<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Design review for a 4.5 kg VOXL 2 quad with M0138 on 12-inch props]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Hi ModalAI team,</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Hardware:</strong> Pre-build design review, so no serial numbers yet. Planned stack:</p>
<ul>
<li>VOXL 2 (MDK-M0154-1-00)</li>
<li>VOXL 4-in-1 ESC (MDK-M0138-11-01, 5.1 V kit with VOXL 2 cables)</li>
<li>M0130-3 LTE and USB hub add-on on J5</li>
<li>M0048-2 Microhard USB carrier with pMDDL2450, on an M0130 USB port with its own 5 V supply</li>
<li>M0226 front end with two M0166 AR0144 tracking cameras (front and down)</li>
<li>M0184 ELRS receiver and M0224 GNSS on J19</li>
<li>4x Unusual Machines UM3115 900 kV motors, APC 12x6E props, 6S Li-ion pack</li>
<li>About 4.5 kg take-off weight</li>
</ul>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Software version:</strong> Not built yet. We plan to start on SDK 1.8.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Configuration / services:</strong> Not built yet. Planned: voxl-px4 with the M0138 in closed-loop RPM mode capped at 9,100 rpm, VIO on the two tracking cameras, Microhard for C2, and a small service that drives J10 GPIO_46 as a 3.3 V camera trigger.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>What I am trying to do:</strong> Confirm the ESC, power and I/O choices before we build the first airframe. A motor model gives about 19 A per motor at hover (about 6,350 rpm) and about 37 A at the 9,100 rpm cap. Could you help with these?</p>
<p dir="auto">M0138:</p>
<ol>
<li>Is the 40 A rating phase current or bus current?</li>
<li>What airflow does the 40 A continuous rating assume?</li>
<li>The board senses total current only. How should each channel be protected at an rpm cap?</li>
<li>You describe it for 5 to 10 inch airframes. Is a 12-inch prop acceptable, and what ESC tuning does it need?</li>
</ol>
<p dir="auto">VOXL 2 and accessories:<br />
5. Is the M0224 supported as the PX4 navigation receiver on SDK 1.8?<br />
6. On J10: what is the drive strength of GPIO_46 for a 3-way star at 3.3 V, which J10 mode does a shipped M0154 boot in, and what state are GPIO_46 and the J10 level shifter in from power-on until our trigger service takes the pin?<br />
7. How much current may the M0130's J5 3.3 V pin supply? We need up to about 0.16 A.<br />
8. Is about 3.3 A steady through VOXL 2 J4's single 5 V Mini-SPOX contact acceptable?<br />
9. How long are the M0138 kit's VOXL 2 power and UART cables? Our runs are about 150 mm.<br />
10. Is a STEP file available for the M0226?</p>
<p dir="auto">Handset:<br />
11. What does the Zorro Blue (MRC-Z0001-1) cost on its own, and is it sold separately?<br />
12. What are the form factor and price of the M0193 transmitter, and does it fit a standard controller module bay?</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>What actually happens:</strong> Nothing yet. This is a design review before build.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Steps to reproduce:</strong> N/A</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Logs / pictures:</strong> None yet. Happy to share a block diagram if useful.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.modalai.com/topic/5538/design-review-for-a-4.5-kg-voxl-2-quad-with-m0138-on-12-inch-props</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:44:19 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://forum.modalai.com/topic/5538.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 02:15:31 GMT</pubDate><ttl>60</ttl></channel></rss>