Converting my ~530mm quad to a gimbal ship

[JAB1a]

Hi All,

I need some information and knowledge from you RC guru';s.

I currently run my big quad using the following items...

2200mAh 40-90C Nanotech 3s
SunnySky 2212 980Kv motors
Skywalker 20Amp ESC';s
10x5 props

The quad has plenty of punch and performance when I am only carrying my fixed mount GoPro using the 2200mAh 3s. Weight being about ~1.2Kg AUFW

I have recently brought a DYS 3 Axis gimbal and extended landing gear which has sky rocketed the weight, not sure what it is but must be in the 1.5Kg mark (bloated beast).

Here is a test flight I did when I got it out the box...
FPV Quadcopter DYS Smart 3 Axis Gimbal setup and ';out the box'; test on Vimeo

The issue now is with the gimbal fitted that I am just under 3/4 throttle to hover which means momentum is now a killer and bring the quad down to the ground softly lol.

I think moving upto 4s on this setup should give me the power back, what do people think?

My Skywalker ESC';s only handle 20Amp 3s so I need to find some good ESC';s to allow 4s and can handle the weight and power needed to get performance back on the quad.

I am not sure on the math but is the thrust right if 4s is used on 980Kv motors with 10x5 props and a ~1.5Kg load? that should of been the first question really and then the ESC';s would be a good question.

P.S the quad that these will be fitted to can be seen at the very end of the video after the DYS 3Axis screen shot. Its only got the fixed mount GoPro attached in the pic

[teslahed]

I like the look of these;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42551__Afro_Slim_20Amp_Multi_rotor_Motor_Speed_Controller_SimonK_Firmware_.html

I think they';ll run fine with your motors. People report problems occasionally with flat pancake motors and afro ESCs - which wont affect you.

You';d need a BEC as they are OPTOs.

The long thin ESCs will look very neat on the arms but may not fit in the centre section as well so get a different shape if that wont work for you.

[JAB1a]

I like the look of these;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42551__Afro_Slim_20Amp_Multi_rotor_Motor_Speed_Controller_SimonK_Firmware_.html

I think they';ll run fine with your motors. People report problems occasionally with flat pancake motors and afro ESCs - which wont affect you.

You';d need a BEC as they are OPTOs.

The long thin ESCs will look very neat on the arms but may not fit in the centre section as well so get a different shape if that wont work for you.

Excellent thanks for the info Chris, those do look excellent and will fit well against the Ali arms of my quad, do we know the thrust each motor will give at peak to make sure it blows the 1.5Kg into the strato? lol

[xxpitt]

I use the hobbyking F-30a on my bigger quad. Flashed with simonk of course.  They are the same as the lumineer escs so I';ve been told

[xxpitt]

http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__25986__Hobby_King_30A_ESC_3A_UBEC_UK_Warehouse_.html

There on backorder though

[teslahed]

I use the hobbyking F-30a on my bigger quad. Flashed with simonk of course.  They are the same as the lumineer escs so I';ve been told

F30a';s have a great reputation once flashed.

[JAB1a]

I use the hobbyking F-30a on my bigger quad. Flashed with simonk of course.  They are the same as the lumineer escs so I';ve been told

30Amp makes me feel safer

Thanks for the info, what props and motors were you running?

What device did you use to flash them with?

Cheers both for your time

[xxpitt]

I can post you my atmel flashing tool if you like. I use them on my qav400 1100kv 8 inch props. Used them on my tbs disco with 980kv and 10 inch props also. Until it sank

[xxpitt]

Both 4s

[JAB1a]

I can post you my atmel flashing tool if you like. I use them on my qav400 1100kv 8 inch props. Used them on my tbs disco with 980kv and 10 inch props also. Until it sank

Thanks for the offer mate, those F30A are out of stock and reading the comments they have been out since the beginning of October, sods law.

The Afro';s are in stock in the European warehouse so I will grab them and prey its enough to do the job as well as I want.

[xxpitt]

My full throttle climbs on 4s are 46amp so 12a per esc. But just like go know there not working to hard

[flybywire]

I like the bog standard Afro';s (20a should be fine), and I';ve always used 4 cell zippy compact';s on my larger multi';s.  THis is the combo I';ve settled on, and won';t change, at least until somebody reinvent';s the wheel!
I haven';t found anything better than SimonK as yet tho.

[JAB1a]

I like the bog standard Afro';s (20a should be fine), and I';ve always used 4 cell zippy compact';s on my larger multi';s.  THis is the combo I';ve settled on, and won';t change, at least until somebody reinvent';s the wheel!
I haven';t found anything better than SimonK as yet tho.

Cheers Andy, glad you posted that as I was just looking at the Zippy 2200mAh 4s...

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__73735__ZIPPY_Compact_2200mAh_4s_40c_Lipo_Pack_UK_Warehouse_.html

To go with the Afro 20Amps that Chris posted

[guest325]

Cheers Andy, glad you posted that as I was just looking at the Zippy 2200mAh 4s...
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__73735__ZIPPY_Compact_2200mAh_4s_40c_Lipo_Pack_UK_Warehouse_.html
To go with the Afro 20Amps that Chris posted

You won';t go fat wrong with that mix, my Woodie was running rctimer 2212 1000kv (which look remarkably like the Sunnysky) on 30A rctimer esc';s on 4S 2200 25C zippy compact; on 9*4.5 hover was around 1/2 throttle,  on 10*4.5 about 1/3 throttle but that';s with an all in weight of 1200gm.

[JAB1a]

Well I have found the info I needed from this excellent video...

Sunnysky x2212 980kv prop testing - 3S / 4S

So from the data in the video, at the moment with me running 10x5 on 3s is producing...



@50% throttle = 1600g with each ESC doing 3.7Amps
@100% throttle = 3920g with each ESC doing 14.1Amps

If I went 4s on the same props (which is the info I am after)...



@50% throttle = 1840g with each ESC doing 3.5Amps
@100% throttle = 5100g with each ESC doing 16.1Amps

So just by changing from 3s to 4s I should be looking at an extra 240g thrust on hover (~50% throttle) and an extra 1.1Kg thrust at full throttle (100% throttle)

So this has shown that the idea of some well made 20Amps ESC';s like the Afro';s are fine for the use.