Mojave
Member
This New Build of a HexaCrafter 1100L is going to be a slow project. Currently multirotors are not my business but I would like to explore the possibility – and here I am. I have started some phases of this project so I thought I might as well get my introduction and project goals out in the open. As I make progress I will revive the thread and seek advice.
Initially I looked at HexacCrafter frames late in 2013 and was thinking about going to an XY 8 style frame to lift my digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera for still photography of landscapes and possibly other projects. I found the forum because my curiosity was piqued due to a series of events: I wanted to get a better vantage point for my photography; I was frustrated with all of the buildings in my line of sight as I tried to photograph the wild fires in the Spring Mountains in the late summer of 2013; later I was on a cross country trip and stopped in Manhattan Kansas at the Konza Prairie Biological Station. I saw some people flying a multirotor helicopter and filming the tall grass prairie. I came to the multirotor forum during my searches, then started to make inquiries.
Andrew Raines (HexaCrafter) was very patient with his responses to my inquiries. I let him know that I wanted to get one of his frames but I would build a DJI F550 first to get some experience building my first multirotor hexacopter. I bought a kit to build and have had a lot of fun honing a new skill set (and remembering high school electronics class) and learning the language of remote control aircraft that i try not to take for granted. In February 2014 I contacted Andrew again and we started to discuss the build. I also spoke with Kloner and got his input.
Currently I am a biologist and work on power infrastructure projects, to help with compliance (solar power), and also assist with restoration of habitat after these large scale projects are completed. I would like to be able to integrate these skills with aerial photography staged from multirotor platforms.
My list or multirotor requirements:
- Ability to lift a Canon 5D or 1D
- A good gimbal but at this time my concentration is still photography with a secondary interest in video
- Ability to switch from a first person view (FPV) to look through my main DSLR to position the shots for matching panoramic segments and framing
- Retractable landing gear to lower the drag and yes, the ‘coolness’ factor
- Ability to run the system from one or two radios (camera operator)
- Relatively easily transportable
I decided to go with the HexaCrafter 1100L hexacopter using T-motor U7s. The frame is 43.5 inches from spindle to spindle or 46.5 inches (1.18 m) in diameter (from the tip of the motor mount to the opposite mount)
It took me a while to get all the parts together and this is what I currently have decided on:
- HexaCrafter 1100L Frame, Battery Extension Plates and Power Distribution set-up from HexaCrafter including six T-Motor 80A ESCs
- Six T-Motor U7 490kV motors and 2 spares
- T-motor propeller sets of 18 inch and will purchase 16 inch set later.
- PhotoHigher AV200 IDD and Pan Kit pre-assembled (mostly) at the factory
- AlexMos Bascam32 – 3axis controller for the AV200 IDD
- Aeronavics XM Landing Gear and Gear Rail Assembly Retractable Ti - Extended
- DJI A2 +iOSD II + Datalink 2.4G BT Combo kit (now I am nervous about the A2)
- Futaba 8FG Extra Radio for camera person
- Stratosnapper 2 RC camera release and accessories
- Gens Ace 10 amp and 5.3 amp 6S batteries with XT90 connectors
- Progressive RC Charger kit in Case (iCharger 308 + Mean Well 1500 24 volt power supply)
I still need the video transmitter and FPV camera kit and other items to fill out the final project. Suggestions form people on the forum are welcome.
View attachment 18290
Initially I looked at HexacCrafter frames late in 2013 and was thinking about going to an XY 8 style frame to lift my digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera for still photography of landscapes and possibly other projects. I found the forum because my curiosity was piqued due to a series of events: I wanted to get a better vantage point for my photography; I was frustrated with all of the buildings in my line of sight as I tried to photograph the wild fires in the Spring Mountains in the late summer of 2013; later I was on a cross country trip and stopped in Manhattan Kansas at the Konza Prairie Biological Station. I saw some people flying a multirotor helicopter and filming the tall grass prairie. I came to the multirotor forum during my searches, then started to make inquiries.
Andrew Raines (HexaCrafter) was very patient with his responses to my inquiries. I let him know that I wanted to get one of his frames but I would build a DJI F550 first to get some experience building my first multirotor hexacopter. I bought a kit to build and have had a lot of fun honing a new skill set (and remembering high school electronics class) and learning the language of remote control aircraft that i try not to take for granted. In February 2014 I contacted Andrew again and we started to discuss the build. I also spoke with Kloner and got his input.
Currently I am a biologist and work on power infrastructure projects, to help with compliance (solar power), and also assist with restoration of habitat after these large scale projects are completed. I would like to be able to integrate these skills with aerial photography staged from multirotor platforms.
My list or multirotor requirements:
- Ability to lift a Canon 5D or 1D
- A good gimbal but at this time my concentration is still photography with a secondary interest in video
- Ability to switch from a first person view (FPV) to look through my main DSLR to position the shots for matching panoramic segments and framing
- Retractable landing gear to lower the drag and yes, the ‘coolness’ factor
- Ability to run the system from one or two radios (camera operator)
- Relatively easily transportable
I decided to go with the HexaCrafter 1100L hexacopter using T-motor U7s. The frame is 43.5 inches from spindle to spindle or 46.5 inches (1.18 m) in diameter (from the tip of the motor mount to the opposite mount)
It took me a while to get all the parts together and this is what I currently have decided on:
- HexaCrafter 1100L Frame, Battery Extension Plates and Power Distribution set-up from HexaCrafter including six T-Motor 80A ESCs
- Six T-Motor U7 490kV motors and 2 spares
- T-motor propeller sets of 18 inch and will purchase 16 inch set later.
- PhotoHigher AV200 IDD and Pan Kit pre-assembled (mostly) at the factory
- AlexMos Bascam32 – 3axis controller for the AV200 IDD
- Aeronavics XM Landing Gear and Gear Rail Assembly Retractable Ti - Extended
- DJI A2 +iOSD II + Datalink 2.4G BT Combo kit (now I am nervous about the A2)
- Futaba 8FG Extra Radio for camera person
- Stratosnapper 2 RC camera release and accessories
- Gens Ace 10 amp and 5.3 amp 6S batteries with XT90 connectors
- Progressive RC Charger kit in Case (iCharger 308 + Mean Well 1500 24 volt power supply)
I still need the video transmitter and FPV camera kit and other items to fill out the final project. Suggestions form people on the forum are welcome.
View attachment 18290
