Finished my build (and maiden) of the Speck 80 Brushless from http://rotoriousfpv.com/


Parts:
Speck 80 BL frame (discontinued - superceded by Speck 85 BL )
Piko BLX clone FC (with integrated PDB)
Racerstar BR1103 8000kV brushless motors
Racerstar RS6A V2 ESCs
Boldclash F-01 AIO Camera/VTX
5V Step Down Regulator (600mA for cam)
Redcon DSM2/DSMX receiver (spektrum compatible - operates on 5V)
DYS 2030 triblade props (pictured)
Beerotor 1.9x3.5x5 props (alternate props)
5V Buzzer (9mm x 5mm)
2s 360 mAh lipos (spares I had laying around - to be replaced)
3D-printed: Boldclash cam mount, Battery holder/ESC and motor protector


Weight (without battery): 55.5 grams

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(Build photos coming soon.)

I started with the top plate which would contain the cam/vTx, and the receiver.  I designed a mount to hold the Boldclash camera and allow the angle to be adjusted.  (There are proper holes for this in the side plates, but the included mount was for a different camera.)


The Boldclash will take max 5.5v, but the filtered Vid+ on the Piko is at VBat voltage (which was going to be at least 8.4) so I prepared a step down regulator to solder in the Vid+/Gnd with female plugs for the camera.  I replaced the plug on the Boldclash to match the plugs on the regulator.  (I also mounted the Rx below the camera plate at this time.  You can see the antennas in the second photo - I later secured these to the side plates with dental floss.)


I tinned the ESC pads on the PDB portion of the Piko, and then soldered the step-down regulator, the buzzer, the main battery pigtail, and the Rx pigtail to the Piko.  I mounted the assembly on the base plate with 4 anti-vibration mounts (from GetFPV).


I knew this would be very tight build, and I was trying to keep the stack as short as possible, so I opted to use individual ESCs instead of a 4-in-1.  Now because of the short arms, I wasn't going to be able to mount the ESCs on top of the arms between the FC and the motor, so I decided to mount the ESCs underneath (wrapping the motor wires around the ends).


With the ESC wires crossing over under the frame, this meant the flight controller would need to be mounted 180 yaw degrees to have everything attach properly.  After wrapping the ESCs around and underneath, I cut the ESC wires to length.  I then remove everything and soldered ESCs to the FC/PDB.


After re-wrapping, and re-attaching the motors, I realized my original battery mount design, while covering the main wires, wouldn't provide any protection for the fragile motor wires.  So I redesigned the battery mount cover to include protection for the wires all the way to the end of the arms.  It added a couple of grams over the original design, but I think the overall protection is worth it.


Finally, mounting the camera plate after plugging in the receiver and Cam/vTx.  (And temporarily leaving out the side standoff so I can access the USB port to configure the FC.)


All that was left was installing the standoff, securing the buzzer (taped around one arm), and mounting the props.  The prop shaft is 1.5mm as is the hole in the prop.  I used the technique of tying a strand of dental floss through the center hole and one of the side holes.  Racerstar now makes the 1103 with T-prop mounting holes, but I already had these press-fit only style and the floss trick works well.  (You should be able to see the floss in the photo below.)


The weather is pretty bad here today so the maiden was brief.  Can't wait to get her out on a nicer day!

That's some good micro surgery there Scotty!

I really like your combined motor protector and battery mount, the only thing you'll be breaking on this build is propellers.

(03-May-2017, 08:13 AM)unseen Wrote: That's some good micro surgery there Scotty!

I really like your combined motor protector and battery mount, the only thing you'll be breaking on this build is propellers.

Thanks unseen.  Building it this way (instead of using a 4-in-1) probably cost me 8-10 grams, but it hovers on 2s at around 60% throttle.  The motors stayed cool though, so I will try the more aggressive props, and/or 3s (as soon as I can get some suitable 3s for the little bast*rd).  It's pretty stable and the video is clear too.

Very nice! I love how you handled the challenge of individual ESCs on such a tiny beast! Well done mate

Very nice! Rotorious underground is the only group i'm still in on facebook (left betaflight which imho is nothing but video spam and lowest level support requests lol)... could it be i seen it there? (edit. I knew i did - you got a friend request )

Even though i tell myself "i don't need a micro" my buy finger is itching every time lol.

(09-May-2017, 02:23 AM)fftunes Wrote: Even though i tell myself "i don't need a micro" my buy finger is itching every time lol.

You know you want to

(09-May-2017, 02:23 AM)fftunes Wrote: Very nice! Rotorious underground is the only group i'm still in on facebook (left betaflight which imho is nothing but video spam and lowest level support requests lol)... could it be i seen it there? (edit. I knew i did - you got a friend request )

Even though i tell myself "i don't need a micro" my buy finger is itching every time lol.

I've been fighting off the urge to get the RIP 120 (still got the Jefe and 4 other non-Rotorious quads to build).
(And you're gonna be disappointed in my FB - mostly just pictures of dogs.)

(09-May-2017, 04:11 AM)Drone0fPrey Wrote: You know you want to

From q-user to q-pusher in such a short time...Oh D.O.P, what have you become?....Before you know it you'll have your own cartel...

(09-May-2017, 09:50 AM)sloscotty Wrote: From q-user to q-pusher in such a short time...Oh D.O.P, what have you become?....Before you know it you'll have your own cartel...

Escobar has nothing on me!