Girl with new quad! - Calling all motor heads!

[bunnygirl80]

Hi motor heads, 

My Crius AIOP arrived yesterday  ::) and I';ve been pondering whether to just replace the FC in my SK450 or build a new quad! The SK450 was only built over Christmas and has only been out a few times (5), but now that I know that I like the hobby, I';m thinking I should use this bad weather as an excuse to build another quad ready for the summer and for some serious flying and filming. At least then I will have a backup quad! Just in case!

OLD QUAD

The SK450 was bought from John of EyeFlying.com who was superb and recommended all the bits. The bits are ideal for learning and I';m sure I will have lots more fun learning with the SK450 when the weather improves. Here is what it has...

1 x SK450 Frame Kit         
4 x 1000Kv RCTimer Motors - http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=813
1 x Skywalker Quattro 4x20amp ESC - http://unmannedtechshop.co.uk/rc-gear/bl-motor-esc/skywalker-quattro-4x-20a-esc-for-quadcopters.html
1 x Flight Controller – Multiwii SE V2 Software - http://unmannedtechshop.co.uk/multi-rotor/flight-controller-boards/multiwii-se-flight-control-board.html
4 Pairs of 8x4.5 EPP Props with adapters (includes a spare set)

I am running all of this using a Turnigy Nano Tech 3cell 3300mah 25-50C battery - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__29009__Turnigy_nano_tech_3300mah_3S_25_50C_Lipo_Pack_UK_Warehouse_.html

I';ve tried a Turnigy 3cell 5000mah 50c battery, but the weight is just too much and the quad is struggling to lift. Not sure if there is anything else I can do to improve the SK450! Perhaps bigger props? Like 10x4.7? What do you think? 

NEW QUAD

Okay, this brings me on to the new quad. When I bought the SK450 I bought an upgrade frame for it too (pic below), thinking I would probably crash and that would be a good replacement frame for all the bits. As it turns out, I haven';t done a great deal of flying and the SK450 hasn';t yet had anything other than minor encounters with bushes!

The downside to all of this is that I';m a total numpty  when it comes to choosing the right hardware for the job and this is why I';m calling all you motor, esc, prop heads! I have identified some problems with the SK450, the main one being lack of power. So, I would like more power, lots more power in my next quad. I also think from what people are saying that four seperate ESC are better than the 4 in 1 ESC. I would also like to lift a small camera.

So, this brings me to my second question, can anyone recommend some bits for the dead cat? I also need some motor mounts as the black donuts which fit under the motors have been used on the SK450.

I notice on the HK website, they recommend this motor for this quad! http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__29063__Turnigy_D2836_8_1100KV_Brushless_Outrunner_Motor_UK_Warehouse_.html Any good?

Here is a photo of the upgrade dead cat frame which I just put together... The AIOP will go into the new quad!

Thanks again,

Stef

[Gaza07]

I';m really pleased to see this isn';t a actual dead cat like in the other thread   

[maddog7]

For very smooth motors (IE well balanced out of the box) I can recommend these:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__31229__Turnigy_2217_20turn_860kv_22A_Outrunner_UK_Warehouse_.html

With only moongel under the gopro and the props balanced I got jelly free video without having to balance the motors.
Acceptably but not massively powerful on 3s with 10x5.5 props, but I';d think a lot snappier with 4s and 10x5.

HK f30a with Simonk firmware took my disco from sedated hippo to rock solid with no other changes.


D

[bunnygirl80]

Gaz, Yeah, decided it wasn';t a wise thing to put the cat on the quad! LOL.

D, thanks for the motor input. I will have a look, see if I can learn something.

[Jumpy07]

Everybody has their favourite motors..  so I am sure you will get a lot of recommendations... but some food for thought..
<900kv motors on that frame will probably need 10" min props...  >900kv you can probably use 9" props, the reason I mention this is you want to put a camera on such as a gopro. on wide setting... 10" props might get in the frame.
10" props will give longer flight times, but 9" props will give you more of a locked in feel...  pros and cons..
I take it you will be using 3s Batts ?
Try and get a motor you can easily get spares for.. cheapest isn';t always best.... also get motors with bolt on prop adapters if you can..