E-flite 10-Amp Pro Brushless ESC User Manual

10-Amp Pro Brushless ESC

Instructions

Thank you for purchasing the E-flite® 10-Amp Pro Brushless
ESC. This controller has been designed for use in radio control
aircraft and to support continuous currents of up to 10 amps
when using 2-3 cell Li-Po battery packs and up to four sub­micro servos. Standard features include advance BEC and safe
power arming along with programmable features such as low
voltage cutoff, braking, timing, and throttle input range.

Features:

• Up to 10 amps continuous current with proper air flow

• Programmable motor braking

• Safe power-arm mode prevents accidental starts

• Programmable low voltage cut-off with settings for 2-cell Li-Po (6V),
3-cell Li-Po (9V) or 70% of battery starting voltage

• Programmable throttle input range (1.1ms-1.9ms or Auto Select)

• Soft start

• Auto motor shut down if signal is lost or there is interference

• Programmable timing—2 user selectable ranges for use with a large
variety of brushless motors

• Pre-wired connectors—JST on battery input and 2mm female gold
bullets on motor output leads

Specifications:

Continuous Current: 10A
Max Burst Current: 12A (15 sec)
Length: 30mm (1.2 in)
Width: 17.5mm (.7 in)
Height: 10mm (.4 in)
Weight: 10 g (.35 oz)
Cells: 2-3S Li-Po or 6-10 Ni-MH/Ni-Cd
Battery Input Leads: 20 AWG with JST Connector
Motor Output Leads: 20 AWG with 2mm Female Gold Bullet Connectors

Servo Ratings with BEC Enabled:

High Torque Standard Sub-Micro
Cells Servos Servos Servos

6 - 8 Ni-Cd/Ni-MH 3 4 4**
9 - 10 Ni-Cd/Ni-MH 2 3 4**
2 Li-Po 3 4 4**
3 Li-Po 2 3 4**

(Chart A)

** Sub-Micro Servos tested 4 at a time include E-Flite S-60, and S-75, JR 241, and ParkZone 3W servo.
Some other brands of servos have significantly higher current draw. Digital sub-micro servos, micro, and
mini-servos have higher current draw, use the 'standard servos' column. Always be sure to position the ESC
for maximum airflow since cooling can significantly aid in the performance of the BEC.

Before first use, please refer to Chart A for BEC usage and input
voltage/cell count guidelines. You must follow these guidelines for safe
operation. If you are using four servos with higher current draw, or more
than four servos for a quad flap option (for example), you will need to
disable the BEC. If you wish to disable the BEC, you must remove the red
receiver wire lead and connector from the receiver lead housing, and then
insulate it properly to prevent shorting.

When operating with the BEC disabled, E-flite recommends the use of a
separate, high power, external, BEC (like the Ultimate BEC), or receiver
pack and switch using the following items to ensure trouble-free operation:

1. Expert 720mAh Ni-MH 4.8V receiver battery (EXRB100), or similar

2. Expert Standard Switch (EXRA050), or similar

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS

IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE USE

Before you connect your ESC and begin flying, take a moment to look it
over. The input power side has a black (negative) and red (positive) wire
along with a female JST Connector. The motor side has three, 2mm female
gold bullet connectors.

The black and red wires with the female JST connector will connect to your
power battery. The red wire connects to the red wire on your battery pack,
the black wire to the black wire on your battery pack. If the wires are
reversed, the ESC may be damaged. YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOU CONNECT
THE BATTERY POLARITY PROPERLY TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ESC.
Reversing polarity will void your warranty, so always double-check this
connection. You may need to solder a male JST Connector (EFLA242) to the
battery so it matches this speed control. The throttle lead connects to the
throttle channel on your radio receiver.

WARNING: For your safety, when checking the startup function of the ESC
or making programming changes, please remove the propeller to prevent any
potential injury. You should always treat the motor and propeller as live and
dangerous, remembering that it could start at any time, and keep any body parts,
clothing and tools clear of the propeller arc. NEVER LEAVE THE BATTERY
CONNECTED WHEN NOT FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AND ALWAYS REMOVE THE
BATTERY FROM THE MODEL BEFORE CHARGING AND WHEN FINISHED FLYING.

When flying in hot weather, we recommend checking on the condition
of the ESC, battery, and motor after each flight, and you may want to
consider letting the electronic components cool to near ambient tempera­ture between flights.

