Flamewheel 450 Clone
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Flamewheel 450 Clone
This is my new Flamewheel 450 clone body from HK for only $11. For that price, I bought a second one to use for spare parts...if needed. [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24172__Q450_Glass_Fiber_Quadcopter_Frame_450mm.h tml]Q450 Glass Fiber Quadcopter Frame 450mm[/link]
I transferred most of the components from my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11203839/tm.htm]ST450 Quad[/link]. I used one as my first quad because I got it for free. You can see my build thread [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11203839/tm.htm]here[/link]. It works but it is not very strong and I always had screws falling off. One Flamewheel (or clone) leg eliminates 18 screws. 18x4=72 screws...and that's just the legs!
My new Flamewheel 450 quad also got an upgrade to the [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24723__Hobbyking_KK2_0_Multi_rotor_LCD_Flight_Co ntrol_Board.html]KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board[/link] that I had planned to use in my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11184802/tm.htm]Turnigy H.A.L.[/link] The H.A.L. got an upgrade to a Naza with GPS.
Since some folks were breaking the legs off near the motor mount, when hit just in the right spot, I decided to buffer the area with some synthetic wine corks. We have plenty of corks around our house!
I transferred most of the components from my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11203839/tm.htm]ST450 Quad[/link]. I used one as my first quad because I got it for free. You can see my build thread [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11203839/tm.htm]here[/link]. It works but it is not very strong and I always had screws falling off. One Flamewheel (or clone) leg eliminates 18 screws. 18x4=72 screws...and that's just the legs!
My new Flamewheel 450 quad also got an upgrade to the [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24723__Hobbyking_KK2_0_Multi_rotor_LCD_Flight_Co ntrol_Board.html]KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board[/link] that I had planned to use in my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11184802/tm.htm]Turnigy H.A.L.[/link] The H.A.L. got an upgrade to a Naza with GPS.
Since some folks were breaking the legs off near the motor mount, when hit just in the right spot, I decided to buffer the area with some synthetic wine corks. We have plenty of corks around our house!
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
My Flamewheel 450 clone is really flying great with the KK2 LCD board. I can switch on the Self Level feature and it remains quite stable in any position. With the Self Level off, I can fly it around with great authority.
The single piece arms are a great improvement over my original ST-450 model. The upgrade from my original KK1 v4.7 board to the KK2 LCD board has also added a higher lever of stability from the accelerometers and provided an easy user-friendly set up via menus.
Since I never broke a prop in many flights, I switched from the regular GemFan 9x4.7 props to the stiffer carbon filled GF versions and balanced them with clear spray paint.
photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring
The single piece arms are a great improvement over my original ST-450 model. The upgrade from my original KK1 v4.7 board to the KK2 LCD board has also added a higher lever of stability from the accelerometers and provided an easy user-friendly set up via menus.
Since I never broke a prop in many flights, I switched from the regular GemFan 9x4.7 props to the stiffer carbon filled GF versions and balanced them with clear spray paint.
photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
My $11 Flamewheel 450 clone is flying very well using the newest KK2 firmware v1.5. I decided to enhance the height using the $15 [link=http://www.goodluckbuy.com/quadcopter-hexacopter-diy-universal-200mm-tall-landing-skid-kit-with-damping-rubber-.html]200mm Tall Landing Skid Kit[/link] from GLB. It fits snugly around the bottom plate requiring only a few cable wraps to keep it secure. For some reason, the bottom carbon tubes didn't show up with my kit so I used an existing brass tube which I painted black.
The added height will allow me to land in some snow this winter. I also installed my oil gimbal that used to be on my Turnigy H.A.L. To simulate my camera load, I tested it for the first time with 1.25oz of lead.
After a few flights, I removed my original shock absorbers made from rubber wine corks.
The added height will allow me to land in some snow this winter. I also installed my oil gimbal that used to be on my Turnigy H.A.L. To simulate my camera load, I tested it for the first time with 1.25oz of lead.
After a few flights, I removed my original shock absorbers made from rubber wine corks.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
I flew the FW450 clone in my backyard this weekend. To help the Lipo pack handle the 35 degree temperature I surrounded it with some flooring foam pieces that I cut to cover the sides. My back porch will make a nice take-off and landing pad when the snow flies.
