HGLRC Rekon 3 - how to fly an 18650 battery
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- The Rekon 3 from HGLRC Rekon FPV is a very interesting little quadcopter or drone. You can take it out of the box and fly it "as is" but I think its real value may be as a starting-point for experimentation with this sort of "flying battery" quadcopter.
Pros:
- ready to fly (available with a range of receiver options)
- it works
- good VTX gives excellent range for analog FPV
- novel and interesting
- small and light (half the 250g limit in many countries)
Cons:
- can't use all the Li-Ion battery's capacity due to voltage sag
- fragile (several reviewers broke theirs while reviewing them)
- noisy video
- linear VTX antenna
- no boost regulator so browns out easily
- not very powerful
- no buzzer/beeper so could be easily lost
- camera/VTX not compatible with Skyzone RapidMix
Although billed as a "long range" drone, this thing will probably get you about 1-1.5Km from a video perspective and you may want to be careful where you fly it for fear of losing it in the grass.
Bottom-line:
If you're interested in the concept then this is a great starting point and offers a huge opportunity to experiment and try out your own ideas for a relatively low cost. Even as a novelty, this thing has value - just be gentle with it because it will break quite easily - although mine's still intact.
Relevant links:
Rekon 3 webpage:
rekonfpv.com/c...
DaveCFPV's CZcams channel:
/ @davecfpv
AndyRC's review:
• Rekon 3 1S Analogue Li...
Painless360's review:
• FIRST LOOK: Rekon 3 - ...
Albert Kim's Review:
• Rekon3 NanoLongRange Q...
A big thank you to my patreon supporters who make it possible for me to make these videos without commercial pressures and without mid-roll ads. - Věda a technologie
I'm building a 3d printed one with Dave C's recommended parts, still waiting for the parts to turn up months later. Voltage booster turned up today. The 18650 holder is quite heavy so I modified the printed frame so it's built in, but thinking of starting from scratch now and adding some more lightness.
i got the 3d frame, and the motors........waiting on availability on parts so i can order the rest
I find it funny to hear what people say should be changed about this. They clearly don't understand the purpose. It's about the longest flight. Not power. Not speed. Not agility. Not cinematic. Not range. You can try to futher the purpose or you can try to repurpose it for something different. I love that I can use a $5 battery/$5 charger and get 10 times the average flight time. There's a video(different frame/setup) where the flight time was 29:50 and if it had been more mellow flying it would have gone well past 30 minutes. It's amazing. I could fly 5 minutes at 6 different spots before recharging! I love it!!!
Anxious to see your next video on this little quad.
A follow up video from Bruce? That'll be a first :-D
Really interesting stuff, and I’m looking forward to your mods.
sounds like a great project, can't wait to see how it turns out
Cool video Bruce... i agree, this is a starting point for new chapter.
Love your video's, stay well !!
Hey Bruce. Your parkie Canadian counterpart here. I am presently transferring the components from a mantis 85 over to this frame and am going to run it on two 18350 1500mah, 10c batteries stacked in the 18650 holder. I will let you know how it works if I can get a less tremorous day. Great video my friend. I love all your stuff and look forward to seeing more. I love this cruiser style as a mini video and picture platform.
Thanks for the video Bruce! Good to see the 18650 coming out again. I have been using them for planes and wings for the past 6 or so years. There was a small company called Titan Power that sold pre-made packs using the best 18650s at the time years ago. Would get pretty good results using my Hobby King Teksumo wing or the smaller Bonsai with his packs and then I started making my own when other batteries came out (think they were marketing them for those vaping box's) I think I still have a Teksumo that is still flyable in the garage lol. I will have to try out these latest 18650s and compare them to the flight notes from 5 years back... Take it EZ!
Thanks Bruce - best review I've seen of this so far!
I was thinking of getting the rekon 3, but I had just recently started building long duration flight quads flying 3” and 5” on 4s 1300 lipos, today a 7” using the same lipo with 10+ minute flight times.
Thank you for the helpful video 🍻😁
Thank You Bruce!!
