We recently tested the 2206 2800KV motors from DragonFly, which are designed for mini quads that runs 4″ props, mainly 180 size quadcopter I would assume. I am happy with the thrust results and can’t wait to put them on my next 180 mini quad build.
Get your Dragonfly 2206 2800KV motor from FPVModel. Please read our guide on how to choose mini quad motors.
This post is kind of a sneaky peek and heads up for money saving (LOL), because the motors are only prototypes, and there will be some changes/improvement in the release version.
Here is my first filght with this motor on my 180 mini quad:
More Power?! On the 180, Really?!
At the beginning we normally use 1306 3100KV motors on 180 mini quads, 3S and that was fun. We have always been seeking more powerful setup: 4S is a little too much for 1306 motors making them a little unreliable, so we turn to bigger motors, 1806, even 2204 2300KV motors, our hunger for more speed has never ended.
And now, these new 2206 motor might just be the answer to the next level in power for 180 Mini Quad… POWAHHH !!! :D
The higher KV and electrical ratings allows these motors to deliver more thrust compared to other existing motors on 4 inch propellers. This is by far the most powerful motors for 4045 props and 5030 props I have tested.
2206 2800KV Motor Thrust Test
Here are results from the test. Note that I was testing the motor with Hobbyking 30A ESC. This ESC is very tough, but it doesn’t pull the motor to the hardest, and doesn’t show the full potential of the motor. Expect slightly more thrust and current draw when using better ESCs.
Anyway I tested the other motors with 4″ Propellers with the same setup (including Cobra 2204 2300KV motor), that should show you how good this motor is relatively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0hYETKI7vw
50% Throttle (@15.9V)
| DragonFly 2206 2800KV | Peak Thrust / g | Peak Current / A | Max Power / W | Efficiency – g/W |
| Gemfan 4045 | 259 | 7.0 | 111.3 | 2.33 |
| HQ 4045 Bullnose | 408 | 10.1 | 160.6 | 2.54 |
| Gemfan 5030 | 455 | 8.1 | 128.8 | 3.53 |
100% Throttle (@15.8V)
| DragonFly 2206 2800KV | Peak Thrust / g | Peak Current / A | Max Power / W | Efficiency – g/W |
| Gemfan 4045 | 459 | 14.0 | 221.2 | 2.08 |
| HQ 4045 Bullnose | 688 | 24.8 | 391.8 | 1.76 |
| Gemfan 5030 | 860 | 20.6 | 325.5 | 2.64 |
Compared to the Cobra 2204 2300KV Result (@4S 100% throttle) I tested before:
| Cobra 2204 2300KV | Peak Thrust / g | Peak Current / A | Max Power / W | Efficiency – g/W |
| Gemfan 4045 | 351 | |||
| HQ 4045 Bullnose | 515 | |||
| Gemfan 5030 | 596 |
There will be concerns about motor weight. Indeed they appear to be heavy given the size of the motor, but the gain in thrust outweighs the disadvantage.
Suggestions and Improvements
A few suggestions have been fed back to DragonFly:
- Lighter motor wires – changing from 20AWG to 22AWG
- Integrated Propeller Adapter – not only save weight, also make it more reliable and easier to use.
- Longer prop shaft (2mm longer) for props that have large hubs, e.g HQ props.
- Change cone shape prop nut to smaller hexagonal prop nuts, lighter, easier to put on and tighten.
- No need to include bullet connectors in package, since most people solder motors directly on ESC on mini quads. I would rather see decrease in price without connectors.
Let me know what you think!
17 comments
I mounted these motors on a Drone Legion 5″ frame with a full KISS 24amp setup and the motor shafts sheared off on my first flight (bumped into a tree!) Anyway I would have thought the prop would break before the shaft would shear off. Anyone hear of replacing the bell/drive shaft on these?
Hi Oskar
I built one just like this one, i.e. ZMR180 frame with 2800kv motors and littlebees on 4S.
It hovers at about 1040, When I turn on airmode, it shoots up because the RPMs increase a bit.
Can you use airmode on yours?
It seems to me this thing is maybe a bit overpowered on 4S.
Beat
Hi Beat, yes it’s working perfectly on mine… same setup on 4S.
you said it hovers at 1040??? i guess you mean 1400?
lastly, i would really appreciate it if you could join the forum: http://intoFPV.com … I don’t want to miss your comment, because I only check my blog comments only once a week, but I use the forum daily!
No, mine almost hovers when I arm it, definitely when I only touch the throttle. I can’t hover when I put on airmode, it shoots into the sky. Not sure what is wrong with this thing… I agree with you, it has a lot of power. But still, something seems wrong. It’s calibrated to 1000-2000 with min throttle at 1020. When I arm, it already bounces around. It’s the first time I am using LittleBees – I updated the firmware to 14.03. Maybe something to do with that?
I have been using these motors on my QAV180. They are amazing. They not only very smooth but they have alot of punch with 4x4x3HQ props. I picked up another set to try out on my 5 inch frame.
The peak current in your test setup is 24.8A. But it seems everyone is still using ESC for 20A.
Do you think they can handle these current spikes for a longer period of time or would it be better to get 30A ESC in the first place?
it’s risky, but i hardly use 100% all the time.. and my ESCs seem to have a higher burst current rating which is 30A so that should be fine.
Hi Oscar,
Since the Dal Props 4045 Tri-Blades just came out, could you please do a thrust test with them?
sure i might if I can help hold of some of that prop.
Hi Oscar,
Just want to confirm the hq4045 have so much more thrust than Gemfan 4045?
Yes please feedback them longer prop shaft need from my experience of dragonfly/FPVModel motors, else they are awesome.
Yes, because the HQ is bullnose, the Gemfan isn’t. But mind you the bullnose also draw a lot more current.
nice article looks like an automatic script is stealing your effort:
zerodriftmedia.com/dragonfly-2206-2800kv-motors-180-mini-quad-4%E2%80%B3-props/
to the motors:
what is the maximum amps this motors do survive?
thanks :) people are stealing my stuff, only means I am doing something right :)
i am still trying to get the exact spec from motor maker, will update soon!
Hi Oscar ,
Some people told me the esc’s that are currently on the market can’t handle more then 2300kv(on 4S). So based on that information I don’t think everything exceeding 2300 kv is useful yet. So please compare 2206-2300kv motors with this motor to get a reliable test.
Best regards Stefan :)
who are “some people”? Some people told me it’s fine? LOL
My point is how you know these motors are better if you don’t compare it with same size other brand 2206 motors.
They generate most thrust than other motors that i have been using for the 180, in exchange they draw more current as you can see in the chart. It’s not better (i don’t think i said they are better in the article?) as not everyone wants to sacrifice flight time with speed.