SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack

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Summary

Part 1 - OverView

Specs Overview

Detailed specifications and features of the SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack, including product name, MCU, and connectivity.

Dimensions

Physical dimensions and mounting hole size of the SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack, illustrated with diagrams.

Package

List of all items included in the package, including the flight controller, ESC, cables, and accessories, with quantities.

FC & ESC Connection

Illustrates two methods for connecting the Flight Controller (FC) and Electronic Speed Controller (ESC): direct soldering and using connectors.

Part 2 - SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller

Layout

Diagram showing the layout of the SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller, identifying MCU, ports, buttons, and LEDs.

FCs Peripheral Connection

Wiring diagrams for connecting various peripherals like receivers, cameras, GPS, and VTX to the F7 V3 Flight Controller.

App

Instructions on how to get and connect the SpeedyBee App to the flight controller for configuration and updates.

FC Firmware Update

Step-by-step guide on how to update the firmware for the SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller using the SpeedyBee app.

Specifications

Comprehensive list of technical specifications for the SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller, including MCU, sensors, and connectivity options.

Part 3 - SpeedyBee BL32 50 A 4-in-1 ESC

Layout

Diagram illustrating the physical layout of the SpeedyBee BL32 50A 4-in-1 ESC, showing motor outputs, connectors, and components.

Connection with Motors & Power Cable

Guide on how to connect motors to the ESC and the recommended usage of the power cable and capacitor for safe operation.

ESC Conifguration & Firmware Update

Information on configuring the ESC and updating its firmware, noting that it requires external software due to BLHeli32.

Specifications

Detailed technical specifications for the SpeedyBee BL32 50A 4-in-1 ESC, including current rating, voltage, and protocol.

The SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack is a comprehensive flight control system designed for drone enthusiasts, offering a powerful combination of a flight controller (FC) and an electronic speed controller (ESC) in a compact, stackable form factor. This integrated system simplifies drone building by providing essential components in a pre-configured and optimized package, catering to both new builders and experienced pilots seeking high performance and ease of use.

Function Description

At its core, the SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack serves as the brain and muscle of a drone. The SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller, powered by an F722 MCU, handles all flight computations, sensor data processing, and communication with other drone components. It runs BetaFlight firmware by default, a highly popular and versatile open-source flight control software, allowing for extensive customization of flight characteristics. The FC is equipped with a BMI270 gyro for precise motion sensing, a BMP280 barometer for accurate altitude hold, and an AT7456E OSD chip for on-screen display of flight data. It supports various peripheral connections, including GPS, receivers (SBUS, ELRS), FPV cameras (analog and DJI Air Unit), LED strips, and buzzers, making it adaptable to a wide range of drone setups.

The SpeedyBee BL32 50A 4-in-1 ESC is responsible for controlling the speed and direction of the drone's motors. It's a 32-bit ESC running BLHeli32 firmware, known for its smooth and responsive motor control. The "4-in-1" designation means it integrates four individual ESCs into a single board, simplifying wiring and reducing the overall footprint. This design is particularly beneficial for compact drone builds, as it eliminates the need for separate ESCs for each motor. The ESC communicates with the flight controller to receive motor commands and provides telemetry data back to the FC, allowing for real-time monitoring of motor performance.

Together, the FC and ESC form a cohesive unit that manages all aspects of drone flight, from stabilization and navigation to power distribution and motor control. The stack design ensures a clean and efficient build, minimizing wiring complexity and improving overall reliability.

Usage Features

The SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack is packed with features designed to enhance the user experience, from initial setup to advanced flight tuning.

Wireless Connectivity: One of the standout features is its integrated 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip. This enables wireless configuration and firmware flashing of the flight controller directly from the SpeedyBee App on a smartphone or tablet. This eliminates the need for a PC and USB cables for many common tasks, making field adjustments incredibly convenient. Users can access the FC Firmware Flasher and Blackbox Analyzer wirelessly, streamlining the update and diagnostic processes.

Flexible Connection Methods: The stack offers two primary methods for connecting the FC and ESC: direct soldering or using an 8-pin connector. The direct soldering method provides a robust and permanent connection, while the connector method allows for easier assembly and disassembly, which can be beneficial for maintenance or component replacement.

