2665 replies to this topic

[timnilson]

The QAV500 is a new FPV Quad Frame developed by fpvmanuals which will be released in June. It has mounting holes for the CopterControl board and I personally just received a CopterControl board and will try it on the frame -- and then report back. This thread is meant as a place to ask questions about the frame as well as an "owner's thread" (once released) to share ideas, CopterControl tuning parameters, build logs, etc.




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This is the pre-release information for the new QAV500 FPV Quadcopter Frame by fpvmanuals.

Vibration Isolation Design -- The QAV500 is separated into 2 parts: a "dirty" section and a "clean" section. All electronics including flight camera, HD cameras, flight controller, etc. are located on the "clean" part of the frame and are isolated from the "dirty" motor/prop section by custom developed vibration bobbins ("Orange RC Bobbins"). Reducing vibrations to the Flight Controller results in smoother flight performance. Reducing vibrations to the cameras results in smoother video quality.

3-Camera Mounts -- The frame accommodates 3 cameras: a forward facing HD cam (GoPro), a forward facing flight cam, and a downward facing HD cam (GoPro). The frame can be flown with all 3 cameras in operation at the same time due to a large and unique Lipo mounting area to optimize the CG.

Prop Free Video -- None of the cameras have any props in view even with 10" props.

Power and endurance -- The kit is designed to accommodate large multi-rotor motors in the 40mm stator diameter class like the Tiger MT-4006-13 or HK NX-4008. These motors require a 25x25mm and 19x19mm mounting hole pattern or a unique triangular mounting pattern. The kit is intended to be flown with large 4s Lipos. This power train provides lots of lift and long flight times. These motors and 10" props provide a hover time of 12 minutes with a 3300mah 4s Lipo and 14:30 with a 5000mah 4s while still landing the Lipo with 14.2 volts remaining under load (measured prior to landing).

Symmetrical Design -- Unlike other FPV focused quadcopters, the QAV500 is perfectly symmetrical. The motors are 500mm diagonal from motor shaft to motor shaft and the flight controller is centered at the CG point in the middle of the frame. This ensures that the motors/escs work equally hard and that the FC can apply consistant power to level the frame.

Read more about this kit at http://fpvmanuals.com/qav500

Edited by timnilson, 27 May 2012 - 04:16 AM.

[AlPackin]

yeah that's nice Tim but it should be in the "For Sale" section

[timnilson]

yeah that's nice Tim but it should be in the "For Sale" section

Ok, can an admin move this thread there? Sorry for posting this in the wrong forum.

EDIT -- I see it was already moved there. Thanks.

Edited by timnilson, 27 May 2012 - 01:59 AM.

[AlPackin]

no problem, back to where you put it

[BayAreaCrasher]

why would it be in the "For Sale" section? I'm confused.

[.Joel]

That is a really nice looking frame, i'll be most interested in seeing how it compares for COG against the HT-FPV.
Does the downward facing camera also mount as part of the "clean" area of the frame?

One point of this that I am liking is the reduced surface area of the arms on the frame hopefully leading to better stability in higher wind flight.

[timnilson]

That is a really nice looking frame, i'll be most interested in seeing how it compares for COG against the HT-FPV.
Does the downward facing camera also mount as part of the "clean" area of the frame?

One point of this that I am liking is the reduced surface area of the arms on the frame hopefully leading to better stability in higher wind flight.

Thanks Joel. I hope that the group of testers from this forum can comment on how the COG compares between the QAV500 and the HT-FPV frame (once they receive their test units) as I think the testers all have a HT-FPV frame as well. But the QAV500 is laid so that you can mount the lipo on the bottom of the 'clean' frame or the top of the clean frame. The bottom location is much more in the back and even allows you to mount the lipo pushed over the edge of the frame. The top lipo mount allows you to mount the lipo as far forward as right over the flight controller and CG if you're flying with all three cameras or no cameras at all. I think the many positions you can place a lipo in terms of forward/backwards is a key feature for this frame. The frame even enables you to fly with 2 lipos at the same time -- say 2 3300mah 4s lipos in parallel. One on top and one on the bottom of the clean frame (but I have not done that yet). The frame provides you a lot of choices in terms of equipment placement, number of cameras in use, and the kind of lipo used. You're not forced to fly the same size lipo given how your equipment is laid out.

The down cam is also attached to the 'clean' frame. The 'dirty' frame holds the motors and ESCs only. Pictures of the different configurations to come soon.

[gs4322]

Tim,

Need some clarification, I ordered the TBS CORE bundle I assume this include the following:

• Top, Bottom and Camera Mount Plate
• 8 custom aluminum red anodized spacers & 16 fitting screws
• Pin headers for receiver and TBS CORE installation
• Vibration-damping tape for GoPro and VTx
• Rubber Band for GoPro installation

This would be for a setup using DJI Flamewheel Arms.