Flying an 18650 has been a huge dream of mine, and I've modified a cheap toy grade China Drone. the flight time has quadrupled but being the garbage toy grade they are... (they're garbage toys....really 150 mt range but at least it teaches you the way of the "quad"..)
I'll be honest, I bought a Emax Tinyhawk II and knew I'd be able to fly having multiple chinaquads...Was an absolute blast for a tiny cinequad. Just my eyes are rubbish... spending another few hundred on getting lenses made is just nuts. Maybe one day I'll spray some serious $$.
In any Case..
Huge thanks Bruce for the review... She's a cute little thing and love that developers/engineers/ quad people are including the 18650 market. We ALL have many 18650's lol.... ummm have 10 here just for flashlights, lol.
for anyone who wants to try out the 1S endurance/nano long range quad game invest in a proper 18650 charger that can show you the internal resistance and charged mah's. measure the IR of the cells, the lower the ir is, the longer flight times you'll have.
-never ever get refurbished cells, always get new vtc6 (sony/murata) cells. refurbished cells (90 percent of what is sold on alieexpress is refurbished) have a to high IR, a good and new vtc6 cell is around 10 to 15 Mohms, refurbished cells are starting at 25 Mohms for good ones and can go up to high 50's Mohms! refurbished are good enough if you make packs of them (4S or 6S) since the higher total voltage spreads the amp draw and strain on the cells. but never ever for 1S!
my 2.5" (yes two and a half inch not 3 inch like the rest) endurance 1S 18650 quad can fly for 15 minutes on a good vtc6 cell and i'll fly it down to 2.8V without any problem.
it will be converted to sub nano long range when my namlessRC tiny gps arrives. it will cost me roughly just under 1 minute of flying time due to the added weight, but i can do proper long range flights with gps rescue. i have the namelessRC 800mw vtx with DVR on it now, but i can swap it out for another light weight 800mw vtx to counter the extra weight of the gps.
until now i haven't flown my 1S 18650 endurance quad further out than 2KM because the lack of gps.. but i did 3 times that route back and forth with one cell, totaling the total flight distance around 12KM, so it should be possible to get out 6KM on 1 18650 cell!
Which charger would you recommend?
@@goku445 the:
LiitoKala Lii-S8 is the best in "cheap"chargers, i can charge 8 cells @1Amp or 4 cells @2amp. it can shows IR automatically, aswell as how much mAH's are charged into the cell.
the more expensive XTAR VC8 is better and more precise with IR readings, can do storage charge and can charge two cell at 3Amps.
the Xtar is double the price iof the LiitoKala though.
25 Mohms i.r. is 25 megohms. You means 25 mohms!
@@Geoffh777 yes you are correct.. milliOhms
Great now I hope we get this for woops to.
With a smaller cell off course.
Dreaming about 20 minutes off flight with a whoop 😀
we need to wait for battery to evolve
Cool idea. Also, I think it is worth experimenting with putting the largest li-ion cell that would fit between the props. For example you could probably switch out the battery holder and fit a 21700 or a 26650! I know there are 26650 batteries that are VERY energy dense. I think they are up to 5800 mah with able to pump out 20a constantly and can peak up to 30a. Imagine a flying 26650!
Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
Bruce finds a way.
Is this a dream, or am I already in the future?
Truly appreciate your take on the quad - love the idea. Keep it up, really look forward to your reviews! Thanks brother.
I love all your postive input sir! For example, the polarized antenna!
Really looking forward to your mods. Have one ordered myself and I'm positive that I will want to install a beeper and better VTX antenna..... THANK YOU !!!
I printed this frame . And used a crazybee v3 fc on 2s . And still flew great plus I have plenty 2s packs . Easy build try one
Really looking forward to seeing the mods in action. Awesome.
yes!
Nice one Bruce, looking forward to seeing it again once you have done the upgrades... I have a Tip for you, I noticed you had the antenna on the Tango 2 pointing straight up, you will find you get a better signal if you have it flat to line up with the antenna on the Quad. (Horizontal antenna on quad = Horizontal antenna on the Tango 2) The same applies to Verticle.
