First Quad Build. Will this work?

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Lane Taylor

Member
I'm looking to build my first quadcopter. I am wanting to use it for aerial filming with a gimble attached to it. I also want to have an FPV system installed, preferably all ran off the same battery using a PDB. I have a basic understanding of how to assemble a multirotor due to many youtube videos. I was looking a 450mm frame sizes such as the DJI flamewheel f450. I would like to keep my budget fairly low since it is my first build and will most likely take a few crashes.

What type of motors, ESC's, FC, etc. would I need to run this quad for the purposes I am wanting to use it for?

Also is the Flamewheel f4450 a good choice of frame? I know it has an integrated PDB but I don't think it would work when wiring the FPV equipment and gimble in.

Thanks in Advance!!
 
RENOV8R

RENOV8R

Well-Known Member
It's a pretty broad topic, in fact the RCG Flamewheel thread is around 3300 pages and 50,000 posts! BUt it's a decent starter frame and fairly durable. What you'll be looking at is:
Motors in the 2212 900 kv range (Quanum MTs are quite good value)
30 amp ESCs (I like T-Motor Airs for this type of build)
8 X 4.5 props
3S 30C lipo in the 3500-4000 mah range
GPS type Flight Controller (DJI Naza-M Lite is very user-friendly and easy on the wallet)
A decent 2-axis gimbal can be had for under $100
Lots of HD GoPro type cameras out there for under $100 (GitUp Git 2 is still a good one)

If you asked me to take a rough guess, I'd say what I listed above would be in the range of $750-$800
and of course you'd still want an FPV system (FPV camera and video transmitter) and a transmitter and receiver to control your quad.
 
ringolong

ringolong

Well-Known Member
I would personally go with at least a 500 to carry a gimbal, but the 450 will work.
Here is a 470 I built a while back http://quadcopterforum.com/threads/xj470-build.9858/

Here is a 500 I built also. (One of my favorite fpv gimbal aircraft)

You should not have many crashes with a good system that is well built.

if you want to keep the budget light.

Motors: https://www.getfpv.com/fm2216-11-90...jdHS95YwXEzVet34ISDULfn37GjoAJjBoCzWwQAvD_BwE

ESCs: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobby-king-30a-esc-3a-ubec.html

Gimbal: https://www.ebay.com/p/Black-CNC-FP...r-for-Gopro3-G0f6/2255942688?iid=131482126539

Battery: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/multistar-high-capacity-4s-4000mah-multi-rotor-lipo-pack.html

Frame A: http://www.buddyrc.com/moving-sale/diatone-frames/a550-quadcopter-frame.html

Frame B: https://www.ebay.com/itm/TBS-Style-...272018460556?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Frame C: https://www.ebay.com/itm/S500-Quadcopter-Multicopter-Frame-Kit-PCB-Version-with-Landing-Gear-4-Black-Arms/271667218882?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20160908110712&meid=a2e7a8f6f7a94c8aa5d2293223ac736c&pid=100677&rk=5&rkt=30&mehot=ag&sd=272018460556&itm=271667218882&_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598

Charger: https://www.ebay.com/itm/iMAX-B6-AC...482818&hash=item2cc3661bf7:g:J9YAAOSwjyxZbslH

Radio: https://www.ebay.com/itm/FrSky-2-4G...753620&hash=item2828e5964e:g:s-oAAOSwjDZYeEcn

Flight controller: https://www.foxtechfpv.com/tarot-zyxm-flight-controller-p-2119.html

Props: minimum 2 - https://www.graupnerusa.com/Carbon-reinforced-electric-airplane-propeller-1326.10X5.html

Props: minimum 2- https://www.graupnerusa.com/Carbon-reinforced-electric-airplane-propeller-1326.10X5L.html

Prop adapters 4 - check the motor shaft size versus prop hole size.


pdb(https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobby-king-quadcopter-power-distribution-board.html), wire, heat shrink, soldering iron if you don't have, solder, zip ties, screws, bolts, nuts, and a ton of patience.
 
L

Lane Taylor

Member
Would I be able to attach a gimble to the TBS style frame?

I think I have decided to use the DJI Naza-m Lite +GPS as my flight controller. I already have a spektrum DX8 that I use to fly my other quads. I also have a FPV system (video transmitter, googles, camera) that I have rigged to a blade 350 qx.

My main concern is the motors, ESC's, and battery all working together. It would be awesome to have my gimbal and FPV system all run off one battery along with my quad. I don't know if thats a smart move or if it would be better to use smaller batteries to power the gimbal and FPV.
 
ringolong

ringolong

Well-Known Member
The naza lite is a good flight controller especially once you flash it with the naza 2 firmware, but the tarot is a lot better. It is on par with the dji A2 as it holds position just as good, and has close to the same settings.

Here is one of my videos with the Tarot in action.

A2 on this one.


Take a look at the pic of my video on my last post. I purchased an adapter for the gimbal. I can connect you to the person I got it from if you want.

That is how I wired all of mine up. You may need a voltage step down regulator for your fpv system depending on the voltage. no small batteries.
 
L

Lane Taylor

Member
Here is my build idea so far. I have seen people modify gimbals to be able to be mounted on the front.

Frame:

TBS Style Reptile 500 3K Carbon Fiber Quadcopter Multicopter Frame Kit FPV
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TBS-Style-...copter-Frame-Kit-FPV-/272018460556?rmvSB=true


Flight Controller:

Tarot ZYX-M Flight Controller(ZYX25)
http://www.foxtechfpv.com/tarot-zyxm-flight-controller-p-2119.html


PDB:

Diatone V8.3 LC Filtered PDB Power Hub with 5V and 12V BEC
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/diatone-v8-3-lc-filter-power-hub.html


Motors:

FM2216-11 900kv
https://www.getfpv.com/fm2216-11-90...jdHS95YwXEzVet34ISDULfn37GjoAJjBoCzWwQAvD_BwE


ESC’s:

HobbyKing 30A ESC 3A UBEC
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobby-king-30a-esc-3a-ubec.html


Battery:

Turnigy 4000mAh 4S 30C Lipo Pack w/XT-60
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-battery-4000mah-4s-30c-lipo-pack-xt-60.html


Props:

E-PROP Propeller 10 X 5 Left Bore 6mm
https://www.graupnerusa.com/Carbon-reinforced-electric-airplane-propeller-1326.10X5L.html
 
L

Lane Taylor

Member
ringolong said:
Looks good. I have always flashed those escs with simonk firmware for better performance, but not necessary.

You will need one of these if you decide to.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/atmel-atmega-socket-firmware-flashing-tool.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for helping me out. Building a quad seemed confusing at first but now I think I'm ready to build my own.

What would your recommendation be for attaching a gimbal? Or can you send me the link or contact info of where you got yours?
 
L

Lane Taylor

Member
The 2216 900kv motors only seem to be rated for 3s batteries. I did more research on them and people have run them with a 4s without a problem but didn't work for other people. Have you had any problems running them with a 4s battery?
 
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