Power distribution board vs power harness
- Thread starter Jaybeast
- Start date
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
I was hoping one of the pros would hop in here - but I can tell you that from my research, many of the guys building the big expensive rigs like to hard wire the components. Theory is there are fewer components to fail. Of course you have to hard solder well, or you're no better off 
there are a couple high end (and price) PDBs out there - typically multilevel units that stack (+& -). The key, if you opt for a PDB is to find one rated for the amount of current you'll be running. The cheap ones from HK are rated quite low (20A???).
I think they sell one rated higher too.
Mikrokopter comes with it's own PDB interested ESCs, and those have been considered high end FCs for a long while. I would think if it's worked for those, then not all PDBs can be bad...
there are a couple high end (and price) PDBs out there - typically multilevel units that stack (+& -). The key, if you opt for a PDB is to find one rated for the amount of current you'll be running. The cheap ones from HK are rated quite low (20A???).
I think they sell one rated higher too.
Mikrokopter comes with it's own PDB interested ESCs, and those have been considered high end FCs for a long while. I would think if it's worked for those, then not all PDBs can be bad...
SoCal Blur
Member
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
Where is that one from???
SoCal Blur
Member
I wish I could remember. I'd have to dig up the receipt...if I can remember where I put that... LOL.
By the way, I don't believe for one minute that this thing can really handle 400A. Maybe 250 - 300A on a good day.
Last edited by a moderator:
ChrisViperM
Active Member
It's this one: http://www.gryphon-mall.com/product.php?id_product=92
Not very cheap, but the best thing you can buy for money.....especially together with the Power Disc BEC.
Also check here: http://www.multirotorforums.com/sho...te-Octo-Copter&p=117617&viewfull=1#post117617
Chris
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
Thanks Chris. I knnew I had seen them somewhere. I believe there is a knock off of that exact PDB, but I don;t know the differences.
Scott Drysdale
Mixmaster
There are several now mimicking the original high current PDB including the newer Super Hungry board and now this one. http://www.rctimer.com/product_1081.html
But to get most of these to fit appropriately into the tiny Cinestar hub center hole takes some reverse engineering.
There needs to be room to plug and unplug the bullets and keeping the stack as short as possible is also important.
Despite some mods as shown in the photo(s) here I decided to opt for some solid copper sheet from a local industrial park and will build again from scratch.
The concept of stacking heat sinking aluminum plate on top of overly thin copper seems ridiculous to me as any heat is the result of inadequate conductor to begin with.View attachment 18052
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But to get most of these to fit appropriately into the tiny Cinestar hub center hole takes some reverse engineering.
There needs to be room to plug and unplug the bullets and keeping the stack as short as possible is also important.
Despite some mods as shown in the photo(s) here I decided to opt for some solid copper sheet from a local industrial park and will build again from scratch.
The concept of stacking heat sinking aluminum plate on top of overly thin copper seems ridiculous to me as any heat is the result of inadequate conductor to begin with.View attachment 18052
View attachment 18053
View attachment 18054
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Agreed, Scott - I bought one of those "Super Hungry" PDBs from HobbyKing - never intended to fit it, just curious. I pulled it apart, had a good laugh then chucked the whole thing in the bin
R_Lefebvre
Arducopter Developer
You can make the ultimate PDB for just a couple bucks using a couple of large solid copper washers available from McMaster.
That's hilarious, where is that? Some people will buy anything.
That's hilarious, where is that? Some people will buy anything.
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
do you have any photos of that? Are you doing top/bottom style with some non-conductive center board???
good stuff here.
R_Lefebvre
Arducopter Developer
I'll have to dig around, I'm not sure. It's really simple, and looks very similar to these other ones. Yes, I just used a couple of fiberglass washers to insulate it. Also available from McMaster. And then a 1/4" nylon bolt to hold it all together.
Ah, here's a picture:
View attachment 18057
I soldered the ESC wires directly, but you could just as easily solder bullets to them. On this prototype, I used acrylic washers top and bottom. I kind of like that better anyway so you can see the connections. This setup is also super compact. Only downside is it takes a LOT of heat to solder things to it. 260W iron, or flame. That's really the point though isn't it. That's how much power this thing can take.
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I like that - neat, efficient, compact - better than any PDB you can buy, at any price
R_Lefebvre
Arducopter Developer
I like that - neat, efficient, compact - better than any PDB you can buy, at any price
Thanks. And only 5 dolla! Believe it or not, I made the acrylic washers, just cut them with a hole saw...
The wiring layout of that entire machine was really nice. I designed it from the ground up as a complete system right from the start. The Talon arm and motor mounts really suck though. Made of cheese.
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
I like that a lot. Very simple and clean. Time to get on the mcmaster site.....AGAIN! Too many things I need and then a bunch of things I "need."
Move got a couple old actual soldering irons (you know, the kind that makes you want to dress up like a blacksmith!) I use for custom motorcycle cables - the ends/ferrules need the heat. I can get those pretty darn hot.
Move got a couple old actual soldering irons (you know, the kind that makes you want to dress up like a blacksmith!) I use for custom motorcycle cables - the ends/ferrules need the heat. I can get those pretty darn hot.
Scott Drysdale
Mixmaster
Here is the original Power Hungry Board...... only $275 crazy: http://www.powerhungrysystems.com/
And the copy from HobbyKing: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ry_Board_Multi_Copter_Power_Distribution.html
IMHO - gold plating a bad design does not make it a great design! And the concept of adding aluminum plate for heat sinking is really stupid.... if it was designed correctly it would simple have more copper.
And the copy from HobbyKing: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ry_Board_Multi_Copter_Power_Distribution.html
IMHO - gold plating a bad design does not make it a great design! And the concept of adding aluminum plate for heat sinking is really stupid.... if it was designed correctly it would simple have more copper.
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
But scott, it's worth every penny to have a PDB that looks like a smiley face
Actually, it looks more like a confused face, which is probably what I look like right now...
Actually, it looks more like a confused face, which is probably what I look like right now...
Motopreserve
Drone Enthusiast
So if I'm hearing you all right, you're suggesting a pdb?
Anyone know what the f550 integrated board is rated at? Guessing at least 180 amps since they kit it with 30 a escs
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry, that got off track
. I would say it's only a suggestion for a PDB, if you get the right one - which is gonna cost you. If not, you're probably better off A) making your own, or B) solder up a squid.
If you're using the f550 integrated, obviously this is moot. I haven't been looking, but I definitely don'tt recall ever reading about someone burning out the integrated PDB.
Scott Drysdale
Mixmaster
Anyone tried this item out yet? Seems like a very clever and compact design but only subjective "data" on the current carrying capability.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=54328
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http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=54328
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