Wing Wing Z-84 with full AP and removable wings

[FlyingRock]

This is my Wing Wing Z-84 build with removable wings.

The intent was to have a wing that could break down for travel, have full autopilot, HD Camera, Rx/VTx range >10km and the lightest weight possible.

Components used:

• ZTW Black Widow 1900kv motor with built-in 18A/28A ESC
  
• HQ Plastic 6x4.5 prop
  
• 3S 3000 mAh LiIon Battery (18650 LG HG2 cells, 3S1P configuration)
  
• AUAV ACSP5 current Sensor with 2A BEC for FC, Rx and A/V systems
  
• Diatone Mini 2A BEC for Servos
  
• Hitec HS-65MG (x2) servos
  
• Flight Controller + GPS: EagleTree Micro Vector with GPS v2
  
• RunCam 2 as flight and HD camera (with filters; PolarPro Polarizer or ND)
  
• Video Transmitter: TBS 2G4 500mW with a bignose13 RHCP Skew
  
• Radio Receiver: EzUHF Nano with a bignose13 433mhz tuned dipole
  

• AUW: 495g
  

This setup gives me flight times around 25 minutes at average speeds around 60 km/h. Ultimate range Rx/ VTx has not been tested.

Some build notes:

Fuse Mods: I moved original motor mount as far back as possible to fit the miniquad style motor; I also removed some foam to increase prop clearance and airflow.

Removable wings mod: inspiration came from this video. I swapped the solid 4mm spar shaft by a 4mm hollow carbon tube plus a 3mm carbon shaft; the 4mm tube is cut into 3 parts – fuse, left and right wings – with 3 mm shaft running the full length. I also added additional carbon tubes at the front for additional support and to keep the wing and fuse aligned. The wings are held in place by 2x Ruland MCL-4-A 4mm aluminium collars one in each wing. The vertical stabs are held in place by a pair of round magnets.
For long-grass / bush landing situations I add some masking tape to the fuse-wing  joint at the front to avoid getting stuff wedged in the joint.

ACSP5 Current sensor: I've had relative success with the ACSP5; My (limited, for disclaimers sake) understanding is that our average current sensor is inaccurate at currents under 10A, which is precisely the range on which this build operates. Nevertheless, I managed to achieve some sort of calibration around the 5A current draw but after a crash and a night out in the field something happened to the ACSP5 current output and now it's impossible to calibrate it.

Nano EzUHF and noise: With all components close together (see pictures) that impacts Rx sensitive. Using the EzUHF spectrum analyser I get a base sensitivity (with everything off) of -110db and -90db sensitivity with everything on.

Props: I've tested 4 props so far on this setup (see prop performance chart attached): EMax 6x3 Carbon Fiber, HQ 6x4.5 'normal' and bullnose and Graupner 6x6 Cam Speed. I get best performance with the normal HQ 6x4.5; The EMax 6x3 was noisy, inefficient and broke on the first landing, so no data for it!

WWZ84 Efficiency spreadsheet: During this project I compiled a lot of performance data from other Z-84 builds; this is info available through a public google spreadsheet.

Flight Video from a recent trip:

! No longer available
Cheers!

[Flynn203]

Looks like a good place to fly. A bit of turbulence not surprisingly, but that's the downside of a small and light wing, the upside is good flight time.

[FlyingRock]

You've pretty much summarized the flying experience :)

Cheers!

[Coyote]

I like the logs Charles, impressive result, it's a very capable bird :)

[FlyingRock]

Thanks Ian!

I think there's still room for improvement; I was happy as it was until a couple of mentioned a 'bounce' which I have now started to notice too...

I was blaming the wind or the light weight of the setup for the instability but now I'll have a go at fine tuning the AP.

Cheers

[iwan_canobi]

Just ordered one of these, at £25 for the kit version from hobbyking UK it was hard to resist! I've got a similar motor with integrated ESC I'll use, and will probably have it on 4S for some fast fun! Need to decide whether to bother with an AP or not, I've got an old stabiliser I can stick in. Although iNav is tempting for full AP on the cheap...

