FPVFlow Seaspider | Waterproof 6" Pusher drone

By FPVFlow on Apr 05, 2024

4  0  6

Seaspider is the latest FPVFlow drone build, specially crafted to meet the demands of our aquatic filming adventures. As avid enthusiasts of capturing footage in water environments, we recognized the need for a drone that could autonomously emerge from water bodies.

One of the key design considerations for our new build was maximizing flight endurance without compromising maneuverability. To achieve this, we opted for 6-inch propellers, harnessing their superior efficiency with respect to 5-inch to prolong flight durations and enhance overall performance. The larger propeller size also offers ample space for additional payload and accessories, ensuring versatility in diverse filming scenarios.

The configuration is unconventional – a pusher setup mounted on the Apex 6-inch frame. This configuration places the propellers underneath the drone, exploiting the space underneath the plate.

To address the inherent buoyancy challenges of water landings, we incorporated AirFloats on the upper sides of the arms. These strategically positioned floats serve a dual purpose: preventing the drone from sinking and maintaining proper orientation upon water impact. This feature ensures that our drone remains buoyant, allowing it to resurface effortlessly and resume flight operations with minimal downtime. Antenna are placed in order to stay over water due to the water shielding capabilities.

Tested with foldable props and it was still able to take off from water

Photos

Part List

Frame

Apex 6" Arm Set - (4 Pack) (3 builds)
Impulserc.com
$45.93

Frame

Apex EVO 5" FPV Frame Kit (2 builds)
Impulserc.com
$141.77

Flight Controller

SpeedyBee F405 V3 BLS 50A 30x30 FC&ESC Stack (20 builds)
Speedybee.com
$59.99

Motors

4 x iFlight XING-E Pro 2208 Motor - 2450KV
Getfpv.com
See Site

Propellers

HQProp 6X4X3V1S Azzurre | Eliche Durable PC 6040x3 Light Blue | FPVFlow
Fpvflow.it
See Site

FPV Camera

Camera TBS Oblivion FPV Analogica 600TVL, 5-22V input
Fpvflow.it
See Site

FPV Transmitter

HGLRC Zeus 800mW Smart Mounting 20*20 / 30*30 VTX For FPV Racing Drone (8 builds)
Hglrc.com
$29.99

Antenna

GEP-Pagoda2 Antenna - GEPRC
Geprc.com
$14.90

Receiver

TBS Crossfire Nano Rx Pro | FPVFlow (10 builds)
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Batteries

Batterie Lipo Funfly 4s 1300mAh 100C (XT60) - Tattu (2 builds)
Studiosport.fr
$20.00

Radio

FrSky Taranis X9D Plus SE 2019 with ACCESS (13 builds)
Pyrodrone.com
$247.00

Goggles

Fat Shark Dominator HDO 2 FPV Goggles (71 builds)
Getfpv.com
$499.99

Goggles

DJI FPV Goggles V2 (241 builds)
Getfpv.com
See Site

HD Camera

GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos, 1080p Live S (14 builds)
Amazon.com
$349.99

HD Camera

GoPro Hero 6 Black NAKED NUOVA con BEC BetaFPV drone FPV BETA95X BETA85X 4K 12MP
Ebay.com
See Site

HD Camera

GoPro HERO10 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 23MP Photos, 1080p L (18 builds)
Amazon.com
$249.00

HD Camera

GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization (37 builds)
Amazon.com
$2.00

HD Camera

E2-M4 - Z CAM
Z-cam.com
$1,499.00

HD Camera

GoPro HERO11 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9" Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webc (2 builds)
Amazon.com
$11.00

Hardware

Galleggiante alta visibilità drone | FPVFlow
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Hardware

Guaina PET 8mm Premium | Proteggi Cavi Paracord Sleeve | FPVFlow (2 builds)
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Hardware

GPS BEITIAN BE-122 M10 | FPVFlow (2 builds)
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Hardware

RAKSTORE 5 pz MH-CD42 CD42 DC 5 V 2.1A Mobile Power DIY Board 4.2 V Carica Scarica Boost Modulo di Protezione Della Batteria
Amazon.it
See Site

Video Receiver

TBS Fusion Modulo Ricevente Video Fatshark VTX VRX | FPVFlow
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Radio Module

Modulo Crossfire Micro TX V2 | Long Range | 40km raggio FPVFlow
Fpvflow.it
See Site

Misc Supplies

GEPRC GEP-Pagoda2 5.8G 2dBi FPV Antenna SMA/RP-SMA RHCP/LHCP 6cm 60mm (5 builds)
Banggood.com
$10.17
Show stores (13)

Discussion

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dafunk   Apr 07, 2024  
1

Nice design, i like the pusher config idea to help it take off from the water.
Do you intend to make it resistant to salt water or that's not feasible yet ?

FPVFlow   Apr 08, 2024 

thanks!! this config is also useful for the COG balance. This way the drone is always in the right direction for taking off.
All the electronics are already ready for saltwater but the problem remains for the magnets of the motors that will rust very soon. Washing with tap water promptly after a seawater dive can considerably help but does not solve the problem

dafunk   Apr 09, 2024 
1

Thanks for replying.... it's leading to more questions :)

Is it easier to take off from underwater if the prop stay as long as possible under water (pusher config)
or if the props are above water as soon as possible (normal config)
Did you try both ?

FPVFlow   Apr 10, 2024 

My pleasure! :)
Yes we have both drone configurations on multiple builds and actually the real advantage here is the balance when diving into water. We've also used foldable props underwater and they are working fine. Just take into account that props rotating in water are exposed to a greater resistance with respect to the air, so that the current required in water to take off is greatly increased. Since you need only few seconds to take off this is acceptable ;)

earflapjetpack   Apr 08, 2024  
1

I'm missing something. Are the floats you mentioned shown in the pictures? What's the blue and yellow bracket on the bottom for?

FPVFlow   Apr 08, 2024 

Hello! floaters are not show in the pictures uploaded but I hope to have time to make them and upload them soon. You can find floaters in the hardware parts (AirFloat). The skid under the drone is due to the pusher configuration, in order to reduce risk of LiPo puncturing (bottom mounted) during landings and to make a clearance between props and ground

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