HV ESC's

[av8djc]

I'm setting up some larger planes and notice that the 8-12s HV ESC's are pretty pricey. I do have a CC HV85 that I like and trust a lot but I'm wondering about alternatives that might be out there that are cheaper and that I can trust for a large model (read higher dollar).

I see the CC Ice series is cheaper and logs data but have not yet researched what the drawbacks are vs the HV unit like I have that cost about twice as much as the ICE.

The only thing I've found on HK is almost the same as an ICE price wise.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[firemanbill]

I like the Castle stuff too, I have the ICE HV 80 running 12s in my 27% Pitts M-12.

In my opinion you can't beat Castle quality at any price.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by av8djc

I'm setting up some larger planes and notice that the 8-12s HV ESC's are pretty pricey. I do have a CC HV85 that I like and trust a lot but I'm wondering about alternatives that might be out there that are cheaper and that I can trust for a large model (read higher dollar).

I see the CC Ice series is cheaper and logs data but have not yet researched what the drawbacks are vs the HV unit like I have that cost about twice as much as the ICE.

The only thing I've found on HK is almost the same as an ICE price wise.

Any suggestions are welcome.

I've got the Castle Creations ICE HV 80 amp unit in my 78 inch Extra 330, with 12S2P A123 battery pack. Buy the ICE 80 amps unit with the heat sink, not the lite version. Just about the same price either way. The HV 80 Amp unit is wired with #10 wire for the battery pack and motor connections. The motor is a Hacker A60-16M, with an APC-E 19X12 wide blade prop. The whole setup pulls about 67 amps at full throttle. It's only had a few taxi runs so far, we've got 10 inches of snow on the ground around here.

But, I've got 7 of those CC units, and all have worked very well over the past three years. (Well, one did quit on me, after three years of flying with it. CC replaced the top circuit board for 1/3 the cost of a new unit. Still flying that one. )

There have been sporatic reports with problems with other brand ESC's in wattflyer. IMHO, I'd rather spend $140 or so with Castle Creations high voltage ESC's, than risk a $1000 plane with other brand ESC's.

[firemanbill]

Good point ont he replacement Kyle, I forgot to mention I had the HV 85 in my Pitts, first time I plugged it up (used ESC from a fellow Wattflyer) it blew out one of the caps.

I called castle and sent it in, they replaced it with the ICE for $70. Not too bad at all for a used, second hand ESC.

You just can't beat good customer service!

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by firemanbill

Good point ont he replacement Kyle, I forgot to mention I had the HV 85 in my Pitts, first time I plugged it up (used ESC from a fellow Wattflyer) it blew out one of the caps.

I called castle and sent it in, they replaced it with the ICE for $70. Not too bad at all for a used, second hand ESC.

You just can't beat good customer service!

Yeah, and its put together in the USA (From USA and imported parts )

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by kyleservicetech

Yeah, and its put together in the USA (From USA and imported parts )

Yup, and Joe Ford is just an all around cool guy!

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by firemanbill

Yup, and Joe Ford is just an all around cool guy!

LOL
Problem is, very few electronic componets are made in the USA.

[av8djc]

Man as much as I like CC I don't know if I can swing it. I see the ICE is limited to 8s and I'll probaby need 10s so it puts me into what I consider significant green. ANY other products out there I should consider?

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by av8djc

Man as much as I like CC I don't know if I can swing it. I see the ICE is limited to 8s and I'll probaby need 10s so it puts me into what I consider significant green. ANY other products out there I should consider?

That would be the CC ICE unit. The CC HV ICE units are rated for 12S Lipos. No, they are not cheap, but you are talking about a unit that can handle three horsepower.

[newjak]

Originally Posted by av8djc

Man as much as I like CC I don't know if I can swing it. I see the ICE is limited to 8s and I'll probaby need 10s so it puts me into what I consider significant green. ANY other products out there I should consider?

I got this one from common sense RC. It is supposed to be the same as a Hacker. If you can wait it goes on sale during their "deal of the day"sale. I got mine for $78.
http://www.commonsenserc.com/product...roducts_id=321