Things slowed down a bit with the birth of my little boy. But getting things together slowly. Busy with a CNC build so once that’s done I can push my focus back onto the foil builds etc…
If anyone knows the actual supplier of the case foil drive uses please post it.
The new foil drive assist is a 8s4p battery? That’s what it looks like when I count the cells. And you can see a BMS board at the end of the battery.
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Amazing that you can get those battery connectors together. FDA has done an impressive job of squeezing everything into that small enclosure. I ordered one of these exact same enclosures from polycase. I wasn’t too impressed with the quality to be honest. pretty flimsy and you will need to print a guard for the latches so your leash doesn’t snag and rip the thing open!
I got one from http://www.cooksoncontrols.com.au/ in Australia. About 30 USD each with shipping (to Australia) for 2 of them. I don’t think they ship overseas though.
digikey seems to have the same case as well but under a different brand. They should ship worldwide, link below.
https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/bud-industries/NBF-32408/2328257
Happy to measure the actual internal dimensions of mine - pretty sure i should be able to fit a 6s3p 2170 pack inside. Still waiting on the cells to double check. I think the foil drive assist+ could use a 8s3p 2170 pack.
I’ve started a google doc sheet with some supplier info on it as well.
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This case can’t be what foil drive uses because it’s too small to fit 6s4p 18650 battery. 18650 cells themselves measure 2.567" tall not counting the spot welded connections or wires or anything.
I highlighted the wrong row in the picture. Two rows down you’ll see the NBF-32408. It’s only 2.52"
Still looking for a case like foil drive uses that will fit 6s4p 18650 battery.
All the ones posted so far are too small.
This is the case foil drive uses - it’s on their website here, towards the bottom in the pdf, with a model number.
They must use 2170 cells in a 6s3p configuration, these will fit, and the pack looks like a 3p config.
2,52 you fit a 6s4p W with 2-3mm space between cells , leave you less than 20mm for the controller …
It sounds like you have both cases for comparison 
.Did you test these boxes for their waterproofing? The explorer 1908 I’ve got is rather leaky (and unless you can source the right seal to make it waterproof its an unnecessary pain ).
If the Hibox is waterproof out of the box then this would make it almost a no brainer (yes the Explorer case is spacious, but waterproof rating out of the box wins I reckon)…
I’ve tested the explorer1908 for four months now in the ocean. It has stayed watertight so far. You need to keep sand out of the gasket. The gasket on the 1908 is removable and the DSE hibox is stuck to the lid. I did toy with the idea of pressuring the inside of the case using compressed air, a bit too much hassle in practice to bother doing. I wonder whether a wet marine or good quality glazing silicone eg DowSil could be a good alternative to the removable gasket.
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That mast clamp is super clever - does it work well?
I couldn’t resist and and also got my hands on a DIY foil drive unit. Dominic Hoskyns got me inspired using foil drive for wingfoiling. Likewise i want to mainly use it for winging.
I had an old Gong mast lying around which I equipped with an 6384 motor.
Battery is 6s4p Samsung 30Q and fits perfectly in this enclosure: CHDX8-322C. Thanks to @okp for sharing!
Now I’m just waiting on Ali to deliver the flycolor 150a ESC and I’m good to go.
Credit goes to @Toto44 for the mast clamp and @leachim for the prop.
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i printed a mock up of a 6S3P 21700 pack. The molicell P42A cells would be perfect for this with a 45A rating each and 4200mah capacity. A 21700 pack fits perfectly in the FDA/polycase/hibox enclosure.
Has anyone found a good motor cable yet? A 3 conductor, 12awg waterproof cable thats available in USA? Seems like something with a relatively thin but extruded solid outer jacket would be ideal to keep the OD of the cable as small as possible. By extruded solid i mean the individual wires are completely enveloped by the outer jacket vs. sitting in a “tube” of insulation where the empty space between individual wires could collect water.
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Maybe I just got unlucky with the explorer. I tested it when it arrived and the lid deforms when it’s closed, so the seal doesn’t contact the lid in the middle. Apart from the seal it looks good.
That a good point staggering the cells. Makes it a bit longer, but It might fit that way. Thx.
These fused nickel plates look sweet. Where did you get these from? and what Amps can you put through them. I’ve seen the ones by Battery Hookup guys but they’re only good for 3A continuous and 8A peak which I think is too low for what we’re using them for.
Yes they are from battery hookup!
I had to spot weld two layers of nickel strips, since one layer will only do 3A continuous without getting warm and will blow fast at 8A per cell.
Now with two layers I have 6A continuous and 16A fusing. Also did an 14S14P version with these nickel strips and works perfect so far!
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