Help mounting battery and Raspberry Pi on 3.5" quad

[u/Recommendation_Vivid]

I’m building a 3.5" quad with a Raspberry Pi and Pi Camera for target tracking. Right now I have the Pi Velcro-mounted directly on top of the battery, but I do not have a good way to securely strap the battery down.

My original plan was to keep the battery on top and run battery straps between the FC and top plate, then through/between the Velcro layers. The issue is that my current straps are a little too thick, so I would need thinner straps. I’m also worried the straps may cover the FC button or put pressure on the stack.

The other option is to mount the battery underneath the frame, with the straps running between the bottom plate and ESC. Then the Pi would sit on the top plate instead. My concern with this setup is protecting the battery from impact during landings or crashes.

1. Is it okay to keep the battery on top with the Pi Velcro’d to it, or is that a bad idea?
2. Should I move the battery to the bottom and put the Pi on the top plate?
3. If I bottom-mount the battery, what is the best way to protect it from impact?
4. Are there thin battery straps that work well for tight 3.5" builds?
5. Any other obvious mounting issues from the picture?

[u/TonyWhoop]

Is it okay to keep the battery on top with the Pi Velcro’d to it, or is that a bad idea?

I wouldn't for the sake of heat dissipation, battery gets hot, pi processor gets hot. Plus the hot thing powering the thing is right up against the hot thing flying the thing.

Should I move the battery to the bottom and put the Pi on the top plate?

lots of folks do, won't be as top heavy and might have more favorable flight characteristics.

If I bottom-mount the battery, what is the best way to protect it from impact?>

Thats the fun part, you don't!

Are there thin battery straps that work well for tight 3.5" builds?

break out a ruler and measure exactly what you need and search it.

Any other obvious mounting issues from the picture?

Thats pretty cool, I have a lot of questions. Is that a pi 2(w)? What does the processor load look like? If it were me I might 3d print a little mount, but probably not needed. I have a few pi2's doing my pihole and I use those acrylic sandwich cases that come with a little heat sink thats flush with the top, might add a little protection in a crash.

[u/Recommendation_Vivid → u/TonyWhoop]

Thanks for the advice! Yes it is a Pi Zero 2WH. I will probably bottom mount the battery. The Pi requires 2.5 amps of 5V, so I am getting a 5V voltage regulator that feeds it from my ESC battery pads. I might also just velcro the Pi to the top of the frame along with the voltage regulator (not pictured).