tinyPEPPER2 ESC – How to build your own! [v0.4]

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

By | April 19, 2018

In this post I am going to share all the parts you need to build your own super tiny tinyPEPPER2 4in1 Blheli_S ESC. All the following information applies to the current version 0.4 of tinyPEPPER2 (tagged as revision 0.4). If you are wondering what makes this thing so special, have a look at the main tinyPEPPER2 project page.

Changelog

v0.4: (this one)
– initial openhardware release

Circuit board

This board uses the same outer dimensions as my tinyFISH FC: It comes in a 20x20mm package with a hole-to-hole distance of 16mm (M2). This board requires some experience with SMD soldering and requires a hot air gun or a reflow oven.

BOM

You can find the bill of materials with part references and ordering numbers for farnell and mouser on this google doc sheet.

Design files

The design files are released under the CERN open hardware license v1.2. Before using the design files for commercial projects please make sure that you read and understand this license! You can use the files for your projects, just make sure to give proper credit (by e.g. linking to the tinyPEPPER2 ESC page). Additionally release all modifications you do and all work you derivate from this under the same license.

You can find the design in the kicad file format on my github repository. You will need a recent version from kicad. I compiled my own binaries from kicad commit hash #efdfaeb.

If you want to skip the hassle of rendering the gerber board files on your own you can simply skip this step and checkout and order the part from OSHPark.com using this Link (rev 0.4). They offer a really great quality for a ridiculous low price (it is $7 for three copies!).

Placement & Connections

You can use the following diagrams for the component placement. See my github repository for the full resolution files in SVG format.

In addition to the part placement, those diagrams also show you how to connect the various signals to this ESC.

Do it!

Now it is time to build your own! This page has all the information you need to build your own tinyPEPPER2 ESC. Sure, this requires very fine pitch soldering, but if you have some experience with SMD soldering give it a try! If this sounds too complicated for you, don’t worry, FuriousFPV is selling this ESC. I am quite sure several other places will pick this design up and sell it soon.

Please check the main tinyPEPPER2 project page for updates. I will try to keep an updated list of who sells this ESC. If you wish, drop me an email and I will add you to the list.

If you have built any of my stuff I would be happy to see and hear how it turned out for you — send me an email!

 

10 thoughts on “tinyPEPPER2 ESC – How to build your own! [v0.4]

  1. Tim Wilson

    What’s the copper weight of the board? I was looking at giving JLCPCB a go instead of OSHpark but I want to make sure I don’t order the boards incorrectly.

    Thanks again for releasing this, it will allow me to repair my existing tinypepper2 and build some of my own!

    Reply
    1. Tim Wilson

      Looking at the gerber files and the minimum line widths on the board vs the PCB manufacturers specification, it looks like 1oz is the only option so I’ll go with that!

      Reply
      1. Tim Wilson

        I’ve already ordered PCBs from jlcpcb to see how well they go, also to give me some spares in case I make a mistake.
        Very excited to build these out!

        Reply
  2. Tim Wilson

    I just woke up and found the email notifying me of this release and I’m so pleased to see it! This will allow me to repair my current ESC which has developed an issue.
    It will also allow me to build some more!

    Thanks very much for releasing this, I hope part of the reason is that you have something even better about to release!

    Reply
  3. STEVE FLEMINGTON

    Great news, I’ll get ordering and building right away. Thank you again for these contributions.
    Steve.

    Reply
  4. Luca

    Thanks so much for releasing this! Your projects inspired me to learn PCB design and make my own ESC. Your contributions to the community are great.

    Reply
  5. jerome demers

    YEAH!! thank you! It’s perfect timing! I see you use BJT for gate driver for 2S. Github link is dead (for now)
    Could you please post a PDF of the schematic in github for quick reference. Thanks again!

    Reply
    1. fishpepper Post author

      Github is now live as well 🙂 I will do a pdf tomorrow.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to fishpepper Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *