FDL-3 Assembly: Legacy Rewire
Required Tools

#2 Phillips Screwdriver
Instructions

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Gen-1 FDL-3 (pre serial #0097)
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Your Microview can alternately be sent to Project FDL to update
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Optional: Updated underbelly and mag release block
Prep

Locate the following:

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Remove battery and battery cover
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Remove upper cowl
Step 1

Remove Battery Cover & Cowl

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Remove rear cap
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Ensure screen stays in place by holding it as you remove cap
Step 2

Remove Rear Cap

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Carefully remove top (CTR) PCB
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Remove bottom (DCP) PCB exposing wiring
Step 3

Remove PCB's

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Remove stock attachment
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Move PCB mount back slightly for easier wiring access
Step 4

Remove Stock Attachment

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Remove screws and cap from ESC housing
Step 5

Remove ESC Housing

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Remove battery cable from DCP board ( red/black marked )
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Remove ESC cable from DCP board ( white/red/black )
Step 6

Remove 12V Battery and ESC Cables

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Unplug ESC extension ( white/red/black ) from ESC cables ( orange/red/black )
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Unthread ESC cables from channel in pusher housing cap
Step 7

Unwire ESC cables

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Unplug power switch wire from power switch ( black/black ) ( gray/gray pictured )
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Unthread power switch wire from channel in pusher housing cap
Step 8

Unwire Power Switch

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Unthread battery cable ( red/black ) from channel in pusher housing cap
Step 9

Unwire Battery Cable

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Remove ESC Y extension ( white/red/black ) from PCB housing
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This cable will no longer be used
Step 10

Remove ESC Extension

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Legacy rewire kit
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Available in our shop
Prep
Locate the following:

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ESC extension cable ( white/red/black )
Prep
Locate the following:

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Thread ESC extension cable ( white/red/black ) through left channel in pusher housing cap
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Leave a palm's width of slack at the front side of the cable
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Run ESC extension through left opening in PCB mount and out the top
Step 11

Thread ESC Cable

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12V battery extension cable ( red/black )
Prep
Locate the following:

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Thread 12V battery extension cable ( red/black ) through left channel in pusher housing cap
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Leave a palm's width of slack at the front side of the cable
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Run cable through left opening in PCB mount and out the top
Step 12

Thread 12V Battery Cable

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Connect power switch extension ( black/black ) to lead on power switch
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Thread cable through left channel in pusher housing cap
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Thread connection through channel as well
Step 13

Connect Power Switch

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Connect ESC extension ( white/red/black ) to DCP board
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Connect 12V battery extension ( red/black w/mark ) to DCP board
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Ensure cable orientation matches pictures THIS IS CRITICAL
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Replace stock attachment with (2) 6-32 x 3/8" screws in lower holes and (2) 6-32 x 1/2" screws in upper holes
Step 14

Connect DCP Board

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Insert DCP board in PCB mount
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Ensure back side is in lower slot in mount for proper fit and alignment
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Front of board will be slightly loose
Step 15

Insert DCP Board

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Insert pins of CTR board into header on DCP board
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Ensure pin alignment
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Insert CTR board into PCB mount
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CTR board orientation and fit should hold both boards in place
Step 16

Insert CTR Board

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Carefully remove Sparkfun Microview from socket on CTR board
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Flash firmware version 1.3 or higher onto Microview
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Refer to firmware readme on Github for instructions
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Replace Microview when finished
Step 17
Remove and Flash Microview

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Replace rear cap ensuring "legs" of cap align properly with PCB mount below
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Secure with (2) 6-32 x 3/8" screws in front holes and (2) 6-32 x 1/2" screws in rear holes
Step 18

Replace Rear Cap
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The tail of your legacy FDL-3 is now rewired and compatible with current nose/tail system
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If you plan on replacing your nose, you are finished
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If you'd like to rewire your existing nose to work with current nose/tail system, please continue
Tail Rewire Complete
Congrats

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Locate: ESC Y splitter cable ( orange/red/black )
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Plug wires from both ESC's ( orange/red/black ) into Y splitter
Step 19

ESC Splitter

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Locate: power witch adapter cable ( black/black )
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Plug adapter cable into power switch cable ( gray/gray pictured but will usually be black/black)
Step 20

Power Switch Adapter

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Locate: 12V battery adapter cable ( red/black )
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Plug adapter cable into 12V battery cable
Step 21

12V Battery Adapter

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Manage cables inside ESC housing leaving slack outside housing
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Replace ESC cap with 6-32 x 3/8" (back) and 6-32 x 1" (front) screws
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Ensure no wires are pinched or damaged
Step 22

Wire Manage & Replace ESC Cap

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These three connectors now act as the pins on the new power board do. The ESC, 12V bat and power switch cables from the tail plug into these.
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Your legacy nose is now rewired and compatible with the new nose/tail system
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To connect your legacy nose and tail back together, continue
Step 23
Wrap Up Nose

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Connect 12V bat, ESC and power switch wires of your rewired nose to the matching tail wires
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Ensure correct connector orientation
Step 24

Connect Nose/Tail

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Neatly bundle wires in area under upper cowl
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Replace upper cowl and secure with (2) 6-32 x 3/8" screws
Step 25

Wire Manage & Replace Cowl

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Replace mid cap / battery cover
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Secure with thumb screws
Step 26

Replace Battery Cover
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You have succesfully rewired your legacy FDL-3. It is now compatible with the nose/tail system
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If you intend to use a short or hir nose please continue. You will need to replace your underbelly and mag release block.
Nose Rewire Complete
Congrats

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Remove screws from underbelly and handle guard
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Remove entire underbelly/handle guard assembly
Step 27

Remove Underbelly Assembly

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Remove screw from underbelly
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Remove mag release by sliding forward
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Remove handle guard from underbelly
Step 28

Remove Mag Release

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Updated underbelly
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Updated mag release block
Prep

Locate the following:

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Insert handle guard into new underbelly
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Ensure handle guard is fully seated in underbelly
Step 29

Replace Underbelly

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Remove all parts from old mag release block
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Insert parts into new block
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See mag release guide for tips on assembling mag release
Step 30

Replace Mag Release Block

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Slide assembled mag release into underbelly.
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Secure with 6-32 x 1" screw
Step 31

Insert Mag Release

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Replace paddle in handle guard
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Slide entire underbelly assembly back onto blaster
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Secure with (2) 6-32 x 1/2" screws at underbelly and (2) 6-32 x 3/8" screws at base of handle
Step 32

Replace Underbelly Assembly

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Congrats, you've updated your gen-1 FDL-3 to be compatible with the nose/tail system
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Double check your wiring prior to powering up
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Firmware v1.03 adds a "Spindown" setting to the menu. When using your old nose, set this to 0. When using new noses, the default value is 12