4s 6000mah batterys (one at a time)
30A bl_heli dshot escs


Because the arms are tubes, I'm going to have to re-think the leds  I think the easiest option might be the motor mount kind but it's not urgent, suggestions welcome 

I've guessed a bit at the weight, with any luck I'll find a way to shave a bit off

[apollo7]

Not wanting to piddle on the fireworks but watch out for prop wash with such large props, you will get this when descending, i had this on the AQ600, all good with 11x4.7 but when i went up to 13x4.7 she really wobbled when coming down, so i went back to 11x4.7, when i build my S600 i will reallym have to think about prop size, may go with 12x4.7, though frame can take up to 16"

[tipsy trucker]

  That's something that's not even crossed my mind, thankyou for that