However, I notice in the picture with aluminum arms, you have four plates. If I decided to use aluminum arms in the future do I need to purchase an additional plate and isolators. Can you clear that for me.

My next question is the aluminum arms, can you tell me the thickness to the frame (it looks like 1/4 inch), length for both front and rear, the weight for both the front and back and cost.

Looking to build my, I have the motors, ESC's, Props, DJI arms and of course my CopterControl board.

Thanks

[Stigoe]

I think you're mixing up two different frames... It seems you ordered a TBS-Discovery, while Tim has the QAV500 frame...

[gs4322]

Stigoe,

Thanks for clearing that up, sorry for the confusion.

Tim,

So what is the cost and detailed specs of this frame.

Thanks

[AlPackin]

I think you're mixing up two different frames... It seems you ordered a TBS-Discovery, while Tim has the QAV500 frame...

yeah I had a problem with that too, they appeared at the same time and looked the same, didn't know one vendor from the other ... both looked like the HoverThing frame

[timnilson]

Stigoe,

Thanks for clearing that up, sorry for the confusion.

Tim,

So what is the cost and detailed specs of this frame.

Thanks

The cost has not yet been announced. The QAV500 is a symmetrical FPV frame in a 500mm size (motor shaft to motor shaft). All the specs are listed here: http://qav500.com

[smarm]

Looking forward to this.

[kevinv033]

Looking forward to this.

You won't be disappointed. I had the opportunity to see this frame first hand yesterday. While it is impressive on paper and in photos, seeing it in-person and being able to hold it was great. Too bad I didn't get to take it for a spin. The photos really aren't doing it justice. There really is a lot of room on this frame to move your packs around to adjust CG. Also there is plenty of room for OSD units, extra sensors, etc etc.

Would be great if the parts magically arrived very early, like this week!

[timnilson]

You won't be disappointed. I had the opportunity to see this frame first hand yesterday. While it is impressive on paper and in photos, seeing it in-person and being able to hold it was great. Too bad I didn't get to take it for a spin. The photos really aren't doing it justice. There really is a lot of room on this frame to move your packs around to adjust CG. Also there is plenty of room for OSD units, extra sensors, etc etc.

Would be great if the parts magically arrived very early, like this week!

Thanks Kevin. I am sorry you did not get to fly it before I broke a prop when I rolled into the dirt -- I was flying the Naza for a few packs and was using altitude/stabilized mode the whole time. I then switched to manual and was not able to adjust fast enough. So the QAV500 ditched sideways into the dirt -- not a very violent crash, but it broke a Graupner E-Prop. This was the first 'crash' for the frame and other then the broken prop, nothing else was bent or cracked.

[Golden]

A very impressive demonstation of the frame this weekend Tim, really is a beauty. I had an chance to sneak a peak on your FPV feed when you were flying over by the abandoned farmhouse, and the stabiility of image was really popping out at me. Can't wait to see some more footage!

[timnilson]

A very impressive demonstation of the frame this weekend Tim, really is a beauty. I had an chance to sneak a peak on your FPV feed when you were flying over by the abandoned farmhouse, and the stabiility of image was really popping out at me. Can't wait to see some more footage!

Glad you were able to watch the live feed! I'll try and post the 1080p video of that flight. I also have received the CopterControl board and will try to get that mounted and dialed in.

[YouMadeMeDoIt]

I too had a chance to lay eyes on this frame over the weekend and have to say that it is a beautiful work of design and engineering. Clever, clean, and to my surprise it is a very substantial frame regarding it's size. It sure isn't the little FPV frame I thought it would be, it is a decently sized craft. Very sharp work there Tim, congratulations on creating such a nice piece of flying machinery!

[timnilson]

I too had a chance to lay eyes on this frame over the weekend and have to say that it is a beautiful work of design and engineering. Clever, clean, and to my surprise it is a very substantial frame regarding it's size. It sure isn't the little FPV frame I thought it would be, it is a decently sized craft. Very sharp work there Tim, congratulations on creating such a nice piece of flying machinery!

I am glad you got to see it in person and thanks for your post. I just uploaded 2 videos we took that day at the farm house. These are not great videos, but I thought I post them anyway. These clips were uploaded directly to YouTube from the GoPro... no editing. Recorded in 1080p. I was flying the Naza in stab/altitude hold mode and that does add a good amount of FC wobble. But you can see that the video is stable and clean. I am now working on swapping the Naza out for a CopterControl board I received from Falco (thank you Falco!).

In the first video, go to 2:13... that's my favorite part.

Edited by timnilson, 30 May 2012 - 04:14 AM.

[k_g]

I can't remember the last time I was this impatient for anything. Yer killin me Tim!