Hi I need help here. We just finished the Octo build and we had the maiden. The only problem is that she flew for only 6.5 minutes. Large octo 980mm, KW10 motors, KW80A esc's, WKM-M controller, AV200 gimbal, Sony camcorder, Secraft retracts, 14x4.7 cf props, 6S-9000mAh AUW around 8kg. I tried the e-calc but they don't have my setup. Can anyone let me what should I change in order to get better mileage? Thanks Bill
I don't know, my partner called me and said that the copter flies very well except the times were low. I think Josh got about 12 minutes. I was wondering why such a difference. Bill
OK I used the e-calc and used the T-motor 3515-15 hoping to be the same as the KW10. And this is what I got, Does it look right?
Josh has said he takes his batteries down fairly far... I don't get the same times as him with my flat CS8 flying nearly the same setup. I only run to 3.8 after cool down so maybe that's it. 15x5's will get you more time. or larger if you can swing them.
Wookong also has a setting in it's software that will bring your bird down at a certain voltage. We don't use that option because we have telemetry set on our radio to tell us when voltage gets low. After disabling that option we notice much long flights.
I don't use the voltage monitor on the WKM. I have a battery warning device attached to the battery and is set to 3.5 then the buzzer goes off. and that thing is loud..http://www.foxtechfpv.com/low-battery-buzzer-alarm-p-922.html Bill
Billy thanks. What are the c ratings of your batteries? That is a missing piece in your eCalc. For the batteries generally go in and pick a battery from the drop down list, like a 6000 25C. That will populate the resistance and other battery data. Then change it back to Custom and change the total capacity to 9000. You will get a different result.
I seem to remember that there was a WKM firmware release that lowered flight times, and not because of a low voltage issue, but because of the way it flew it used more juice. I have since switched to hoverfly and with a very similar setup I can get a comfortable 10-12 min when it's warm out, but I keep it to 8 in the cold.
I have my setup flying with low voltage at 3.6V. With a 5dMKII I am getting almost 13 minutes on dual 6s 5000mAh 25C-50C Nano-Techs. With the 6000's I get about 16minutes. With the EPIC I was getting about 9 minutes out of the 6000's and 7 minutes out of the 5000s. Hope this helps! josh
Thanks Josh, Like someone else said could be that the air temp is too cold or the elevation I am. But only 6.5 minutes? I'm somewhat surprised. I will try bigger props and may be I can get more time. Kopterworx recommend 14-16" props for the KW10 and I have 14x4.7 right now.
Josh you are using the MK stack with the PWM coverter right? Do you think the the WKM could be the cause of this?
Bill, I am pretty sure as Tim mentioned there is a loss in flight time between WKM and just about anything else. From the converter to WKM I lost some time for sure on the setup I posted in Josh's thread.