Building 4 motor lift platform - help?

[Clarkst]

I have been very impressed with the information available in this forum. However, I have been attempting to piece together fragments of info to accumulate all I am looking for and have decided to throw caution to the wind, and just ask.

I am building a 4 motor lift platform for photography and have a few issues:

1. The mixing of all 4 throttles to the radio. (have a Futaba 7C)
2. Stability (thinking I can run 4 gyros, one :confused: on each speed controller)
3. Maneuverability (change rmps on specific sets of motors to forward, turn, reverse, etc).

I know someone out there has done this before and I am hoping they will share their experience and recommendations.

Presently I have 4 25 sized motors with 4 castle speed controller, 4 14v 4 cell lipo batteries mounted on an aluminum platform. Power does not seem to be an issue at this point.
Thank you in advance for your advice.


Stacey Clark

[avianaut]

Clarkst, what you want has, in fact, been done before. Do a search for Draganflyer and Silverlit X-UFO, they're maybe too small for you, but you'll see how it's done. There is also a long running and very informative thread over URL=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1487065/image_1/key_/tm.htm]here[/URL] Those guys are building various versions, I'm sure you'll find something there that is close to what I think you want to build.

If I had more time I'd give you some more links.

Cheers.

[pmackenzie]

A gyro on each speed control won't do it.
You need three gyros, one for each axis control. You will also need a mixer to take all 4 servo inputs to generate the 4 motor speeds.

I remember a scheme proposed with V tail mixers, but I am not sure it would work.

I have the original version of the Draganfly, the Roswell Flyer. Until the motor brushes started acting up it flew quite well.
It had an integrated mixer/gyro/esc controller.
Pat MacKenzie

[avianaut]

Sorry the link in post 2 is a mess, just type it in (as I had to!). In that thread you'll learn how many mixers and gyros you'll need, which ones work and which are not so good, and how to connect and program them all. Lotta other info too. 'V' tail mixers work, it's been done.

Cheers.

[Clarkst]

OK, Thanks to you both. I had some success with two gyros, on is heading hold and the other is yaw drift. The radio throttle controls all motors, and I can get and increase/decrease in RMP to gain right/left and forward/backward control. I was able to do it with my Futaba 7C, but only after I bought a 12Z did I realize I didnt need it.
Avianaut, thank you for the update on that link as well! I am going there now.
Good day to you, and thanks again.

[Clarkst]

I bought the X-UFO and find it a very unstable. It utilizes a mechanical gryo, which seems to have a hard time keeping up, and battery run time of 3 min. While it is always fun to read directions that are misinterpreted from china, the best part is in watching the DVD :). The Draganflier is next on my list. Seems it does not have the payload I am looking for, but I can/will learn from how they solved some of the stability issues.
Thanks all.

[Tuner]

Dont waist you time doing it yourself unless you really get of on tinkering. Buy the dragon flyer or XUFO and modify it.

[Thorn3]

Are you using brushed or brushless motors? If brushless, what type?

[goliathgrouper]

my buddy and i have done this already and it is fun but expensive. check out this link.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=446459&page=6&pp=15

mrbisset is the best person to get answers about this. check out our video.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3401050912721775364&q=draganeater

Josh

[tedrobphoto]

I bought the X-UFO and find it a very unstable. It utilizes a mechanical gryo, which seems to have a hard time keeping up, and battery run time of 3 min. While it is always fun to read directions that are misinterpreted from china, the best part is in watching the DVD :). The Draganflier is next on my list. Seems it does not have the payload I am looking for, but I can/will learn from how they solved some of the stability issues.
Thanks all.

Look at the XUFO with X3d upgrade

Ted R

[b-29er]

how fast is the lift platform supposed to move, and how heavy is the camera? i'm working on a 2 prop craft with 11" diameter props that i plan on putting a pinhole camera on.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588155