Weight and handling of F550 with gimbal and FPV

[olof]

I am flying a stock ESC and Motor 550 with Naza GPS and a 2 axis gimbal and a FPV cam.

This is what I am getting for flight times and the weight of rig.

View attachment 8764

These are 3cel Onyx Lipos

Now the max rated takeoff weight is 2400g, but I must say flying a little heavy handles pretty much the same as w/o camera. I would even say that it is a bit better in gusty wind.

With a little post stabilization the video results are nice. The Motors ESC's and batteries are just barley warm to the touch after even 6 flights to the max. It is in the upper 20F temp range here in NH, so in the heat there may be issues, I will find out this summer.

Do you think I am pushing my luck here and what checking procedures would more experienced operators recommend other than making sure all screws are tight visually checking props for any damage.

I tested the return to home feature yesterday and it worked flawlessly landing within 3' of takeoff spot in 3-6 mph wind. Fully loaded 2552g.

I will be testing some Gemfan Nylon/Carbon Mix 10x4.5 props and Graupner E-props 10x5. Any thoughts on 4.5 v 5 pitch for this load range?

I have absolutely no jelly at a 320 sec shutter at 60 fps. All and all I am quite happy with this kit.

I was considering going to a S800 but for now I think I will stick with this kit. I also have a F450 with GoPro that flies very well but the Sony picture is far superior.

Here is a photo of the rig:
View attachment 8765

Exact specs:

Standard motors ESCs
Naza w GPS
DTXC1878 Onyx LiPo 3S 11.1V 6400mAh 25C Soft Case Deans
Futaba 8FGHS Super 8-Channel 2.4GHz Radio MD2
FUTL7627 Futaba R617FS Fasst 2.4Ghz 7 Channel receiver
MKTRpro Gimbal with dual roll servos, single direct tilt servo, I use Naza to control it and one channel to adjust tilt from the 8FGHS.
CMQ1684L-N SONY Super HAD CCD II 600TVL D-WDR DNR Mini Board
PB0018 8 Channel 800mW 1.2 to1.3ghz Wireless A/V Transmitter and receiver
CMQ1684L-N SONY Super HAD CCD II 600TVL D-WDR DNR Mini Board FPV cam
IKAN 9" Monitor with IDX battery and a voltage regulator for the receiver (IDX is 16.8v, I regulate it down to 12.1v) on a light stand.
NX5N with 16mm f2.8 pancake lens
10x5 Gemfam carbon fiber props. I have ordered a some others to test and balance.

 

[Ray Bahas]

Hi Olof,

That's good news I cannot share unfortunately. My Copter set is similar but having real trouble getting stable and jitter free images.
I started first with the Naza F550 stock motors and props, just glued the Gopro direct to the bottom frame and flew for some test. The DJI was responding good but forget about the images stability and vibrations. While testing, I broke 2 props in the air, in different flights, with no explanation but I suspect an insect hit one time and sudden maneuver the second. I learnt later that these pros were really fragile and I was not the only one met with this situation.

Then I went for an upgrade and replaced motors and props with Kopterworx and Graupner 10 x 5. Difference was huge. The Naza became more responsive, fast and vibration free after good props balancing. Also I was able to increase the payload. I am using Zippy 3S 5000 mAh. So I fixed the Aerocraft gimbal for Gopro (with Robb servos) and used the Naza controler for Roll and Tilt. Absolute failure !!! I learnt again that the Naza controller wasn't fit for this equipment and needed an independent controller like Hoverfly (350$)...

Next step, I decided to play it pro ! Got the very good Photohigher Av 130 gimbal equipped with it's own Skyline controller, a BEC to isolate power feed and then started testing. I also went for Billowy 3S 5900 mAh 35c continuous and 70c burst batteries. In this configuration, Gross weight is around 2700 g without camera... I expect the total load to be around 3100 g with Sony nex5 added to it.

I guess one would like to know the outcome... Well, it's total disappointment ! Overload ? Bad parameters ? Or simply the Nasa F550 not up to the task ? I have no idea...
View attachment 8768View attachment 8769

 

[kloner]

the motors are the weak link at first, then because they carry more, the props too small to carry more weight and it needs extensions, that works, but is really soft arms, but an option......

You both are approaching the next level in weights. the 550 can only do so much. Ray, an 11" prop would help, but mine a little heavier, bigger arms wants 12" props to do that right with a naza, 12x5, 12x6

 

[VINHEX]

I pushed my F550 over the limit. Ended up flying like a bumble bee lol. I was around 2.9kg with everything standard. Hence why upgraded, thought in the end if I had all that money flying around why adapt something that she wasn't really designed for, but this is only my opinion, would have loaded and loaded if I could have but when I needed arm extensions made me twitch a bit. I love the F550 it's a great multi had some good fun with it. But didn't have confidence I flying her with that weight in the end.

View attachment 8777
View attachment 8778

Link http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PX5_wxvfhWo



Vin
DJI F550, DJI WKM, DJI DataLink 2.4Ghz, 3s 3300, 3s 5000, Aeroxcraft Landing Gear, Graupner 10x5 e-Props, Spektrum DX8, AR8000 Receiver
TM1000, Fatshark Attitude SD, Sony Exview Had II CCD 650 Line Sony Effio-E
Fatshark Spironet Antenna's, Bank balance 0.00
DJI iOSD

 

[Sound Advantage]

It looks like all pretty close to being in the same boat. Your mind on the scale tonight and here's what I found. This is with a 3C 5000 mW battery.

View attachment 8793View attachment 8794

Looks like that works out to about 2.33 kg.