ready for first build

mtnmanfpv

Well-Known Member
I have become addicted by the discoverhd I received for Christmas. Now it's time for something more serious. Not going to race, but want to build reliable, maneuverable photo platform with FPV capabilities. Anyone have experience with the S500 frame? Looks interesting, I'm thinking I want to run 10-12 inch props, still researching appropriate motors and ESCs. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
I've been researching motor/ESC/Lipo combos for 2 days, I feel like I have snakes crawling around in my brain. You want to have approx. twice the thrust as the weight of your quad. So I've added everything up for my build and estimated around 2000-2500g. So I've ordered 3805 720 kv motors which will give me about 1000g of thrust for a total of 4000 with 12" props on 4S Lipo. But that's for the U580 frame which is a fair bit heavier than the S 500. The S500 is OK, but fairly entry level and the landing gear is pretty flimsy. If you want something a little better, check out Tarot RC, they make some nice frames at a decent price. If you haven't decided on a flight control yet, check out the Tarot ZYX-M FC. Amazing for the price.
 
I have an S500 frame - in addition to the flimsy standard landing legs, I'd also add that there really isn't a whole lot of real estate for your 'stuff'. Once you've installed your chosen FC midship on the frame, and your receiver, you're going to have to be either selective when choosing other gizmos (telemetry stuff, FPV gear, etc) or creative with where you stash them!
 
I have become addicted by the discoverhd I received for Christmas. Now it's time for something more serious. Not going to race, but want to build reliable, maneuverable photo platform with FPV capabilities. Anyone have experience with the S500 frame? Looks interesting, I'm thinking I want to run 10-12 inch props, still researching appropriate motors and ESCs. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
For 10-12'' props I suggest something in the ballpark of 800kv to 980kv motors, and the higher the wattage/amperage you can afford the better. Depending on the motors 20amp-40amp ESCs.


What camera are you planning on lifting?
 
I've been researching motor/ESC/Lipo combos for 2 days, I feel like I have snakes crawling around in my brain. You want to have approx. twice the thrust as the weight of your quad. So I've added everything up for my build and estimated around 2000-2500g. So I've ordered 3805 720 kv motors which will give me about 1000g of thrust for a total of 4000 with 12" props on 4S Lipo. But that's for the U580 frame which is a fair bit heavier than the S 500. The S500 is OK, but fairly entry level and the landing gear is pretty flimsy. If you want something a little better, check out Tarot RC, they make some nice frames at a decent price. If you haven't decided on a flight control yet, check out the Tarot ZYX-M FC. Amazing for the price.
I hear the snakes in the brain. I'm so anxious to get started I've let other duties lapse while I sat here all week doing quad build research. Filling a notebook with opinions from people who've already been there. Haven't yet got to the point of adding up weight and thrust values. I have gotten the opinion that my motor selection will be heavily influenced by "what's AVAILABLE" when I'm ready to order. I've seen quite a few in the 1000KV range, which is where I think I want to be, but then I see that this one or that one is on backorder or not available, just my luck. I have looked at Tarot, may have to take another look. I think they make a carbon fiber folding frame that caught my eye. It's a little bigger than what I was going for, but that's not necessarily a big issue. I will be getting a new radio, please don't tell my wife. I started flying RC sailplanes at Torey Pines back in "72, so I have a stupid amount of radios already, but my best is a DX5, and I just don't think it'll be sufficient to meet my goals on this build. I'll check out the Tarot you mentioned. Thanks Renov8r.
 
I have an S500 frame - in addition to the flimsy standard landing legs, I'd also add that there really isn't a whole lot of real estate for your 'stuff'. Once you've installed your chosen FC midship on the frame, and your receiver, you're going to have to be either selective when choosing other gizmos (telemetry stuff, FPV gear, etc) or creative with where you stash them!
very interesting point. real estate. I will be needing room for GPS, AV TX, etc. Sorry to read about the weak landing legs, seems to be a recurring problem with a lot of designs. I did like the idea of the "dihedral" effect of the S500. Did you find an appreciable difference in handling with that set-up? Seems like it would be an advantage, especially when in the "ground effect bubble". A lot of information to consider. Thanks for the help Wldor.
 
