Primal 5"

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ IMPORTANT NOTES ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲

• This frame DOES NOT support DJI O3 or O4 Pro cameras : Micro / Nano sized cameras only  - Look up the Pragma C if you fly with O3 / O4 Pro without HD Cam. Or you could just upgrade to analog : p

• Limited size for the ESC : check the visuals lower in the description to see how much space there is - with some recommendations.

• Limited size for the LiPo Battery : 40mm wide and 80mm long maximum.

• Maximum camera tilt recommended is 30° if you fly with an action camera like the GoPro Session 5, or 35° if you fly with a DJI Action 2.

• Limited prints available - if you are not familiar with 3D printing and basic design making, this might not be the right frame for you. You can always ask me if you need something specific, but I'll keep it simple. I make this for fun, and I wanna keep it that way ; )

The Primal is a simple, compact and robust open source true-x 5" frame for freestyle. 

The frame is constitued with only 7 pieces of carbon : Top plate - Middle plate - Bottom plate and 4 identical Arms. You can find a version with a carbon cage in the download section if you prefer ( C30 or C45 ).

Arms mounting are taken from the Apex, allowing 20x20mm and 30.5x30.5mm stack mounting patterns without any parasitical pressnuts sticking out under the ESC and risking electrical shorts when the frame flexes in hard crashes.

The elegant central interlocking is inspired by the LoFlo, the standoffs on the arms for increased stiffness and shorter form factor can be seen in frames like the Hook V2, and the overall philosophy of simplicity and durability in mind, with no unnecessary cutouts can be related to the Kayoudur.

This is a melting pot of proven designs, with small convenient details added.

Once again, this is an open source frame : you can modify it as you like. Be cautious to think about standoffs and screws length if you decide to modify the plates / arms thickness.

• Wheelbase of Ø230mm

• Support up to 5.1" propellers ( 4.9" recommended )

• Naked weight of approximatively 135g ( hardware dependant )

• 2.5mm thick carbon top / middle / bottom plates ( T700 recommended )

• 5.5mm thick carbon arms ( T700 recommended )

• Only compatible with Micro or Nano sized FPV cameras with standard mounting

• Motor mounting pattern : 16x16mm ( 2207 / 2306 )

• Central stack mounting pattern: 20x20mm M3 / 30.5x30.5mm M3

• Rear stack mounting pattern : 20x20mm M2 or Zip ties ( 5mm wide max )

• Central / Rear stack space height : 20mm

• Front space height : 28mm

• Maximum LiPo battery size : 40mm wide / 80mm long ( 1100mah to 1300mah 6S )

• Strap slots are made for 16mm wide LiPo straps ( 16x230mm / 16x250mm Kevlar with rubber padding recommended )

TRUE-X Form factor - Clean and locked-in feeling

With a wheelbase of Ø230mm, it is compact and keeps the airflow clean. Up to 5.1" propellers - 4.9" recommended.

Bear in mind that you will get more propellers in view than a traditional squished-x frame.

ARM-LOCK - Simple and elegant

If the Apex arm mounting and Loflo interlocking made a baby. No pressnuts sticking out under the ESC.

Pressnuts are specific but fairly common : look lower in the hardware section to see the size and where to get them.

MIDDLE PLATE - Countersunk screws for the stack

The middle plate supports 20x20 M3 or 30.5x30.5 M3 mounting pattern in the center, and an adjustable 20x20 M2 mounting in the rear ( or zip-ties ). You will not be able to access those stack screws after the frame is assembled, so make sure it is well tighten.

There is a small oblong hole in the front side where you can attach a capacitor with a zip-tie.

STANDOFFS ON THE ARMS - Stiff and spacious

The standoffs are directly on the arms, making the frame stiffer, but it also allows larger VTXs in the back with the same compact factor. It doesn't come without a compromise : because they will endure a lot of stress when the arms bend during crashes, you will need high quality standoffs ( Aluminium 7075 ) - and make sure there is a minimum of 4mm of the screw thread inside them.

If you are not using 7075 Aluminium standoffs, you will have issues with bending standoffs and damaged threads.

CROWN-SHAPED ARM'S ENDS - Tested and Trusted

The default TPU print protects the arm's end and the motor efficiently in horizontal impacts, without being too bulky. There is more matter on the bottom of the print allowing you to slide on the ground without damaging screws. 

XT60 HOLE IN THE TOP PLATE - Easy cable management

You have the option to pass the XT60 connector through the top plate, and securing it on the side in between the LiPo battery and a strap. This way, you don't have to solder the cables in an awkward angle to pass it on the side and zip-tie it around the standoff.

If you are worried about damaging the cables, file the hole to make the edge smoother and put some tape or heatshrink around them. It is reliable and secure.

You will have to turn the ESC 180° from default orientation with this configuraion ( XT60 leads toward the front ).

