Just wanted to share the evolution of my mSR X brushless mount.
I find it’s easier to design on the computer. A digital caliper is a great tool to transfer the measurements into your graphics program. A CAD program is ideal. I am more familiar with Illustrator, so that is what I used. If you can scan your object, you can use that scan as an overlay to trace it’s physical dimensions. Doing it this way allow you to make precise changes on the computer. The low tolerance and need for higher precision is very important at the size of these micro helicopters.
Here’s a previous design for the AP-03 motor. Unfortunately, this motor wasn’t enough power for the mSR X.
Prototype of the mSRX AP03 brushless motor mount. The AP03 doesn't have enough power for the mSRX.
Then print and cut out some on paper. Or you can print onto label paper that you can peel and stick to a plastic credit card. This allow you to cut out the prototype with a xacto knife and scissors. You’ll find you need to do a few to narrow down the design.
Various mSR X AP03 prototypes on paper and plastic
Once you’re happy, you use the same method of printing onto a label paper and sticking it on top of the material you want to make the mount out of. I used 0.8mm weaved carbon fiber sheet. I used a dremel and freehand the cut out and a file to clean up the shape. It wasn’t too difficult work, and didn’t take too long at all. However, if you have access to a CNC router, the prototyping stage goes by so much faster and easier.
Here’s a couple of photo of the final result. I consider it a prototype, but it could qualify for production work. It’s very polish and wowed the owner of the mSRX and friends who have gotten to see it in person.
I felt that the stock mSR X was very underpowered the first time I got to fly it. Because it was underpowered, I couldn’t bail out of bad situations. The positive quality of the mSR X is quickly the flybarless heli respond to your cyclic command. It was near instant. It’s a pity that it lacks power. On top of that, there seem to be a huge problem where the stock brushed motor tend to die very early deaths. There’s a whole thread from owners tracking the issue.
After the mod to a brushless motor, the mSR X finally has the pop I like to see in my micro heli. I personally think it should have came this way from the factory. It is definitely worth it for those with mSR X. The brushless ESC, motor, mount and wires all weigh less than the stock brushed motor. Isn’t that amazing?
Stay tune for the rest of the how to’s on this series. Until then, take a look at preparing for flashing the ESC here: Silicon Labs USB Toolstick Mod for BLHeli Flashing
I am thinking of going to brushless once my msrx motor dies out so therefore I am very interested in this. Would you be able to share your brushless motor mount design with us? I am planning on getting some 1mm sheets and cut it out using dremel.
I used .8mm CF sheets. I think the BL mount will be available very soon from Dylan over at Astroid Design. Hope you saw his write up.
http://astroid-designs.myshopify.com/blogs/news/6066678-msrx-brushless-install
Anyways, he offers flashing service for the ESC and is a one stop shop for everything you’ll need to go brushless. i.e. HP03s, XP-3A ESC, BLHeli firmware flashing. I bet when the mount is available, it won’t cost too much either. So keep an eye on his site or ping him. I only ever hear good things about him.
Hopefully I can share more as I flesh out everything and complete the write up. Right now, modding the mCP X is taking all my time. hehehe The power is addicting.
I agree. Modding Mcpx sure is fun. I am currently waiting for my toolstick.
Cool. Let us know how it goes. I just finished doing a double brushless on the mCPX. I will have to share how I did it in a future post. I am currently playing with the the ESC programming, looking for the optimal settings for the C05/M5 main motor. As well as programming the throttle curve and pitch curve on the Turnigy 9X which I am using to control the mCPX.