Yuneec Q500 Steady Grip 5400mAH Battery Mod, also 2nd version with a Battery Level Indicator

thingiverse

Yuneec SteadyGrip Battery Modification using existing 5400mAh Q500 Battery Update 18-11-18 : Added battery meter board that works well (Pictures attached). My initial tests were 2 hours continuous recording and the battery indicator went down to 75%, which means 3 LED's. The 64GB card I had in the CGO3 ran out after 2 hours, so I think a Q500 battery would last at least 6 hours continuous use. Update: 13/11/18 : I added a new version of the case with a built-in tray for a battery power indicator (picture of eBay circuit board attached). I printed the button in Orange. The circuit board is 30mm x 15mm x 3mm. The old version is still available without the battery indicator mounting. I did not see a Thingiverse version of the SteadyGrip modification available, except for another 3D printed paid design from the US via eBay, so I built one myself from scratch (I had not seen the US version until November 9th). You will need 1 XT60 Male Connector with cable. I used a XT60 Male with AWG cable pigtail (pic attached 10cm) which worked well. The holder takes 1 Standard Q500 Battery (11.1v 5400mAh or higher, such as 6300mAh/7500mAh batteries). You only need to make 2 holes in the base plate of the SteadyGrip (example picture attached). The supplied nut is used for the end of a 4.5mm thread diameter or less self-tapping screw to grip together, but you can use your own nut and bolts. Advantages of this case modification: 1. The Q500 battery lasts at least 2 hours or more (not tested fully yet) rather than rechargeable AA's. I have ordered a battery indicator which I will add to the case. *Note*: It is important not to run down a Q500 3S LiPO Battery less than 10.5v, hence the battery power indicator I am buying that shows 100/75/50 and 25% levels of the 3 cells. I would change the battery when run down to 25%, which is 10.5v. 2. Well-balanced at the half point 3. Only 2 holes to make in the SteadyGrip Tray 4. Easy to wire up 5. Minimal parts 6. Will take the larger mAh batteries as well 7. Does not damage the SteadyGrip main case and can be retrofitted back to the battery tray and power To connect the printed case to the SteadyGrip plastic battery tray lid: 1. First print out: 4 Wing Nuts (you can use your own nuts and bolts as long as the bolt is not larger than a 4.8mm thread diameter) 1 Case 2. Take out the sponge/felt base circular covers on each bottom corner of the base plate and save them 3. Take out the 2 screws on the base of the SteadyGrip unit so the battery tray can be removed 4. Cut the battery tray wires, leaving as much RED/Black wire. I saved a 5mm section to remind me if I needed to refit the tray at another time 5. Connect a XT60 pigtail lead (£2 eBay) to the RED/Black wires from the battery tray cables 6. To find the hole locations, attach the back of the case first to the plate as the holes are already there 7. Then mark the other 2 holes with a punch or similar. Then drill 2 x 4.5mm holes in the plastic plate 8. Place sponge covers on the bottom of the mod case 9. Screw together tray and case 10. Slide the tray back in the SteadyGrip body 11. Insert a Q500 charged battery 12. Plug in XT60 and away you go for a lot longer than usual AA batteries Any questions/comments welcomed as well as tips as always. Print at 0.2mm at 20% infill. Thanks to the designer of "Nut Job" on Thingiverse, which helped with the WingNut design. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:193647