The "secret" to a good looking landing is cutting the power very fast when it's very close to the ground but still in the air.. because as soon as something touches the ground the gyro is going to act (depending on what you're flying)..
How long fly time? I just switched from 30 a esc 3508 650kv 4 cell on tarot 650 quad to 4014 tiger motors w/ tiger 40 amp esc 15 inch folding props with 6 s battery. Powerful. Like yours nice propulsion system good match for hexacopter. Nice work.
I also own a Futaba TX. It's over prices but equally reliable. The advantages of a Taranis become clearer, when you discover how to configure this Tx. The CompanionTx software is another bonus to this system. 9XR can also use CompanionTx and OpenTx firmware. Trouble is the hardware is very cheap and unreliable. Cheers.
The ESCs are on the underside of the bottom plate. You can see it here at about 3:30 Tarot FY680 Hexacopter Final Build Overview with Gimbal set up The props where super cheap plastic ones to do my testing so no big loss. Now have some nice 13x4 carbon props that provide very nice balance flight characteristics.
Hi Simon, I have built the same setup as you, I will send photos. Can you explain why your GPS antenna has an arrow on it? Is orientation of the GPS module/antenna important in relation to the compass?
Ah, my mistake. I am using separate compass module mounted remotely from the gps and assumed you were as well. I have Foxtech 12" carbon superlight props (on Sunnysky V3508 580Kv's) - very efficient but expensive ($150.00). I have cheap GF 12x4's on for flight testing. May I ask what battery setup you have found to be best?
zekezero12345 I have only used my 5000mA 3s Turnigy Nanotech Lipo. About 10 mins. I have set this up so I can use a 4s Setup. Eventually I will put FPV on one on my units. Was that $150 per motor? think mine where about $35 each. Do the 12" props give you enough lift?
Simon Hahnel I paid $150 for the set of 6 props from Foxtech. Very well made and exceptionally light&strong. I will fit them when I'm confident everything is tested and I understand the system well. Mine has an fpv cam on singleaxis gimbal for pitch - the APM keeps the camera in line with the horizon when in Drift mode.
Hi, I had made the same...as you did...do you have any problem regarding out of sync with this afro 30amp esc?? Please help!! I havent update my esc but with stock esc I am getting such problems
Hi, I have a config near to you: turnigy flashed er9x, afro slim 20a, Y6 580kv 15' props, APM2.6. I have have sometime strange movements after takeoff, maybe your advice will help! Do you know if this problem happens even if copter was switched off during model change on TX? Normally, we should never change model on TX with a copter switched on, I guess your copter was properly off. I use to switch on TX, change model, THEN switch on copter. But maybe I need to restart TX even if copter is switched on after..
Yes exactly. Copter was completely off. Only the TX model was changed but not restarted. Happened to me 3 times before I figured it out. Is a definite bug. So I always reset TX after model change now.
Simon Hahnel Well I have found that even with my NAZA-M v2 I have to restart my 9XR after the "Initial NAZA startup” is complete. Once My NAZA does its startup-dance and finds its satellites and I do a compass-calibration I have made it common practice to restart everything especially my 9XR. I am not knocking this TX because I acually love the damn thing. Its just one of those things I guess! Hey we have so many things that we have to remember , one more step isnt going to kill us huh? lol
Well I am glad it is not just me who has experienced this. Was 90 % sure that this was definitely the issue. Your responses confirm it. Thanks for the info.
Hi Simon, how about this Turnigy 3508? they are good as Sunnysky or T-Motors? they are a bit cheaper and I can't find the Sunnysky with 700KV, so I'm thinking to buy the Turnigy. Thanks!
I have not used either of the other motors so cannot compare sorry. I can say I have bought over 30 Turnigy motors now and not had any problems with them.
Theo, have you tried Buddy Rc, they have the V series, some of the best they say. Certainly they are equipped with the best in bearings, completely and easily rebuildable. They have stock at present, whereas HK is backordered. Go figure. Maybe you got yours prior to this condition :-) The HK may not have as good a bearing NMB as opposed to Kawasaki for the SS, but they do offer two modes of prop mount; The center shaft, and the 3 hole type. This is a newer mount that I believe emerged from the T-motor. The selection in these 3 hole props is not that good at present from what I have seen. The HK version is $6 cheaper than the SunnySky but well worth the money for the access to parts. THey are all listed on the same page as the motor, not like at HK. good luck with it.
Nope still the original firmware. FrSKY Radios. This is more of a cautionary tale to others rather than a desire to fix. I plan on getting a FRSKY Taranis.
Oh, I would try to update the firmware then. Try to find a usbasp programmer can find them on ebay. but yeah its easy enough to do update, the programmer is cheap and handy for other things (flashing esc etc)
Simon Hahnel This gentleman may purchase from Tarot or some reseller, the 16mm extended length booms which are 333mm and 323mm respective of the different lengths for the 3 and 9 o'clock position that are not terminated at a hinge. I believe that you may get a 15" prop on board with this mod. I ordered just yesterday. Approx $40 including delivery costs. My kit had aluminum booms which the seller did not allude to and so I have done away with them in the same mod. Nice move if I do say so myself
PUREspeedpwnd hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__39040__Turnigy_Multistar_3508_640Kv_14Pole_Multi_Rotor_Outrunner.html Aussie Dollar not what it used to be :((
Hey man what props and battery are you running on this? What's your flight time like? I'm looking to change my system to around 620kv motor and 13x5.5 props running on 4s. Currently I'm on a 5000mah 3s with 900kv motors and 10x4.5 props and I get only 8min of flight time sometimes less. I'm interested in yours though as a good comparison.
