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  #11  
Old 05-07-2019, 07:28 PM
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georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
I don't suppose quadcopter speed controllers (or flight controllers) have any reason to have motor brakes in their software/hardware. If they did, that could be a way to keep the props from windmilling on boost.

Many (if not most) ESCs intended for fixed-wing airplanes have a brake mode. In some cases how fast it comes on and how much it brakes is also configurable.

Well, that's a great idea. I have even set up a couple of electric sailplanes (years back), for the ESC's to brake to be sure the folding props folded.

The 4-in-1 ESC I am using, has "BL Heli" firmware. There is an option to set prop brake for BL Heli. I have done only some brief googling to check on use for multicopters. Some multicopter fliers have set their models with BL Heli to use prop brake on throttle down, to instantly stop the props on throttle down (after landing) in case of a bad landing where the props keep trying to spin.

What I need to find out further is whether prop brake for "armed ready for takeoff" mode would work, or not. If it did work, would it interfere with the Throw Mode programming when the model reaches apogee and it tries to start up the motors. I would presume it would not affect the startup, but the bigger question is whether the prop brake would work during the armed and boost phase (it might only work to brake AFTER the throttle has been high first). Must admit I do not recall, with my old electric sailplanes with prop brake, trying to physically rotate a prop by hand when the throttle was off, to see how much physical resistance it provided (which of course would have been risky).

Anyway, I'll check into it, thanks for mentioning it. The more I think about a system using rubber bands and a servo to retract a rod (would be two rods 180 degrees apart, each to release two bands for two props), to secure the props for boost, the more I do think it would work reliably. There's plenty of open space inside the Descent Stage to mount a small servo and mechanism for two retracting rods. So now there's two ways to address the problem.

Someone also pointed out some 3D Printed folding props, suggesting perhaps the files could be mirrored to allow for CW and CCW pairs. But there is a certain concern I have doing that, so I'd prefer to use either the ESC prop brake or tethers released by servo method.

Most future rocket boosts will probably be on an E15 or E18 reload. Although perhaps in calm weather I may try D12's again (Too bad AC Supply Co. does not sell Aerotech motors, as they do for Estes motors at 40% off). The model weighs about a pound without motor.

Gus, of course I plan to fly it at NARAM, as well as the Lunar Module Quad. I SO hope that Vern and Gleda will make it to NARAM. My biggest regret last year was not having time to build and fly this model then, to take to NARAM-60 and ORR.
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Last edited by georgegassaway : 05-07-2019 at 07:46 PM.
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  #12  
Old 05-07-2019, 11:27 PM
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BEC BEC is offline
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I know that’s quite a chain of modes you’d need to string together to use the ESC braking function along with the other things you’ve got going....but at least it’s another avenue to look at which adds no mass or additional mechanical bits.

I don’t recall ever “testing” a brake on a speed control by trying to turn a prop by had with everything powered up and armed but with the throttle stick all the way down either. Whether a particular controller would need to see something above “idle” before the brake would engage is another one of those “it depends on the software design choices” things I expect.

I think Vern mentioned at NARAM-60 (I think at the closing banquet, but I could be quite wrong about that) that Gleda wasn’t going to be doing any more traveling to various meets....but who knows, she might have other ideas and we’ll get to see them in Muncie. I hope so, too.
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  #13  
Old 05-16-2019, 09:51 PM
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georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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Rebuilt the model, added some upgrades, and did a 5 minute test flight Wednesday morning before work.

After work, got it ready and made the third rocket boost.



It WORKED. Nice boost on an E15. And flew it for almost 6 minutes. Smooth landing.


More info about the flight and what the video is showing, here:
https://tinyurl.com/y29pdpo7

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcS...f_6y1U1BvkJp_M0
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  #14  
Old 05-16-2019, 10:17 PM
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ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
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Great flight.
Looks like the E15 is just about perfect launch power.
Awesome project. One of the coolest model rocketry projects I have ever seen.

When are you kitting it ? I'd like to be first in line.
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  #15  
Old 05-27-2019, 09:39 PM
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georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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Flew the Mars Lander on E15 again, Sunday, rocket boost #4.

More info, and video (including Onboard) here:

https://tinyurl.com/y268upq8

I had some time issues so only got decals on the Ascent Stage before flying it. Some of the decals are classic, some are custom. And the vertical red roll pattern to show me the "Front" for piloting.

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  #16  
Old 05-27-2019, 10:27 PM
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ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
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Simply incredible the amount of innovation in this project.
Thanks for sharing.
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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
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  #17  
Old 05-28-2019, 12:09 AM
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This is one place where I agree 100% with GH. This is an incredible project and I, too, appreciate you sharing it here.
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  #18  
Old 05-29-2019, 08:55 PM
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Got the model repaired enough to fly as a Quadcopter before sunset.

Info, nice close-up flying pics and a video here:

https://tinyurl.com/y3a2xca4

Teaser pic:

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Last edited by georgegassaway : 05-30-2019 at 12:12 AM.
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  #19  
Old 05-29-2019, 11:49 PM
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Nice, George!
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  #20  
Old 05-31-2019, 07:52 PM
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So, I did another photo shoot Thursday.

This time, including the Mars Lander's Big Brother.

More pics, and a less-than-ideal video (It was mainly a photo shoot anyway):
https://tinyurl.com/y22qs4qh

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