Budget Multi-Rotor

by khattak | June 12, 2013 | (0) Posted in How To

For a long time I have wanted to build a Multi-copter but My father said the price has to be $120.00 or less for him to buy it for me so First I thought I could build a tricopter because it has the least amount of motors meaning it was cheaper although I was very wrong. Quad-coptesr are a little cheaper to build Because they don't have any yaw mechanism or expensive servo. The tri copter having a yaw and servo can cost around 25 dollars to make although for an extra motor and speed controller you have to pay around 15 dollars. So here's the list.

This control board is set for quad copters so all you have to do is to use it

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21977__HobbyKing_Multi_Rotor_Control_Board_V3_0_Atmega328_PA_.html

 

Next you need 4 motors

Lazer Toyz sells this with the name blue wonder but I get it from hobbyking

This one is from hobby king http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2069__hexTronik_24gram_Brushless_Outrunner_1300kv.html

And this one is from lazer toyz http://www.lazertoyz.com/2712-12-24g_p_10.html

 

So now there are four motors that are worthless without ESCs

 

 

Turnigy Plush ESCs are an options but this one is designed for multi-copters.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__27775__Turnigy_Multistar_20_Amp_Multi_rotor_Brushless_ESC_2_4S_OPTO_.html

In order to have a multi-rotor you have to get the rotor part

So here are the propellers. They come in different colors. Here's the link for the yellow ones.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25817__8045_SF_Props_2pc_Standard_Rotation_2_pc_RH_Rotation_Flouro_Yellow_.html

 

So now comes power distribution You can go to your local hobby shop and by a board or a connector or buy some XT60s, wire, and bullet connectors to make your own although some soldering equipment and experience is required so if you don't know how to solder just buy a ready made power distribution board.

So that's all the electronics Although you have to have a controller with an extra receiver and a extra lipo battery. And a charger  so not adding start up costs the electronics cost me 114 dollars. I already have a charger and controller from my airplanes.

 

So now comes the frame I am going with the flitetest any copter hub kit. Although I have a scroll saw and am very good at cutting so I can make them for free it's made from 3/32 of an inch of plywood(I had this lying around). The arms are 1/2 inch square dowels that are sold at the home depot for $1.97 each. And finally the screws I got these for $0.50 at tractor supply. I will make another article on the frame later so for now. This is a guide to your first multi-copter.

COMMENTS

jerimiah85 on June 17, 2013
You could have went cheaper motors like the turnigy areodrive 1200kv there 6 bucks at hobby king the esc you can get cheaper too.. I'm building my first quad a d I've spent 20 quad frame off eBay 4 motors was 20 bucks or so and I got the cheap 15.00 control board and hobby king esc's so ready to go it has takin me 2 weeks to get all parts and without shipping I've spent 90 bucks in the air.
Log In to reply
Zeron on June 18, 2013
Which aerodrive is #6 at Hobbyking? The cheapest appears to be $13:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/RC_PRODUCT_SEARCH.asp?searchType=10&strSearch=aerodrive&location=AL&idCategory=&sortBy=Price1&NumPerPage=100¤tPage=
Log In to reply
jerimiah85 on June 18, 2013
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26487__Turnigy_DST_1200_Brushless_Bell_Motor_1200kv_USA_Warehouse_.html

here ya go there great motors for 6.86 a pop. I got 9043 props on them and loads of power.
Log In to reply
sailorJohn on June 21, 2013
OPTO on your ESC means no BEC! You'll have to have a source of 4.8 volts to power your electronics. A separate BEC is about 12 dollars or more .I learned this the hard way.
Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.


Budget Multi-Rotor