QAV500 Frame Plate Sequence Confusion

[Mike]

Does the frame plate sequence matter when it comes to the dirty plate and the Power Distribution Board on the QAV500? The manual says to put the dirty plate on bottom and to put the PDB on next with the soldering pads facing inside - which I assume means sandwiched in between the PDB and the dirty plate since the motor wires will run through the space in the arm. But all the build videos I see have the PDB is placed at the bottom. Is there a reason why people are doing this? I don't see how it would really provide any benefit.

Frame plate sequence

The entire frame has this sequence of frame plates, starting from the bottom:

1. G10 “Dirty” frame plate
2. Arms, ESCs, and 10mm aluminum spacers
3. PDB (with the soldering pads facing inside)
4. Orange RC Bobbins
5. Long base of the “Clean” frame part
6. 35mm aluminum spacers
7. Flight controller and auxiliary battery mount

These videos have the PDB on bottom.

Based on this picture, even Justin from JuzFPV.com seems to have his PDB on the bottom. I may be wrong, but I don't see the vent holes from the back of the soldering pads on the board facing up in this picture.

Any advice on this would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[jbrew]

If you pay $200 for a frame, follow the instructions! especially with the QAV500... the manual is pretty specific about exactly how to assemble to get the cleanest video. If you need to modify for whatever reason, it won't be the end of the world, but avoid if you can. This frame is designed with a precise configuration in mind.

JB

 

[Mike]

Good advice. That's what I did. I assume they make the frame plate sequence instructions detailed for a reason. I was just curious why no one seems to be following them. I figured there must be a good reason.

 

[jbrew]

yea, no prob.

 

[OU812_syr]

I don't know it looks like I could go either way it has channels in the arms to route wires thru it could be a typo and the PDB is supposed to be on the bottom. Maybe the ESCs they use needed more clearance so the PDB would go on top of the dirty frame other wise putting the PDB on the bottom moves weight down and aids better balance. But that's just my $.02

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate on the top notch frames the pcb is put so it cant get broken in a crash , if it was on the bottom and you broke it it can short out and quad catch on fire , watch the video of a lipo fire there would be nothing left of the quad, the base plate will be a little stronger too as this will take knocks