Matek PDB XT60 Power distribution board explained

Matek PDB XT60 Power distribution board explained

The Matek PDB XT60 is a power distribution board designed to simplify the wiring of multirotor drones, particularly those with high power demands. Instead of creating a complex wiring harness to connect your flight controller, Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs), and other components directly to the battery, this board consolidates all power connections into a single, clean hub. It's a high-quality component that not only distributes battery power but also provides regulated 5V and 12V outputs, which is essential for powering flight controllers, cameras, video transmitters, and other auxiliary electronics.

This type of power distribution board is a fundamental building block for many DIY drone projects. Its practical applications include:

• Building a custom FPV racing or freestyle quadcopter.
• Constructing a larger hexacopter or octocopter for aerial photography or heavy-lift applications.
• Upgrading an existing drone with a cleaner and more reliable power distribution system.
• Powering a camera gimbal and its controller directly from the main flight battery.
• Serving as a central power management unit for a robotics project that requires multiple voltage rails.

Input and Outputs

• 3-6S LiPo batter input
• 4 ESC outputs
• 12V and GND output
• 5V and GND output for receiver and flight controller
• BEC 5: +- 0.1V, 2A continous and 2.5A maximum output
• BEC 12V, Linear regulator +- 0.3V, 500mA continous and 0.8A maximum output
•  

Hardware Overview

This specific board from Matek is designed for high-current applications. Its most distinctive feature is the pre-soldered XT60 connector, which is the standard for connecting LiPo batteries in the RC hobby. The board is built with thick copper traces and sturdy solder pads, ensuring it can handle the high current draw of multiple motors without overheating or introducing significant voltage drops.

The board's layout is straightforward, with clearly marked positive (+) and negative (-) pads. The main battery connection is made through the XT60 connector, and the board distributes this raw battery voltage to several sets of pads intended for your ESCs. A unique feature is the inclusion of two additional connectors that provide regulated voltages: one for 5V and another for 12V. These are crucial for powering sensitive electronics that cannot be connected directly to the variable voltage of a LiPo battery. (in video at 00:40)

Hardware Components

• Matek PDB XT60 Power Distribution Board
• LiPo Battery (e.g., 3S or 4S)
• Multimeter (for testing)
• Soldering iron and solder

Understanding the Board's Layout and Connections

Before connecting anything, it's essential to understand the function of each pad and connector on the board. The design ensures all positive pads are internally connected, and all negative pads are connected. This common bus architecture means you can connect your ESCs and battery to any of the main pads, and they will all share the same power source. (in video at 00:54)

The board is designed to accommodate various drone configurations. For a standard quadcopter, you would connect your four ESCs to four pairs of the large pads. The board has enough pads to support up to six ESCs, making it suitable for hexacopters as well. This flexibility simplifies the wiring process significantly.

Wiring Guide

The wiring process is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to polarity. The board's XT60 connector is pre-soldered, with the positive lead typically marked in red and the negative in black. When connecting your battery, always ensure the polarity matches.

For the ESCs, you will solder their power leads to the large positive and negative pads on the board. The specific pads you use do not matter, as they are all part of the same common bus. However, it is good practice to distribute the ESCs evenly across the board for a clean and organized build.

The 5V and 12V outputs are the key features of this board. The 5V output is perfect for powering a flight controller, receiver, or other 5V logic devices. The 12V output is ideal for powering FPV cameras, video transmitters, or LED strips. All these outputs share a common ground, which is critical for proper signal communication between components. (in video at 01:40)

Testing the Board

Once all your connections are soldered, it's wise to test the board before mounting it on your drone. Connect your battery and use a multimeter to verify the voltage at the different output points. (in video at 01:56)

As demonstrated in the video, connecting a 3S LiPo battery (which has a nominal voltage of 11.1V and a full charge voltage of 12.6V) will power the board. The multimeter will show a reading of approximately 5V on the 5V output pad and a reading close to the battery's voltage on the 12V output pad. It's important to note that the 12V output is not a regulator; it simply passes through the battery voltage. To get a stable 12V, your battery's voltage must be at or above 12V. (in video at 02:56)

Live Project Demonstration

In the video, the presenter connects a 3S LiPo battery to the board's XT60 connector. The two onboard LEDs light up immediately, indicating that the 5V and 12V circuits are active. A multimeter is then used to confirm the output voltages. The reading on the 5V output is 4.90V, which is well within the acceptable range for 5V logic. The 12V output reads 11V, which directly reflects the current voltage of the 3S battery. This confirms that the board is functioning correctly and distributing power as expected. (in video at 02:23)

Chapters

• [00:06] Introduction to the Matek PDB XT60
• [00:40] Board Features and Connector Overview
• [00:54] Understanding the Common Power Bus
• [01:40] 5V and 12V Outputs Explained
• [01:56] Connecting a Battery and Testing with a Multimeter
• [03:25] Conclusion and Summary

Images

Metak_PDB_XT60-3

Metak_PDB_XT60-2

Metak_PDB_XT60-1

Metak_PDB_XT60-5

Metak_PDB_XT60-4

Metak_PDB_XT60 wirres on drone frame

Metak_PDB_XT60-3

Metak_PDB_XT60-2

Metak_PDB_XT60-1

Metak_PDB_XT60-5

Metak_PDB_XT60-4

Metak_PDB_XT60 wirres on drone frame