RC India

Hi Friends, I am Swayam from Kolkata. I would like to build my own copter and then fly it :-) But since I am from Commerce background I seriously don't know the stuffs used for calculations, building this awesome machine!

My entire budget is around Rs 10,000 and I don't know if "Quadcopter" would fit in so I also need suggestions like which Copter will I be able to build. I would like to use Batteries that would last atleast for a 30mins of flight :-) More the merrier.

So where do I get started? If it's just buy and screw up then I can get started tomorrow itself.

I loved this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYaWl0wzIo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYaWl0wzIo) simply awesome!!

I can help you to fit a so called "Quad copter" to fit in that budget !, What d'u say ?

Hi Sooraj, that would be cool :-)

So tell me where to start?

You can buy all parts except Radio system and LiPo from Ebay.com.
But It will take 15 to 30 fays to arrive.

BTW, Welcome to RCIndia

Okay so can you make me my shopping list? :-)

Btw will the LiPo batteries be good for a minimum of 30min flight? Can I recharge them??

NO, With a 2200mAh 3S 30C battery, You can get approx. 10Min flight.
Larger battery can give more flight time.

For making a Quad, You need
4x BLDC Motors
4x ESC
One Frame
Flight control board,
LiPo Battery
Radio Tx+Rx
and other h/w and stuff

And I know this is not a detailed list, But What you should get depends on your purpose of build

See for my 1st model I just want it to fly and I will be able to control it.. I don't need fancy maneuver capabilities..  Simple left right, front back will do :-)

It is good that you have decided on the purpose of what you are building. Sooraj has built a quad at an amazing price and he is one of the best people to help you choose and buy parts. I just want to add that you should by your transmitter locally since it will most probably be caught by customs who then demand a WPC certificate. The transmitter can also burn a hole in your pocket if you buy brands like Spektrum or Futaba. Since you are new to RC I would suggest a transmitter such as the Avionic RCB6i or FlySky FS-T6. Before buying anything, I suggest your do your research on RC electronics in general and multirotors specifically. These links may help you.
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Complete-Guide-to-RC-Electronics/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Complete-Guide-to-RC-Electronics/)
http://blog.oscarliang.net/build-a-quadcopter-beginners-tutorial-1/ (http://blog.oscarliang.net/build-a-quadcopter-beginners-tutorial-1/)
http://oddcopter.com/2012/12/12/easy-diy-quadcopter-build-part-1-the-parts-list/ (http://oddcopter.com/2012/12/12/easy-diy-quadcopter-build-part-1-the-parts-list/)
The first one is about the parts used in RC, the second one is about quadcopters and the third one is part of a series that will give you some idea of building a quadcopter. This link is another one that will give you an idea on how the build goes: http://fpvcentral.net/2013/03/high-performance-quadcopter-for-120-step-1-the-shopping-list/ (http://fpvcentral.net/2013/03/high-performance-quadcopter-for-120-step-1-the-shopping-list/) Make sure to see part 2 and 3 also.
Sooraj can help you source the parts. If you are willing to stretch your budget, you can get a kit from quadkopters.com. They cost around 9000-10000. You will have to buy the transmitter, battery and charger separately though, bringing your total cost around 17-20 K.

+1, SK17071 .

I just want to add a point.
Buy a high range FC like APM or dji NAZA. As you have no experience in flying you'll crash a lot. In my experience stability with APM is great. It takes time time to tune APM. but after that you wont regret.
I have bought lots of propeller at first. But still using the same 4 props i have installed on the first day. none of them has broken. :giggle:  :giggle:
i am not advising you to buy APM for the propeller but the stability. there are lots of other features too.


But you have to mange your 10k budget. Only APM with GPS will cost you around 6k.

Thanks @SK1701 for these links  :)

@sooraj When can we get started Buddy?

@linked I did some research regarding the Flight Controller(FC) and I think NAZA would cost me too much :(
I am can manage with a very basic FC at this moment.

My 1st model will be very basic.. just lift off, left and right and then back down to the ground..

Happy to help. These are the links that helped me when I built my first quadcopter (over the last couple of weeks).

Hi swayamdas.
Welcome to the hobby.

I am glad that you are going to build your first copter.
I also made mine at a similar budget, around 10-12K, without even ordering anything internationally, only Local Hobby Shops.

