Tiny Whoop and Very Short Flights :-(

Gryf

Active member
Hello, all.

This is actually a continuation of a previous thread, but I've changed a few things on the quad, hence the fresh start.

My Tiny Whoop build is pretty much according to the rules (meaning, the build vid that Jesse posted). I started with a base Inductrix quad, added TW props with Special Sauce motors, installed a Hyperion camera/TX, and swapped out the battery lead for the uprated one from Tiny Whoop... still the micro-JST connector, not the PowerWhoop.

And -

My flights only last a few seconds before the lights flash and the quad falls out of the air. This is on a full charge, and happens with all the batteries I've tried yet - an assortment from 150 to 220 mAh.

I'm open to any suggestions. I really want to build some proficiency with this thing as the indoor flying season approaches. I may run to the Friendly Local Hobby Shop tomorrow and pick up some new batteries to test with, but I figured I'd better ask the experts first. Thanks in advance... photo below.

Cheers,

Gryf

20171015_152532.jpg
 

ElectriSean

Eternal Student
Mentor
It's probably the battery connector. Even the good ones are only rated for a small number of mating cycles, add vibrations and crashes and they really don't last.
 

Gryf

Active member
It's probably the battery connector. Even the good ones are only rated for a small number of mating cycles, add vibrations and crashes and they really don't last.

Hm... the battery lead on the quad is brand new, and one of the batteries I've tried came with the Inductrix and is essentially unused. Yeah, this is a head-scratcher.

Gryf
 

TazRC

Obsession, not hobby
Some of the (early?) Inductrix quads had issues with low voltage cutoff (LVC) new from the mfgr. You can search "Inductrix LVC mod" or "Inductrix LVC bypass" for fixes. I know HH was taking returns when it was first discovered by haven't heard of any replacements lately so the mod might be your only option.
 

JimCR120

Got Lobstah?
Site Moderator
How new are those batteries? I've had what you describe but only with old batteries. On my non-whooping original Inductrix I think I get 4-5 minutes on 220mAH. But these batteries don't seem to fair well against those 4 greedy motors. When my 1S do poorly on the Inductrix I then only use them on my UMX Radian which is much more gentle on those little 1S LiPo's.
 

Gryf

Active member
Thanks for the replies above! I forgot to mention that I first tried swapping out the battery lead for a standard JST, and modded a couple of batteries to match. Unfortunately, that didn't make any difference with flight times... still only seconds, maybe 15 tops. It was only after that that I ordered the heavier-spec micro-JST lead from Tiny Whoop and installed that.

So I think I'll try soldering up those resistors on the flight controller. Stay tuned...

Gryf
 

Gryf

Active member
Hi again... just wanted to note that I got a couple new 220 mAh batteries at the hobby shop today, charged them, and flew each one out... I got about 2:40 on each, so that's definitely progress! I may well try the LVC cutoff mod mentioned earlier, and see what kind of difference that makes.

Eventually I wouldn't mind ordering some of the PowerWhoop batteries, leads, and charge board. As for now I just want to get the hang of flying the darn thing. And I'm cheap. ;-)

Gryf
 

ElectriSean

Eternal Student
Mentor
Glad you made some progress :) I know those 150mah E-Flite batteries are pretty bad, the extra weight of the camera, and the current requirements of the hopped up motors cause them to sag to the LVC almost immediately.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
I have pretty much given up on my "brushed" quads, especially for FPV. The amount of maintenance on replacing motors, broken frames, bad connectors, etc makes them a real drag for me. After getting my FT Gremlin in the air, I may never go back to my inductrixes.... I had both at an indoor fly last weekend. First flight on a new "stock" inductrix frame I hit a gate, splitting the prop duct. <sigh> That was after replacing one of the cute (expensive) carbon/aluminum frames that should have held up, but ended up wadded up in a ball after hitting a heating duct last season.
Whoopsie.jpg

I'll continue to fly them till they completely die and small cache of parts runs out or I find someone who want's them for parts.

Cheers!
LitterBug

My Whoop Replacement:
MaidenedConfig.jpg
 

TazRC

Obsession, not hobby
Good to hear you're making progress, Gryf! :applause:

I continue to get close to 5-min flight times with JST-RCY connectors and 2-blade props on one of my Inductrix quads and I feel it's the best upgrade for the longest flight times. The only downside is there are not many manufacturers of 1S batteries with JST-RCY connectors. I tried talking Thunder Power into producing its incredible little 1S 220 50C with JST-RCY connectors but still nuttin. :(

inductrix-fpv-bottom.jpg
 

JimCR120

Got Lobstah?
Site Moderator
Taz, are those prop cut or bought that way? I've heard going 2 blade will add flight time and for this little guy I would certainly prefer more time over punch out. I've also heard that replacing the connector will add about 30 seconds. Would you agree?

As for FPV equipped ones, I'm sure the extra camera, VTX, and weight all effect flight times adversly, unfortunately.

Personally I'm wanting to migrate out of 1S multi rotors. They still do well with fixed wing though.
 

TazRC

Obsession, not hobby
Hi Jim. That Inductrix is FPV-converted:

inductrix-fpv-1.jpg

Props are stock Eflite with 2 blades chopped off. Motors are 14,000Kv. JST-RCY added 1-1½ min. It's a great setup for indoor (house) FPV. I haven't found anything small enough and reasonably priced in 2S for indoor FPV.