This time we have 2 very similar 36mm size mini power distribution boards for review: the Demon Core Mini PDB and Atas Mini PDB. Both are great choices for mini quads, which you can stack under your flight controller.

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Here is our Head to head Comparison :)

Demon Core Mini PDB

This is a new, very well designed PDB, and quality is excellent. It’s only been released a couple of weeks ago (Sep 2015) and developers told me they are already busy developing next version.

Here is some spec of the Demon Core Mini PDB.

• $23.5
• 3-6S batteries supported
• 80A constant, 110A burst
• Integrated LC filter for both 5V,12V
• 12V step down regulator – 1A with cooling, 600mah without
• 5V step down regulator – 1.2A with cooling, 800mah without
• Filtered main battery voltage for OSD (12V only)
• OSD bypass switch for no-OSD setups
• Shunt for OSD video in/out

Atas Pro Mini PDB

This PDB has been around for almost a year now, and the one I got looks like to be a improved version from previous one we reviewed. The 5V voltage regulator in the middle appears to be much smaller now and the layer of components is slightly different. But the pin layout and solder pads haven’t changed at all.

Here is some spec of the Atas Mini PDB.

• $29
• 3-6S batteries supported
• 70A constant, 110A burst
• Integrated LC filter
• 12V step down regulator – 1A With cooling, 500mA without
• 5V step down regulator – 1A With cooling, 500mA without
• 5V/12V output pads
• Filtered main battery voltage for OSD
• OSD bypass switch for no-OSD setups
• Shunt for OSD video in/out

Mini Power Distribution Board Comparison

The two PDB’s are identical in size (36 x 36 x 6.5mm with 30.5 x 30.5mm holes), also very similar in specifications. From the units I received, the Demon Core has better quality control on the appearance. The Atas has some rough edges and corners, although it’s not a big deal and can be polished with sand paper easily.

The Demon Core PDB (6.3g) is slightly heavier than the ATAS Mini PDB (5.3g). But the Demon Core is amazingly thin (solder pad thickness is less than 1mm), while the ATAS solder pad thinkness is about 1.5mm.

I like the Atas PDB’s 12V and 5V power outputs, you have a big solder pads to solder more than enough wires to it, like LEDs, servos etc. Demon Core only has enough 12V/5V output pin holes for your FPV gear and FC.

However I prefer the dedicated location to solder your LiPo battery connector wires. When you put that PDB in your frame, the lipo connector cable will go out from the rear of your frame, and the video/camera pins will face forward. On the ATAS PDB, Lipo connector wires has to be soldered on the side, so you will have to decide whether you want to rotate the PDB 90 degrees or not, either way, some of your wires will have to show up on the side and doesn’t look as clean.

I like the LEDs on the Atas PDB which is pretty useful, as you can see if the 5V/12V circuits on the board are working. (2 LEDs, one for each). There is no LEDs on the Demon Core.

On both PDB you can select either 5V or 12V for your VTX and Camera, by shorting the solder bridges. Demon Core made an error with the 5V/12V lables on the VTX bridge, it’s wrong way around. Hopefully they will fix this in next batch.

Update 17/09/2015 – I have been having 5V power issues with the Demon Core. It seems to output much higher voltages incorrectly after a few uses (close to input voltage). Issue has been raised with the manufacturers. Let’s see what’s they can do.

Update 15/01/2016 – Since I reported the issue with 5V regulator, it turned out to be a design and manufacturing issue. It did not only affected me, but most of the people that purchased the board.

Therefore Demon stopped working with this company, and they took on the design and manufacturing themselves. They re-made a new version of Demon Core PDB, and went through testing fully to make sure they work. They also replaced all the faulty boards were bought for free. Great Job there Demon RC!