Andrew W
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Folding H-Copter Build


This the build log of my folding H-Copter.  Like my other copters I really love folding multirotors.  Warning lots of pics!

I designed this quadcopter from scratch and on the fly, I kinda just started with a rough idea what I wanted and then started sketching on paper.  I sketch the body in 1/2 sections so I could keep things symmetrical. I mocked it up with props and wooden dowels. 

I started with 1/2" wooden booms then switched to 1/2" hollow aluminum tubes from Hobby King once I was happy with the performance. 

It has a hacked and rebuilt RCTimer camera gimbal and vibration dampening camera tray like David Windeståls.  The FPV system is 5.8ghz with a sony board camera which I fly through seperate from the GoPro which is on the gimbal.

The Specs:
Flight Controller: DJI Naza-M V2
Motors: SunnySky 2216-11 900kv
ESC: Hobby King 20A Reflashed with simonk
Propellers: 10"x4.5
Frame and Arm Material: Lexan, wood and aluminum
RC Timer Camera Gimbal (hacked)
Battery: Turnigy 3000mah Lipo

Check out the video for an overview of the H-Copter and a flight at the end of the video.

The Build Log:

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Mocking up the size and where the props will be
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Lexan with template
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Lexan/polycarbonate body template
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Testing the folding arms
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The 4 arms in place with the Lexan body
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Test fold
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Adding the wooden body spars for strength
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Adding the top plate
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Landing gear and hobby king 20A ESCs
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Cutting out holes to run the wires to the ESCs
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ESCs positioned
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Wiring for the power distribution
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Power distribution
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Wire run through the body to the arms
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ESCs wired up with 3.5mm bullet connections
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JST connector for other accessories like FPV
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Landing gear mounted and leveled using my phone level app
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All of the electronics and parts
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DJI Naza-M V2 flight controller
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Sunnysky 2216-11 900kv with 10"x4.5 props, Hobbyking 20A ESC flashed with simonk
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Zip ties to mount everything, they are the best invention ever!  Also a ziptie gun.
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Running the ESC leads, also had to use some extensions
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Mounting the GPS module on the rear top plate
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Test flight
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The H-Copter all folded into a nice compact form factor
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This is an updated pic with aluminum arms
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The arms were kicked out a few degrees to add some stability when the camera gimbal is mounted
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View of the sony camera used for FPV and the 5.8ghz transmitter
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Motors mounted with zip ties
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Vibration dampening camera and battery tray, this works awesome to get jello free video
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Hacked RCTimer camera gimbal
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  Camera gimbal and Gopro3+ mounted
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The camera gimbal was mounted on foam and zipties, this works really well for quick removal or installation
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Lipo mounted, I get around 8 minutes of flight with a 3000mah fulled loaded (1700-1800grams), this bird is heavy!  With a 5000mah, I estimate around 12 minutes of flight time.
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The H-copter folded and in it's storage area when not in use.
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