Hi C3PO i've got 4 x 3-way switches on transmitter which will do the fwd/stop/reverse on each of the 4 winches and then 2 x rotary nobs to then control speed of 2 pairs of winches.......so is what your suggesting still applicable? Or am I missing something? Thanks again, this info is all so helpful.
I think there is some confusion...hope I am not teaching you to suck eggs!!! - all numbers are appoximate and used to explain the concept
The output of the radio receiver channels is a pulse that ranges from 1ms to 2 ms with the midway neutral point at 1.5ms.
An ESC with reverse will have no output to the motor @ 1.5ms (neutral)
The ESC will spin the motor with a speed proportionally to the pulse one way with an output between 1.0 - 1.45ms and the other way with a signal between 1.55 - 2ms (figures are approx to paint the picture)
If you use a 3 way switch it's likely that the 3 outputs at the receiver are approx 1ms, 1.5ms (neutral position 2) and 2ms. If you connect that to an ESC you only have control of no motion in neutral and FULL SPEED one way or the other.
So it's not practical to use the 3 way switch at all with an ESC directly as there is no speed control. Indeed you cannot connect a 3 way switch (for fwd/stop/reverse) and a proportional knob to an ESC at the same time.
You could
just use the proportional knob - the issue will be the practicality on the radio handset - does the knob have a neutral position that is easy to return to, so you can find the STOP position 100% of the time quickly as the motors will be moving until you locate it....
Some radios do have a notch that allows you to easily find neutral - the issue will be if you overshoot either way as you twiddle the knob - the ESC will act on the overshoot and your winch motor will kick into life. Hence the reason for suggesting using a relay switch to physically disconnect the ESC output from the motor so STOP is achieved 100% of the time when you want it.
I think if I was doing this myself I would have an ESC without reverse and use the 3 channel switch to allow me to set the motor direction or STOP using RC Relays. This way the knob would simply control speed and you may find that you often set and forget the knob as you find a realistic speed for spinning the winch motors
Regards
C-3PO