RAXUS Drone Build Instructions

Written By: Brad Norman
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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

29

Time Required

02:00:00 - 06:00:00

Sections

1

Flags

1

In Progress

In Progress

This guide is currently being written. Reload periodically to see the latest changes.

  1. Follow this guide to completion and you will have an awesome flying sub 250g drone!

    • Follow this guide to completion and you will have an awesome flying sub 250g drone!

    • This guide shows the installation of the following components. The motor and FC used were what was available at the time. 1404 4500kv motors and an AIO FC with ESC > 35A is recommened.

    • DJI 03 Air Unit

    • GEP-F722-35A AIO v2

    • FlyFishRC Flash 1404 4500KV Motors (X4)

    • Radiomaster ELRS RX RP1-v2

    • FlyFishRC 40mm Osprey Dual-Band FPV Antenna

    • GNB 4S 720MAH 100C HV Battery

    Edit

  2. I'm sharing the Raxus to the FPV community as an Open Source Hardware project. It's super fun to fly and a very capable platform for hobbyists and professionals. I want others to enjoy the Raxus. This is my way of giving back to the community!

    • I'm sharing the Raxus to the FPV community as an Open Source Hardware project. It's super fun to fly and a very capable platform for hobbyists and professionals. I want others to enjoy the Raxus. This is my way of giving back to the community!

    • Please note this frame was designed around the DJI 03 Air Unit. Adding a Naked GoPro can tip the scales over 250g. Using a naked 03/Vista, removing LEDs, TPU mounts, and other weight saving techniques may be needed to keep the drone sub 250 with action cams.

    • Thanks for your support - BRadFPV

    Edit

  3. This 2.5" drone frame is named after the Clone Wars planet Raxus in honor of the QAV-Pro Micro drone from which it is derived. I wanted a more versatile frame with a VTX trunk that would securely (screwed down air units) accept many video systems including the DJI 03 Air Unit, Walksnail, HDZero, and analog.

    • This 2.5" drone frame is named after the Clone Wars planet Raxus in honor of the QAV-Pro Micro drone from which it is derived. I wanted a more versatile frame with a VTX trunk that would securely (screwed down air units) accept many video systems including the DJI 03 Air Unit, Walksnail, HDZero, and analog.

    • The Raxis is an Open Source project and files are here: Thingiverse/6026097

    • There is also a build details here... Rotorbuilds/31175

    • It is a FAA Category 1 small unmanned aircraft that is permitted to operate over people are permitted subject to the following requirements:

    • Weigh 0.55 pounds or less, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft at the time of takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation.

    • Contain no exposed rotating parts that would cause lacerations.

    • No sustained flight over people.

    Edit

  4. The antenna mount, mounts to the bottom CF plate (the one without motor mounts). Position the antenna backwards as shown and then rotate it into position. (pic #2) Place the antenna in the mount as shown. Your antenna may be different. The antenna shown is the 40mm Osprey from FlyFishRC for the DJI 03 Air Unit. (pic #3)

    • The antenna mount, mounts to the bottom CF plate (the one without motor mounts).

    • Position the antenna backwards as shown and then rotate it into position. (pic #2)

    • Place the antenna in the mount as shown. Your antenna may be different. The antenna shown is the 40mm Osprey from FlyFishRC for the DJI 03 Air Unit. (pic #3)

    • NOTE: DON'T ADD HEAT SHRINK AS SHOWN - NEW PHOTO NEEDED

    Edit

  5. Insert M2x8 screws thru the bottom plate and thru the TPU antenna mount as shown, add nylon washer, and secure with M2 lock nut Insert M2x8 screws thru the bottom plate and thru the TPU antenna mount as shown, add nylon washer, and secure with M2 lock nut Insert M2x8 screws thru the bottom plate and thru the TPU antenna mount as shown, add nylon washer, and secure with M2 lock nut

    • Insert M2x8 screws thru the bottom plate and thru the TPU antenna mount as shown, add nylon washer, and secure with M2 lock nut

    Edit

  6. Insert M2x10 screws thru the 8 TPU feet (pic #1) Add thread lock to the screws before threading into M2 standoffs (pic #2) Feet are positioned on the outer 8 standoffs (pic #3)

    • Insert M2x10 screws thru the 8 TPU feet (pic #1)

    • Add thread lock to the screws before threading into M2 standoffs (pic #2)

    • Feet are positioned on the outer 8 standoffs (pic #3)

    Edit

  7. Use M2x8 screws on the inner 2 standoffs

    • Use M2x8 screws on the inner 2 standoffs

    Edit

  8. Attach motors to frame.

    • Attach motors to frame.