👉I can't take the credit for this info, the guy's from TBS told me👈
I have a FPV Cycle 1s quad with a runcam nano, crossfire, and tbs nano VTX. With a insta360go and the 18650 is all 120g. Flies for 20min max
@RCModelReviews wondering if you have had a look at the work being done on ExpressLRS, specially with the 2.4ghz and 900mhz radio frequencies, the modules available from happymodel and the incredibly dinky receivers with tiny ceramic antennae are pretty dang impressive for the range they offer.
I'm waiting for them to build a unit to sling under my t-lite, then I'm putting it on everything :)
@@zeroblade6599 Talking to the devs last week, someone is working on a direct replacement module for the t-lite radio so you can have ELRS internal and still have the module bay spare for a future upgrade.
Great video! If you buy your 18650 cells from wish or banggood and get the super light 10,000mAh ones you could fly it all day!
not exists 10Ah 18650 cells! actual max is 3500, but for low current! for 20A top is 3Ah
😂
Im looking forward to mine. I got in on the pre-order and am still waiting on China delivery to the states. I already thought I MIGHT need a buck converter for the cam. Who knows maybe Ill get a small 1s lipo rather than my 18650's too. That also crossed my mind. Nice review. I WAS waiting to watch them until I get mine but I couldnt resist watching your review!! 😊😊🚀
lipo has always put me quads, i hope this turns into something
Fantastic flying and review, Bruce! Really nice! 😃
Yeah, it definitely needs the additional back for the VTX and camera... And there's a lot to improve! But, still... It's an amazing start! 😃
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
I looked into building one of those from scratch. What seemed necessary for me is a dedicated boot regulator for vtx or vtx and cam so you can go down to 2.5V
Sounded fun to build, but I came to the conclusion that it's not the right for me..
Also one of those crazy 0,5F supercaps on the 5v rail might make sense.. maybe even on the vcc!
unfortunately, those 18650 quads is nothing for me... I need 4-5min of crazy action per pack.. if I want to fly 10min I would just need to set the cam angle from 45degree to 10°. 🤪
Make that 3s 18650, sub 250g. We then avoid regulations and can fly :-) In my country, anything above 250g is almost banned, can only fly middle of nowhere legal. So that 250g border is important.
Mine is on its way. I Reckon its pretty sweet!!!
Thank you for share your experience.
I like the quad, and I like it can run on 18650, What I don t like is voltage problem , and is FRAGILE and no buzzer.
Perhaps a 2s model will be better.
I have kinkong et115 and with 1000 mah lipo can fly almost 7 min. I wold like woop type quad with 2s 18650 and more durable. To be cheap to fly and reliable quad with strong prop guards. I am not interest in acro, I like cruising and eplore fly.
I like this idea, it just like play a toy with simple AA or AAA batteries. 😁
voltage drop that fast shows it's pulling quite high current so it won't be milliamps unless you're talking 1000's of mA hehe.
Change the battery, the VTCs aren't too bad but their cycle life is lower though for your case you are fine. use a cell with high current out but lower capacity like a samsung 30Q cell.You could put some ceramic caps on the voltage near the camera to filter out high noise but may be limited with all those motors.
AFAIK, you can discharge LiIon to lower values. Up to 2.5 V.
Sony VTC6 or Molicel p26a should wake it up a little.
I think it would be better with 2S and a little beefier frame/motor combo while still well under 200g. Also, can we stop this deadcat trend already? All it does is make the craft asymmetrical, harder to tune, and weaker. If you want props out of view just extend the camera mount forward.
Most Lion powered Aircraft have to be designed to run with a higher voltage than a LiPo, so for example using a 4s Lion on what normally would use a 3s LiPo, that's why tiny craft like this single cell system is kind of hard to get enough performance, you really need a low resistance motor to even pull enough watts from it and then your radio system runs out of power
Thank you for the info, you're the only reviewer that mentioned the differences compared to the original. I pre-ordered one and thought it had the 5 volt booster in there like Dave_C's build of the Nano 3. I'm disappointed that its not built the same (I thought it was the same), without the DC DC boost step up and LC filter you cant fly it as Dave C originally intended. You're loosing longer flight times stopping at 3volts. It just seems like HGLRC has made a inferior copy of the original. SAD FACE
Ordered, take my money. Must have it. Brilliant.
