Extreme Cold Operation

[Droider]

So what is the coldest you have flown your MR in.. I am off to the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights, Wolverines, Reindeer, Huskies and Father Christmas!

Temps seem to be hovering around -20ºc with the odd day dropping to -30ºc. I have worked in these and lower temps before with cameras but not with MR's.. any advice would be appreciated. I have a insulated bag with a hand warmer for my batteries.. My GoPros will be acclimatised but I am guessing a much reduced battery life with them.
I will be flying my WMK Flame wheel with either one or two GoPros.. I have insulated all the electronics and am wondering if I should be protecting the esc's as well..

Dave

 

[gadgetkeith]

hi dave

dont forget plastics become pretty brittle at very cold temps

not just frames but props aswell

have fun

 

[Droider]

Got 6 sets of props and will be getting some spare arms!

Departure date is like a ground rush now so many things to do, get, remember!

 

[gadgetkeith]

Dont forget to bring back some cool video of northern lights

also look out for low flying reindeers

keith

 

[Droider]

Just finished insulating the IMU/RX/PMU.. made some neoprene sleeves for batteries for when I pull then out of my cod piece!

 

[Richk]

Minnesota is COLD

I put the MR outside about a hlaf hour before I fly to let the gyro's adjust to the temp and just keep the batteries warm. I've flown at 0 F with no problem

 

[Droider]

Eh Up Richk.. welcome to MRF's and thanks for the tips.. 0ºF.. -17ºc.. brrrrr.. Ok I guess the hour on the ski lifts or the skidoo will get the giros acclimatised then!

Whats your set up

Dave

 

[EgonW3]

I just wonder if installing magnetic compas right above motor cables and so close to a motor and ESC is a good idea...

 

[Droider]

I just wonder if installing magnetic compas right above motor cables and so close to a motor and ESC is a good idea...

Eh Up Egon..

Welcome to MFR.. I can assure you its no mither.. just ask the guys I was flying with on sunday. Quattro and Quadcopters.co.uk.. there is also quite a bit of footage in my thred 'Show What You Filmed"

I use her as a fling around but if I need her to she sticks to the spot like glue..


As i carry her around strpped to the outside of a rucsac I found it really hard to protect the GPS from catching on things so I thought I would try it there.. as I say works fine for me

Dave

 

[Richk]

Eh Up Richk.. welcome to MRF's and thanks for the tips.. 0ºF.. -17ºc.. brrrrr.. Ok I guess the hour on the ski lifts or the skidoo will get the giros acclimatised then!

Whats your set up

Dave

Right now I just have a cheap frame with a KK fc. I'm deciding what to build for a frame for AP as I might be shooting a piece for a full lenght film and not sure weather to buli an octo, hexa , or heavy lift quad-V8 as I want the smoothes platform posibile to carry a Canon 7D

 

[Droider]

Right now I just have a cheap frame with a KK fc. I'm deciding what to build for a frame for AP as I might be shooting a piece for a full lenght film and not sure weather to buli an octo, hexa , or heavy lift quad-V8 as I want the smoothes platform posibile to carry a Canon 7D

Kiss good buy to 7 or 8k go for an octo and allow yourself at least 6 moths of building, tinkering and learning how she flies!

Good luck

Dave

 

[Richk]

Kiss good buy to 7 or 8k go for an octo and allow yourself at least 6 moths of building, tinkering and learning how she flies!

Good luck

Dave

Thats about all the time I have as we start filming in July

 

[Droider]

Thats about all the time I have as we start filming in July

Good luck.. may be it would be cheaper to hire a MR pro with the kit for the job and save all the hassle..

 

[jackwrangham]

So what is the coldest you have flown your MR in.. I am off to the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights, Wolverines, Reindeer, Huskies and Father Christmas!

Temps seem to be hovering around -20ºc with the odd day dropping to -30ºc. I have worked in these and lower temps before with cameras but not with MR's.. any advice would be appreciated. I have a insulated bag with a hand warmer for my batteries.. My GoPros will be acclimatised but I am guessing a much reduced battery life with them.
I will be flying my WMK Flame wheel with either one or two GoPros.. I have insulated all the electronics and am wondering if I should be protecting the esc's as well..

Dave

Hi Dave, sounds like an awesome trip, look forward to seeing some footage!

One thought - Im pretty sure DJI say the compass/GPS wont work within the arctic circle (or i might just be remembering that from the old XP3.1 days), so it may be atti mode only while you're up there.

EDIT - corrected my typos lol, and its on page 33 of the wkm manual about compass calibration - last point in the notices box - 'MC cannot work in the polar circle'

Jack

 

[Bowley]

Hi Jack, how did your Kenyan elephant shoot turn out? I was looking out for the documentary, has it been aired yet? if so I must have missed it.

Steve

 

[Bartman]

Dave,
There's a pretty wide voltage range of incandescent flashlight batteries available. you might be able to position a few inside the dome with a spare battery for power and let them put some heat to the electronics. my impression with this stuff is that if you let it acclimate it will perform as normal except for the batteries and plastics of course so maybe the heat's unnecessary.
have fun, wish i could be there with you to see it all happening.
bart