Peripheral Integration: The FC supports a wide array of peripherals, making it highly versatile. It includes dedicated pads and connectors for GPS modules, various receiver types (SBUS, ELRS), FPV cameras (both analog and DJI Air Unit systems like O3, Link, Vista, and V1), LED strips, and buzzers. Specific attention is given to DJI Air Unit connections, with a 6-pin connector that ensures complete compatibility without the need for wire changes. For SBUS and ELRS receivers, the manual provides important notices regarding specific wiring requirements and potential disconnections from the DJI Air Unit harness to ensure proper functionality.

LED Indicators and Control: The FC features a 4-level LED battery indicator, providing a quick visual reference of the drone's battery status. Additionally, it has multiple LED indicators for power, Bluetooth status, flight controller status, and LED control mode. The "Orange LED" acts as an LED Control Mode Indicator, showing whether the connected LED strips (LED1-LED4) are controlled by Betaflight firmware or the SpeedyBee Bluetooth Chip. A BOOT button allows users to cycle through LED display modes in standby or switch between Betaflight LED mode and SpeedyBee LED mode by long-pressing for 3 seconds, offering flexibility in how LED strips are managed.

Power Management: The FC provides multiple power outputs, including 10 groups of 5V output (total 2A), 2 groups of 9V output (total 4A), 3.3V output (up to 500mA), and 4.5V output (up to 1A). This extensive power distribution capability ensures that various peripherals can be powered reliably without external BECs. The ESC supports 3-6S LiPo input, catering to a range of drone power requirements.

Blackbox Functionality: With 500MB of onboard flash memory for Blackbox logging, the FC allows pilots to record detailed flight data. This data can be downloaded and analyzed wirelessly via the SpeedyBee App, providing invaluable insights for tuning, troubleshooting, and improving flight performance.

BetaFlight Camera Control Pad: The inclusion of a BetaFlight Camera Control Pad (CC pad) on the front side simplifies the integration and control of FPV cameras, allowing users to adjust camera settings directly through their remote controller's OSD menu.

Motor Direction Change: While the BLHeli32 ESC firmware is closed-source and cannot be configured wirelessly, the SpeedyBee App offers a convenient feature to change motor directions. Users can connect to the app, navigate to the Motors page, and use a dedicated button to easily reverse motor spin, simplifying a common setup task.

Maintenance Features

The SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack incorporates several design considerations and recommendations that contribute to easier maintenance and longevity.

Firmware Updates: The wireless FC firmware flashing capability significantly simplifies the update process. Instead of connecting to a PC, users can update their flight controller's firmware directly from their smartphone using the SpeedyBee App. This makes it easier to keep the FC up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: The wireless Blackbox download and analysis feature is a powerful diagnostic tool. By recording and wirelessly accessing detailed flight data, users can effectively troubleshoot flight issues, identify performance bottlenecks, and fine-tune their drone's settings without needing to physically connect to a computer.

DFU Mode for Recovery: The BOOT button on the FC serves a critical maintenance function: pressing and holding it while powering on the FC forces it into DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. This is essential for recovering the FC if it becomes "bricked" during a firmware flash or due to other issues, allowing users to re-flash firmware and restore functionality.

Low ESR Capacitor Recommendation: For the ESC, it is strongly recommended to use the included 1000uF Low ESR capacitor. This capacitor helps prevent instantaneous voltage spikes on powering up, which can damage the stack. This simple addition significantly enhances the durability and lifespan of the ESC, reducing the risk of component failure due to power fluctuations.

Modular Design: The stack's modular nature, with separate FC and ESC boards, allows for easier replacement of individual components if one part fails. While integrated, the ability to separate them for inspection or replacement can simplify repair processes compared to a single, highly integrated board.

Clear Wiring Diagrams: The manual provides clear and detailed wiring diagrams for various peripheral connections, including receivers, cameras, LED strips, GPS, and DJI Air Units. These diagrams are crucial for correct installation and troubleshooting, helping users identify and resolve wiring issues efficiently. The "Method 2 - All connectors" diagram specifically marks wires with letters (A-F) corresponding to the included cables, further simplifying the connection process.

In summary, the SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stack is a feature-rich and user-friendly flight control system that prioritizes ease of use, performance, and maintainability. Its wireless capabilities, comprehensive peripheral support, and thoughtful design elements make it an excellent choice for building and maintaining high-performance FPV drones.