We also recommend throttle management when running near maximum
levels of current draw. It is not recommended that you fly an entire flight
at full throttle. If this is done, it is possible to cause permanent damage
to your motor, battery, and ESC.

Using Your 10-Amp Pro Brushless Controller

This controller is very simple to use, and for safety, will not arm the motor
until the throttle stick has been held in the Idle/OFF position for more than
1 second. The controller will indicate the soft cut-off voltage setting every
time you plug the battery in by first emitting a low, long tone, to show
startup. You will then hear 2 (for 2-cell Li-Po) or 3 (for 3-cell Li-Po) medium
length, mid tones to indicate the cell count (or 7 beeps if 70% Smart Cut is
selected), helping you to confirm the setting before every flight.

Connecting the ESC to the Motor

The three wires from your motor connect to the three female gold bullet
connectors on the ESC. The order of connection to the motor is not
important; you can plug any motor wire into any connector. If, when you
test the system, the motor runs backwards you can simply unplug and
switch any two of the motor wire plugs connected to the ESC.

Mounting the ESC

Choose a location that has good airflow and offers good protection.

The plastic case area next to the small BEC heat sink is designed to accept
Velcro® or 2-sided tape. Do not cover the heat sinks as this will greatly
reduce their effectiveness.

Mount the ESC with a combination of Velcro®, 2-sided foam tape, and/or
tie wraps.

Starting Your Power System

1. Turn on your transmitter and ensure the position of the throttle stick
is set to Idle/Off.

2. Plug in the flight pack to the controller and listen for the tones to

indicate voltage cut-off.

3. After the controller has indicated the cell count, you will here a series

of 3 medium length rising tones to indicate the controller is armed,
and ready to fly.

4. When you move the throttle stick upward, the motor will run. If you

continue to move the throttle stick upward to Full throttle (high
position), the motor will run faster. If you lower the throttle
stick below the start-up position, the motor will stop running.

5. Check servo motion as part of your preflight check. It is very important

you make sure linkages are free-moving with no binding.

Entering the Programming Mode

1. With the battery disconnected from the controller, and the transmitter

turned on, first move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms)
position. Leave it in this position and then connect the battery to the
controller.

2. Wait for 5 seconds, and the ESC will give two sets of fast ringing tones

to indicate you have successfully entered the programming mode.

3. Once you hear these tones, move the stick to center (between 1.4 and

1.6ms), and the controller will beep 1 time, this indicates menu item 1

4. The controller will now wait 5 seconds for you to make your selection;

your programming options are either full throttle (>1.7ms), or idle
(<1.3ms).

(continued on back)

(continued)

5. When you have made a valid selection the control will beep once with
a lower tone, and you can move the stick back to center for the next
menu item (2 beeps, 3 beeps and so on). If you do not make a
selection within 5 seconds, the controller will move to the next
menu item.

6. Please note that if you do not need to program every menu item, you
can simply exit the programming mode after you have made the
required selections. You can do this by moving the throttle stick
straight to Idle, after making your selection, or leaving it in the Idle
position if you made a no selection (for approximately 8 seconds), until
you hear one set of 3 medium length rising tones that indicate the
controller has armed the motor, or by simply unplugging the battery.

Remember, when in the programming mode:

Full Throttle = Stick Up
Idle = Stick Down

The default settings (from the package) for your
E-flite 10-Amp Pro ESC are as follows:

• 3S (9V) auto cut-off for Li-Po

• Brake Off

• 4-pole and greater timing (outrunner or 6-pole motors)

• Throttle input range set to Auto Select Mode

(1.2ms-1.8ms)

Programming Menu 1 – Voltage Cut-off

Use this option to set the voltage at which the controller will shut down
the motor to prevent damage to your battery, when it reaches the cut-off
voltage. You will know that your battery pack has reached auto cut-off
when you hear the motor “pulse” repeatedly.

1. 3S Li-Po voltage cut-off – Full Throttle

2. 2S Li-Po or Ni-Cd/Ni-MH voltage cut-off – Idle

3. 70% Smart Cut soft cut-off (See below for Smart Cut information)

NOTE: To access the 70% Smart Cut option, leave the stick at full throttle for 7 seconds while in menu
item 1, until 7 beeps are heard, then continue through the program normally. This option will activate the
soft cut-off at 70% of startup voltage. For example, if your pack measures 10.0 volts at startup, then the
soft cut will occur at 7.0 volts. The Smart Cut option will check the startup voltage every time you plug the
battery into the controller, so beware of using partially charged packs, as the system cannot protect your
Li-Po batteries if you are using Smart Cut and connect a partially charged pack.