Also a new class for planes using 1 or perhaps 2 of these batteries? For endurance perhaps? Laurie
Looking forward to seeing your rebuild !
Try a Molicel battery. It's got the highest capacity and amperage almost twice the power these two green and brown batteries have
Great info...👍🏻 been playing with li-ions for a while now..in my experience the best ones give up about 30 amps tops....Great for a low amp draw long range or 1s cruiser but I don't think you can fly hard freestyle with them...🖖🏼
Hi Bruce. Can you explain a little on those LiIon batteries? Maybe a little comparison between 18650 batteries and LiPos. Thanks! Nice review as always.
Quite cool. I would like to see some 'old school' retro model flying.
I am old enough to remember when it took real skill to fly a model helicopter...(Hmmm..Where's this old git going?) In fact I didn't have enough skill - To the point I had maybe five machines with a total combined air time of a minute. At least two lasted a total of below one second before complete destruction. This was a major issue, getting enough airtime to gain competence. One model helicopter was so admired by me I still have it...Because I never had the guts to fly it.
Buying one of the little models with all the gizmos was a revelation and you needed no skill at all really, you could just enjoy flying.
Thanks Bruce good review, did you do any of the mods you mentioned , ive just ordered one to just to cruise around which i thinks the idea behind it, im going to use the vfly beacon as a beeper incase of loss
1S is just for powering your TV remote.. =)
Nice for upcycling laptop battery
Thanks for sharing. I'm looking for an under 250g quad but i can't decide to shoot for range or performance.
Same
Replace all the other bolts with plastic ones and remove the prop bolts, think thats how Dave C had his.
Hi.
I have 2of those zeus5 fc's. Both have a terible drift in angle mode and i do not believe it is due to vibrations. Is yours stable in angle mode? In my case after about a min iI have to counter quite a bit from the stick to stay in place.
You don't need a beeper because you can let the motor make a beeping sound. Betaflight has an option for that.
Won't be very loud with those tiny motors though so beaconing (as it's called) probably won't help you find your lost quad unless you know within a few yards of its location.
This sorta reminds me of the Black Hornets I had some time with in Afghanistan but way less advanced.
Is it true that they are really hard to control?
@@Pijawek depends I'd say on conditions but i never really had any difficulties
That's really about all I can say😉
I am looking for the proposed mods. I think if the mods work well this could be interesting
"In here is some really cool groovy stuff. We've got four motors."
When are you going to do the next video for the outlaw 350 build?
A great little quad..but a long range cruiser with no gps?..what could possibly go wrong...🤔
Bruce, my first thought would be to change out that immortal T for a standard crossfire antenna. It would save a tiny bit of weight, but even a tiny bit is significant on that thing.
Why do you have to turn off the Rapid mix on the SkyZone 4 goggles, is it the camera or VTX that is incompatible? Does rapidfire have the same issue with incompatibilities. I'm looking to upgrade to the Skyzones.
Oscar put a 5v bec to eliminate the video problem. But yeah extra weight.
What if we put 2 pieces 18350 15 amp batteries? Can you make a video if it is possible.
I was just about to ask you about the nano longrange 18650 quads.. but once again you dont disappoint.. how about a long range plane version? something with 45min+ flight time?
Mine get’s really hot. Like 100c celsius..
How to fix that?
Very interesting! Can somebody help me with 3x18650 3-4inch quadcoper, that can be sub250 (if not used 18650) and can recording fly with mobius cam? may be 1404 motor? frame aka LR4?
