TwitchFrames mini tricopter build

[cranialrectosis]

That's not bad. Very cool looking frame. If I kill my ZMR I will take one motor, make a mighty mini, and use the other 3 for one of these. I assume the yaw control is awesome on a tiny tri. Thanks and good luck on these builds!

Yaw on my Twitch mini-tricopter is insane. I had to dial it back or the LEDs become a blur.

I concur with narcolepticltd, these frames are very well done. I have 3, the original G10 mini-hex, a CF mini-hex and the CF mini-tricopter. These frames are well thought out, sturdy, light, rigid and fly well.

You can do a lot worse and pay a lot more elsewhere.

 

[cranialrectosis]

Oh wait, to you sell these by email Twitchity? Oops my bad. Anyone have an overall weight of the frame before electronics?

My build was a slightly older version. It looks like Twitch has modded the lower plate with larger holes so you can access the standoffs without disassembling the copter (nice touch Twitch). It also looks like he slid the top plate lipo slot a bit forward to make it simpler to balance the copter by pushing the lipo forward if you put it on the top plate.

CF without parts or hardware weighs 71 grams:
http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?14472-CranialRectosis-Twitchity-Mini-Tricopter-build

Completely assembled using the Mustang tail pivot and without the lipo, my copter weighs in at 285 grams. With SunnySky 2300s and HQ 6045 rotors I have plenty of power and get <> 14 minutes of acro flight with a Turnigy 1300mAh 45-90C lipo.

 

[Twitchity]

Thanks guys.

narcolepticltd and cranialrectosis already chimed in with the weights, but I'll add in what I jut got as well since I've been working on a new tail mechanism. When I weighed all of the parts I got a reading of 107g.

 

[cranialrectosis]

So <> 30g in hardware including the tail pivot mount.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

OK, time to do some assembly.

 

[narcolepticltd]

OK, time to do some assembly.

Which servo are you using? Were you able to source a TGY-210 or is that a 211? Also, what PDB is that there? =)

I think bad weather is keeping my stuff from getting here, so I'll have to watch you guys until then.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Which servo are you using? Were you able to source a TGY-210 or is that a 211?

It's the 211. It fits perfectly as far as I can tell.

Also, what PDB is that there? =)

The PDB is from Lumenier.

 

[narcolepticltd]

It's the 211. It fits perfectly as far as I can tell.



The PDB is from Lumenier.

I ended up going with a 211 as well... same size as the 210, just not as strong (but in stock... the 210 seems to never be in stock)

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

It took me longer than I expected, but I have the tricopter built.









I used just about all the available space on the frame.





The motor to motor distance is maybe 202 or 203 mm, but I'm just going to round it off to 200 mm.



The weight of the tricopter without a battery is 317 g. The nano-tech 3S 1300 mAh 45C brings the all up weight to 436 g.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

Here's a weight comparison of the 3 different batteries I'm going to be trying out on this build:

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I'm working on a time lapse I shot of the whole build process. It might take me a few days to get it finished.

 

[Twitchity]

I can't believe I missed the built photos, nicely done Code. What does the MK 9 sticker stand for? Also, you seem to build fast when you get a new frame.

This is a tiny frame and doesn't give you much spare room for anything else, but it has enough for the FPV equipment. I removed my FatShark vtx and replaced it with a much smaller 200mw vtx which saved a lot of room. This let me mount it under the top plate so I could strap a Mobius to the top. My current rebuild will be slightly different than that though. Just need my servos to show up.

 

[narcolepticltd]

I also completely missed the build photos! This is looking great C0d3M0nk3y

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I can't believe I missed the built photos, nicely done Code.

Thanks.

What does the MK 9 sticker stand for?

That's just my naming scheme for keeping track of my builds. This is the 9th build I've done. I actually intended for that to be on the bottom, but I got the two bottom plates confused for a bit.

Also, you seem to build fast when you get a new frame.

Yeah, I told you I was excited. I hope I get a break from the winter weather soon so I can maiden this copter.

This is a tiny frame and doesn't give you much spare room for anything else, but it has enough for the FPV equipment. I removed my FatShark vtx and replaced it with a much smaller 200mw vtx which saved a lot of room. This let me mount it under the top plate so I could strap a Mobius to the top.

Yeah, I'm kicking around a couple of ideas.

Just need my servos to show up.

More than one servo?

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

I also completely missed the build photos! This is looking great C0d3M0nk3y

Thanks!

 

[Twitchity]

I ordered a spare servo. My current servo got messed up in a crash and there's a lot of slop in the gear. I figured I'd order two this time so I wouldn't have to wait/pay shipping if it happens again.

 

[jipp]

it looks good. safe to say probably not the best frame for ones first build. heh. i will want some more space to learn how to wire the thing up.
chris.

 

[narcolepticltd]

Jipp I wouldn't say it's that difficult, but you'll want to make sure what you have will fit properly. My biggest issue was the combination of the motor wiring with my choice of ESC being difficult/impossible to properly disassemble to solder the wires directly. After seeing cranial state that he ruined 3 of those ESCs trying, I have no problems with my current solution.

 

[jipp]

Jipp I wouldn't say it's that difficult, but you'll want to make sure what you have will fit properly. My biggest issue was the combination of the motor wiring with my choice of ESC being difficult/impossible to properly disassemble to solder the wires directly. After seeing cranial state that he ruined 3 of those ESCs trying, I have no problems with my current solution.

thanks for the feedback. i still think i would need a larger frame to work with. even tho iv been reading all this time and learning what i can.. till i get the parts in my hand and try to put one together i am really flying on blind logic. laughs.

chris.

p.s
i burned through about 15 battery's on the nano today in the wind. it sure was not meant to fly in anything stronger than a gental breeze. lol. even cracked the cab. had to put the spare green one on, and super glue to fix the yellow one. go figure.. but even with all the crashing it was good exercise in hovering.
and its fun to fly.

 

[cranialrectosis]

After seeing cranial state that he ruined 3 of those ESCs trying, I have no problems with my current solution.

Glad to see my smoke signals were of value to someone.