Bat Bone tricopter build

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I started a Bat Bone tricopter build.

Initial specs:

MK 3: Bat Bone tricopter

motors: Suppo 2208/14 1450KV
ESCs: Neewer 20A (SimonK)
servo: Suppo SP-MG90S
FC: KK2.1 (Steveis v1.17S2Pro)
RX: FrSky X8R
props: Gemfan 8045
battery: Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 25C

boom length: 25 cm
motor to motor distance: 595 mm
all up weight: 807 g
​

Current specs:

MK 3: Bat Bone tricopter

motors: Suppo 2208/14 1450KV
ESCs: RTFQ F-20A (SimonK)
servo: Hitec HS-82MG
FC: Naze32 acro rev5
RX: FrSky X4R-SB
telemetry: FrSky SP-FLVS, FrSky SP-GPS
props: Gemfan 8045
battery: Turnigy 2200 mAh 3S 25C
camera: Mobius wide angle

boom length: 25 cm
motor to motor distance: 520 mm
all up weight: 865 g
​

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

A few photos of my progress:







Size comparison with the MK 2:

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I picked up these ESCs because they have the SimonK firmware on them and they were about $7 shipped. Does anyone know if they're any good?

 

[cranialrectosis]

Another nice build. I think you should review the NEEWER ESCs for us.

Are they any good?

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Another nice build.

Thanks.

I think you should review the NEEWER ESCs for us.

Are they any good?

I'll give them a shot and see how it goes.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I mounted my KK board tonight. I wanted it to be removable, so I stuck it to the bottom half of the hard case with some foam tape and then used some zip ties to secure the whole thing to the bottom plate. My hope is that the foam tape will dampen vibrations and the zip ties will keep everything in place.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I started prepping my ESCs. I needed to extend the wires going to the battery to reach where I'm going to put my power distribution harness, so I decided to remove the originals completely and add new ones that are the proper length.





After that, I put on bullet connectors and heat shrink.

Here's a before and after:

 

[cranialrectosis]

Nice. Love the black KK2. The zip ties will work so long as they do not allow the FCB to slide around and so long as they don't compress the foam too much.

That's the first black KK2 I have seen. I saw the black Naze 32s last night. Very cool.

 

[Krtismo]

Great info and pics! I'm about to build a Bat Bone as my first multirotor build, and this thread should help me a lot!

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I finished up the build tonight. Here are some pics:

 

[Krtismo]

Great minds must think alike because my build will also include Suppo motors, X8R, KK2.1, and even the same voltage moniter and and orange rear prop!

Thanks for the pics and info! It will help me visualize the hardware placement options.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Maiden flight:

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Thanks for the pics and info! It will help me visualize the hardware placement options.

I hope it helps. Getting the placement on everything was a little tough. I wanted to fit the ESCs inside the frame instead of on the booms, but I just couldn't get them to fit.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I did a test today to see if the tricopter could handle the weight of a gopro. I wanted a quick and easy way to attach the camera, so I used this mount that I already had:





It looked like it would be easy enough to attach with the straps, and the foam looked like it would do a good job of dampening vibrations. It is a little heavy, though.



Here's what it looked like attached:







It flew fine, but I could definitely feel the extra weight. Here's the video:

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

My derlin landing gear didn't last more than a couple crashes.



I decided to try landing gear that CPO made for his tricopter. I picked these zip ties up at Harbor Freight:



Making the land gear was pretty straight forward. I added one to the rear, but also kept the derlin landing gear since it is protecting the servo. Here's the result:

 

[Twitchity]

Nice clean build you have there I have that exact same landing gear on my tri, and they are amazing. Any rough landings get absorbed in the zip-ties and doesn't damage anything.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Nice clean build you have there

Thanks.

I have that exact same landing gear on my tri, and they are amazing. Any rough landings get absorbed in the zip-ties and doesn't damage anything.

I agree. I just put my first few batteries through the tri with the new landing gear, and they worked great. It's also nice that they kind of skim along the ground if you're flying low, too. Way better than catching the tip of your landing gear and going into a cartwheel.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

My rear landing gear broke on a hard landing over the weekend. I attached the servo directly under the tilt mechanism with some zip ties.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I added the FrSky SP-FLVS voltage sensor.

 

[pipsqueak]

What is the flight time you get on this setup? I get 3 mins MAX. I'm not even lift a camera. or a brick.

I run the recommended setup from FT. except I run a BMS max servo.

Everything was a big mistake. from the motors to the servo. TGY broke. BMS didn't fit. but I made it fit.