QuadifyRC Tip and Tricks

USB charging for the Taranis Xlite: FullSpeed X-Charger Board install tutorial

7/4/2019

With USB charging I will never be taking those funny batteries out again

The X-lite has been a very popular controller ever since launch (you can see why in my review here). For me there were two key shortcomings:

It used a proprietary docking port meaning you couldn't fit the crossfire module. This is since been solved with a simple adapter that I reviewed
There was no onboard charger to charge the unique 18500 sized batteries.

In order to solve the charging issue FullspeedRC (yes the same ones that launched the Leader series of micro quads) have released a simple board that allows the batteries to be balance charge using the existing USB port. It can be bought for around $10 at the following retailers:

Please note this is not a beginner install but if you can solder a FPV cam and vtx to a flight controller you can probably do this. I've put in a LOT of photos and steps in below to make it as straightforward as possible since Fullspeed's manual is accurate but overly short. As usual click any image below to embiggen.

Tools I recommend for this job:

Small Phillips screwdriver e.g. something like this
Good soldering iron with small tip. Strongly recommend the TS100
Side cutters. I have been using these cheap Daniu ones for about a year now
Hot glue gun. This is optional to insulated new solder joints and provide a stronger fix for the antenna UFL connection. I've been using this one for about 6 months.

1. Remove the rubber caps on the far left and right on the back of the controller. Also remove the battery holders and SDCard

2. Remove the small philips head screw left...

3. ...and right

4. GENTLY pry open the case. Use a plastic electronics opener like this one if you have it. The only clips on the case are these ones on each side.

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So easy to improve your FPV feed - use knurled grips

5/4/2019

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I promise I'll keep this one short. We are forever taking antennae on and off our quads and goggles as we arrive and leave our flight locations. I'm guilty of being too eager to get in the sky and not tightening my antennae correctly thereby leaving a poor connection to the active element on both the quad and goggle ends. Using a spanner is not a fix I'd recommend as it is easy to over-torque and damage the antenna or mount.

The fix here is really easy and I got the tip from my favourite VAS antennas which all include a plastic knurled grip (now I know why). Using a knurled grip that sits over the hexagonal drive on an SMA-style connecter allows you to get a better grip and more torque on tightening whilst avoiding over torquing as above. To put this another way - using these grips allows you to get the right tightness every time - good for the best connection and it will also help them coming loose in flight.

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USB charging for the Taranis Xlite: FullSpeed X-Charger Board install tutorial

So easy to improve your FPV feed - use knurled grips

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