Strix Nano Goblin 250g

By pete_oz on Jan 23, 2020

31  5,040  4

This is a super efficient, high performance mini/nano wing that can be built under 250g.

Matterhorn, Swiss Alps 70km autonomous trip

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Components used in this build :

  • Matek F411-WSE
  • Emax RS1606 4000kv
  • Spedix GS 30A ESC
  • Gemfan 4032-3 prop
  • Emax ES9051 servos
  • Foxeer Falcor micro cam
  • RMRC Cricket Pro v2 VTx
  • AXII MMCX side feed antenna
  • TBS Crossfire nano Rx
  • Beitian BN-180 GPS
  • Matek loud buzzer
  • Runcam DVR
  • 12V step-up regulator

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4inch bi-blade prop is recommended but I'm actually using Gemfan 4032 tri-blade, but Azure 3060 tri-blade (on the photo) works also well on my high Kv motor.
The PNP version comes with Cobra 1407 3500kv motor that I have decided to upgrade to Emax RS1606 4000kv, I have also upgraded the stock 10A ESC to Spedix GS 30A.
(note : I purchased my PNP kit and made this build in August 2019, now the new PNP version actually comes with Emax RS1606 4000kv motor), or if you are lucky to secure the cheaper plain kit version then you may consider other options such as the new T-motor F1507 3800kv.


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To keep the total weight under 250g you should run a max 100g battery (ie. Li-Ion 3000mAh 2S, LiPo 1300-1500mAh 3S), if you don't care about the weight then I would recommend Li-Ion 3000mAh 3S (150g) and you can easily get over 1 hour flight time under normal conditions.

This is my 2nd Nano Goblin, the first one is under 250g and I'm only running it on LiIon 18650 2S, this new build was also under 250g before I laminated all the edges and put all the stickers on, now it's 257g with 18650 2S but I'll be actually running LiIon 21700 2S (4200mAh) batteries and 18650 3S (3000mAh) both of which are 50g heavier than 18650 2S, so the total AUW of this setup is 307g.

I'll be using my 2nd NG mainly in the mountains flying at higher altitudes and wanted to have more powerful setup to overcome thin air, wind & turbulences.


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I opted for a simple DVR rather than a HD split camera because I want to record my OSD when doing long range autonomous WP missions that are out of the range. I may also install second (down looking) FPV camera (this FC allows for 2 cameras).

Additionally I've been lately running a tiny 18g HD camera Insta360 Go, although in standard video mode it can only record 1 minute video, there is an interval video mode that records continuously 30 seconds video every 60 seconds, the HD footage out of this camera is stabilized.


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Few notes :
1) 12V Step-up regulator is powering only the VTx (min 7V required)
first I was considering to run the step-up reg through the whole system but when I saw the tiny size I decided not to take the risk in having additional (potential) point of failure

2) the Emax motor is rated 3-4S but it actually runs OK on 2S
on my ESC I have low voltage protection "OFF" and was running it on bench all the way down to 5.8V before the motor stopped spinning (2S LiIon battery)

3) Matek F411-WSE min voltage limit (in specs) states 6V (this is 0.5V lower than F411-Wing) but I was able to run it down to 5.4V and it didn't die, everything was still running (VTx, camera, Rx, servos, DVR), only motor stopped spinning at 5.8V (too low voltage for 3-4S rated motor I guess)
I figured if I ever run below 5.8V I can still glide with FPV feed and servos still running, it took 5 minutes for the voltage to drop from 5.8V to 5.4V and the FC never died, I unplugged the battery at 5.4V

Photos

Part List

Frame

STRIX Nano Goblin - High Performance FPV Plank - KIT (3 builds)
Readymaderc.com
$79.99

Flight Controller

Matek Systems F411-WSE STM32F411CEU6 Flight Controller Built-in OSD 2-6S FC for RC Airplane Fixed Wing (5 builds)
Banggood.com
$40.99

ESCs

Spedix GS30 32Bit DShot1200 30A ESC (30 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$12.95

Motors

EMAX RS1606 4000Kv Micro Motor (5 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$12.99

Propellers

Gemfan WinDancer 4032 Tri-Blade 4" Prop 4 Pack - Choose Your Color (8 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$2.99

FPV Camera

Foxeer Micro Falkor 1.8mm 1200TVL 16:9/4:3 PAL/NTSC Switchable GWDR FPV Camera for RC Drone (75 builds)
Banggood.com
$38.01

FPV Transmitter

RMRC Cricket Pro V2 - 5.8GHz VTX with Smart Audio - MMCX - RMRC (8 builds)
Readymaderc.com
$27.99

Antenna

AXII-MMCX 5.8 (Side feed) - TrueRC Canada
Truerc.ca
$11.99

Receiver

TBS Crossfire Nano Rx - FPV LONG RANGE DRONE RECEIVER (1498 builds)
Team-blacksheep.com
$24.95

Batteries

3 x Sony | Murata VTC6 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery (10 builds)
Imrbatteries.com
$17.97

Misc Parts

Matek 5v Loud Buzzer Lost Model Beeper DBuz5V
Phaserfpv.com.au
See Site

Misc Parts

2 x Emax ES9051 4.3g Digital Mini Servo For RC Model
Emaxmodel.com
$9.12

Misc Parts

RMRC 12v Step-Up Voltage Regulator (2 builds)
Readymaderc.com
$3.29

Misc Parts

RunCam Mini FPV DVR Module Remote Control Version Lossless Video Output for Mini FPV Racing Drone (2 builds)
Banggood.com
$19.28

Misc Parts

Beitian Smallest Mini Dual GLONASS+GPS BN-180 Micro Double GPS Antenna Module UART TTL For CC3D F3 RC Drone Airplane (22 builds)
Banggood.com
$12.19
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Discussion

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MITFPV   Sep 17, 2020  

Hi love the build and looking to do something very similar. how do you mount the insta360 go?

CesiumSalami   May 27, 2020  

Your build logs are always so awesome! I really appreciate the writeups and detailed photos. It's really helpful! I do have a side question unrelated to this build - on that Lion battery on the MB Epic shown - I assume that's a 6S1P 21700? Whatever configuration it is ... do you have any tips on how you connect them securely end-to-end like that?

beison8000   May 12, 2020  

Hey solid build. I am following along with this and will likely do very similar things. For my own knowledge, if I run a 1300mah 3S lipo in this type of setup, how long would you expect to get for a flight time?

pete_oz   May 16, 2020 

it depends on your flying style. if the setup is identical and same weigth you may be able to get close to 30 minutes.
here is my 2nd Nano Goblin :

, same set up as the original, except lower kv motor (3300kv instead of 4000kv), it did over 1 hour using 3090mAh on Li-Ion 3S battery, so you would think 1500mAh 3S would give you close to 30 minutes and 1300mAh just under 30 minutes. mind you this was autonomous flight and the FC flying on its own is not as efficient as actual human flying the wing.

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