I decided to put my original GemFan 9x5 nylon props back on because I really liked the green props up front for orientation. I haven't noticed any performance change from the stiffer carbon/nylon GF props that I was using.
I decided to put my original GemFan 9x5 nylon props back on because I really liked the green props up front for orientation. I haven't noticed any performance change from the stiffer carbon/nylon GF props that I was using.
#5
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
Greg,
Do you have any videos showing the flight characteristics? Your information has been very helpful, as I am interested in exactly the same setups that you mention. I have the real flame 450 but would have bought the clone if I knew of it. Same with the KK2. I have the Fyeu Teck 90Pro, but it was way overpriced. I have also been looking for some longer gear to add on. My setup is semi-stable, but since it is my first quad, I don't know if I'm expecting too much.
Kurt
Do you have any videos showing the flight characteristics? Your information has been very helpful, as I am interested in exactly the same setups that you mention. I have the real flame 450 but would have bought the clone if I knew of it. Same with the KK2. I have the Fyeu Teck 90Pro, but it was way overpriced. I have also been looking for some longer gear to add on. My setup is semi-stable, but since it is my first quad, I don't know if I'm expecting too much.
Kurt
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
Hi Kurt,
I will have a video in the future and post it here. I just upgraded my Turnigy H.A.L. with a GoPro Hero2 camera so my Flamewheel 450 gets some hand-me-downs.
I am not familiar with how stable the Feiyu Tech controller is. The KK2 is pretty good but it is nowhere near the stability of my DJI NAZA. For $30 though, it makes a great FC which can be dialed-in quite nicely. I use it on my FW450 for fun and practice flying. I am still a bit tentative when the quad is facing me so practice makes perfect!
I am also adding an inexpensive FatShark 5.8GHz transmitter to my FW450 so that I can adjust the video tilt remotely using my existing ground station or goggles. I'll make a video from both the ground perspective and quad perspective over the holiday break...weather permitting.
As another alternative, check out this [link=http://www.rcdude.com/servlet/the-2411/QUADframe-Landing-Gear-Legs/Detail]QuadFrame Landing Gear Legs[/link] at RC Dude. I have found the QuadFrame products from Poland to be very good quality.
Regards.
I will have a video in the future and post it here. I just upgraded my Turnigy H.A.L. with a GoPro Hero2 camera so my Flamewheel 450 gets some hand-me-downs.
I am not familiar with how stable the Feiyu Tech controller is. The KK2 is pretty good but it is nowhere near the stability of my DJI NAZA. For $30 though, it makes a great FC which can be dialed-in quite nicely. I use it on my FW450 for fun and practice flying. I am still a bit tentative when the quad is facing me so practice makes perfect!
I am also adding an inexpensive FatShark 5.8GHz transmitter to my FW450 so that I can adjust the video tilt remotely using my existing ground station or goggles. I'll make a video from both the ground perspective and quad perspective over the holiday break...weather permitting.
As another alternative, check out this [link=http://www.rcdude.com/servlet/the-2411/QUADframe-Landing-Gear-Legs/Detail]QuadFrame Landing Gear Legs[/link] at RC Dude. I have found the QuadFrame products from Poland to be very good quality.
Regards.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
Since the weather was surprisingly nice last Sunday, here is a video of me flying the Flamewheel 450 clone in my backyard. The dangling wire was for the FlyCamOne HD tilt servo that I had not yet hooked up.
[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/Reviews/Flamewheel450a.wmv]Flamewheel 450 clone - Backyard Flying[/link] (33meg)
[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/Reviews/Flamewheel450a.wmv]Flamewheel 450 clone - Backyard Flying[/link] (33meg)
#8
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Flamewheel 450 Clone
Greg,
Thanks for posting the video. Very helpful to see. I think my controller is fine and I was expecting too much. Mine looks like it flies about the same as yours - but I'm still learning! I will get the landing gear for sure. I have a GoPro2 but I haven't used it yet. The Naza is on my Christmas list. Thanks again for posting.
Kurt
Thanks for posting the video. Very helpful to see. I think my controller is fine and I was expecting too much. Mine looks like it flies about the same as yours - but I'm still learning! I will get the landing gear for sure. I have a GoPro2 but I haven't used it yet. The Naza is on my Christmas list. Thanks again for posting.
Kurt