I am using some cheap plastic 12 x 4.7 Propellers I got off Ebay. To balance them one side of the prop is almost covered in tape. But they do the job until I am satisfied that it is ready for carbon props. Flight time is 10 to 12 mins with my turnigy 5000mA 3s Nanotech Lipo. I have just built an octocopter and I am experimenting with props on it. I found that the bigger props spin slowly and cause shadow jitter in video when the sun is in certain locations. So now I am going to try an octocopter with 10 x 4.7 Props.
Simon Hahnel Simon I am not quite up to the level that you guys are but I "fell for it" and tried to do that Heavy-lift upgrade to my F450. I changed out my motors to 650kv and props to 12x3.8 and dude my NAZA has gone NUTZ on me. I tried an experiment and went back to my old 10x3.4 plastic props and the thing flies like a ROCKSTAR but has no flight time at all. I am talking like 2 minutes. With the bigger 12.x3.8 my flight time is about 12 minutes but nothing works well (altitude hold GPS hold etc) but it will fly as long as I can hold it up. Some one on youtube told me that its because my big props are carbon fiber and cant flex like plastic props. Is that true? I have ordered about 5 or 6 sets of different size plastic props to test this theory but it will be weeks before they come in! :(
With the smaller props the motors will need to spin much faster. This will draw more current and maybe the ESCs are a little undersized. What ESC and motors are you running? With the bigger props it maybe the propwash is upsetting your barometer and you need to cover it with some porous material.
Simon Hahnel Not sure if you're talking to me or not Somin but in case you are ,,, I am running RCTimer 650kv motors 30A SimonK ESC's (stock not flashed) RCTimer 12X3.8 carbon fiber props My flight controller is NAZA-M v2 Frame: FW F450 Somebody told me on yt that the carbon fiber props are my problem becauea they wont flex so I have ordered about 5 ot 6 different props now to see if I can work this out. My NAZA is fighting hard and making huge adjustments causing it to NOT altitude hold or GPS lock.. If you werent talking to me than I apologize k.
Yes I was responding to you. The 30A ESCs should be up to the job. That is exactly the ESC I am using. I thought the stiffer the blade the better performance so I am confused. I have just put 13" Carbon composite props on my Tarot fy680. I will test the flight time and let you know. The NAZA may just need some PID adjustments. My APM also was not working as well with the stiffer props but this can be adjusted on the controller settings. I will need to research again to discover which setting helps with the yoyo effect. Tarot FY680 Hexacopter APM 2.6 with 13 inch Propeller Carbon Composite upgrade
OK, I've this hexa too and was curious. . For vibration, sure you know, but I can confirm. perfect balanced props = no vibration. Good balancer is the key and patience too if you use carbon blades, I ended up sandind them with a sander. I found a dremmel is too much but sanders are ok with the smoothest sandpaper. Platic ones obviously by hand. I use dubro balancer, no videos on YT of my setup runnin perfect but it does :)
HI, I built a Tarot 680 Pro, DJI Naza v2 Tarot 4006 620kv motors and 30 amp afro esc's - I had the same problem with it flipping. Tried everything and then I changed the esc's for DJI 600 ones - Perfect! So I guess there are 6 afro's going to the bin.
They were on the latest firmware. I also had one replaced as it was getting hot. I now think that they are just rubbish items! Hope you get yours sorted though. Initially I swapped from 13" props down to 12" and it did help, but as soon as I tried it in a breeze it flipped when a little gust hit it! Ironically the e600 esc's were slightly cheaper. Regards, Ken
Never had a problem with APM 2.6 with hundreds of flights suppose its what you are used to and knowing how to set them up properly. I mount on a vibro isolation platform with rx velcroed on top to add unsprung weight and light isolate the baro. Currently running a 550 on 4s with fpv its a speed monster APM never thrown a wobbly, also a 680 quadframe hexa on 10a 4s driving 690kv 4822 multistars also a monster 3.5kg and goes like a rocket for 30 minutes on a charge APM never thrown a wobbly. Only Naza I had ended up in the bin so with u on that one. I use a Taranis they are brilliant once you've learnt how to use them. Nice model by the way well done!
Simon Hahnel Yes, I was responding to Soldieroftruth he doesnt seem to have had much luck with the APM. Have you got the Taranis yet? Ive had mine about 9 months now and had no probs with it that havent been user error! Great TX. I had a similar experience to yours when I mistakenly tried to arm in Loiter and all of the prearm checks were enabled on APM, I run with the prearm checks off on the APM and always arm in Stabilise now. I have used the 9x and Taranis and not had the off and on issue but never had the 9xr, on the back of your video always switch off and on after model change now just ot be safe! Good luck with the hex, I've had hundreds of flights on my fleet with APM's everythings been running sweet, chuffed with the autotune mode as well it saves a lot of time with setting the gains.
I have installed a HKPILOT32 now which is basically the APM PIXHAWK. Even better than the APM 2.6. Comes with the Neo7 GPS which is very acurate. If you are looking to try the latest APM have to offer I can highly recommend it.
Simon Hahnel I keep looking at the pixhawk, nice to hear you can recommend it and I didnt realise hk stocked a clone, I'll certainly look that up. Thanks Simon
Simon Hahnel I will build my quad in 2 weeks and ready to order the parts. I am not sure about HK Pilot Mega 2.7 (APM clone). Do you recommend a clone (HK Pilot MEga 2.7 or HK Pilot32)?
