Power distribution - What are people using?

[PaulJC]

When you have a heli loaded with gadgets, what are you using for power distribution?

With my Spirit FBL setups i have a Y cables in to the FBL to allow power from my BEC along with a Satellite adapted so i can run twin sats off it...

The only other port that can take power is the throttle port, but to go in this i have the signal cable from my ESC, power for my Telemetry, 2nd power cable from BEC and also my Backup Guard... Are people just using multiple 'y' cables? (i can be the only person with this kind of setup...) or have i overlooked a small power/signal distribution board that'd be ideal for this application?

I have finally got one of my heli's all setup and ready for a maiden with Spirit FBL but would much rather have both power feeds going to the FBL along with the telemetry and Backup guard...

Any suggestions?

[maddog7]

This is the Spirit's only significant problem IMHO. What it makes up for in tiny size it loses out on with lack of connectivity.
I really don't like using Y leads and was thinking of making something for power distribution myself (not got round to it yet though)
How does your two sats off one thingy work? Got any links/piccies?
Cheers
D

[Mark_T]

How does your two sats off one thingy work? Got any links/piccies?

I assumed that was one sat into the dedicated port and one on an adapter?

For the rest, this is why I'm not a huge fan of using only satellites in this circumstance.

Adding a full receiver like the AR8000 would give you more options as your ESC would connect direct to the receiver, you'd have two power leads from the receiver to the Spirit connected for the rudder and aux channels and still have a spare port for the Backup Guard on the receiver.

I've not seen any dedicated power distribution systems that were conveniently sized for heli use.

[PaulJC]

I have one sat plugged in to the side in the usual port, then i have the spirit adapter which plugs into one of the ports on the top except i have my adapter in to a Y lead with the other side being one of the power outputs from my BEC borh going in to the port on the FBL, works absolutely fine and as expected...

The problem is only the Second Sat port and throttle port are usable as power in... And i essentially have 3 power in's and one that needs to read voltage/take power...

[bigpops]

Skookum power bus, if you can find one.

I use one with my mini Vbar. Another unit that has a shortage of ports on it.

[PaulJC]

If it comes to it I'll solder up a small board or 4 way 'y' cable, it won't be pretty but it'll work, I just wondered if there was something out there already...

[waveydavey]

I done something similar to run a decent 14awg silicon to 2 servo connectors and I used PCB edge connector, moved the +ve to the outside and removed the middle pin. Soldered the silicon to the edge connectors after I stacked them together. Used cyano to join the servo connectors and the adhesive heatshrink over the top. A neat solution I think.

[maddog7]

I have one sat plugged in to the side in the usual port, then i have the spirit adapter which plugs into one of the ports on the top except i have my adapter in to a Y lead with the other side being one of the power outputs from my BEC borh going in to the port on the FBL, works absolutely fine and as expected...

The problem is only the Second Sat port and throttle port are usable as power in... And i essentially have 3 power in's and one that needs to read voltage/take power...

So you used a Y lead on the sat adaptor cable? Good idea!!

You could put power into the servo outputs as well if you like (via yet another Y lead)

An AR8000 definitley makes Spirit installs easier but that's another 60 quid per model and I already have lots of spare sats and step down cables.

On my nitro model I run the some of the servo +ve's directly to the battery reducing the need to balance the current. Seems to work well.

Cheers
D

[maddog7]

I done something similar to run a decent 14awg silicon to 2 servo connectors and I used PCB edge connector, moved the +ve to the outside and removed the middle pin. Soldered the silicon to the edge connectors after I stacked them together. Used cyano to join the servo connectors and the adhesive heatshrink over the top. A neat solution I think.

This sounds interesting but I'm struggling to visualise whats going on from your description? (I'm a bit fik!)
D

[PaulJC]

Spirit manual says no to power in on servo lines or I'd just do that... I'm gonna email them to clarify

[maddog7]

Spirit manual says no to power in on servo lines or I'd just do that... I'm gonna email them to clarify

Whereabouts in the manual is that mentioned? (hope I havn't done summat daft!)

D

[waveydavey]

A few images. The first one is the edge strip with the middle pin cut at the back and showing the +ve moved from the middle to the outside. The 2 edge connectors are then cyanoed together and the 14awg is soldered across the then double height edge strip. If it's still not clear I'll make one and photo

IMG_0813.jpg

IMG_0816.jpg

IMG_0817.jpg

[Mark_T]

Spirit manual says no to power in on servo lines or I'd just do that... I'm gonna email them to clarify

You are not referring to this bit are you? :

"Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports."

If so, it is referring to the ports as they are labelled on the Spirit (First and last ports), not to the individual elevator, pitch and aileron servo ports.

[PaulJC]

Tbh I'm at work so can't look but could be wrong...

[PaulJC]

"Never plug a connector for powering the unit to SYS or ELE/PIT/AIL ports."

Yeah I thing I've misread that ir maybe seen it on another forum, for the time being I will use 'y' leads in servo slots, not ideal but needs must...