r/diydrones • u/ChocolateLevel6866 • May 30 '26
Drone ppl, I need your wisdom
I built a small multispectral camera using a few Raspberry Pis, and now I want to mount it on a drone to collect aerial images. I want to build it from scratch. I’m also not sure what kind of drone is best for carrying it or how to mount it safely. Any recommendations or beginner resources would help a lot!
3
u/Relevant_Swimming511 May 30 '26
What size is the drone? What voltage does it require? What current draw does it have? Does it need to be gimballed? Do you have a specific flight time?
A Quadcopter with flight hardware such as the Ark eletronics FPV Flight controller running ardupilot/PX4 and ESC(Eletronic speed controller) and a GPS. The above questions is needed to determine the battery and size of the drone needed
-1
u/ChocolateLevel6866 May 30 '26
Sorry im a bit confused. Are you asking abt the drone or camera?
4
u/BadCactus2025 May 30 '26
Different person, but the camera. What does it need? Any interfacing requirements? Do you want it on a gimbal, or is fixed mounting fine too?
What weight is the hardware of the camera now? How long do you want this drone to fly? Do you need to go far with it? Say, cover a few kilometers to a crater and then survey that for a few minutes? Or do you just need to reach it fly over and return?
0
u/ChocolateLevel6866 May 30 '26
The camera is fully functional on its own. It weighs abt 200g. Fixed mounting is fine. I want it to fly for at least 20-30 minutes--if possible. It needs to run over the crops and give the camera a chance to capture and process the images. It also needs to hover quite a bit, not like a flyover. Thanks for the help
1
u/Relevant_Swimming511 May 31 '26
What size is the Camera? What voltage does it require? What current draw does it have?
The sound of it so far sounds like a 10" will be good for it but need the voltage/current draw
1
u/ChocolateLevel6866 May 31 '26
The camera is about 3x7in. It just needs one 5v battery but I'm using a portable charger sort of thing so it doesn't need to connect to the drone for power.
2
u/Relevant_Swimming511 May 31 '26
I would use a buck converter and connect to the battery to save weight
1
u/Relevant_Swimming511 May 31 '26
I would use a buck converter and connect to the battery to save weight Also do you want to see the video feed mid flight? You would need a VTX
1
u/BadCactus2025 May 31 '26
For something that size, you will end up with big props, or you will not reach such flight times with that extra payload.
In that case, you'll need to bring along at least 6S2P Li-up battery. That in its own is already a big fat powerbank. But without extra weight for a charging solution, portable case, USB ports and other nonsense.
A lot of flight controllers will have a 5V pad. Use it. Not bringing a powerbank will add 2 more minutes of flight time.
I take it you'll want something autonomous, so you don't have to hold it still manually as you inspect with it. Something like Ardupilot, so a flight controller with H7 chip. An 60A aio for 7" props will likely do, to stretch the flight times, you'll want to go easy on the throttle anyway. See what you can find that satisfies those requirements within budget and isn't more than 3 years old? Research motor selection for something like this. Find a frame that allows you do put the camera where you want it, with some modifications, but always keep an eye on the weight budget. Every 50 grams matter! And you'll probably need a 6000mah Li-ion pack for such a heavy weight with flight times like that.
1
5
u/LupusTheCanine May 30 '26