    • Recommend using thread locker

    Edit

  9. Load latest FW & make sure FC gyro responds correctly Load latest FW & make sure FC gyro responds correctly

    • Load latest FW & make sure FC gyro responds correctly

    Edit

  10. Pre tin FC motor, VBAT & RX com ports Pre tin FC motor, VBAT & RX com ports

    • Pre tin FC motor, VBAT & RX com ports

    Edit

  11. Insert M2x16 Button Head screws X4 in frame as shown and add plastic washers if needed for FC clearance. Insert M2x16 Button Head screws X4 in frame as shown and add plastic washers if needed for FC clearance. Insert M2x16 Button Head screws X4 in frame as shown and add plastic washers if needed for FC clearance.

    • Insert M2x16 Button Head screws X4 in frame as shown and add plastic washers if needed for FC clearance.

    Edit

  12. Trim motor wires, remove 2mm of insulation, pre-tin wires, and solder to motor pads Trim motor wires, remove 2mm of insulation, pre-tin wires, and solder to motor pads

    • Trim motor wires, remove 2mm of insulation, pre-tin wires, and solder to motor pads

    Edit

  13. Insert VBAT leadwire thru grommet with approx 25mm extension (pic #1) Trim approx 3mm of insulation, pre-tin VBAT lead wires, and solder to FC pads (pic #2)

    • Insert VBAT leadwire thru grommet with approx 25mm extension (pic #1)

    • Trim approx 3mm of insulation, pre-tin VBAT lead wires, and solder to FC pads (pic #2)

    • MAKE SURE YOU OBSERVE POLARITY

    Edit

  14. Skip this step if not using the recommended 40mm stubby dual band antenna Unscrew cover over antenna coaxial leads on Air Unit (pic #1)

    • Skip this step if not using the recommended 40mm stubby dual band antenna

    • Unscrew cover over antenna coaxial leads on Air Unit (pic #1)

    • Use tweezers to carefully pull U.FL connector upwards... don't pry off (pic #2)

    Edit

  15. Insert M2 standoff in each TPU camera mounts (pic #1) Remove camera mounting screws and push them into the TPU mounts (pic #2) Screw camera mounts to camera as shown (pic #3)

    • Insert M2 standoff in each TPU camera mounts (pic #1)

    • Remove camera mounting screws and push them into the TPU mounts (pic #2)

    • Screw camera mounts to camera as shown (pic #3)

    • The TPU mount allows for angle adjustment. Make sure the DJI printed logo is facing up with the TPU adjustment slot below logo

    Edit

  16. Carefully press U.FL connectors on Air Unit (pic #1) Consider using a small flat head screw driver to help snap seat the U.FL connector

    • Carefully press U.FL connectors on Air Unit (pic #1)

    • Consider using a small flat head screw driver to help snap seat the U.FL connector

    • Remove all M1.6 screws (pic #2)

    Edit

  17. Position Air Unit on frame as shown (pic #1) Use thread lock Secure Air Unit to frame with provided M1.6x10mm screws (pic #3)

    • Position Air Unit on frame as shown (pic #1)

    • Use thread lock

    • Secure Air Unit to frame with provided M1.6x10mm screws (pic #3)

    Edit

  18. Trim 2mm insulation off wires & pre-tin lead wires (pic #1) Pre-tin RX board (pic #2) Solder wires to RX board & add heat shrink (pic #3)

    • Trim 2mm insulation off wires & pre-tin lead wires (pic #1)

    • Pre-tin RX board (pic #2)

    • Solder wires to RX board & add heat shrink (pic #3)

    • Consider folding back the antenna over the PCB and then heat shrinking. This add strain relief and protects the U.FL connection.

    Edit

  19. Insert RX mount in opening as shown. (pic #1) NOTE: IT SHOULD BE ROTATED 180 DEGREES NOT SHOWN CORRECTLY Insert RX into slot in mount (pic #2) Twist RX/TX and Power leads as shown (pic #3)

    • Insert RX mount in opening as shown. (pic #1) NOTE: IT SHOULD BE ROTATED 180 DEGREES NOT SHOWN CORRECTLY

    • Insert RX into slot in mount (pic #2)

    • Twist RX/TX and Power leads as shown (pic #3)

    Edit

  20. Trim twisted wires to length. Cut approx 2mm insulation & pre-tin wires. Solder wires to FC as shown

    • Trim twisted wires to length. Cut approx 2mm insulation & pre-tin wires. Solder wires to FC as shown

    • Insert Air Unit power/video wire in the FC.

