Seperate RX battery..does the LIPO pack need to be connected to program the ESC

[liposucker]

Hello all.

Just a quick query....I am going to start using seperate RX batteries and not the BEC in the ESC.

I am aware that one wire needs to be removed/isolated from the ESC to the RX. This isn't a problem.

Am I right in thinking that when the BEC is no longer active, and the ESC is connected into the RX, and the RX is connected to its own battery, I can program the ESC without the flight pack LIPO being attached to the ESC.

Sorry if its a little basic but its my first non-BEC outing.

Many thanks.

[Sir Crash-A-Lot]

I would say no, the ESC needs to get its power from some place. You will need the flight pack connected to the ESC.

The center wire is the one that needs to be removed.

Mike

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by liposucker

Hello all.

Just a quick query....I am going to start using seperate RX batteries and not the BEC in the ESC.

I am aware that one wire needs to be removed/isolated from the ESC to the RX. This isn't a problem.

Am I right in thinking that when the BEC is no longer active, and the ESC is connected into the RX, and the RX is connected to its own battery, I can program the ESC without the flight pack LIPO being attached to the ESC.

Sorry if its a little basic but its my first non-BEC outing.

Many thanks.

The only "Dumb" question is the one asked after you've fried something .

As "Sir crash a lot" indicated, these ESC's can't be programmed if they are not powered up. And if you power it up, be aware, take the prop off of the motor.

Check out those uBEC's (switching power supply Battery Elimination Circuits) such as the 10 Amp Castle Creations unit. You can likely buy them for less than the cost of a good quality receiver battery. And you've eliminated the hassle of keeping the receiver battery fully charged. Plus, it weighs 1/2 ounce, a fraction of the weight of a four or five cell AA Nih battery pack.

I've got 7 of them, four by Castle Creations, three by Common Sense. All have performed flawlessly over the past four years. I've got their 10 Amp uBEC on a giant scale electric model with seven Hitec 645MG servos. My onboard voltage monitor indicates the CC uBEC has never dropped below 6.0 Volts DC. It's programmed for 6.6 VDC. (That giant scale model also has an A123 two cell battery backup system. Tests show that current has never been pulled out of the backup battery during my past 28 flights.)

http://www.castlecreations.com/products/ccbec.html

[road king 97]

I just disconnected a great planes bec from the esc by removing the red wire that goes to the reciever on its plug . Now i plug it into the throttle so the esc only works the throttle and my reciever battery go,s into the batt on my reciecer but through my on off switch first . I dont know if its the same wire on every one or if you can do it to every one but on mine i could. I would read the instructions on the esc,bec first. Hope this helps. joe

[Henry Sistrunk]

I use those from Castle. Also these from Heads Up RC. Both work well.
Henry
http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...iversal/Detail

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by road king 97

I just disconnected a great planes bec from the esc by removing the red wire that goes to the reciever on its plug . Now i plug it into the throttle so the esc only works the throttle and my reciever battery go,s into the batt on my reciecer but through my on off switch first . I dont know if its the same wire on every one or if you can do it to every one but on mine i could. I would read the instructions on the esc,bec first. Hope this helps. joe

Yup
This is correct for 99% of the ESC's out there. The center red wire is the one that must be pulled. FYI, not a good idea to just cut the wire. What if you want to put it back??? If you cut the wire and want to put it back, solder it, now your wire is to danged short! And your receiver battery goes to the switch, which in turn goes to the receiver battery input.

I just gently lift the locking plastic tab (don't break it off!!), and put a bit of shrink tubing over it.

Should you go for one of those uBEC's switching regulators, the red wire needs to be isolated, and the uBEC output is simply permanently plugged into the receiver battery input. Don't need the on off switch, just something to go wrong.

[road king 97]

Yup thats what i did then taped to the other wres back a bit. joe