30-Amp Pro Switch-Mode
BEC Brushless ESC Instructions
Thank you for purchasing the E-flite® 30-Amp Pro Switch-mode BEC Brushless ESC. This is a lightweight, high-quality, efficient sensorless brushless electronic speed control with an integrated switch-mode BEC. It can operate without the need for a separate receiver battery to power your servos and receivers, saving you weight and complication. It is capable of up to 30 amps continuous current when using 3- to 4-series LiPo battery packs. You can drive up to 5 analog or 4 digital sub-micro- sized servos with the BEC on any recommended input voltage. This ESC also features safe power arming along with advanced programmable features such as low voltage cutoff, braking, timing, throttle input range, and more, making this truly a ‘pro series’ speed control.
Features:
•Up to 30 amps continuous current with proper air flow and 35 amps burst current (15 seconds)
•5V switch-mode BEC capable of 700mAh continuous current on any recommended input voltage
•Drive up to 5 analog or 4 digital sub-micro-sized servos with the BEC on any recommended input voltage
•3- to 4-cell LiPo, 9- to 12-cell NiMH/NiCd input voltage
•Programmable motor braking
•Safe power-arm mode prevents accidental starts
•Programmable low voltage cutoff with settings for 3-cell
LiPo (9.2V), 4-cell LiPo (12V), or 74% of battery starting voltage
•Programmable throttle input range (1.1ms–1.9ms or 1.2ms–-1.8ms)
•Programmable soft start for helis and airplanes
•Auto motor shut down if signal is lost or there is interference
•Programmable timing—5 user-selectable ranges–use with a large variety of brushless motors
•Optional RS232 Serial Link and software available for
PC programming
•Pre-wired connectors—E-flite EC3 on battery input and
3.5mm female gold bullets on motor output leads
Specifications |
|
Continuous Current: |
30A* |
Max Burst Current: |
35A (15 sec)* |
Length: |
51mm (2 in) |
Width: |
28mm (1.1 in) |
Height: |
8.7mm (.35 in) |
Weight: |
31 g (1.1 oz) |
Cells: |
3-4S LiPo or 9-12 NiMH/NiCd |
Battery Input Leads: |
16 AWG with E-flite EC3 Connector |
Motor Output Leads: |
16 AWG with 3.5mm Female Gold |
|
Bullet Connectors |
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* Proper cooling required |
Optional RS232 Serial Link & Programming Software
Programming your ESC will be much faster and easier when you purchase the optional RS232 Serial Link and programming software. This will allow you to update your ESC using a laptop or PC. You must have a Serial Port on your computer or you can purchase a separate USB to DB9 adapter
(available at computer retailers).
EFLARS232 RS232 Serial Link/Programming Software
Servo Ratings with BEC Enabled:
Drives up to 5 analog or 4 digital sub-micro-sized servos with the BEC on any recommended input voltage.
Some servo combinations we have tested in various models include:
•1 analog standard servo, 1 digital sub-micro servo, 2 analog submicro servos—E-flite Apprentice 15e RTF
•2 ParkZone (PKZ1081) analog sub-micro servos and 2 ParkZone (PKZ1090) digital metal gear sub-micro servos—ParkZone T-28 Trojan RTF & F4U Corsair RTF
Some other brands and models of servos may have significantly higher current draw. Digital servos and binding servos of any kind typically have higher current draw. As a general rule, micro and sub-micro servos draw less current which may affect your servo usage as shown in the examples above. We recommend the use of a Hangar 9 Servo and Receiver Current Meter (HAN172), installed between the throttle lead of the ESC and receiver, to confirm current draw of the actual servos used. Also, 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 “Servo Ratings with BEC Enabled” notes for BEC usage guidelines. You must follow these guidelines for safe operation. If you are using more than 5 analog sub-micro-sized servos, more than 4 digital sub-micro-sized servos, or servos with higher current draw than the BEC can deliver, 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.JR 1100mAh 4.8V Ni-MH receiver battery (JRPB4240), or similar
2.JR Switch Harness (JRPA003), 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 an E-flite EC3 Male Device Connector. The motor side has three
16-gauge wires (blue, red, and black) with 3.5mm female gold bullet connectors on the ends.