But I would encourage you to go for international options too as you will get a better value for your money.

My first multicopter was a tricopter, the reason I chose that was because I was extremely low on budget, and a tricopter chucks one motor and esc out of the budget which are the most costliest parts, but you could also do with a quadcopter. A very good idea, also something I did for my first copter, was make one with a friend, that splits the cost right away, and you would be able to make a better copter with the added budget.

Also, I would like to interest you into going for a mini-multirotor. Why?
They are SO much fun!
Plus will also be cheaper. And that is exactly why I am going to build one soon, as I have already ordered the parts and am waiting for them to be delivered, and this time I'll make videos of the build process.

Just to pique your interest, look at these videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4hrjIP2XM0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4hrjIP2XM0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIefo8VNJBY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIefo8VNJBY)

But don't expect to fly like this for atleast a year. :p

Also, they are not that costly.
You would be able to build a good one for as little as 8000 without a transmitter and fpv gear (cameras), or a really good one for about 10-12K.

As far as the transmitter is concerned, RCB6i is a steal at the price, and perfect for beginners.
I got mine for only 2000 rupees from the for-sale section, that too, unused. :D

So you might want to check out the for-sale section here at rcindia, some really great deals.

Plus, do go over the links that SK1701 referred to, perfect to get started.

Oh plus.

30 mins wouldn't be possible with such a budget and when you are just entering the hobby. A more realistic aim is 15 mins, and you would end up getting about 8-10mins.

Once you have a good knowledge about everything, and a better pocket, you can aim for longer flight times with your second copter.

Longer flight time means, High efficiancy motors and Big batteries.
Which will be costly.

@Pushpreet that is seriously something :-) Loved the way you maneuvered your creation!! :) Although I don't expect myself to be doing that within a year lolz.. but yea definitely down the line if things work out well I can challenge you for a Copter fight  :giggle:

But right now I am having these 2 problems:

1. I don't have any knowledge about these :(
2. I don't have a soldering equipment.. will this be a problem?
3. Which hardware, model should I buy??

@sooraj  :help:

I have put up a few links. They should be a primer to RC and multirotors. Please read them since nobody can help you right from zero over here. Soldering equipment is needed for multirotors, unless you buy all pre-soldered parts (very rare). Soldering is a valuable skill to have in the field of RC and DIY in general. I would suggest you pick up a good 35 Watt soldering iron from a good brand like Soldron. It won't cost more than 250-300 bucks and is a good investment. You will also need a 50-100 g roll of solder wire (60/40 tin/lead - 100 bucks), some soldering flux (10 bucks for Wembley's flux), a soldering iron stand (50 bucks), a cleaning sponge (20 bucks) and tools like diagonal cutters and a wire stripper.
You should start with a small to medium sized quadcopter (330-450 size). You should decide whether you want to build the frame yourself or buy a frame or ARF (almost ready to fly) kit which needs assembly. Other parts such as motors and ESCs will be decided based on this. For a flight controller, I would suggest that you go for a kk 2.1 in your budget.
Two pieces of equipment that are 'investments' in the hobby are the Transmitter and LiPo charger. Cheap chargers are available for as low as Rs. 550 but I would suggest you go for a good 50 Watt computerised charger like an IMAX B6 (or clone). This will help you in the long run as it has several useful features such as storage mode for LiPos and an LCD screen. Plus, it is capable of higher charging currents (unlike the measly 800 mA of basic chargers). The other thing is the transmitter. I have an Avionic RCB6i which is cheap (3000) and great for the price. However, many people suggest investing in a radio such as the Turnigy 9x or Flysky FS-T6 or TH-9x if you plan to get into the hobby seriously. Sadly, most of these radios are out of stock at most LHSes and importing them is almost impossible usually. If you decide to get a charger like the B6, you will have to extend your budget. 10K is very low as it is. You might end up spending 15-20K in the end. One option is to go with a tricopter, but they are usually less stable. Quadcopters are a good compromise between cost and stabilty.
By the way, you actually listed three problems, not two :giggle:
I hope you get into multirotors and enjoy it :thumbsup:

Very true SK1701.
when you are starting from ZERO it is difficult to build a multirotor in that budget. Normally any RC model requires a lot of spares. Here you are talking about multirotors which cost more. More motors, ESCs, big battery, props and FC. You need tools too. A 6 channel radio costs around 3k. ARF or RTF from HK ld be better option for you. and also within your budget.

