TBS Lucid Gorilla Mount Fix: Preventing ESC Shorts with TPU
This builds on top of my previous TBS Lucid stack review, where I detailed how the exceptional AM32 ESC is compromised by a fragile Gorilla mounting bracket that bends and shorts out center components during crashes.
After losing two complete stacks to minor crashes turning my drone into a spectacular ball of fire, I decided to engineer a solution. I designed a custom TPU 3D print that provides bottom and middle support for the TBS Lucid ESC, physically preventing the aluminum Gorilla mount brace from sandwiching the ESC and shorting it out.
Long-Term Crash Testing
I wanted to give this mod ample time to prove its durability before releasing it. After 30 batteries of rigorous track practice, head-on collisions with race gates, bent motor bells, and broken arms, the results are conclusive.
The TBS Lucid ESC finally outlived the other components of the build. I am comfortable stating that this simple TPU support dramatically increases the survivability of the stack. Long-term testing will continue, and I am genuinely interested to see what eventually kills the ESC now that the mechanical shorting vulnerability is mitigated.
The TPU Support Design & Installation
The premise of the design is simple: fill the void beneath the critical middle brace so it cannot deflect inward under impact. TPU is the ideal material for this, offering enough rigidity to stop the aluminum brace from bending, while providing shock absorption to dissipate crash energy.
Installation is super easy and fast. You can print the file from TPU in minutes and slide it into your existing build without changing anything else or re-soldering connections.
Where to Download
You can find the model and print profile on MakerWorld.
Mandatory Pit Tip: Print this in 95A TPU or similar flexible filament. Do not use PLA or PETG, as rigid materials will transfer crash energy directly into the PCB instead of absorbing it.