Airhog 180 Mini Quad Build Log

by Oscar

Finally I finished building my Airhog 180 Mini quad frame, at the same time I tested the Dragonfly 2206 2800KV motors in this build.

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This is my second 180 Mini Quad, the first was the XE180. It was fun with the small 1306 3100KV motors, it was very nimble but it doesn’t go very fast top full speed.

And check out my review on the Airhog180 frame.

Parts List

In this build I am using the 2206 2800KV prototype motors from Dragonfly, these motors are really fast.

airhog180-build-dragonfly-2206-2800kv-motor-littlebee-20A-ESC

My Parts List is:

Some Mod to the Frame

Before I started, I replaced the stock steel bolts with super light weight aluminium ones (blue). Also replace the metal standoffs with the nylon ones.

airhog180-build-light-weight-aircraft-grade-bolts

The result is great, I save about 12g just doing that!

airhog180-build-rubber-bolts-for-camera-mount

I also replace the stock camera mount pillars with some rubber bolts.

Building!

airhog180-build-esc-motor-mounted-demon-core-pdb-soldered

airhog180-build-naze32-flight-controller

airhog180-build-naze32-flight-controller-header-pins-soldered

FX796T-VTX-angled-antenna-connector-mounting

airhog180-build-cable-wiring-connected-components

airhog180-build-test-flight-room

Mono Colour LED bars under the lipo connector. They are powered straight by LiPo battery (16V).

airhog180-build-LED-bar-strip

They are awesome, super bright.

airhog180-build-led-bar-strip-on

The motors and frame are great and solid, but they are a bit on the heavy side, the total weight of the quad is close to 350g (excluding lipo and HD camera).

airhog180-build-mini-quad-size-comparison-250-220-180

airhog180-build-mini-quad-front

airhog180-build-mini-quad-side

airhog180-build-mini-quad-side-2

And this is my first proper flight on this quad!

This quad is absolutely amazing :D I couldn’t imagine such stability and speed from this little machine.

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10 comments

Max 29th January 2016 - 4:15 pm

Hey Oscar,
i’m building a little 180mm FPV machine based on the Morphite 180, but i can’t figure out the optimal motors!
I want to use the 20A littlebees and 1000-1600mAh batteries. I don’t do super aggressive flying, i prefer smooth lines. Would you recommend the Dragonfly? Or rather 3100kV sunnysky? or go for 2206 2300kV cobras?`I’m lost here…

Reply
Oscar 7th February 2016 - 11:22 pm

don’t use Sunnysky 3100kv on 4S they don’t last long.
dys1806 2300kv should do pretty efficient on a 180 running 4″ props if you don’t need much power :)

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Max 8th February 2016 - 1:06 pm

I can’t find the DYS 1806s anywhere without the stupid orange/red color… what about the EMAX MT1806? They seem equivalent to me.

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dingr 9th February 2016 - 3:34 am

4S is also killing the bearings on my DYS1306-3100kV motors.

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bldrflyr 5th January 2016 - 12:28 am

Oscar, How are these motors holding up now if you have some more flight time on them? I like the size and higher KV don’t like the prop adapter.

Reply
Oscar 6th January 2016 - 1:05 pm

they are great :) still having fun with them!
Don’t expect much flight time on them with 4045 bullnose :) it draws fair amount of current when you are pushing it… more like 2:30 to 3:00 on 1500mah 4s.

Reply
Edmund 14th December 2015 - 3:53 pm

I check your site almost daily… It’s always full of stuff I’ve always wanted to know! Awesome job!

I’m also contemplating changing to 2204 motors from 1806… but am also wondering if it’s worth it for spinning 4″ props…

What’s the impact in terms of flight times? What kind of times are you getting?

I’m currently getting about 5mins using 1806 on a ZMR180. AUW around 270g without lips and HD cam.

Reply
Indy 14th December 2015 - 7:04 am

Hi Oscar,
Nice job,
I finished my ZMR180 with 1806 DYS and 4′ bullnose… although I haven’t put the OSD yet (complicated for me)…

Do you think 2204 are worth with 4′?

Thanks for your blog, always full of useful stuffs…

Reply
Oscar 14th December 2015 - 5:31 pm

yes they work much better with 4″ bull nose :)

Reply
Indy 17th December 2015 - 5:21 am

Thanks, I might try that sometimes ;)

Reply