I stick with what I said, . Just let me know -
I can get A2212 /13T motors + props for 2300/-
4x simonK 30A ESC for 2000/-
KK2.1.5 for 1500/-
And other h/w for 200/- So far total 6000

For the remaining 4000 You can get a cheap Radio + LiPo, or even, you can buy used ones.
And if you managed to get used ones, then With the remaining money, you can even get a f450 frame for 900Rs .

P.S : I have proved it is possible to make a quad in such a budget :)

When I built my quad, I spent a lot more than I expected. Factors as simple as tax or payment gateway charges all add up, especially since I ordered from 4-5 sources. Spare props are a must. I have already broken 4- 2 in crashes, sat on one  :giggle: and broke the fourth while tightening the prop nut. Tools are also needed- a prop balancer, hex drivers etc. About buying RTF or mini quads (toy grade), it depends on whether you enjoy the flying aspect or the building aspect. I went with an ARF kit since it just had the parts matched and I had to build it myself. For me, building, fixing and upgrading (in the future) is as fun as (if not more than) flying. Swayam, if you just want to enjoy flying, go for an RTF quad. If you want to enjoy the build, go for the parts Sooraj listed or an ARF.
Sooraj, these are amazing prices. All new pieces from Ebay.com? Now I am thinking I should have ordered from Ebay though I am too impatient to wait  :giggle:

Well yes, all are new Items, from Ebay.com.
No extra charges.

Amazing prices  {:)}. It is very nice of you to offer this to another hobbyist.  :hatsoff: The only thing is that the quality of coils/bearings might be lower. This shouldn't be much of a problem at first, but it gets worse over time as I saw on a comparison between Sunnysky and NTM motors. This is why it is recommended to get the best motors you can afford.

But, I am against it, Best motors are 3 to 4 times costly, Wee can learn flying with cheap ones.
 Even though it is cheap, My motors already undergone so many crashes, No bend shaft nor burned coil.
 also people say I have got an efficient build, with 3S 2200mah, I get more than 10Min Flight,
At first I thought it is really low flight time, but when asked with experts, they say this is more than what is usually got :) - I have a Light weight frame :)

I definitely agree with you there. I just thought it was worth mentioning. That is a really good flight time. My WolfPack 2200 mAh lasts around 5-7 minutes and it also gets pretty warm. The Wild Scorpion 3500 mAh is a really good battery. It lasts around 10 minutes, barely gets warm and I can even charge it at 3.5A. These flight time are considering the fact that i am discharging only to 3.7-3.8 V per cell and not less than that.

Well, you can discharge LiPo more than that - to 3.2 V per cell is safe.

I know that, it is just that i am breaking in the new batteries and following the 80% rule.

well it is ok - good for life.

Hey.
I am really embarrassed that I didn't make myself clear!
That wasn't me in those videos, I can't even fly half as good.

I've been in the hobby only for a year now, and have made only two multicopters ( both with my friends ).
I was inspired by those videos so I am making MiniQuad myself.

I'll tell you the parts I ordered.

Motors - 4 x Dys BE1806 2300kv = $34 = Rs.2200
ESC's - 4 x Emax Simonk 12A = $30 = Rs.1800
Flight Controller - 1 x Flip32+ = $34 = rs.2000
Frame - 1 x ZMR250 Carbon Fiber = $33 = Rs.2000
Propellers - Gemfan 5030 = rs.200

That's around 8000 in total + 1500 for battery + 2500 - 3000 for Transmitter.
There's also a cheaper bundle available with different motors which would cost just 8000 including the battery.

Like everybody else mentioned, you would also need a battery charger, but like @SK1701 said, don't go for a cheap one.
I bought a cheap one and I regret it.
You wouldn't want to wait 6 hours to charge one battery, would you?

And soldering isn't that difficult, just get the right equipment, i.e., get everything that @SK1701 said. :p

I say you can even close your eyes and get the stuff that sooraj is offering, you can't go wrong with that, and because he has the same build ( I assume ), its already tested.