MAKE YOUR OWN TRICOPTER!

Intro: MAKE YOUR OWN TRICOPTER!

WHAT'S A TRICOPTER?

It’s an aircraft similar to a helicopter except it has three rotor disks. The beauty of the design is that three ordinary outrunners direct driving ordinary propellers can be used. Four helicopter gyros makes the tricopter super stable. And to make it yaw a servo tilts the back motor.

STEP 1: NEEDED METERIALS

- 10MM BY 10MM WOOD 
- 2.5MM PLYWOOD
- 3MM BY 20MM SCREWS AND NUTS

- 20 AMP ESC. X3
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=27775

-LIPO CHARGER
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7637

- BRUSHLESS MOTOR X3
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__5354__FC_28_22_Brushless_Outrunner_1200kv.html

-PROPELLER 
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25820__10x4_5_SF_Props_2pc_Standard_Rotation_2_pc_RH_Rotation_Green_.html

-TRANSMITTER
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8338__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_4Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_.html

-CONTROL BOARD OR GYRO
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24354__Hobbyking_i86L_Multi_Rotor_Control_Board_Lite_Edition_.html

-BATTERY
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8934__Turnigy_2200mAh_3S_25C_Lipo_Pack.html?strSearch=2200MAH

-SERVO 
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=17322
AND 
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9549__Turnigy_TG9e_9g_1_5kg_0_10sec_Eco_Micro_Servo.html

-WIRE X6
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11851__Turnigy_Pure_Silicone_Wire_18AWG_1mtr_Red.html

-WIRE HARNES
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=25479

- BULLET CONNECTORS X2
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__68__PolyMax_3_5mm_Gold_Connectors_10_PAIRS_20PC_.html

-WIRE TO CONNECT TO FROM RECEIVER TO GYRO
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21758__10CM_Male_to_Male_Servo_Lead_JR_26AWG_10pcs_set_.html

-HEAT SHRINK TUBING
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__3832__Turnigy_4mm_Heat_Shrink_Tube_BLACK_1mtr_.html

-6MM OR ANY SMALL CLEAR TUBE

-AND A LOT OF ZIP TIES!!


--------------------------------------------------THEESE ARE THE REQUIRED MATERIALS-------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 2: PRINT

PRINT THE IMAGE .

STEP 3: THE FRAME

CUT THE 10MM BY 10MM ARMS INTO 3 PIECES OF 50CM EACH.

CUT OUT THE FRAME FROM THE PAPER AND PASTE IT OVER THE PLY WOOD TO USE IT AS A STENCIL.
USE A SAW TO CUT OUT THE FIRST LAYER. AFTER CUTTING THE FIRST LAYER USE IT TO CUT OUT ANOTHER LAYER ON THE PLY WOOD . DRILL HOLES OVER THE MARKED AREAS. 

use the template to drill a 3mm hole on the wooden dowel.
insert screws through the top frame and insert the wooden dowel through the screws 
and put the bottom frame and screw them in place.

CUT OUT ANOTHER PIECE OF WOOD FOR THE BATTERY MOUNT 
ZIP TIE BOTH SIDES OF BATTERY MOUNT TO PLASTIC TUB.
DRILL TWO SMALL HOLES ON THE FRAME FOR ZIP TIE TO PASS THROUGH (TWO IN FRONT AND TWO AT THE BACK)

THE 6MM HOLE IS MADE FOR STANDARD CAMERAS TO BE MOUNTED FOR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

STEP 4: ELECTRONICS

PLACE GYRO AND RECEIVER WITH DOUBLE SIDED FOAM TAPE AND CONNECT THE SERVO WIRES AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE...

STEP 5: INSTALLING ESC

ZIP TIE ESCs TO EACH ARM. 
SOLDER THE 18AWG WIRES TO THE ESCs MOTOR CABLES CREATING AN EXTENSION WITH BULLET CONNECTORS ON EACH END.
ZIP TIE THE MOTORS TO THE END OF EACH ARM(EXCEPT THE TAIL MOTOR) AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE
CONNECT THE BULLET CONNECTOR TO THE MOTORs AND ESCs.
IF THE MOTOR DOES NOT SPIN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THEN SWITCH 2  BULLET CONNECTORS WITH EACH OTHER.