I thought the lg brown cells were pretty good. I would say the low flight time was prolly more the wind than the battery
Hey Bruce, I Was Gonna Use 18650s A While Back On A Small Quad! How About Putting A 2-Battery Holder In Parallel w/A Capacitor, A Circular Antenna & A Battery Beeper? It Might Be Some Needed Improvements?? LOL Thanks Mate
Not to argue with you bruce lol 18650 only come in that form format, hens the 18650 = 18 mm X 65 mm lol JS :P
What do you expect the typical current to be out of a 1S? Do you have a candidate lightweight boost converter chip that can deliver that current ? I've got a PCB designed for a small 1S fixed wing (at a lower current than a quad), and the controller chip includes a current monitoring output that would be quite useful to us. But I fear that just getting the magnetics in the converter large enough to handle the current (and not saturate) is going to add so much weight that it might be better to use a 2S 14500 pack instead.
This would make more sense as a 2S with a GPS and better VTX antenna...What makes me giggle, is the CRSF nano Rx on it...lol...Why....?...lol..🤔🤔😀😀😀🇬🇧🇬🇧
I Love it
Hey Bruce, I just designed and built a boost converter that might do the job to power your VTX and camera: 2.5V-5V input, 5V @ 600mA output, 7mm x 9mm, 0.2g without wires. Interested?
how did you calibrate currant sensor in bf?
Please post the mods. I've ordered one when it was first available but haven't received mine yet. It'll be interesting where this 'starting point' will take us!
hi, what flight mode do you fly this little one?
I think it was browning out because you used the brown batteries
Hi.. Bruce.. would you add GPS on this quad..? I wonder if it had any free UART or serial port for it.. 🤔
That ok if you have your knowledge
I have to built a 4" 2S 21700 version.
with which motor?
A convertor and a capacitor and a buzzer might be worth the weight.
put in a CAP as well!
Could it handle two cr123 cells? Or would it let the magic smoke out?
I wonder if that could be fabricated with some bamboo skewers
great video!!
Hope it's got reverse polarity protection for when people put battery in wrong way round lol.
My first DIY brushless quad flew for 12 to 15 minutes on a 450mah 1s lipo and weighed about 30 grams.
This is just lame imho.
Can you add a small voltage adjuster regulator and add constant 5v
What you’re thinking about is a boost converter, and it’ll just be better to add another battery in series if it can fly with that weight
Very cool
I feel like the major issue is the ability to put the battery in backwards and fry everything.
How about a flying 18650 fixed wing? Any ideas for that in a
Stay tuned for that... I have one and will be reviewing it shortly :-)
@@RCModelReviews Excellent news!
Whats the name of your other channel?
Should I use these batteries for a 6s2p pack for 7" drone ? I calculated the weight = 840g. Where the 18650 @6s2p = 528g.
That's 312g more if I use the 21700. Which one you think I should use ?
Hmm did i see it right your radio tx antenna was vertical polarized and the crossfire rx is horizontale polarized, maybe there is the reason for the "bad" connection?
Best regards
Yes, I usually run my CF antennas vertically on my quads and fixed wing so it's force of habit.
id like a toy quad without fpv that uses those batteries
The two battery types you are calling Li-ion and Li-polymer are the same thing, just in different form factors. That form factor (and therefore different internal construction) is the main reason for the different current capabilities. There are cylindrical cells available that can easily provide currents in the tens of amp like a pouch cell, because their internal construction is designed for that. The pouch cells, that so many erroneously call li-polymer, are just "li-ion polymer" cells, because they are wrapped in a plastic (=polymer) package as opposed to being in a metal can. Real li-polymer batteries (where the electrolyte is a polymer and not an organic or water based solvent) have yet to come out of the research phase. The reason for that perpetuated error is the same marketing people who are now labeling everything "graphene", while the batteries are not really any different inside and have contained graphite for decades. But tell a marketing person that graphite is a lot of layers of carbon (a single layer of it essentially being graphene), all they hear is the buzzword "graphene" and they will sell the batteries to you as the new great invention, while all real graphene based batteries are still in a research phase.
Can it take two CR123As?
should mod it fly on molicell 21700
hey :) try replacing the camera with a baby ratel 2
21700 version would be sweet
It's better described as a extended flight quad.
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