[FlyingRock]

The Wing Wing is super cheap and definitively worth a try!

just beware that a 6x4.5 prop with 4S might be a bit too much for this motor; a 5' might be a better option with 4S.

look forward to the videos!

Cheers

[iwan_canobi]

Ah yeah, I just meant it was a similar style motor with the built in ESC, it's this one - https://hobbyking.com/en_us/2205-with-built-in-30a-bl-heli-esc-cw-15-lam.html?___store=en_us

Should be ok on 6" but have 5" as well. I also ordered a matek F4 AIO board for PDB, OSD and AP, will stick iNav on it for a nice tidy build and RTH capability. Looking forward to trying it! :D

[Dillwhacker]

I maidened my Z84 yesterday. Just a basic lightweight setup with Dragonlink and a Lumenier 600 VTX, 1806 2200KV motor and 5x4 prop. Using 3S850, AUW 345g, so a light machine.
Flies sweet, even with a bit of gusty wind. Built it to replace a very tatty 'go-anywhere' FW Hornet, that had really reached its end-of-life.
Seems like a good replacement.

[FlyingRock]

Iwan, that's a 420W motor  :o ! that should handle 4S with a 6' prop w/ no problems.

I've got an Omnibus F4 Pro which I'm wiring up to go into the next Z-84; iNAV comes with a pre-loaded Z-84 profile.

Dill, agree it's a great plane to carry around; that's why I've built mine with removable wings - no excuse not to take it!

Cheers

[iwan_canobi]

Yeah it should be pretty quick on that, it's arrived today and it's tiny! Will need to get creative with the layout to fit the 2200's I was going to use, should be doable though.

[FlyingRock]

could you please weight the motor with the prop adaptor etc? can't believe it's 30g!

attached is a WIP pic of the Omnibus.

Cheers

[English Turbines]

  Interesting Motors with built in ESCs....Im assuming this type of setup requires a good airflow to keep things cool?

It would have plenty of cooling in a Multi, but in a pusher plane?...Is it not a bit at risk of overheating?...Like to try it, but curious about its suitability.

I suppose you need a small 5V BEC then to drive the Elevon servos, but I guess the advantage is you can install that anywhere within reason.  I like to put my ESC under the motor in this config as there is precious little room inside.
No doubt the little WingWing can do serious distance though, seen it

                                                                                             :vulture:

 

[iwan_canobi]

could you please weight the motor with the prop adaptor etc? can't believe it's 30g!

attached is a WIP pic of the Omnibus.

Cheers

Stuck it on the scale this morning and it is 34g with adaptor!

  Interesting Motors with built in ESCs....Im assuming this type of setup requires a good airflow to keep things cool?

It would have plenty of cooling in a Multi, but in a pusher plane?...Is it not a bit at risk of overheating?...Like to try it, but curious about its suitability.

I suppose you need a small 5V BEC then to drive the Elevon servos, but I guess the advantage is you can install that anywhere within reason.  I like to put my ESC under the motor in this config as there is precious little room inside.
No doubt the little WingWing can do serious distance though, seen it

Yeah I think I will make some ducts to ensure it's getting a good flow of air through the base where the ESC is. Time will tell how it copes, but it's probably not going to be under a huge amount of stress unless you are gunning it all the time. Will be using a 5V BEC as you say to power the servos.

[FlyingRock]

Stuck it on the scale this morning and it is 34g with adaptor!

Yeah I think I will make some ducts to ensure it's getting a good flow of air through the base where the ESC is. Time will tell how it copes, but it's probably not going to be under a huge amount of stress unless you are gunning it all the time. Will be using a 5V BEC as you say to power the servos.

That is pretty much my setup too; I've been using the ZTW Black Widow for quite a bit with no heat issues but most of the time I'm cruising around ~5-6amps draw. No mods for increased airflow either. If you're going for high speed/ high amp burst type flying I'd a separate ESC/Motor would be a safer combo I believe. And 4S too :)

Cheers