Compact case for Stratux

ADS-B / FLARM receiver with integrated rechargable battery and antennas (modified version of this awesome model)

Compact case which holds Stratux components, a rechargable battery, its two antennas and GPS receiver. Runs from battery or USB power. Plugging in/out USB switches power supply and charging without interruption (see PowerBoost 1000 description for details).

Print instructions

Default settings should do fine (worked well with 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layers, no supports). I'd recommend printing in PETG or ABS since PLA would deform easily on sunny days.

Assembly notes

Besides standard Stratux components, you need Adafruit PowerBoost 1000 (ADA2465), MakerFocus 10,000 mAh rechargable LiPo battery, a 10x15 mm rocker switch, some wires and basic soldering skills.

• For the GPS receiver, use a short USB extension or cut a USB cable and solder it directly to the GPS module.
• Remove plastic covering from antennas and fit antenna sockets and antennas into the case. The longer antenna goes to the bottom and is a bit fiddly to put into place. Try to put it onto the socket while the socket is still loose, which gives you the space needed. Then tighten socket and antenna simultaneously. The top antenna should be easier to fit. Put the antenna cover in place by inserting the top antenna into the hole of the antenna cover, then put the cover into place.

Notes

I chose to power the Pi via test points PP1 and PP5 instead through GPIO headers (AHRS module). Feeding power into GPIO pins circumvents the over-voltage and over-current protection of the Pi (more detailed explanation here). Overload protection can prevent smoke and fire in case of a hardware fault (which you really don't want to deal with during flight).