Tail Flame Afterburner Adapter 29-40mm

thingiverse

Caution: Filament material properties are critical to success. The Adapter design requires filament material & printer capable of high layer strength. Test it before you install it and before you fly it. The Retainer requires filament which does not conduct electricity and which also has good strength and temperature capability. Carbon fiber has electrical conductivity and should not be used on the Retainer. I used a Bambu X1C printer and Bambu PAHT-CF filament for the Adapter and Polymaker ASA for the Retainer. Made this adapter to fit a Tail Flame afterburner (AB) light on a Freewing Avanti S 80mm. I ordered the Tail Flame without realizing my motor didn't have the required threaded holes to mount it. My motor diameter is 36mm. It might work with other 36mm motor depending on how the power wires exit the motor. I found it easiest to remove the EDF unit and ESC from the plane. You do not have to disconnect the main power wires between the Motor and the ESC. Remove the OEM plastic mount from the AB. Use the same screw to attach the Adapter. CAUTION: The PCB inside the AB light is poorly adhered to the bezel with a silicon like adhesive. I used IPA to clean and Clear Gorilla Glue to re-adhere the PCB. Care should to be taken to ensure that the AB power wires do not contact and electrically short on the back of the motor. The Retainer is intended to address this risk by retaining and isolating the PCB/wires from the motor aft face. Electrical tape may be added to the aft face of the motor as further precaution, but don't cover the cooling holes on the motor. Route the AB wires with the motor power wires thru the slotted port in the Adapter. Take care to ensure the Adapter port with the wires has been sanded to remove sharp edges & serrations from the printing process. Slide the Adapter over the motor and secure with a 2.5 to 3.6mm wide zip tie. A pair of pliers will help to pull the zip tie taut. Install the Retainer with a 2x6 to 8mm self tapping screw (1.5mm should also work). The 11mm Retainer matches the OEMs fitup. The 10mm Retainer can be 'tidy' if the PCB happens to be glued further into the LED. G5 and later Adapters files attached have a pilot hole for this screw. The Adapter should feel pretty secure to the motor with the zip tie alone. With sufficient force, I can turn the Adapter, but it's way more force than it should ever see in flight. A little FoamTac or other adhesive can be used for an even more positive attachment. Reinstall the ESC & EDF unit in the plane and make the electrical connections for the AB. Caution: make sure all the wires in front of the fan are secured so that they cannot get into the fan. Note 1: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40mm adapters have been attached. I have only tested the 36mm on the FW Avanti V1 and 29mm on FW Vulcan 6S. Note 2: The Universal version of the TF AB appears to have the same bulb & attachment design. I have not tested it with my adapter, but it might work for those as well.