(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 240mm quadcopter)
Now that the FPV mini quadcopter frame has been selected we need some motors to make it fly. For that, I've selected 4 SunnySky X2204S 2300kv motors ($23ea). It was between these or the Tiger's MN1806 2300kv, but paying $43 each for the Tigers would take this copter out of budget (which is going overboard already) -- plus, I like the look of the SunnySky's.
(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 220mm 240mm quadcopter)
I've been looking at different frames for the quad I'm building. The proven 220mm "H-Quad" style frame by Blackout (known as the Blackout Mini H Quad Frame w/ Power Distribution Board) is highly respected and top on my list. However, many of those have already been built and you can find many awesome videos on YouTube showing it's capabilities. Steve sent me a forum post at RCGroups.com about a new 240mm folding mini H quad frame by Bay Area Heli called the Nemesis 240mm Mini folding FPV Quad. It comes in either G10 and Carbon Fiber material.
(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 220mm quadcopter)
The last part ordered was the FPV Camera and that operates at a voltage of 12v. Since I will have a clean 5v provided from the video transmitter (to be selected later), I need a 12V step-up voltage regulator.
(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 220mm quadcopter)
What makes the quadcopter I'm building different than say a DJI Phantom? Well, the main difference is that I'm building a FPV (the First Person View) quadcopter and to achieve the FPV part you need at least one camera (I'll be installing two, one for the FPV and the other to record HD video -- more on that in a later post). The FPV camera broadcasts via a transmitter (will be selected in another post) to the ground station which can either be a simple video display with a wireless receiver or video based goggles (also to be selected in a future post).
The video from the front mounted camera is what you will use to fly (or steer) the quad in the air without needing line of sight view -- you see what the copter is seeing. The video signal also has superimposed telemetry data (via the OSD module). As this is technically the "eyes" of the copter it's important to have a high quality camera that has a high dynamic range and provides clear sky and ground exposure.
(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 220mm quadcopter)
You need batteries to fly a quadcopter. The battery we selected will be used to power the receiver, flight controller, the OSD, FPV video camera/transmitter and to power the four motors that spin the propellers and give the quadcopter the lift it needs. As you can see, the battery is very important and also adds the most weight per single item. We've selected the Turnigy nano-tech 1500mah 3S 35~70C Lipo Pack to power our copter.
(This is part of a multi-part series on building a FPV mini 220mm quadcopter)
These next parts aren't really that exciting but much needed for controlling the quadcopter. I already have a Futaba 9C controller that features a neat little module system. So I just needed to purchase a FrSky Transmitter Module that works with my Futaba controller -- the FrSky FF-1 2.4Ghz Combo Pack for Futaba w/ Module & RX), it's only $39 for the kit.