I hear the snakes in the brain. I'm so anxious to get started I've let other duties lapse while I sat here all week doing quad build research. Filling a notebook with opinions from people who've already been there. Haven't yet got to the point of adding up weight and thrust values. I have gotten the opinion that my motor selection will be heavily influenced by "what's AVAILABLE" when I'm ready to order. I've seen quite a few in the 1000KV range, which is where I think I want to be, but then I see that this one or that one is on backorder or not available, just my luck. I have looked at Tarot, may have to take another look. I think they make a carbon fiber folding frame that caught my eye. It's a little bigger than what I was going for, but that's not necessarily a big issue. I will be getting a new radio, please don't tell my wife. I started flying RC sailplanes at Torey Pines back in "72, so I have a stupid amount of radios already, but my best is a DX5, and I just don't think it'll be sufficient to meet my goals on this build. I'll check out the Tarot you mentioned. Thanks Renov8r.
I have some 1240kv Turnigy Aerodrive motors. Too light duty for a camera and gimbal, but too heavy for racing hahaha. If you are going for a camera build be sure to get motors powerful enough otherwise is will plague your build with MTOW problems later on. Whether that be the same KV but a bigger bell size @ higher amps or lower KV motors.
 
:confused:GJH105, I appreciate the feedback, just having some trouble getting used to the forum, reply buttons and such. YOUR posts don't appear like others, perhaps because of your moderator status, but it's all good. I can't think of the name of the cam I've been looking at right off hand, but it's a good quality, mini style. I'm not planning on a gimbled go-pro or anything that elaborate. Just a good fixed position hd cam that will record, one way or another. I've read of several guys who have one cam for their fpv, and a second for recording. I can see how on-board recording would eliminate any interferrance or static from the AV transmission. Something to think about. I mainly just want to record my fun for sharing. No real need for commercial quality, I won't be doing this as a business. Thanks again for the feedback, I've got to get back to hunting parts and pieces. Haven't even decided on a frame yet. Was impressed with the dihedral aspect of the S500 frame design, but some reviews on that one weren't stellar. I do like that 400-500mm size range though. Sigh, decisions decisions.
 
:confused:GJH105, I appreciate the feedback, just having some trouble getting used to the forum, reply buttons and such. YOUR posts don't appear like others, perhaps because of your moderator status, but it's all good. I can't think of the name of the cam I've been looking at right off hand, but it's a good quality, mini style. I'm not planning on a gimbled go-pro or anything that elaborate. Just a good fixed position hd cam that will record, one way or another. I've read of several guys who have one cam for their fpv, and a second for recording. I can see how on-board recording would eliminate any interferrance or static from the AV transmission. Something to think about. I mainly just want to record my fun for sharing. No real need for commercial quality, I won't be doing this as a business. Thanks again for the feedback, I've got to get back to hunting parts and pieces. Haven't even decided on a frame yet. Was impressed with the dihedral aspect of the S500 frame design, but some reviews on that one weren't stellar. I do like that 400-500mm size range though. Sigh, decisions decisions.
Hahaha, if you're not using a gimbal you should be fine then. My motors lifted a 3 pound tank with a 5200mAh battery without the gimbal.

As for having two cameras the main reason is that the cameras that record on the quadcopter (better quality video) have a lot of latency (AKA lag, or delay), this delay is big enough that it makes the quadcopter feel sloppy and hard to control. It also adds to your reaction time in case of a problem. The board cameras can be really cheap, and as they have absolute minimum image processing they are considered 0 latency. They don't add but a few grams and a few bucks so IMHO they are certainly worth it and a must have for anything flying faster.

Check out this thread on FPV if you are considering putting some on your quad.
 
If you're on a budget (or even if you're not) this is a decent package that would work for something in the 500 size that isn't super heavy

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...6_920KV_Multirotor_Motor_Set_2xCW_2xCCW_.html
Multistar makes good motors. Their windings in my multistar elites are cleaner and neater than many quantum MY motors I've seen that go at 25$ a piece.

If memory serves me right @Nick bought that exact combo so he might be able to give some more specific details/experience on them.
 
that does look like a nice set of motors, and less than $19 ea.. It sounds like they have the cw and ccw threaded prop shafts so the props are essentially self tightening. Have you ever experienced any problems with those specially threaded props? I'll be cruising the forum for prop discussions as time allows. thank you
 
that does look like a nice set of motors, and less than $19 ea.. It sounds like they have the cw and ccw threaded prop shafts so the props are essentially self tightening. Have you ever experienced any problems with those specially threaded props? I'll be cruising the forum for prop discussions as time allows. thank you
Nothing accept they are a pain to deal with. Most people suiggest you get CCw motor adapters (Right hand threads) and use nuts with nylon inserts.
 
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