Has anyone considered or working on a replacement motor pod solution?
Sharing my 2 cents:
Situation: Parts for Solo unavailable – specifically motor pods
Background: 3DR is longer supporting the consumer market
Assessment: Parts availability is scarce – Current UAS reports having enough parts to support Solo users for 6 – 12 months.
Recommendation: Develop a motor/esc system suitable for Solo using third party source.
How do we achieve this?
Guys I’ve had 2 motor pod failures, both which resulted in unplanned landings. I have an idea but I’ll need help … I can draw it but I have no idea how to make it.
IDEA:
The Solo motor pod is essentially a combined part – Motor + Mount + ESC
I propose we create a motor mount – perhaps out of carbon fiber.
The OE Solo motor plate can be used as a template – strip the electronics, trace the plate and reproduce.
Electronic speed control – plenty of sources -->
http://www.castlecreations.com/multi-rotor/multirotor-35-quadpack-010-0125-00
The Castle Creations ESC is about 20mm wide and can be placed in each of Solo’s arms. Cooling hole may be necessary. Note: Castle Creation’s ESCs are programmable.
With this setup I believe we can keep Solo flying for a very long time. The motor plate will provide for mounting and the use of aftermarket motors. Prop adapters can be utilized to mount standard RC propellers.
I think as long as we match motor and ESC specs to current Solo specs we should be OK.
Someone, smarter than I, will have to come up with a solution for a battery.