You will know your battery pack has reached soft auto cut-off when you
hear the motor “pulse” repeatedly. We recommend you land your model as
soon as you hear the motor pulse (indicating the pack voltage has dropped
to the cut-off voltage level) to prevent over-discharge of the Li-Po battery
pack, and to prevent sudden power loss.

Programming Menu 2 – Braking

This option gives you the choice to have the ESC stop the propeller during
flight (Brake on) or allow it to windmill (Brake off). Use the brake-on option
for gliders.

1. Brake Off – Full Throttle (>1.7ms)

2. Brake On – Idle (<1.3ms)

Programming Menu 3 – Timing

Please refer to your motor instructions and specifications for an indication
of the number of poles.

1. 4 pole and greater motors timing mode – Full Throttle

2. 2 pole motors timing mode – Idle

Programming Menu 4 – Throttle Input Range

This option is to allow for proper operation of the ESC with many different
radios on the market. Most radios, and all the computer radios we have
tested, work well with the auto-set option, but some radios have a wider
output range, and may give a more linear response with the 1.1 to 1.9ms
range. If you feel there is too much “dead” area in the stick movement
near Full Throttle, try adjusting the end points in your radio, or change to
the wider input range. Be aware that if these settings are not correct, it
may be impossible to arm the controller. If this happens, return the input
range setting to the default auto learning setting.

The auto setting option learns the minimum position of your throttle
(between 1.1 and 1.3ms) and stores this value at each startup, and then
adds a value of 0.6ms for the full throttle setting.

1. Throttle Range 1.1ms to 1.9ms – Full Throttle

2. Auto Select – Idle

Error Codes

The controller will beep continuously if the input voltage is below the cut
voltage (beep...beep...beep) when the battery is connected. Check the
voltage of the battery pack to see if it is correct, or the programmed cut-off
setting if the input voltage is set incorrectly for the voltage of the pack
being used.

If you have trouble arming the controller (and the throttle trim has been
set to minimum), enter the programming mode and try the auto setting in
Programming Menu 4 to see if it helps correct your problem. If it is a
computer radio, you may alternatively increase your high and low throttle
ATV (endpoint) percentages.

Some systems including many Futaba systems may require the throttle
channel to be “reversed” for proper operation.

Limited Warranty Period

Horizon Hobby, Inc. guarantees this product to be free from defects in both
material and workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase.

Limited Warranty & Limits of Liability

Pursuant to this Limited Warranty, Horizon Hobby, Inc. will, at its option,
(i) repair or (ii) replace, any product determined by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
to be defective. In the event of a defect, these are your exclusive remedies.

This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts of
God, accident, misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or modification

of, or to any part of the Product. This warranty does not cover damage due
to improper installation, operation, maintenance, or attempted repair by
anyone other than an authorized Horizon Hobby, Inc. service center. This
warranty is limited to the original purchaser and is not transferable. In no
case shall Horizon Hobby’s liability exceed the original cost of the
purchased product and will not cover consequential, incidental or collateral
damage. Horizon Hobby, Inc. reserves the right to inspect any and all
equipment involved in a warranty claim. Repair or replacement decisions
are at the sole discretion of Horizon Hobby, Inc. Further, Horizon Hobby,
Inc. reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS
THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER. HORIZON HOBBY, INC.
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES.

As Horizon Hobby, Inc. has no control over use, setup, final assembly,
modification or misuse, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any
resulting damage or injury. By the act of use, setup or assembly, the user
accepts all resulting liability.

If you as the purchaser or user are not prepared to accept the liability
associated with the use of this product, you are advised to return this
product immediately in new and unused condition to the place of
purchase.

Safety Precautions

This is a sophisticated hobby product and not a toy. It must be operated
with caution and common sense and requires some basic mechanical
ability. Failure to operate this product in a safe and responsible manner
could result in injury or damage to the product or other property. This

product is not intended for use by children without direct adult supervision.

For complete and specific information concerning the Limited Warranty,
Limits of Liability, and Safety Precautions – please refer to our web-page
for this item or contact your E-flite distributor. You can also direct emails
to [e-mail], or in the U.S., call 877.504.0233
toll free to speak to a service technician.

Made in China

© 2006 Horizon Hobby, Inc.

www.horizonhobby.com

www.E-fliteRC.com

E-flite® is an exclusive brand of Horizon Hobby, Inc.

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