So my buddy has one of these, and since I recently smashed up one of my acrobatic quads and broke a speed controller. I now have 3 of something so a tri-copter seems like a good plan.
I was really impressed with my buddy’s tri. It was quite acrobatic and stable. Actually looks like an as-good if not better camera platform than some of the DJI based quads.
So I ordered a frame. The SimpleCopter 2.0 There’s lots to like about this:
- It is relatively cheap, about $50, for the frame and landing skids (with shipping).
- Only 3 motors and ESC’s
- It’s really light, and the booms are 1/2 x 1/2 pine boards that you can get, oh, at just about any hardware store.
- IT folds up for easy transport
- Most of the mounting things are simply wire-ties. So you can break a motor mount, and it costs you less than 10 cents.
My buddy has already made some improvements, he has a nicer 3D printed tail yaw control. The motors I have don’t have the brackets to mount to it though. I’ve ordered some. He also whipped me up a couple 3D printed mounts for my motors for the front arms. If your motors have the simple brackets you just strap those babies on with wire ties.
I had some time tonight to gut the crashed quad and start on this.
The 3D Printed motor mounts for the front arms which still attach with wire-ties:
His awesome 3D printed rear mount with shiny new Servo:
Power distribution board all mounted up (more of a test fit):
Test fitting my Naze32 Flight Controller and RXR:
Still unsure about where to put the ESC’s, in between the top and bottom frame parts I suppose.
The motors are 980kv, which are super fine/super fun on a 330/350 size quad with 8” props so I’m expecting to swing 10” props on this and we’ll see how that goes. If I don’t like it, then we’ll get some 1400-1800vk motors. But for what I think I want this for, FPV that might work just fine.
I should probably paint this thing to protect it. Maybe I’ll do that with the next one, cause you know there will be more than one 
I’m semi-interested in APM or Pixhawk on one of these too.
More as it develops.
6 Replies to “The Tri-Copter”