Martian 2 build.....220mm Quad....All parts supplied by Bangood apart from Camera and VTX.
This is my first Quad build using off the shelf parts and my learning curve with BetaFlight and BLheli Configurator.
Im using an F3 board on this one with a Baro on it, no real problems and the tiny XM+ was used with RSSI in the SBUS stream. BetaFlight just works fine, and the Giro level calibration is much easier than iNAV. I also used the DSHOT 600 ready 4 in 1 ESC from Racestar which made the build very tidy and easy. It would have done anyway if the motor wires had been just 20mm longer, I had to extend all 12 of them. It was a bit of a faff about with the wiring, but the Martian Frame from Realacc was really nicely done, very clean and accurate machining. I had to reverse every motor inside bLHeli Configurator...typical. Other than that, Im assuming the ESC is sorted and ready to use..?
The top deck is now on and the XM+ installed, I just need to fit the VTX and sort out a Lipo strap. I wrapped the top deck with some PVC tape to stop potential wire chafing and shorting.
I took my Darkmax to our monthly indoor meeting and flew it LOS round the Hall, had three 15 minute flights with it and was amazed how accurately it could be flown...Still learning, but gaining confidence. Im anticipating the Martian will fly in a similar way, it's pretty much the same size and spec.
(https://s15.postimg.cc/vazaibthz/Martian_5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vazaibthz/)
:vulture:
Look forward to hearing more from it ET... I'm thinking about building my first quad as well!
Which battery did you use on your darkmax to get 15min flight time?
Nice work ET - the motor wires were too short ? Because it looks like they are slightly too long now, you have a handy little loop in the arms to catch in tree branches and things ;)
Quote from: FlyingRock on January 22, 2018, 12:39:30 PM
Look forward to hearing more from it ET... I'm thinking about building my first quad as well!
Which battery did you use on your darkmax to get 15min flight time?
Hi m8,
I used a 2200mah 3S...keep in mind Im just flying in forward flight all the time and not doing mad climb outs all the time. Even so, I was surprised how frugal it was on amps...I think the new 4 in 1 ESCs must be pretty efficient. The Darkmax is also very lightweight too with F4 board and VTX combined.
:vulture:
Quote from: CurryKitten on January 22, 2018, 12:49:27 PM
Nice work ET - the motor wires were too short ? Because it looks like they are slightly too long now, you have a handy little loop in the arms to catch in tree branches and things ;)
Hi Wayne,
Yes, I know, I wanted to be able to strip it without resorting to de-soldering motor wires. I should have tucked the excess under the ESC, but I didn't have any nice black silicon coated wire to hand and the stuff i used wasn't very bendy.
I was just using stuff to hand, good point about the wire loops tho...didnt think about that..Im a nooby quad boy ya know..!!!
:vulture:
Update time: Martian 2 build.
Finally fitted the AKK 600mw VTX and Lipo strap. I bought two of these tiny vtxs they were stupidly cheap at about £4.50p each.
One is for the Martian 2 and the other is for my WingWing Z84, I needed something tiny for both. I wanted to omit using the tiny micro plug but the solder pads proved too difficult to solder on directly. So I added a 3 pin to the very fine wires putting power on the centre pin as per standard to avoid the magic smoke, worked quite well and I can unplug it.
The blue and red are a 5v output for a Camera or even to power an FC maybe? Runs warm but doesn't seem to get too hot to me.
I have since flown it and can report the Martian is working great without problems, even the Baro works really well. Great image with very little noise evident, better than the Darkmax Id say. The props are King Kongs 50 x 40s and seem a bit pitch light and soft to me, the ones on the Darkmax are much better IMO.
(https://s9.postimg.org/xtuy3bhuj/Martian_3.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/xtuy3bhuj/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/om2pmmii3/Martian_4.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/om2pmmii3/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/un0ejpcu3/Martian_5.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/un0ejpcu3/)
I now have two pretty good 220mm quads to learn with both seem well sorted, so pleased with them.
I still have a spare Racestar 4 in 1 ESC and am considering transplanting it into my old (huge) Alien 500 Quad to use as a filming platform at some point with maybe iNAV onboard.
The old QBrain cheapo ESC just isn't working at all with the F4, and after you land you can fry eggs on the bloody thing.
Im hoping a DSHOT 600 ESC is going to transform it?
Has anyone done this before..?
:vulture:
i have the same motors and flying with a 1300 4s... about 2.5mins of flight time, 30A racerstar escs and they are cool after flight ;)
Quote from: mike on January 23, 2018, 11:33:37 PM
i have the same motors and flying with a 1300 4s... about 2.5mins of flight time, 30A racerstar escs and they are cool after flight ;)
Hi m8,
Im learning to fly my Quad but I have some Heli experience and years of fixed wing....Been flying the Martian on a 2200 3S gently for around a 15 minute flight time...No Aeros..!!..lol.
I do have some 1500 4S Lipos if I get better at it.:)
My Darkmax is better though, its lighter....:)
:vulture:
once you get the hang of it, you always want more power XD
I´m now on the rs 2205 2600kv and the emax avans 5x sth x 3, running dshot 600
first quad i didn´t have to tune... (besides rates)
i made a custom frame too (very light;)), but i still like the "roomyness" of the martian!