Build Introduction:
Below is an outline guide for building the frame and a full build of a Flipmode and Juicemode. There is a mind blending array of different components out there, and before you buy and mount them in a frame it’s not always clear if they will work well together or fit the frame well, often resulting in a frustrating experience with this hobby. One of the key goals of Supafly is to help anyone get an amazing flying build and enjoy FPV at it’s best the same as any pro out there with years of experience. For this reason please check out the component recommendations because when you combine them with the frame and tuning – it comes together to get what we think is the most reliable and best flying quad out there!
Tools and Extras:
- 2mm allen key/hex driver
- Wire cutters
- Soldering Iron and solder
- M5 wrench / spanner for propnuts
- Black electrical tape for taping motor wires around arms
Video Below for new Syncmode build
above relevant for 2022 versions of Flipmode and Juicemode – build updates coming soon…
Frame assembly – Flipmode and Juicemode
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- Assemble base plate ‘sandwich’ of top plate, arms then locking plate
- Use the 12mm screws on outer holes, and the 26mm screw on the inner stack holes into the lock plate, then thru the arm and finally the lower body plate.
- With the carbon parts in place, then hand tighten the press nuts onto the screw with serrated edge facing down and then drive home the press nuts with allen key/driver by turning the screw and the press nuts will cinch into their seated position
- Newer versions use only 8 black press nuts – no lock nuts! Press nuts work better.
Install standoffs
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- On the Flipmode use the 8mm button head screws to attach the 20mm standoffs to the base plate
- On the Juicemode the standoffs are 30mm (scroll image to right)
Recommended Flight Controller / ESC Stack:
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- Betaflight: Aikon F4 and AK32 35a esc stack, T Motor or RushFPV Blade
- FlightOne: RevoltOSD/Lightening H7 with Megabolt ESC
- Kiss: FETTEC FC and 45a FETTEC ESC
- Tuning available for all options
ESC and Motor mounting:
- Mount motors with 6mm screws direct or 8mm screws and washers if using arm guards.
- Titanium screws available to save weight
- Cut motor wires and solder to ESC power pads
- Solder capacitor with 18 awg wire to lipo power pads
- Place nylon washer supplied on press nut then mount 4in1 ESC as shown
- Solder motor wires to ESC pads
FPV Camera mounting:
- Flipmode 2 takes a 28mm standard size camera, or Mini with bracket
- Juicemode 2 takes Mini (21mm) size camera or micro when in ‘slammed’ setup.
- Analogue recommended – Foxeer Predator mini
- Flipmode 2 digital recommended – Caddx Nebula Pro Vista
- Juicemode 2 digital recommended – DJI Camera Vista
Aikon F4 example wiring:
- FPV camera – Use 9cm of wire from Predator cables and connect to flight controller: Black Ground-ground, Red-Cam+, Yellow Video-video, OSD jack White wire-Cam Control. Bridge power to use ‘Bat’. (ignore image is using 5v – Bat is better).
- XM+ receiver: Use 5cm servo cable wire for : Black-Ground, Red-5v, White-RX1
- Tramp VTX-FC: Use 7cm of wire: Yellow Video-Video, Red-Bat+, Black-G(round), Tramp T Telemetry-TX1. Can remove Tramp Audio. Keep but cover 5v and extra ground in case it is needed to power FPV cam in case of issues.
Mount flight controller into frame
- Use 4mm nylon spacer above ESC then connect 4in1 esc and mount flight controller
- Orientation IMPORTANT – check images – FC should have ESC connector at rear and USB socket under the board
- Connect FPV camera and Tramp VTX
- Insert Tramp antenna SMA and tighten onto TPU with pliers on each side
- Recommend electrical tape on XM+ and Tramp for isolation
- Bind receiver
- Zip tie XM+/Tramp stack using provided zip tie slots
Video Transmitter and Radio Receivers:
- ImmersionRC Tramp V2
- TBS Unify HV/5v/Race/Evo
- RushFPV Tank/20×20
Recommended Video Antennas:
- Foxeer Lollipop v3
- Menace RC
- RushFPV Cherry
Recommended Receiver:
- Frsky XM+
- Frsky R-XSR
- Crossfire Nano
Radio Antenna Mounting
- Under Arm or Rear Mount for Immortal style T mount
- Or zip tie is classic FPV method for FrSky type antenna
- Place zip tie included in kits around arm as shown, and feed antenna through clamping it on arm
- Note zip tie clasp should be positioned at bottom rear of arm should pull outwards
- Cut tie to length and slide included 2mm heatshrink over tie and antenna
- Use heat gun/lighter to shrink heat shrink
- Add some extra electrical tape to secure
Prepare Top Plate
- Mount foam pad onto top plate (I know-the sticky paper is annoying to remove, keep picking…)
- Mount lipo straps onto top plate and front camera cage on Flipmode
Finishing Up…
- Use countersunk screws to mount top plate
- Slot in rubber grommet for power lead
- Mount HD Camera Mounts
- Mount Lollipop Video antenna
TPU Protection:
- Add extra protection / HD cam mounts for a bulletproof build
- Take the option of titanium motor screws to reduce weight whilst adding protection with arm / motor guards
- Add on front bumpers to protect carbon edges from impact with hard surfaces
- Available in shop or on frame product page
Recommended Motors (suppliers listed below):
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- Premium:
- T Motor F40 / F60 Pro v4 / Apex Motors / Cyber Xing
- Mid-range
- T Motor Pacer v2, iflight Xing 2306 / 2207
- Budget
- T Motor Velox, Xing-E, Emax ECO 2 2306 / 2207 2400kv
Weight reduction options:
- Use Titanium frame screws and motors screws – looses total 10g
- Use zip ties on video antenna and radio antenna instead of TPU mounting – looses 8g
- Use TBS Unify Nano32 with UFL antenna (analogue) – looses 20g
- Use 2306 motors like T Motor F40 Pro v4 – only 30g each – looses total 20g from 35g motors
- Hero camera – remove battery and use 5v cable power supply – looses total 30g
- (Flipmode) Use GoPro Session without case – looses 20g
Recommended Lipo :
- China Hobby Line Black Series
- Ovonic
- Tattu R Line
- GNB 120C
- RDQ
Demonstration of flight performance of Juicemode and Flipmode
- Highest possible Betaflight performance with Supafly RPM tuning
- Totally locked in control – full confidence
- Propwash almost completely eliminated
- Smooth video
- Trouble-free Supafly ride
Recommended Lipo Chargers:
- SkyRC iMax B6
- Hobbyking Turnigy Reaktor range
- ISDT Q6
- SkyRC Q200
- iCharger X6
Need help setting up the radio, flashing ESC etc? Check these great resources which have tutorials on all subjects…
Recommended UK suppliers: