Smitty's TriCopter Build

Airframe = Open Surprise Y3/Y6 Carbon Fiber
http://www.opensurprise.com/y3-y6-tricopter-carbon-fiber-airframe-p-124.html


Control Board = OpenPilot Copter Control
http://www.openpilot.org/products/openpilot-coptercontrol-platform/
http://www.innov8tivedesigns.com/product_info.php?cPath=125&products_id=894&osCsid=e9b21e47749ff19126bf9e62faa6ce4b


Motor's = RCX A2830-12 850kv outrunner brushless
http://www.myrcmart.com/rcx-a283012-850kv-outrunner-brushless-motor-airplane-free-mounts-p-3723.html


ESC's = RCX 30amp
http://www.myrcmart.com/rcx-30a-esc-brushless-motor-speed-controller-programmable-series-p-3786.html


Servo = Undecided, need to obtain.


Transmitter & Receiver = Undecided, need to obtain.

Test fit all parts:


I'll post the details in final assembly.

It's like Christmas!
The motors and ESC's arrived from Hong Kong today.
I'll work on posting some pictures soon.


The OpenPilot Copter Control Board is still pending.
I need to find the proper servo and a Tx & Rx for this 3 armed bird.

Congratulations Smitty.  I am looking forward to seeing your's and Tiger's build threads.  You guys are inspiring me to do a multirotor.

One of the first things that I noticed when unpacking the motors & ESCs is the cross shaped motor mounts. They are useless in this build. The motors will be attached directly to the CF motor mount plates. It's difficult to see the smaller holes on the plates. The 4mm screws required to mount the motors will not fit the holes in the CF. So... custom fitting (reaming the holes) will be needed.





I've spent some time trying to figure out where on the air frame to mount the ESC's. Ideally, I would prefer the ESC's be mounted within the center structure with the power wires routed through the CF booms. But that may not be the best solution. Any ideas?

I think there are two trains of thought.

- Mount the ESCs outside near the motors and perhaps benefit from short motor connections and potential cooling from the downdraft.
- Mount the ESCs inside or close to the center and perhaps benefit from shorter input wires to the ESC.

When/If I build a multirotor I will mount my ESCs in the center and choose to route the motor wires through the booms to the motor.  I also feel that the lengthening the high power motor wires is a better solution than long, and unshielded, ESC input wires.

I would go for the cooling especially w/ ESC's that offer no Heat-Sink's. For the lengths of wiring needed for Ripple "noise" to be an issue is extremity long, either way nothing a few filtering CAP's can't sort out or go w/ ARF approch ... just my opinion AKA: my choice ... Although IMO the extra wire lengths could be a weight issue I think extra cooling would be the best bang for the buck

I'm suppressed at how COST effective you are being w/ this build Smitty ...  I was going to buy a QUAD ARF kit but given what I'm seeing here I think a DIY approach would be the most cost effective. Now just a matter deciding WHEN to start teh build {LOL} as we have a new Heli project that will be starting in less then 30 days hey Yoda So the QUAD build is going to be after the Heli build ... Meh, BIG dreams, little cash ... So WHO cares it's only $$$   

I'm not sure this build is cost effective. Although I did shop to find a good deal on the motors and ESC's ($66 delivered). I'm currently at about $270 and I still need a servo, Tx and Rx.


I appreciate your input(s). My final choice will most likely fall to form over function.


One option that i'm considering is to mount the ESC's directly below the motors (where, if I were building a Y6 the other motors would go) But that option has it's own risks and benefits.

{LOL} Cost effective for me given what I was going to pay ...
... was going to go w/ the GAUI 500X (@ $529.99) but I don't need a Tx so there's that

Besides one extra motor, ESC and prop, you get a screw driver and carry bag.
Is that a government screw driver?


That link does have an interesting payload calculation table.

For the price they want, it had better be a Solid GOLD Screwdriver

Yipee!  Innov8tiveDesigns.com has shipped my order for the OpenPilot Copter Control board.


Any suggestions on which transmitter I should be looking for?
For that matter, anyone have said transmitter for sale or trade?

I've got a DX7SE (special edition) that I might want to get rid of for $250.  It's in excellent condition.

Although I normally recommend the DX7 the DX6i can be had for relatively cheap on the used market. The Dx7 is a good Tx as it has you covered for any future projects where as the DX6i will limit you somewhat. Note there are two models of 7 channel radio's to be looked at from Spektrum, the DX7 and the DX7 Special Edition which is the same one GPS Yoda is selling. The Special Edition is lacking a "Trainer Port" which could be an issue if you want to use some of the great Helicopter Simulators such has Phoenix and Real Flight. Other than missing the Trainer Port the Special Edition is on equal ground or footing has it's partner the DX7. If I where in mind to buy a brand NEW Tx the NEW DX8 would be my choice, as it supports "Telemetry" and important for me is it's Back-Lit-Screen. The DX8 is NEW and it's GREAT IMO but that is only my opinion and choice. Regarding SIMS I myself run Phoenix as it the best for "Helicopters" where as Real Flight is best for Planes but that's not the reason I bring up the subject of SIMS. I only want to say I know first hand Phoenix has ONLY ONE model of QUAD and I don't even know what Real Flight has in the way of QUADs or for that matter TRI's but whatever they have we can be sure they are going to charge you for everything the DO offer. {LOL} It's not like we need a SIM for QUAD's anyway with them being such excellent Fly-by-WIRE birds but I just needed to discus them a little. Also I deliberately did not mention Futaba as it's my opinion they are somewhat overpriced and living off their reputation, YES they offer GREAT equipment but it's pricey thus the reason why Spectrum is personally my first and only choice. Now since it's ONLY my opinion anything I SAY here should be taken as a USER review and the opinions of ONE, nothing more. YES many of my choices and opinions are also shared by others and even shared by the consensus but we ALL know "ONE does NOT make a consensus!" That siad "this" is ONLY the voice of ONE - [shadow=Orange,left]w00d[/shadow]

w00d - You forgot to mention that the DX7SE has the faster frame rate than the normal DX7, which is why I purchased it.  It also cost more than the DX7.

Sorry BUd yes I did forget ... Well NO I really didn't forget as it's more to the point I didn't know! Just the Trainer Point WAS important to me so that's the point I fixated on. Either way you are absolutely right, should be NO excuses from Smea {LOL}

I used to wish I had a trainer port on my DX7SE, but all the simulators run on Windows and I don't use Windows so I wouldn't be able to use it anyway.  I can say that the radio is very responsive and the big display makes settings easier on my old eyes.  The only thing I wish it had was a backlight.

You WANT some Back-Light love !?! I DIY'd it into my DX6i (another PIC) but DO do some Goggling
as the Hobby Shops offer some alternatives (and BETTER) Back-Light options for us unlucky "Have NOT's"

If I was going to keep my DX7SE I would modify it for backlighting, but I plan to get a DX8 so I would leave my DX7SE stock for resale value so the future owner can modify it if they wish.