Code 42

So, I've ordered, and received the components (see my earlier post ) to build my F550 Hexacoptor. So, now it was time to start building. I ordered 3 pairs of Multistar 2212 920KV Motors. I got 3 boxes with the motor pairs. The Multistar 2212 920KV CW/CCW Motor pairs with Props The package came with the 3mm hex nuts to mount the motors, and bullet connectors with heat-shrink tubes to connect to the ESCs as well. The propellers are 9043, and each box has an extra pair of props as well. The 9043 Propellers that comes with the Multistar Motors

When we are building RC models (aircrafts, multicopters etc.), something we typically overlook is what type of wires to use to distribute power in them. Usually, we try to reduce the weight of the model, so we tend to go with smaller wires. But, we cant expect to put in small circuit-wires and have them handle the amount of power needed. If you look at the wires that comes in the output leads of a Li-Po, or the wires that comes on a standard XT Jack, you'll notice that they're quite huge. Large gauge wires on a Li-Po and XT connectors These need to be huge to handle the amount of amperage that goes through them. So, we should also consider the amperage, and the length of wire needed when selecting the size (gauge) of the wires.

Since I received my NAZA-M Lite and the F550 Frame, now it was time to select the other components to build the hexacopter, namely the Motors , Propellers , ESCs , and the Battery . Now, if I have gone with the DJI ARF Kit, it would have included all the matching motors, props and ESCs. Since I opted to get the NAZA and the components separately, I needed to find a set of motors, ESCs and props which works with the NAZA-M Lite, and the F550 frame. After some research online, I managed to come up with the following requirements for the components that would word with the NAZA and F550, Motors : 2212 920KV - 3 pairs of CW and CCW (6 total) These typically draw about 20 Amps of current. Note: To learn what the numbers on a brushless motor mean, check out  this guide . Propellers : 8 x 4.5  or 10 x 3.8 It's recommended to use  8 x 4.5  if you're using a 3S battery, and  10 x 3.8  if it's a 4S battery. To learn about propeller size numbers, check out  this articl

Have you been trying to shop for propellers - either online or at a hobby shop - and got confused of the numbering used to denote the size of the propellers? You see things like " 10 x 4.5 CW ", or " 8055 CCW ". What do these numbers mean? A 8 x 4.5 CW and CCW Propeller Set It's actually quite simple once you figure it out. The first number denotes the diameter of the prop (length from tip-to-tip). The second number denotes the pitch of the prop. Here, the pitch is denoted as a length, not a angle. Let's see how that works.

The F550 Frame, which I ordered from eBay, finally arrived. The shipment did get a bit delayed than I thought, but considering it was a holiday season I'm OK with that. This F500 (or HJ550 as labeled on the box) is also not the genuine DJI branded one. It's a clone similar to the F450 frame I reviewed in my last post . The F550 Frame in the box It comes with the 2 PCB plates (with the integrated power distribution lines), 6 arms (in 3 colors), and the nuts and bits to put it together. 2 Plates, 6 Arms, and the Nuts

I was going through a local hobby shop, and to my delight, I found that they had a F450 Frame on sale. They said it's the last one in their current stock (but they said more stock is on the way). I'm still waiting for the F550 frame I ordered from eBay. Although the F450 wasn't exactly the one I was looking for, I decided to buy it and give it a try also. For those who aren't familiar, the F550 is a Hexacopter frame, while the F450 is a Quadcopter frame. The F450 Fame I found The F450 I bought didn't have the DJI branding, so I'm guessing it's a clone. But I can say, it's quite a good quality one.

Finally got the DJI NAZA-M Light I ordered. It did get delayed - came about 2 weeks after the expected delivery date, which I'm guessing was due to the holiday season. But finally since it arrived, I wasted no time on unboxing it. The NAZA-M Light came in a neat little box It came packed in a pretty nice box. I was actually expecting 2 boxes, since I ordered the GPS unit as well. But it turns out the GPS Unit box comes inside the main DJI NAZA box. The GPS unit fits nicely inside the main package So, let's unpack everything and see what we got.

I have now ordered the DJI F550 Frame for Hexacopter, and the DJI NAZA-M Lite Flight Controller. I found 2 sellers on eBay that ships to my location. The Frame was bought from here: eBay Link The DJI F550 Frame The kit contains the 2 top and bottom plates, 6 arms, and the mounting nuts and screws. It comes unassembled, but as per the video tutorial I posted in my earlier post, it's quite easy to assemble. I'm hoping the package arrives within 2 weeks.

I'm thinking of starting my multicopter project again, with the DJI F550 Frame. I'm currently looking at the following resources, http://www.helipal.com/dji-flamewheel-f550-w-naza-v2-gps-drone-rtf.html http://dronebly.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-dji-f550-hexacopter-things-you-need-to-know And, the following videos,

A Friend of mine, Harsha Wijesooriya , has started a group called Model Aircraft Clinic, which aims at addressing technical issues and problems faced by model aircraft flyers. There will be discussions going on by RC model flyers on issues, damages, fixes, and solutions they had with model aircrafts. Model Aircraft Clinic Logo - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AircraftClinic/ Check them out here at FB .

It's been 6 years since I last posted on this blog. 6 years.... That's a long time. Some life and career changes made me move away from some of these hobbies I had. But now I'm thinking back. I want to start again. DJI Phantom - By Vicki Burton from United Kingdom (DJI Quadcoptor Phantom Vision Plus) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Shall we start again? I know it wont be easy. I'm 6 years outdated in the model aircraft hobby. The technology has advanced in the past 6 years. Model aircraft designs has become advanced, and smaller. Drones, multicopters are practically everywhere now. But, I guess, the basic principles of model aircrafts hasn't changed. So, I should be able to catch up again. Let's start.