The Tri-Copter

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:

  1. It is relatively cheap, about $50, for the frame and landing skids (with shipping).
  2. Only 3 motors and ESC’s
  3. 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.
  4. IT folds up for easy transport
  5. 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:

tricopter_build_01tricopter_build_02

His awesome 3D printed rear mount with shiny new Servo:
tricopter_build_04

Power distribution board all mounted up (more of a test fit):tricopter_build_03

Test fitting my Naze32 Flight Controller and RXR:tricopter_build_05

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 Smile

I’m semi-interested in APM or Pixhawk on one of these too.

More as it develops.

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