Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: ukmike on January 11, 2020, 01:24:55 pm
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Hi.
There is a lot of differing information on the net regarding the BEC when using 2 or more ESC's, much of which is contradicting the other.
Have just received definitive information regarding the the BEC's for a twin,(or more), setup.
If the BEC supply from the ESC is a switching type then only 1 can be used as Rx supply, however, the unused BEC supply can be used for other purposes,
i.e lighting, small brushed motors, pumps etc. up to the BEC's max current.
The information came from the Flycolor factory tech. dept. but does not apply to ESC's that use a linear BEC.
May help.
Mike.
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..... however, the unused BEC supply can be used for other purposes,
i.e lighting, small brushed motors, pumps etc. up to the BEC's max current.
Yes, that's how I understand it too..... just make sure secondary circuit is isolated, no +ve 'sneak' circuits! :-)
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This will only apply to esc's for brushed motors, but not for brushless. ..??
Ned
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This will only apply to esc's for brushed motors, but not for brushless. ..??
Ned
Hi Ned.
The information is for Brushless ESC's, the majority of which have Switching type BEC's. The only one that I know of that allows using both BEC's to be used
is Castle Creations, but you need to save up to buy one.
Brushed motor ESC's, I don't know.
Mike.
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This will only apply to esc's for brushed motors, but not for brushless. ..??
Ned
Hey Ned! :-)
Wasn't there a long debate on here, some time ago, about using a twin bushless speed controls?
Edit: Sorry that was, 'can you use two brushless motors on a single controller' ...... but I don't think that's relevant here! :embarrassed:
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Staying within this thread , I hope, do I need two batteries when using two brushless Esc's on twin brushless motors?
If no, what would the connection be.?
N
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Without knowing the exact working of both BECs involved, the only safe answer is "don't". No doubt there are specific instances where multiple BECs can feed into a common supply, but there are still plenty out there which react badly to being presented with a wrong voltage on their output.
Having just one BEC working the system avoids the possibility of having to buy replacement parts. The "unused" BECs are still doing work - they supply the 5 volts that the input end of their ESCs need.
[size=0px]Staying within this thread , I hope, do I need two batteries when using two brushless Esc's on twin brushless motors?[/size][/size][size=0px]If no, what would the connection be.?N[/size]
Depends on the battery or batteries, and what they are capable of supplying. If the two motors, at full load, want more current that one battery can supply, it won't work.
One big battery per system, either a suitable Y lead for the power or a proper distribution panel.
One suitable battery per ESC, just plug each ESC into its respective battery.
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While I can see the possibilities of using a "spare" 5v BEC output I'm bound to say that, in order to do so, you really do have to understand exactly what you're doing and what the possible consequences are. My experience of making and selling model boat electronics and dealing with the customers is that not many boat-modellers have that level of understanding. For example, how do you tell the difference between a switch-mode voltage regulator and a linear one, particularly if the ESC is completely "potted" or built entirely of SMT components? (No - please don't post if you do happen to know - that's not my point.)
I'm therefore with Malcolm on this one - if in any doubt, don't.
BTW does anyone know how to make the Spell Check option on this forum work?
DaveM
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I'm not sure there is one Dave. I think it's part of whatever Browser the typist is using.
Edit
I've just checked my Safari "apple" browser and the "correct spelling automatically" is in the Keyboard Text settings
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(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/01/12/Forum2.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/Znnu3)
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:embarrassed: {-) {-) {-) I never noticed that %%
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It's not that great but helps!
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It's not that great but helps!
Then please tell me how. I've tried first highlighting text as a block, then just single mispelled words and even clicking the button with nothing highlighted. Nothing seems to happen apart from the text becoming white out of a grey box. <:(
DM
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I'm using Microsoft Edge and spell check works, it also works on Chrome and Firefox. Right click on underlined word give suggestions. I can't find any option on spell check within the Edge browser.
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Thanks for that suggestion, but the problem isn't a general one of checking my spelling. There are several spell-checkers already available to me in different bits of software on this PC, as well as the one installed in my head. it's just that there appears to be one built into this Forum but I can't get the damned thing to work!
These things are just sent to try us, I guess....
DM
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Staying within this thread , I hope, do I need two batteries when using two brushless Esc's on twin brushless motors?
If no, what would the connection be.?