TPU PRINT MOUNTING

By default, TPU prints for light action camera use the two pressnuts inserted in the top plate and the two front screws going into the standoffs for the mounting. You need to put ≤ Ø8mm M3 washers in between the screws and the print ( found in any DIY shops ). 

For a heavier camera, I recommend mounting the print with all four screws going into the standoffs ( traditional ) for more stability.

For a very light camera, you could only use two screws directly in the pressnuts : you are free to design what seems the best to you.

BackStop - The LiPo saver

Getting this LiPo holder to prevent it from ejecting and jumping in the meat grinder after an hard crash is highly advised. 

You could design something similar with the BackPack's antenna mount but : as there is more overhang, it isn't as strong - I find this method to be robust and reliable. 

Compatible with Ø8mm M3 washers.

STRAP SLOTS - Convenient

Support 16mm wide straps - 16x230mm to 16x250mm Kevlar Straps with rubber padding recommended : battery pad not needed, especially with the “BackStop” print.

COMPACT ESCs ONLY - Not convenient

Due to the compactness of the frame, you will have to make sure your ESC fits in between the standoffs : 40x40mm maximum without the fins  ( Approx. 55mm in diagonal maximum ) to give the ESC some breathing room and get yourself some peace of mind.

I recommend something similar to the Voltara 70A size-wise for 30.5x30.5mm mouting - as shown in the visual above, or you can simply go with a compact 20x20mm ESC like the Voltara 50A or the HDZero Halo and don't worry about it.

SPACIOUS REAR STACK : 20x20mm M2 mounting or Zip-ties

The maximum size for the VTX depends of the size of the ESC, but 35x35mm maximum is a safe guess - as shown on the visual above. Rectangular VTXs like the Rush Tank Solo or Foxeer Reaper Extreme sticks out very slightly on the sides, but is compatible. I recommend something like the Rush Tank Ultimate Mini with a 20x20mm mounting pattern, or the good old TBS Unify Pro HV with double-side tape and zip-ties.

Compatible with HDZero Freestyle V2.

TIGHT FIT - Check the size of your LiPo

The maximum size of the LiPo Battery should be equal or less than 80mm long and 40mm wide. I recommend cheap and decent batteries like the Ovonic 6S 1300mah 130C or something similar size-wise, and using 4.9" propellers ( 5.1" in display ). 

CAMERA CAGE VERSION ( C30 or C45 )

If you prefer a frame with a camera cage ( added complexity / heavier  / more spare to maintain ), you have the option to download the C30 or C45 version of the Primal ( 30° or 45° angle ). Only the Top and Bottom plates change from the original. 

The camera plates I made only fits Micro and Nano sized camera with a single screw per side : NOT compatible with O3 or O4 Pro cameras. 

SIDE NOTE ON TPU DESIGN

Bottom plate / Middle plate TPU protections are separated from the FPV camera mount and the Backpack : it is something you will have replace and it takes less time to print / is easier to replace than the whole mount.

Default prints are made for Ø5mm standoffs : you can easily modify it yourself for larger standoffs with the .step file included in the download section on a CAD Software like Autodesk Fusion.

SPECIFIC BUT COMMON PRESSNUTS FOR THE ARMS ( Approx. size ±0.05mm )

You can find fitting pressnuts here :

• Amazon 

• Drone FPV Racer

• ImpulseRC

• Pyrodrone

ONLY USE CHC OR TORX SCREWS FOR THE ARMS MOUNTING AND 7075 ALUMINIUM STANDOFFS !

Standard with an action camera mount and the “BackStop” print :

• ( x14 ) M3x8mm CHC Screws

• ( x4 ) M3x12mm CHC Screws ( For the TPU prints on the top plate )

• ( x4 ) M3x16mm CHC Screws

• ( x6 ) M3x20mm 7075 Aluminium Standoffs ( Ø5mm by default - if not, modify prints )

• ( x2 ) M3x28mm 7075 Aluminium Standoffs ( Ø5mm by default - if not, modify prints )

• ( x6 ) Pressnuts ( ONLY THESE ONES FOR THE ARMS ) 

• ( x6 ) ≤ Ø8mm M3 Washers ( For the TPU prints on the top plate )

For the C30 or C45 versions : ( +2 ) M3x20 7075 Aluminium Standoffs / ( +4 ) M3x8mm Button Head Screws )

If you want to put washers on the bottom plate where the arms are screwed, you will need to adjust the length of the screws accordingly ! 

For the traditional stack mounting : 

• ( x4 ) M3x18mm FH Screws

• ( x4 ) M3 Locknuts

• ( x4 ) M3 Low Profile Nuts

For the recommended stack mounting :

• ( x4 ) M3x12mm FH Screws

• ( x4 ) M3 Low Profile Nuts

• Short Ultra Mounting Kit

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This page will be updated with new prints.

Questions / Requests ? Don't hesitate : leave me a message !

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