Floats

[G60jet]

HI All

has anyone built or tested any floats for their quads?
saw these from HK,

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23480__320mm_Helicopter_Landing_Floats_For_30_40Heli.html

not that i really want to fly over water but an idea.

[kilby]

Should ask Jab1a as he has more experience regarding multicolored and water than most

[Oakie]

Your looking for platform / floats to land on water or keep your r/c dry?

[Hands0n]

This is a subject close to my heart. I';d like to build demountable floats for use when FPB';ing over water. Even a fully waterproof quad, but they seem to be expensive luxury builds

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[G60jet]

Not looking to land in water. Just as a sort of float if it goes tits up really. More if anti sink 


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[Oakie]

can u post a pic of the model?
I';ll put my floats hat back on, can';t do a lot till batteries arrive. I had been looking at the traditional float';s, there is some super foam you can hair dryer mold and very light.

but all told the cylinders under each motor i think would be best.

[Hands0n]

Needs to be as lightweight as possible - also not cause too much trouble for propwash. Otherwise could ruin flight characteristics. Perhaps something that fits under main body and rotor arms ...

[G60jet]

I was thinking of those inflatable ones filled with helium from them part balloon gas cylinders   should make them lighter.

[Fletch]

For keeping the electronics dry (FC and ESCs) once its all connected up you could dip it in Plasti-dip .... 

You couldn';t do moving parts but you could easily do the electronics (the Baro would be FA use)

The something simple like pipe insulation round the legs of the multi?

[Oakie]

but think vertical float not flat. as danny said prop wash is a concideration, i think that under the motor will keep it out the way and as many as you have motors. you can get a foam block for jibs and camera so they can be taken care of individually.

making any adaptable ready made item come to mind?

[Oakie]

So finding something that will fill a bottle has produced a waterproof float....




It starts.....

[Hands0n]

Interesting .... 

[Oakie]

Well the foam used was not the lightest but was to hand, but it shows it works expanding into the bottle and cutting the bottle away. I am convinced that if I make it in a larger bottle and cut them into round slices fitted to a light weight standoff, placing each stand of under 4 or more motors it will be stable enough to float happily and take of.

Well that';s the plan any way......

Paul

[Rammylad]

Hi I use floats on some of my aircraft, there';s a lot of water near to where I fly so if it goes down at least it won';t sink, also they are good for keeping the quad out of the wet grass.
I think these are from the Pound shop for a length of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuRgPdpmaiY&list=UUv91rQNlPSdoo-v1rDmg-zg

[Hands0n]

That looks about what I had in mind @Rammylad.  Have you actually tried out the flotation qualities?  Landing on water and taking off again?  Although for me the intention is to purely prevent it sinking without trace ::)

[Rammylad]

No I haven';t tried that yet, I';m not brave enough, lol

[Oakie]

Convention for a multi rotor would follow that one of those virtical under each motor would be where I am coming from.

Yes that works but a gimble sitting underneath would need more clearence, as you know.

I am looking to land and take off from water. the comments re prop flow will then be negated. That was my thought on it. They are lite i agree and if they are stiff enough would maybe work verticaly.

Don';t know that was my angle on it.  what do you think?

Paul

Paul

[Rammylad]

The main problem you have is getting the frame as high as possible to clear the gimbal, I would think that by using vertical floats the whole thing would not be very stable.

[Oakie]

oil rigs work on a similar principle i think. what other place would be more stable than below the outer most point of the weight in the center.

I';ll post the outcome of my bobin floats....and i think it would be more stable that boat floats

[Rammylad]

I think the oil rigs have a lot of ballast below the buoyancy chambers that stabilize the rigs, I might be wrong though.

[Oakie]

correct the balast is there for that. but the size and weight are different and i am not looking to fly in force 7 gales either....

[Oakie]

Ok so proof is in the making. Just arranging more 2 pack foam, got a 2 ltr bottle ready, was hoping to do it tomorrow but alas will have to wait.

Don';t hold your breath you non beleavers! :)

They said ';notheing ventured, nothing gained';