N
a Y cable that connects to one battery and two ESCs is possible...
ie, something like this - the 1M2F version:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Plug-Deans-Y-Wire-Harness-Parallel-Adapter-Cable-for-RC-Li-ion-Battery/222129123029?hash=item33b7ed6ed5:m:mQSK44mfSSa5secrNg0CeqQ
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a Y cable that connects to one battery and two ESCs is possible...
ie, something like this - the 1M2F version:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Plug-Deans-Y-Wire-Harness-Parallel-Adapter-Cable-for-RC-Li-ion-Battery/222129123029?hash=item33b7ed6ed5:m:mQSK44mfSSa5secrNg0CeqQ (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Plug-Deans-Y-Wire-Harness-Parallel-Adapter-Cable-for-RC-Li-ion-Battery/222129123029?hash=item33b7ed6ed5:m:mQSK44mfSSa5secrNg0CeqQ)
Hello tsenecal.
You can do that but don't forget to cut the Red wire on one of the ESC BEC wires.
Mike.
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Don't cut the red wire, remove it from the connector bend and tape it to the esp lead.
You may need to refit it in the future.
John
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Dave, the spell check on Mayhem works for me. If I spell a word incorrectly it underlines that word with a red dotted line. Clicking the word, or tapping it on a touch screen, brings up a selection of words to choose from. It works just as well on the iPad, PC, or phone. However, if yours doesn’t work then none of what I said is much use to you😬
Peter.
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You may have the Moderators version Peter ____ ----- _word ___ {-) ?............ Derek
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Dave, the spell check on Mayhem works for me. If I spell a word incorrectly it underlines that word with a red dotted line. Clicking the word, or tapping it on a touch screen, brings up a selection of words to choose from. It works just as well on the iPad, PC, or phone. However, if yours doesn’t work then none of what I said is much use to you😬
Peter.
Nope - nuffink. Then again, if it does that then what's the button for? BTW {:-{ I use Firefox as a browser.
DM
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czecking spell czekker
Press button, a brief wait, a smaller window pops up with the messagem first word highlighted. Clicking "ignore" and hoping it isn't learning, it moves on and highlights the next questionable word. Using a laptop running chrome in Win 10.
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With regard again to using two esc''s I have been running with two motors, two batteries and two esc's but I haven't removed any bec connections?
What effect am I to find then if I do remove one?
I'm planning on using a 'y' lead in order to use just the single battery.
Thanks
Nord.
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It could be that your ESC's have linear voltage regs. which are more tolerant, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Don't know if using a Y lead and 1 battery will effect anything as they then will be using the same ground.
Personally, I would disconnect one of the BEC Red leads just to be safe.
Mike
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Nord
The purpose of BEC is to provide power for the receiver from the main power battery. The receiver only needs one power supply and by presenting it with two, which may be at different voltages, you are not solving a problem but potentially creating one. You've simply been fortunate so far. Disconnecting the red wire from one of the speed controllers will remove this potential problem and have no discernable effect on the performance of your system at all.
I'm afraid that I don't understand your last sentence. Connecting the two ESCs with a Y-lead will not of itself remove the need for one of the main motor batteries. As someone has said, you're best advised to keep it simple with two of everything - just disable the BEC in one system.
DaveM
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Dave, my last sentence referred to my plan to use just one slightly higher voltage battery, 10.8v, by using a 'Y' lead from the battery connector to the two
Connectors on the two Esc's ( brushless).
I will deal with the bec connection as suggested.
Nord.
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(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/01/13/20200113_114819.jpg)
Is the bec wire that needs disconnecting, the red wire from the esc in between the orange and black.
Thanks
Nord.
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The colour code on MTroniks plugs is Brown=Negative; Orange=Positive; Yellow=Signal. You can disable the BEC by disconnecting the Orange wire from the plug.
DM
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Anything produced in the last 20 years that plugs into a radio, it is the middle wire on the plug that needs to be disconnected, whatever colour scheme the manufacturers used. But leave one on, the radio and servos get their power that way.
The middle recepacle can be winkled out by releasing its locking tab and pulling, then tape it back in a tidy manner. That way, should the need arise, it can be easily refitted for re-use.
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Actually I bought a cable extension for the esc and just removed the bec connection on this leaving the cable from Esc itself untouched.
Quite pleased with this solution albeit with the same end result.
N.