Drone Float Upgrade Version 2.0 ( 350 QX3 AP Combo )
by Withered Perception in Circuits > Remote Control
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Drone Float Upgrade Version 2.0 ( 350 QX3 AP Combo )
I made some standard simple floats a few months ago which you can see here: https://m.instructables.com/id/Drone-Floats-350-QX3-AP-Combo/
They worked great, until the wind picked up while I was filming.
The gimbal kept the video smooth as can be but as the quadcopter pitched into the wind to gold it's GPS colom the floats got in the way.
The next day I went out and put my drone into agility mode and set put on a mission to see where the issues where.
I noticed during hard turns while following birds and cars I could see the floats. When my camera was facing down I needed even less of a hard turn to see the floats.... What to do?
Well simple down size and upgrade!
They worked great, until the wind picked up while I was filming.
The gimbal kept the video smooth as can be but as the quadcopter pitched into the wind to gold it's GPS colom the floats got in the way.
The next day I went out and put my drone into agility mode and set put on a mission to see where the issues where.
I noticed during hard turns while following birds and cars I could see the floats. When my camera was facing down I needed even less of a hard turn to see the floats.... What to do?
Well simple down size and upgrade!
Previous Build (Standard Floats)
Do everything you see here again with a smaller noodle this time!
If you missed it from the last step here is the link again: https://m.instructables.com/id/Drone-Floats-350-QX3-AP-Combo/
If you missed it from the last step here is the link again: https://m.instructables.com/id/Drone-Floats-350-QX3-AP-Combo/
Back to Basics
Alright, new smaller noodles for floats don't float as well... duhh...
I almost sunk the peanut butter filled bowl that I used to get the proper weight!
(Got a new plate set from last Instructable... had to improvise)
Note: Adding any extra weight to your drone will decrease your flight time and may cause erratic movements especially in windy conditions. Always test all aditions to your drone/quadcopter in a safe location before taking flight in the field.
I almost sunk the peanut butter filled bowl that I used to get the proper weight!
(Got a new plate set from last Instructable... had to improvise)
Note: Adding any extra weight to your drone will decrease your flight time and may cause erratic movements especially in windy conditions. Always test all aditions to your drone/quadcopter in a safe location before taking flight in the field.
Spare Parts
I needed the floats to be bigger but not have them in the camera.
From my last version of floats I still had material (a section of noodle) left over.
I played around for a while with a piece of each (shown in first picture) and came up with this solution.
Trace your new noodle onto the the side of the larger noodle making sure they line up on eithor end.
From my last version of floats I still had material (a section of noodle) left over.
I played around for a while with a piece of each (shown in first picture) and came up with this solution.
Trace your new noodle onto the the side of the larger noodle making sure they line up on eithor end.
Cutting the Line
Draw lines between the two, trace marks, cut along the lines and around your marks like so. Remove material as shown.
Glue and Press
Apply E6000 glue to the inside of the cut noodle and press the smaller noodle into the glue firmly.
Note: Make sure the slot for your landing gear does not get covered up.
Note: Make sure the slot for your landing gear does not get covered up.
Band It Up
Put some rubber bands around your floats and leave it over night.
Once dry, check the floats for a good fit.
Redo float test.
Notice the floats are lower profile on the inside and much higher in the water.
This is great for harder emergency landings/crashes and choppy water.
Check out my drone videos here: www.youtube.com/brookekathryn1980
Or check out photos on my Flickr page here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/whithered_perception/stats
Once dry, check the floats for a good fit.
Redo float test.
Notice the floats are lower profile on the inside and much higher in the water.
This is great for harder emergency landings/crashes and choppy water.
Check out my drone videos here: www.youtube.com/brookekathryn1980
Or check out photos on my Flickr page here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/whithered_perception/stats