Motor Comparison: DJI 2212 -VS- SunnySky 2212-13

by MpxFlyer | May 31, 2014 | (0) Posted in Reviews

Introduction / Backround information

I started with a H-Quad using DT750 and was not really impressed (not the best ones for doing aerial photography). Then I switched from my H-Quad to a F450 with the original DJI 2212 920 KV motors spinning 10" props. But the problem was as I added a GoPro, FPV system and a BL gimbal the weight was about 1,7kg. In addition the flighttime went down to about 5 minutes. So I decided to use better motors to increase the flight time!

DJI 2212 920 KV VS SunnySky 2212-13 II 980KV

First test was all about the vibrations of the motors. Here is a short video:

As you can see the SunnySkys perform really well! What is also woth mentioning is that the really low vibrations of the SunnySky motors do not increase as adding throttle or reducing throttle. Looking at the DJI motors we can see that the vibradions increase as reducing throttle. In my case these vibrations (on low throttle) leaded to a unstable flight characteristics when loosing height!

Conclusion

I would highly recommend using this motors as they are:

  • Silent
  • extremly smooth
  • well balanced
  • efficient
  • cheap (50 bucks for 4 motors)

Moreover they perform really well with 11x5 props! My flight time icnreased to 11 minutes which is really good for a F450 with BL gimbal.

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COMMENTS

steadfast4life on June 27, 2014
Where are you getting 4 sunnyskies for 12 bucks apiece? I also have a F450 and considered upgrading. What gimbal are you using? Thanks for making the video.
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MpxFlyer on June 29, 2014
I'm not quite sure where I bought the Sunnysky's his username on ebay was something like "volcano" but I can't find his "shop" anymore... I found another guy who sells them, but sadly for 73,99$ which is the cheapest price so far:
http://www.ebay.at/itm/4x-Sunnysky-X2212-980KV-180W-Brushless-Motor-for-Multirotor-Quadcopter-Hexa-Octa-/271463982051?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f3483a3e3

I'm using the GoodLuckBuy gimbal for 70$, I also did a video about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so6osZynU6A


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Benjamin on July 1, 2014
I recently brought 4 X2212-13 from Banggood.com
Here is the URL
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-SunnySky-X2212-KV980-Brushless-Motor-p-60600.html

for 4 motors, banggood is asking for $16.07 each -> 64.28 including shipping to US.
Not quite $50, but seems to be a good deal.
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steadfast4life on June 27, 2014
I forgot to mention that I decreased vibrations by taking off the dji sticker. If you notice the sticker on the sunnysky motors are continuous whereas the dji sticker is only on one side. I have sunnyskys on a tricopter and I paid 22 bucks apiece for them.
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steadfast4life on June 27, 2014
Sorry for being annoying but what ap are you using? Is it for android or apple? I have yet to find a good android ap and I don't have an iphone.
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MpxFlyer on June 29, 2014
It is called iSeismometer. I was using it on a iPhone, but i think it is also available on Android!
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1morehobby on June 27, 2014
I have 6 on a 3600 grm AUW Hexa swinging 11x4.6 CF props and 2 5000ma batteries and they are flawless. Then I have 4 on a Tarrot 650 AUW 2000 grms swinging 13x 5.5 CF with one 5000ma battery and will hover for 15 min. I also built an RCtimer Spider for a customer with 4 980 II AUW 2000grms 13X5.5 CF and 5000ma battery and flies 15 min. There are nice motors. All I ever buy any more is SunnySky.
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arshish1612 on September 15, 2014
Really? 13x5.5 on the Sunnysky 2212-13 980KV? How hot do the motors get?

I have a 1800gm fpv ship that I am running these motors on with a 3s 5000mah 45C lipo and 10x45 CF prop. The quad really struggles and in my opinion is so underpowered that it is unstable.

I am in the processup upgrading the prop to a 11x47 but was considering the max throttle as 80%.
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JoeSnuffie on December 17, 2015
I had a quad and now a hex using these motors and 1045 props. The quad was sluggish with 3s 5200mah. The hex uses the same motors and ESCs and was a little less sluggish. Then I ordered some 3s 5200mah 10c batteries from hobbyking that were on sale for $13 each and I made 4s packs from them. Now the hex screams. It hovers at around 40% now and shoots up like a rocket if I need it to. It hovers at less than 25 amps, too. You might want to consider 4s batteries.
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danallen82 on June 30, 2014
Reading the first line made my heart sink. I started with cheap 2830s and went to the DT700s, thinking it would be the best for cost and efficiency. Now my footage is riddled with crazy vibrations. So maybe I'll try these motors out.
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Cyberdactyl on July 1, 2014
With sub $12 motors, many times you may have to do some limited bell balancing. Very easy to do. Two to four thicknesses of masking tape around 3/8" of an inch square will remove most any vibration. So yes, the Sunnysky is a nice motor for the price point, but for less than a penny of tape and 30 minutes of your time, four very inexpensive motors can be just as smooth.
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danallen82 on July 1, 2014
Cyber - Balancing these motors doesn't cut it. I spent days balancing the bells with a custom mag-lev rig to find all the subtle issues. The problem isn't balance, its the quality and slop of the bearings which kills it. Bottom line the DT700s motors aren't suitable for aerial video. Time to buy some SunnySky 2212s.
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tim123 on January 26, 2016
Lol I found the sunnyskys for 17 dollars on ebay on a 1 hour auction :)
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Motor Comparison: DJI 2212 -VS- SunnySky 2212-13

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