CONNECT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ESC FOR POWER SUPPLY (BLACK TO BLACK AND RED TO RED) 

STEP 6: YAW MECHANISM

FOLLOW THE PICTURES...

STEP 7: FPV

Have you ever want to do FPV or OSD for cheap and have an old android phone and a WiFi modem (do not need any internet provider) lying around, it would be useful! 

STEP 1: Download this application called wififpv on the android phone LINK:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.macaca.wififpv&hl=en



STEP 2: Use any a123 battery to supply the voltage for the modem!



STEP 4: Connect the android phone running WiFiFPV to a WiFi router, and mount it onto a RC model.



STEP 5: Use your laptop to the following ip address shown on the android device OR use another android device to view as a monitor LINK: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.macaca.fpviewer&hl=en


STEP 6: Enjoy your fpv and OSD!


OR IF YOU CAN AFFORD A FATSHARK THEN THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!!
LINK: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__539__543__FPV_Telemetry-Goggles.html

STEP 8: FINALLY YOU ARE READY TO FLY!

CONNECT YOUR BATTERY BIND YOUR RADIO AND YOU ARE READY TO FLY!









THIS IS A VIDEO OF ME FLYING IT !

THE AERIAL VIEW

-------------------------------------------------HOPE THIS INSTRUCTABLE HELPED :)----------------------------------------------

Comments

[ANIRUDHAD4]

Would u describe the application of yaw mechanism in this case of Tricopter

[GregP122]

This is a great build. Thanks for the instructable. I am hoping to build one completely from scratch like this soon. I recently built a simplecopter frame kit which was a nice middle ground between a kit and DIY. Here is a video: https://youtu.be/-OofUOlSUK0

[pawanvs99]

That should be fairly easy, go for it!
Nice flying by the way!

[EiliaE]

Hi
I want to make tricopter by gyro's but i didnt know any things about how can i setup them
Can any body help me ?

[pawanvs99]

Hey!

A KK2 board from Hobbyking is the way to go it has got all the gyros and accelerometers you need integrated.
Just go through David's settings and it should be ready to fly.
Here is the link to the video:
https://youtu.be/UZ4AaI6KPhA

[REGATTE]

is a 5ch tx rx ok??

[pawanvs99]

Hey!

A 5ch tx rx should do the job just fine if you are going to use one of the cheaper flight controllers like the naze32 or the kk2 for autolevel! But if you can afford a turnigy 9x go for it as you can grow your hobby with it!

[AdityaK70]

could u plz tell me how much cost does it take to buy all parts of tricopter

???

[pawanvs99]

Please read the comments below your question should be answered there.

Thanks!

[VERTEX13]

Hi i wanted to know if you can send me what kind of programming software did you use to program the tricopter. Can you also please send me the codes of the programming to my email: [e-mail]

Thank you,
Leonard Reyes

[pawanvs99]

Hey VERTEX13,

Now days you dont need codes to program the FC. Search it up on google there are tons of videos on youtube!

Regards,

Pawan Vijayanagar.

[operatingdrones]

Very very impressive

[Diykindaguyx4]

could you please explanatory on how you made yaw with a walkthrough

[quintenv2]

is it possible to build a reasonably good quad/tri copter for around hundred bucks?

and what would be better for a first build, tri or quad?

thanks in advance

PS: really cool dat your still replying to comment on an old instructable

[pawanvs99]

Hey try a quadcopter before you get to a tricopter because a quad is much more stable and has lesser failure points. You can build a good quad for about 225 bucks maybe cheaper if you sacrifice the motor! A tricopter can be made in about 175 dollars (both costs include a radio). Btw build a mini quad it's fun.
And yeah I like helping people build stuff! And feel free to ask anything!

[quintenv2]

is it possible to build a reasanbly good quad/tri copter for around hundred dollars?

and what would be the best choice because its my first multirotor?

thanks in advance

[Makescreenname]

Great instructible! Thanks for the links to compatible parts--I find Hobby King really hard to shop--your links made it possible, and very resaonably. Thanks!

[pawanvs99]

You are welcome!

[Matthiasv4]

how much load can this lift

can it lift 2kg?

[pawanvs99]

It may.. If you use bigger props, lower kv motors and a larger battery.