2020-12-28    FrankenFly-2-4     Build # 9        Last Post                  My Journal               
  
Now, I am naming this one FrankenFly-2-4   since it will be built with a hodge-podge of parts that I just happen to have in the parts bin; with NO additional purchases; is that a Frankenstein build or what  

Oh yeah, this build will start as a 2.5 inch ducted, but will handle up to 4 inch props without ducts; hence 2-4.

I have wanted to build a "pusher" quad with ducts for some time now. A while back, I picked up a set of Taycan25 ducts; thought I build something with them, but didn't know what. They were just laying around in the parts bin; waiting.

Through my other builds, I have have collected and assortment of "parts" which include frame bases, motors, flight controllers, VTXs, cameras, and everything else needed to build a quad. I even have carbon fiber and plexiglass sheets for custom fabricated parts. 

It will be interesting to see how this build compares to a stock Diatone Taycan 2.5 inch and the.ronin's Diatone Taycan build.

So...let's take these parts, throw them on the bench, mix well, blow on some magic dust, and see what happens. 


____________  PARTS LIST ____________ { Complete }

Frame:      Armattan Gecko 4 inch base plate
                  Custom fabricated plexiglass bottom plate and extra top plate 
                  I am also using the Armattan Aluminum CAM brace mounts.

Ducts:        Diatone Taycan 2.5 inch

FC:            JHEMCU GHF-420 AIO 35A (single board, 20x20 mounting)

Motors:      Flywoo NIN 1404 4850 kv Dave_C FPV edition

RX:             FrSky XM+  {removed from Phantom-X, already bound to transmitter}
                  The GEPRC Phantom TPU antenna mount and tubes were removed from the Phantom-X.

VTX:           Eachine Nano V2 with 20x20 plexiglass heat dissipation plate (came with the VTX).
Camera:     Foxeer {removed from Phantom-X}

Props:         EMAX AVAN Scimitar 2.5 x 1.9 x 3 tri-blades. I think these will be a good place to start. 
                  These ones look just like the EMAX AVAN Rush 2.5 inch props which have good low end 
                  yet are pretty efficient.


NOTE:  I decided to go with the 4850 kv motors rather than the 3750 kv motors since this craft is NOT a long range rig
           and could use just a little more "horsepower". We will see how it goes. Ain't nothing but a thing. 

I have attached my "Build" spreadsheet which contains the components used in the build; plus it has the Flight Data tab.

The Build has been completed. It is DONE.  

////////////////////////////////// This Post will be the Build Process //////////////////////////////

2020-12-28

The frame base plate with ducts weighs 66 grams. This is a little heavy by my thinking, so I will see if I can get that weight down to at least 60 grams, 55 would be better.

So, the first thing will be to lighten the Armattan Gecko frame plate by cutting some of it out with a carbon fiber milling bit in my Dremel MotoTool. This won't be a precision process, but will get the job done. 

The next thing will be to wire up the flight controller.

2021-01-02

Last night I finished the assembly. There is an extra "overlay" top plate and a bottom plate that were both fabricated from a plexiglass sheet. Rather than my standard camera mounting, I decided to use a set of Armattan Tadpole Aluminum Cam braces that I just happen to have in the parts bin. I believe these Camera braces are a little lighter than using standoff columns and TPU mounting arms. They are a little pricey at $5.25 each, but they do look nice. 

I will mention that I do use connectors for most of the components including the motors {3 wire servo connectors} since it facilitates changing out parts. In fact, I like being able to quickly change the direction of a motor when I am doing bench work. For me, it is just quicker and easier than doing this with software. I also used the XM+ receiver and the GEPRC Phantom Rx antenna holder from the Phantom-X {which is getting an R9MM}.

Overall, the build was straight forward and went together nicely. I encountered no issues; just solder it up and assemble. 

I installed the EMAX AVAN Scimitar 2.5 x 1.9 x 3 {tri-blade} props. These ones are very similar to the AVAN Rush props that come on the EMAX Tinyhawk Freestyle. 

In my thinking, the quad is heavy for a 2.5 inch at 186 grams dry weight. There are places that I could shave off the extra 6 grams like skeletonizing the extra top plate, replacing the bottom plate with a lighter "plastic" one and maybe even skeletonize that as well. If I REALLY wanted to cut the weight I would replace the motor connectors with racewire, but I don't want to do that at this point because I might still swap the motors out for something else after testing. Who knows. Also, I think the props might be little heavier than some; testing with different props just goes with the territory. 

The AUW with a 3s 650 mAh GNB battery is 231 grams.
The AUW with a 3s 1100 mAh GNB battery is 255 grams (this is my default standard  battery).

So, I am still classifying the FrankenFly-2-4 as a sub-250 gram quad.

Since the XM+ had already been bound to the transmitter, I did not have to bind it. 

First time he was fired up, everything went fine, lift off, hover around for a bit, then land.  SUCCESS.

Also, I didn't need a right angle USB connector, there is enough space for standard cable.

Oh yeah, that little plastic VTX antenna support is made from a plastic alcohol bottle. 

Let the games begin, Great going Harry
Bill

Harry
I just tested my Taycan-25.
Not good the rear went up but the bow went down, thinking I install the props wrong. Will check later today.
I installed a FrSky R-XSR Receiver, 4S 650 mah Battery, Bound it to my RM TX16S and it started right up.
Unable to connector her to Betaflight, as I had to send for a right angle Type B ,C adapter.
Install props went out side to test her.
Bill

2021-01-02

FrankenFly-2-4   Is  ALIVE   

The build was completed late in the evening yesterday. 

He fired right up the very first time, had a successful lift off, and hovered fine before landing. SUCCESS. 

After a couple of successful hover tests, I took him for a spin around the living room. All went well, but my wife   determined that he was too big to fly in the house. First, it puts out thrust like a mad dog; blow any loose papers or anything else that is not tied down. Plus, it is heavy and lands on those ducts with a "thud". Ok, I had my hover test, now it has to be flown outside. Got to respect that. 

wow super cool Harry

Nice build!


It does look big for flying around the house though 

How do you find the 3S batteries with this sort of weight? Isn't it a tad heavy?

(02-Jan-2021, 04:51 PM)[email protected] Wrote: wow super cool Harry

Hi Bill,

Thanks.

I was really excited to see this build fly right off the bat; no problems, nothing needs to be adjusted; it just works.

They don't all fly correctly on the very first take off. Seems like it is easy to miss some little something like forgetting to change a Betaflight setting or getting the incorrect prop on one of the motors. 

We will see how it compares to you factory Diatone Taycan 2.5 inch BNF quad.  The Race is On. 

The two battery packs that I will be using are the 3s 650 mAh GNB and the 3s 1100 mAh GNB batteries.

That’s an impressive build.
When I get some more experience and extra parts bin from crashing gets full I’d like to design my own Frank.

Very nice work! It will be exciting to see some of your videos with this beauty.

Nice, how do you like your motors?? I’m ALMOST finished with a build with those motors (same kv).

Nicely done Harry! 

(02-Jan-2021, 04:49 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: 2021-01-02  

Wow!  Looks so rugged you'll be able to fly it right through the trees and not lose it!

Cool Engineering

Nice man way to experiment!!!

Beautiful build Harry! Have you flown a maiden yet? How does she fly? Can't wait to see some smooth cinematic footage! : )