Another power distribution thread

[jrlederer]

Sorry I must be a bit slow on the uptake today...
Is the brass banjo washer setup supposed to address the testing configuration question or a solution to the OP?
Either way, this sounds interesting and fwiw I am down to take on some of the testing; have no objections to spending a little time and money (if necessary) to help out and figure out the best high current distribution solution.

Let me know what I can do to help.

--Jonathan

 

[david.scarbrow]

Bart, Jonathan, my post replies are merely to inform on what I developed at one time for simplicity, cost effectiveness, weight/current carrying capability effectiveness, etc. and due to the absence of higher current capacity dis-boards easily available in the market place. I had no need to develop it further because I sold on the MR that my Dis-ring/board was supporting. However my next intention would have been to mount positive and negative washer assemblies either side of a small square of customised insulating board so that it would fit easier and better in any MR set-up. This simple tried-out idea was something that I used successfully and was not necessarily posted as a possible method of addressing a configuration question or as a solution to the OP ???

David

 

[Bartman]

thanks again David for posting the info and pictures. the Voltair board is essentially copper in a board like your washers would be. what's nice about your banjo washers is that they can be sized for the power req. of the helicopter.

i'm probably going to keep using the Voltair board or try the ring terminals idea. with the ring terminals though, if i'm not going to use bullet connectors on the motors, then being able to break the ESC power wiring open in the field doesn't really serve a purpose. either a soldering iron is available or it isn't, so the connections should be consistent with that.

thanks everyone for the input.

bart

 

[Dewster]

I use Photoshipone's Power distribution board. You can connect up to 8 esc and 2-4 batteries.

I also have Afropower, but I haven't used it.

 

[Stacky]

With respect to PDB's does application/size of machine come into peoples thinking?.

My very first quad used a Minsoo Kim PDB and also an on off switch. Thats close to 2 years ago and I didnt give the dangers of using a switch a second thought. Nor did I give the disadvantages of the use of a PDB any thought as I was brand new to all this. About 10 different builds on that particular PDB and switch are still being used. They have only ever been in small quads that typically weigh just on 1kg incl battery. Also those small quads are the ones I have used to practice flying and have been through quite a battering. They are the ones that have been crashed as I tried to learn nose in and also doing flips. Whenever i replaced an esc it was an easy job to desolder from the PDB and they have been a matter of convenience. However after close to 2 years and countless crashes and a huge number of hours flying this PDB and amazingly the switch havent once failed. Im not using switches anymore but this PDB and switch are a one piece so it gets bounced from build to build.

I do have a PDB on my bigger Hexa which weighs in at 3.5kg but the board has had its pcb tracks beefed up with a hefty layer of added solder. I have also mounted it to my frame with anti vibration grommets and have the wiring to the board held in place so there is no flex at the solder points. It sits neatly between my landing gear and frame plates and it takes me less than 3 minutes to have clear access to it if I have any issues. This Hexa now has about 5 hours airtime on it, I just did a maintenance check on the PDB a couple of days ago and all looked good.

If I were to go to a bigger build I wouldnt use a PDB but with smaller quads if properly put together I havent seen any problems.