This thread is great! Lots of info going to be in this one - I can;t wait to see all the tricopter video and AP shots coming this spring - Might need a tricopter AP meeting -

Mike

Originally Posted by kestasxxx

Hello, signguy.

Don't you think that using Flymentor 3D insted of your gyros would be better?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/s...dProduct=10092

This thread was started to show how to build a tricopter that WILL work. . If you can get the flymentor to arm speed controls, it MIGHT work. Check the "yet another tricopter build" thread in the multi rotor forum. I think its been tried...
Bob D

Great thread, Signguy. I had not thought too much about bilding a tricoptor before, mainly because I had no gyros at all, but I just had to buy two new Futaba GY240s for a school project. They should work fine if I get another for a set of three and a fourth less expensive one for the yaw gyro, shouldn't they? Gyros are a new thing to me. Thanks,

Jonathan

Originally Posted by signguy

"yet another tricopter build"
Bob D

Thank you for mentioning this Thread.

Originally Posted by reverendrichie

Thank you for mentioning this Thread.

Yes, thanks for mentioning that thread. I am reading through it right now. Lots to read...

- Jeff

Don't think it's mentioned anywhere so what sort of flight endurance would you expect from this setup?

delete double post

Originally Posted by Lomcevac

Don't think it's mentioned anywhere so what sort of flight endurance would you expect from this setup?

On the 2.2 ah turnigy battery I get 10 minuets without the camera, and 7 min with. It does not sound like a lot of time to take pictures, but you really only have to fly to a spot, stop for a few seconds, and fly back down. Most house pictures ( real estate types ) can be shot in less than a minuet.

I would think a 3000 mah batt would get you 12-15 min empty, and 10 min w/ camera.

Bob D

Originally Posted by CAFplanekid

Great thread, Signguy. I had not thought too much about bilding a tricoptor before, mainly because I had no gyros at all, but I just had to buy two new Futaba GY240s for a school project. They should work fine if I get another for a set of three and a fourth less expensive one for the yaw gyro, shouldn't they? Gyros are a new thing to me. Thanks,

Jonathan

I don't know if the GY240 gyros will work. I would set up a quick experiment. mount a motor on a stick ( like it would be on a tricopter ) then place the gyro on the throttle channel, and hook your speed control and motor to it. With the throttle down the speed control should arm. Then just raise the throttle a little and move the arm up and down. If it fights you, it should work ( notice the should )
I just looked up the cost on those, you can almost buy the three telebees for the cost of one more of the futaba gyros. The telebees WILL work, and you can use the futaba on the tail.

Some gyros just refuse to work with speed controls. And you MUST set the gyro to rate mode. If the gyro is only heading hold it WILL NOT work.

Bob D

Thanks Bob, that's better endurance than I expected. It's interesting to draw a comparison with a T-Rex 450 using the same packs. My T-rex only does about 6 mins. I guess the tricopter is more efficient as all thrust is lift (no tail rotor).

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Originally Posted by Lomcevac

Thanks Bob, that's better endurance than I expected. It's interesting to draw a comparison with a T-Rex 450 using the same packs. My T-rex only does about 6 mins. I guess the tricopter is more efficient as all thrust is lift (no tail rotor).

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What is the weight of your T-rex in comparison to this tricopter?

My T-Rex is 600g or 20oz without battery. Just looking for Bobs tricopter weight, I'm sure he posted it.

Came accross this very interesting TriCopter site yesterday: http://shrediquette.blogspot.com/

here are the weights

Tricopter alone 28oz or 812 gr
Tricopter w/ 2.2ah turnigy batt 34.5 oz 1000gr

I just came in from a test ( it is almost dark ) I flew with two 2" wide rolls of strapping tape attached to the bottom. The tape is 17.5oz or 507 gr for the two

Total weight with tape "payload" was 52 oz or 1508 gr

It flew around fine, the last time I tried this it flew poorly, but that was a much smaller frame size ( around 12" arms )
I don't think the flight time would be too long, maybe 4-5 min.....

Bob D

Cool so it basically flies at 200g heavier than my Trex but gets an extra 4 mins!

Incidentally I now have a T-rex 450 V2SE for sale if anyone's interested.