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[rich_morris]

Hi,

I purchased a Mtroniks G2 Hydra30 ESC, which I originally intended to use with NiMh batteries, as I had a few from use with cars.
As it turns out my old NiMh batteries are about dead, so I thought I'd get some LiPo batteries.
Now I'm a beginner with those, and am not sure about those just yet - I'm reading up.

But regarding the ESC, I wonder if it has a low voltage protection. It's described as LiPo safe, but I really don't know what that means.

Does anybody have any knowledge of that type is ESC?


Thanks

Rich

[malcolmfrary]

The mtroniks advertising - https://www.mtroniks.net/prod/Boat-Speed-Controls/Hydra-30.htm - and the instructions in the link at the bottom of that page are both shy about what "LiPo Safe" actually means.  It could mean a drop in power giving reduced speed, a cut of power saving battery drain but leaving the boat drifting, or intermittent intermittent power.  All of which are warnings, but doesn't say.

[Taranis]

LiPo safe is all about protecting the battery from over discharge. Most likely has a pre set cut off of 3.2volts per cell at which point your boat is stranded until the voltage recovers slightly which might get you back to the bank slowly.
Better spec ESC's can be set for battery type and voltage cut off level or no cut off.


LiPo batteries can be regarded as damaged by the charger if the voltage reads too low and it will refuse to recharge it

[Taranis]

I use these and their equivalents. A full range of settings
https://www.wish.com/product/5df98df9b2432a04ab35b7f1?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=GB&_force_currency_code=GBP&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5df98df9b2432a04ab35b7f1&ad_cc=GB&ad_curr=GBP&ad_price=14.00&campaign_id=6493229882&gclid=CjwKCAjw8pH3BRAXEiwA1pvMsZL_APcorDJNqtAK3xM3hZHo3yT9BqhVnJS_2Jml2Rx495gk20irPxoC2S0QAvD_BwE&share=web


A range of 9 settings. They just haven't twigged that they are ideal for boats too. See the specification page 
http://www.hobbywing.com/goods.php?id=356

[rich_morris]

The mtroniks advertising - https://www.mtroniks.net/prod/Boat-Speed-Controls/Hydra-30.htm - and the instructions in the link at the bottom of that page are both shy about what "LiPo Safe" actually means.  It could mean a drop in power giving reduced speed, a cut of power saving battery drain but leaving the boat drifting, or intermittent intermittent power.  All of which are warnings, but doesn't say.

Thanks, that's the same information I have on the basic instructions that came with it. As you say, it a bit shy on detail.
I've dropped them a message to try and find out!


Rich

[rich_morris]

LiPo safe is all about protecting the battery from over discharge. Most likely has a pre set cut off of 3.2volts per cell at which point your boat is stranded until the voltage recovers slightly which might get you back to the bank slowly.
Better spec ESC's can be set for battery type and voltage cut off level or no cut off.


LiPo batteries can be regarded as damaged by the charger if the voltage reads too low and it will refuse to recharge it

Thanks. It's that type of problem I'd like to avoid!


I've dropped the manufacturer a message, so hopefully they can clear it up for me!!


Rich

[Taranis]

You can trick the charger into charging by first setting it to NiMh on the lowest current and charging back above 3 volts per cell. Then switch back to LiPo balance charge for the correct cycle. Must not be left un
supervised doing that and only as an emergency if the batteries are quite new

[rich_morris]

Hi,


I got a response from Mtronics:-

The controller automatically detects battery type at switch on and sets [/size]the cut off required.[/i]
[/size]
[/size]It will run at a slower speed for a while to alert you that the battery is getting too low and give you time to get the model back, then at a certain point, it will cut power completely to protect the battery.
[/size]
[/size]Rich

[Steve40]

Thanks for posting the answer. I have the 15 amp version in one of my boats and also wondered how the battery protection works. Haven’t run it long enough yet to find out the hard way so it’s nice to know there will be some juice left to get it back to the pondside.


Cheers


Steve

[malcolmfrary]

Hopefully they will take on board that the printed instructions and advertising are a bit vague in this area, and amend them for the future.  After all, it is a valid selling point.