    • NOTE: MAKE SURE THE SBUS (YELLOW) WIRE IS REMOVED IF YOU ARE NOT USING THE DJI REMOTE

    • DON'T POWER AIR UNIT WIRE UNTIL FINAL STEPS AS YOU MAY OVERHEAT & POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE UNIT

    Edit

    • Connect FC to PC and test/set motor direction, Transmitter RX link, set mode switches, OSD, and all firmware settings

    • Connect Air Unit to PC to activate and update to latest firmware

    Edit

  22. FIND THE MIDDLE LED +/- CONDUCTOR TERMINALS AND POSITION THE LED COB STRIP IN THE MOUNT SO THE LEADS ARE CENTERED IN THE TPU MOUNT Trim approx 5mm insulation of LED lead wires, pre-tin, and solder to +/- terminals on LED (pic #1) You will have to burn away the adhesive over the LED contacts with the solder iron before tinning the pads and attaching the lead wires

    • FIND THE MIDDLE LED +/- CONDUCTOR TERMINALS AND POSITION THE LED COB STRIP IN THE MOUNT SO THE LEADS ARE CENTERED IN THE TPU MOUNT

    • Trim approx 5mm insulation of LED lead wires, pre-tin, and solder to +/- terminals on LED (pic #1)

    • You will have to burn away the adhesive over the LED contacts with the solder iron before tinning the pads and attaching the lead wires

    • Attach the LED TPU mount to the standoffs on the bottom plate as shown (pic #2)

    • Twist, trim insulation, pre-tin, and solder LED lead wires to the VBAT terminals (pic #3)

    • CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU HOLD VBAT LEADS TO FC WHILE ADDING THE LED LEAD WIRES. CONSIDER ASKING FOR ANOTHER SET OF HANDS

    Edit

  23. Plug in Air Unit terminal and add zip-tie to keep wires out of prop areas (pic #1) Add zip-tie to any loose wires (pic #2) Secure RX antenna as shown (pic #3)

    • Plug in Air Unit terminal and add zip-tie to keep wires out of prop areas (pic #1)

    • Add zip-tie to any loose wires (pic #2)

    • Secure RX antenna as shown (pic #3)

    Edit

  24. Screw the top plate to the bottom plate using M2x8mm screws

    • Screw the top plate to the bottom plate using M2x8mm screws

    Edit

  25. Place heat shrink over the antenna mount. (pic #1) NEW PICTURES NEEDED Use a lighter or heat gun to tighten the heat shrink around the antenna. This is a very durable mounting solution. (pic #2)

    • Place heat shrink over the antenna mount. (pic #1) NEW PICTURES NEEDED

    • Use a lighter or heat gun to tighten the heat shrink around the antenna. This is a very durable mounting solution. (pic #2)

    • If your antenna has a significantly smaller diameter, you can trim the edges of the TPU print with side cutters or scissors. If it is significantly wider... you can try to stretch the heat shrink with long needle nose pliers or similar.

    Edit

  26. Remove backing from Dual Lock (pic #1) Position Dual Lock over FC screw holes and apply pressure to secure (pic #2) Cut Dual lock into 3 long strips and secure to battery so there is a center channel missing. This will improve LIPO adhesion by avoiding contact with FC screws. NEW PICTURE NEEDED

    • Remove backing from Dual Lock (pic #1)

    • Position Dual Lock over FC screw holes and apply pressure to secure (pic #2)

    • Cut Dual lock into 3 long strips and secure to battery so there is a center channel missing. This will improve LIPO adhesion by avoiding contact with FC screws. NEW PICTURE NEEDED

    • Lastly hook 2 elastic bands thru the frame and back over the hook as shown (zoom in pic #3)

    Edit
  27. Edit

    • Add props and maiden hover

    • Beacuse this is a pusher drone, it is often easier to look down on the drone when installing props. The top side of the props should be seen from the top of the drone

    Edit

  29. ERRATA... Raxus frame going forward will not have dog bone cutout for 1mm CF camera mounts. CF mounts are inflexible compared to TPU camera mounts (pic #1)

    • ERRATA...

    • Raxus frame going forward will not have dog bone cutout for 1mm CF camera mounts. CF mounts are inflexible compared to TPU camera mounts (pic #1)

    • This guide used a non production frame with a cut blemish (pic #2)

    • RX mount is not installed correctly... it should be rotated 180 degrees - new picture needed

    Edit
Finish Line

Author

Brad Norman

Member since: 12/16/2016

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9 Guides authored

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