Skywalker X6

Miles · November 22, 2015, 08:02:01 PM

I've been looking around for a wing a bit smaller than my X8, but bigger than my 80mm Z84, so I picked up an X6 from the HK Cyber sale from the EU Warehouse for £31 :)

Should be here in the next few days, but for now, this is how I plan to fit it out:

OSD Pro + Guardian IMU + GPS + Airspeed
OpenLRS 100mw - HK had the TX units on sale for £2, given that they can be made into PPMsum output RX units, I'm repackaging one and fitting it to the wing
5.8gHz VTx with CP antennas
Hitec HS-82 MG with metal arms
Gopro Hero 3 + WDR700 Flight cam on pan & tilt - Thinking about ordering a video feed switcher
60A ESC OPTO
XYH-3548 1100KV motor
11x5 CF Prop
3300-5000mAh 4s Lipo
8A BEC for all 5V systems

In the long run, I want to fit a PixHawk, so after seeing Coyotes Twinstar, I'm going to try and fit a 1/4 wavelength 433mhz antenna in the vertical stabilizer on the central pod for a 3DR Telemetry module. Also looking at fitting either flaps, airbrakes or an under-fus. speedbrake, and a "Harrier" style landing gear.

Pictures to follow, though having a fight with HK so looks like they won't be here for a few weeks :/
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BUILD LOG:
30/11/15 - Aircraft Arrived
1/12/15 - Servo inserts to reduce depth for smaller servos - http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233617.html#msg233617
Pictures: http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233650.html#msg233650 (Difference with servos)
http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233615.html#msg233615
1/12/15 - First version of Battery mount and potential battery configurations - http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233687.html#msg233687
Pictures: http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233676.html#msg233676
3/12/15 - Second version of battery mount - http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233887.html#msg233887
Pictures: http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg234271.html#msg234271
3/12/15 - Rear electronics mount - http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg233894.html#msg233894
8/12/15 - Motor Mount V1 - http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg234271.html#msg234271
Pictures: http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg234358.html#msg234358
10/12/15 - VTx (+ Wing bay) Modifications
Pictures: http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,47367.msg234359.html#msg234359

BlueFlyer · November 22, 2015, 08:14:02 PM

what fight are you having with Hobbyking?

gutted I missed the x6 at £31 though :(

Miles · November 22, 2015, 08:18:55 PM

I ordered some Fatshark 700TVL cams from them in the same order. At about midday today the status changed to backorder, as their system got clogged up with all the cyber sales orders.
They've now held the entire order, and although I can cancel the cams, its a total discount of £80....
Asked them to split the order and offered to pay extra postage, but they aren't a very flexible organisation.
I think I'm just gonna wait it out, hopefully it won't be too long until more cameras arrive....

Coyote · November 22, 2015, 08:21:13 PM

Sounds an interesting project, will be watching with interest :)

Miles · November 22, 2015, 10:59:43 PM

Should be :)
Saw a good thread on RCGroups about them with Bignose's one on it, I like the idea of the ply plates in the base.

The only thing I'm not sold on are the RS232 connectors used to interface with the wings. I like the idea, but alot of people have pointed out that if wing wobbles or slides, I could lose the connection :/

Anyone had any experience with these?

Miles · November 22, 2015, 11:01:21 PM

These are said connectors. Might try and detach from the plastic mount and add bolts?

http://www.campilot.tv/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Steckverbindung-stecker.jpg
Credit to Campilot for image.

English Turbines · November 22, 2015, 11:18:33 PM

Quote from: Miles on November 22, 2015, 11:01:21 PM
These are said connectors. Might try and detach from the plastic mount and add bolts?

http://www.campilot.tv/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Steckverbindung-stecker.jpg
Credit to Campilot for image.

I'm not going to be using them in my X6.....Servo connectors for me, with keeper hooks... :D

:vulture:

Miles · November 22, 2015, 11:20:35 PM

I like the idea of a single connector, just not the idea of losing control in a spin that could be recovered from :)

Miles · November 22, 2015, 11:21:14 PM

Might try and 3D print some locking ones, just need the frame to arrive to take some measurements :/

bignose13 · November 23, 2015, 01:26:45 AM

Forget the d sub connectors, waste of time, if you can transport the wing in one piece then it's a no brainier, you'll get a locking screw to hold the wings on and mine ain't never come loose

Miles · November 23, 2015, 01:36:23 AM

Quote from: bignose13 on November 23, 2015, 01:26:45 AM
Forget the d sub connectors, waste of time, if you can transport the wing in one piece then it's a no brainier, you'll get a locking screw to hold the wings on and mine ain't never come loose

I'd like to keep the wings detachable so I can carry it around in its box :) But good to know that the mount is secure, vs the terrible ply wood and screw on the X8...

Miles · November 30, 2015, 08:44:13 PM

So, the wing arrived today :)

Very happy with it, though there are a couple of little dings on the corners of the wings, nothing major. Also a little disappointed with the motor mount, so will be ideally 3D printing a replacement. My HS82 servos are a little shallow for the recesses on the wing, so I'm going to cut some depron inserts, bringing the outermost surface of the servo into line with the wing.

However looking inside the Fus, there are great options for mounting removable plates for components etc :) Also has some good grips for hand launching (Though the internal area behind is a little thin), a recess that looks like its designed for mounting a plate for a launching hook. There is a recess in the leading edge of wing, maybe for a Pitot or LED "Landing lights". The final recess is in the nose, for a gopro, though it doesnt seem to leave enough space for housing, but I've got some aluminium housings which I should be able to embed :)

Will be making a start on the wings tonight, pics to follow :)

bignose13 · November 30, 2015, 09:48:49 PM

Good luck, if you go on campilots web site you can download a dxf for the plates I had stef cut on his laser cnc machine, fit perfect, you could always print them
I found the motor mount to be fine mate, no worries

Miles · November 30, 2015, 10:04:53 PM

Tried to shine a torch through the frame, shows the thin area. Not sure how I will, but I intend to try and bulk it up a little bit.

Also, still not the sure about the mouldings in the front edge, but should be fairly easy to fit a pitot :) Not sure how exactly I want to mount the GoPro, angle seems very downward facing.

Miles · November 30, 2015, 10:14:20 PM

Quote from: bignose13 on November 30, 2015, 09:48:49 PM
Good luck, if you go on campilots web site you can download a dxf for the plates I had stef cut on his laser cnc machine, fit perfect, you could always print them
I found the motor mount to be fine mate, no worries

I have a copy, planning to making a few small changes :)

I want to be able to change the motor, and have it internal. Due to the length of the motor I have atm, I can't fit it without cutting into the foam, which is something I want to avoid :)