hi,

I am Steven and I am starting the build of a big Hexacoper for photography and video.
My last experience with RC is quite a few years ago, but I think I will manage.

Because I want to be able to carry bigger camera's (550D or bigger...) and I want a really stable platform I am starting with a Hex.
I am going to put descriptions and pictures / videos of my build here as it progresses and hopefully you can give me tips on the way.

My part list so far:

Bought:
- Hexorcism 600 by DiaLFonZo and Luis
- Spektrum DX7
- iMax B5
- Black Vortex FC board
- Sonar DYP-ME007
- Orange 6channel receiver + satellite
- 6V ubec voltage regulator for FC

Wanted:
- 6/7 iPower 2814Q motors
- 6/7 flashable 25A / 30A esc controllers for 5S lipo
(HK SS 60-70A / HK Redbrick 60A / Turnigy AE-45A ?)
- 2 x 5000maH 5S lipo
- 4 x Trex700 tail booms or 7 x Trex600 tail booms

I have a supplier in the EU for the iPower motors.

The esc's are a bit of a problem.
Not all of them are flashable and I want the SimonK firmware on them.
They have to be able to handle the 5S batteries.
Most of them are in backorder at HK.

this is what ecalc gives me:



Is this correct?
max 26.7A per motor on 5S and 12 x 5 props?

Have you included the weight of the camera and camera gimbal in your weight calculation?.

Also as I have headed down the same path why do you want to carry a dslr?

no, not yet. The weight is uncertain because it depends on the gimbal + camera.

I have a big DSLR and know the quality of the pictures this can make.
For filming a GH2 or similar DLT camera is also an option.

You should put 1,5-2,5 kg as gimbal + camera. Then you'd be on the safe side.

Forgive me for asking, Im not trying to be difficult. Im just trying to show you other options to help save weight. I work as a commercial photographer.
Where will you make use of the photos you take, will they be online, for an inkjet printer, magazine publication or larger publication?.

If online or for printing out of an inkjet printer up to A3 size then smaller lighter cameras such as a Sony Nex5n will do the job just as well as a dslr.

If using ecalc to work out what motors etc you do need to factor in the weight of your camera and gimbal.

I have a X8 configuration multirotor that is a little overspeced and can easily carry a 5d2. It weighs including 2 batteries, a camera and gimbal 5kg in total. I did have a hexa that weighed 2.3kg without camera and gimbal and had similar motors to what you are looking to use but only using 3s batteries and it couldnt lift a T3i.

The GH2 does a great job but is surprisingly very similar in weight to a T3i

Originally Posted by unrealistic

no, not yet. The weight is uncertain because it depends on the gimbal + camera.

I have a big DSLR and know the quality of the pictures this can make.
For filming a GH2 or similar DLT camera is also an option.

I want to keep my options open for the camera. The frame and drive train must be able to carry bigger camera's but for now I will focus on a smaller one like a Go Pro or Nex5.

With the 2814 motor's and these props I have all options open.
That I why I would like esc's to be able to handle the 5S.
Most esc's are good for 2-4S which makes later switching to 5S expensive.

I ordered the motors: 7 iPower 2814Q motors
These have short axes and long wires.

I also got a tip for the Dragonsky 60A esc's and ordered 7 of them.

Now next on my list are:
- 2 or more batteries. (4S / 5S 5000maH),
- 4 Trex700 booms (HK is in backorder),
- 8 or more props.

I am not sure about the props.
Is my best option to go with the APC?
And how do I determine the exact size?
I am thinking of 12 x 5...

Hi Steven,
nice to hear that you are building something similar to me.
Also I've had similar problems that you have.


You can get HK600 booms - same diameter.

If you going to lift DSLR in futore I don't think that 12x5 will be best option. You should look for XOAR props. Look at Flexacopter - holco chosed xoar 14x5, or you should look for carbon 13x6,5. This motors can handle much more.

My hexa probably will get T-motor 2814-11 710KV.
But later I think about custom motors that will beat every motor on the market
I've got very good friend that is building custom motors and they are very promising.

For test's APC should be ok. But for flying i would go for XOAR or some carbon propellers. They are much more balanced and stiffer.

I plan to use one pair 4500 4s Zippy Compact - next week they should arrive.
I've got also mystery 40A. But change firmware will be some pain.

Fully Loaded 5,5-6kg you are going to have max. 4-5minutes flight time on these two batteries. Better go with 3s batteries and 1000kv motors.
Another think is that motors with lover KV will have more vibrations.

Stiffer props doesnt work as good as you think, carbon reinforced or graupners are to stiff. Softer apc are pretty much ok, they will work much better.They will act as a shock absorber.

If you try to start into multicopters with a big bang you will have to bear a lot of frustration, loosing lots of money and time.

Loosing a copter is commonly caused by a little dysfunction followed by panic of an untrained pilot. Every touch, rough landing or something else will cause in an serious demage followed by significant amount of effort, time and money to fix it. You will fly it carefully, like moving chess pieces with the result that you will never be prepared for those little danger situations.

I suggest starting with a little (and cheap) quad between 500 and 600g, 8" props, 30g motors, 10 A ESCs and the flight control you planned for future use. Hitting soft grassland with this little copter will not result in expensive repairs. Sometime you need a prop, replace an axle or one of the home depot alu booms (in case you bend it back to often) but mostly you just fly ahead. You will learn how to stay cool and act safely at different failures like demaged props or in case your flight support functions will have a failure. This little training quad will cost you less then your first serious crash with the naked big copter (withour expensive payload) you like to start with.

Originally Posted by zerosight

I suggest starting with a little (and cheap) quad

I am thinking of this, but the costs add up really fast.
Maybe I will order some cheap parts from HK for it.

Originally Posted by peoples

Better go with 3s batteries and 1000kv motors.
Another think is that motors with lover KV will have more vibrations.

Please give me example of setup that will be fly much more time on 3S and 1000kv motors.

Steven,
Zerosight has right. You can learn flying on cheap quadro. If you crash quadro it will be many times cheaper than crashing big hexa.

I will try a quad first.
It will be a aluminium bar frame with wood or gfk center plates.
The motors are 1200kv with 8x4 props on HK SS15-18 esc's and a 3s 1300maH lipo.

Now I have to wait for all parts to arrive.

yes you will get more flight time with props 12x5 and 1000kv motors,
than with 700kv ,

Originally Posted by bartwaw

Please give me example of setup that will be fly much more time on 3S and 1000kv motors.

Steven,
Zerosight has right. You can learn flying on cheap quadro. If you crash quadro it will be many times cheaper than crashing big hexa.