TeslaHex - mini Hexacopter

[Gaza07]

Looking very good Chris 

[teslahed]

[Calomile]

I do want one... Stop teasing!

[FlyinMarty]

I do want one... Stop teasing!

So do I

[fruitsalad]

nice teslahed 

[dp106]

Put me down for an ARTF version :-)

[teslahed]

Here';s the maiden flight.;

http://youtu.be/2lORXzaJMhs

Seems nice and stable.

[FlyinMarty]

That looks really good, totally different to the quad, and seems a lot more docile.  Guess it can lift a lot more than the quad so will be good for light FPV?

[teslahed]

Another test flight - this time with flips!

http://youtu.be/baW3MtILNRg

[teslahed]

Total flying weight 801 grams - fully loaded with an 1800mAh 3 cell lipo, GPS and a MinimOSD running on Multiwii. I just need some good flying weather to give it a proper test now.

[philtrum]

Looking good Chris!

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/TGpP1MLqBcw

First OSD test. The capture device seems to have chopped off the bottom right hand corner - but it';s all working. Just got to wait for some good weather so i can get it outside and test the GPS features.

[teslahed]

After a day spent chasing a lose connection in a brand new video cable i just bought, i now have my FPV setup working again.

Here is the first proper line of sight test with it outdoors. I had my gran on the video goggles testing it for me - she had fun 

http://youtu.be/fExwYF7u-Vc

I';m quite pleased to see the GPS seems to be working ok. I';ll have to get it to a bigger field for a proper test but so far it';s looking good.

The next step is to get the current and voltage sensor going. I don';t feel like flying properly without that working.

[Cozp83]

chris that looks ace mate!!! how much ya want for a pre release "spider" hex? name your price man..... i can be an alpha tester

[teslahed]

I';m hoping that within a couple of weeks i will get this hexacopter in the air and flying actual FPV flights. Once i';ve done that i will be able to assess exactly how successful the design is - then i will produce prototype version 2 and start looking for beta testers.

Watch this space if you are interested - I';d definitely be interested in sending out one or two early to keen beta testers if the project continues to go well!

I am sorry to say i can';t give a price yet. The Teslaquad frame kits were selling at £35 each and there';s almost twice as much material in these FPV hexacopters. I really need to get costs down a bit if i can...

[Cozp83]

sweet chris. i got a spare naza and kk 2 here. id pay whatever you want mate. i love supporting home builders/creators/inventors;)

[FlyinMarty]

...... i will produce prototype version 2 and start looking for beta testers.

Watch this space if you are interested - I';d definitely be interested in sending out one or two early to keen beta testers if the project continues to go well! .......

Wish you hadn';t said that.... although you probably want someone with more flying time than me

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/IbHudWgM6MM

OSD seems to be working fine now - just need some calm weather and i will fly it FPV.

[Riggsbie]

Which OSD did you opt for ?

Looks really good !

[teslahed]

Which OSD did you opt for ?

It';s the minimOSD running the Team KV mod for multiwii compatability.

http://youtu.be/9ITrQdm2K2o

First proper FPV test flight 

[Riggsbie]

I have ordered a minimOSD.....

Was it easy to setup ?  Maybe a "how to" guide ??

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/iCbzR1XTXxg

[teslahed]

I made a plywood mount for my GPS device - it wobbles about much less now.

here';s the latest test flight;

http://youtu.be/AWN9MuLnNVg

I was testing hobbykings new cheap aerials. They seem to work well.

[teslahed]

Slowly edging closer to version 1.0;

[guest325]

http://youtu.be/iCbzR1XTXxg

Some pretty amazing views there, also looks very stable considering its size and with all the FPV gear on it     

[FlyinMarty]

Looks like you have quite a few holes for standoffs, is the to maintain rigidity, like the quad?

Looks like it manages to lift the gopro & fpv kit easily, whilst maintaining a decent amount of speed and manoeuvrability.

Is summary....nice

[teslahed]

3 of the 6 motors on the thing aren';t even spinning around true - they have a wobble in the outer casing. I';ve got some replacements on order but until then i';m not going to be able to tune out the last of the vibrations causing me minor jello issues and messing up the accelerometer readings (artificial horizon never looks quite right to me). That';s why all the best video from the new hex is in 720p (60fps) not 1080p (30fps) - the gopro silver is more forgiving of vibes at that res and frame rate.

There are quite a few holes for standoffs - you are right. Obviously there are 6 sets of 4 bolt holes for the arms rather than 4 (because it';s a hex) - and then i put some extra holes in at the front and the back away from where the carbon fibre arms run to stiffen the frame up at this spots.

The carbon fibre arms add a lot of strength to the frame once they are installed because of the way i have run them into the centre rather than using the minimum length necessary to save on cost - but they dont help at the front and the back where the frame stretches.

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/G1mYGXV5pio?t=22​s

Almost jello free 

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/_W1qIWk5lZ0?t=37s

Pretty much jello free now. I flew around some trees for a change.

[teslahed]

http://youtu.be/n9MGru9ZKL4

Another jello free flight. This time with added fox!