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The black and red wires with the EC3 Device (DEV) Connector will connect to your power battery. The red wire connects to the red wire on your battery pack, the black wire connects 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. Use only a genuine E-flite EC3 Female Battery (BATT) connector on the battery so it matches the EC3 Male Device (DEV) connector on the 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 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. 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 during extreme conditions. It is not recommended 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 the 30-Amp Pro Switch-mode BEC 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 cutoff voltage setting every time you plug the battery in by first emitting a low, long tone, to indicate startup. Depending on the selected cutoff voltage (default is 74%), you will then hear the respective number of medium length mid tones to indicate the cell count or a musical tone for the 74% cutoff, helping you to confirm the setting before every flight. Proper air cooling is required during flights so the ESC should be placed in an area where air flows over the controller.
Connecting the ESC to the Motor
The three wires from the motor connect to the three female gold bullet connectors on the ESC. The order of connection to the motor is not important; any motor wire can be plugged into any connector. If 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. Do not cover the side with the flat heat shield with hook and loop or tape as this will greatly reduce its effectiveness. Mount the ESC with a combination of hook and loop, 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 the battery pack into the controller. You will hear 1 low long tone to indicate startup, then the respective number of medium-length mid tones to indicate the cell count or a musical tone for the 74% cutoff, followed by 3 rising tones to indicate the controller is armed.
3.When you move the throttle stick upward, the motor will run. Continue to move the throttle stick upward to the full throttle (high) position, and the motor will run faster. When the throttle stick goes below the start-up position, the motor will stop running.
4.Check servo motion as part of your preflight check. It is very important to make sure linkages are free-moving with no binding.
Remember, when in the programming mode:
Full Throttle = Stick Up Idle = Stick Down
The default settings (from the package) for your E-flite 30-Amp Pro ESC are as follows:
•Voltage cutoff set at 74%
•Brake set to Off
•Timing set at 15 degrees
•Throttle Input Range set at 1.2ms to 1.8ms
•Start-up Rate (Acceleration Delay) set at 0.25 seconds
•PWM Frequency set at 8KHz
•Operating Mode set to normal (airplane)
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 1.7ms) for 5 seconds, and the controller will beep 1 time, indicating you are now in Menu 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).
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.If you want to make changes in the programming menus (see specific instructions below) move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position. You will have 5 seconds to make your selection.
7.If you want to advance to the next menu, allow the programming to skip to the next menu after the 5 seconds have expired.
Programming Menu 1 – Voltage Cutoff
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 cutoff voltage. You will know your battery pack has reached auto cutoff when you hear the motor “pulse” repeatedly.
1.Move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position to make changes to the voltage cutoff programming.
a.To select 3-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 3 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
b.To select 4-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 4 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
c.To select 74% cutoff – You will hear 7 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to advance to the first selection again.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT 74% CUTOFF: This option will activate the soft cutoff at 74% of startup voltage or 9.2V, whichever is higher. For example, if your pack measures 16.8 volts at startup, then the soft cut will occur at 12.4 volts. The 74% cutoff 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 LiPo batteries if you are using the 74% cutoff and connect a partially charged pack. You will know your battery
pack has reached soft auto cutoff 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 cutoff voltage level) to prevent over-discharge of the LiPo battery pack, and to prevent sudden power loss.
Programming Menu 2 – Brake Type
The default setting is Brake Off. 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 options for folding propellers.
1.Move the stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms) for 5 seconds, and the controller will beep 2 times, indicating you are now in Menu 2.
2.Move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position to make changes to the Brake Type programming.
a.To select No Brake/Brake Off – You will hear 1 short beep. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
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b.To select Soft Brake – You will hear 2 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms).
The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
c.To select Medium Brake – You will hear 3 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
d.To select Hard Brake – You will hear 4 short beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to advance to the first selection again.
Programming Menu 3 – Timing
The default setting is 15 degrees. As a general rule, lower pole count motors use lower timing and higher pole count motors use higher timing. Please refer to your motor instructions and specifications for an indication of the number of poles.
Low Timing Advance
Timing Degrees – 5 & 10 Motor Poles – 2 to 4
Expected Performance – Good balance of power and efficiency Motor Poles – 6 or more
Expected Performance – Best efficiency and run time (lowest power)
Standard Timing Advance
Timing Degrees – 15 & 20 Motor Poles – 6 to 12
Expected Performance – Good balance of power and efficiency Motor Poles – 14 or more
Expected Performance – Best efficiency and run time (lowest power)
High Timing Advance
Timing Degrees – 25
Motor Poles – 12
Expected Performance – Highest power, less efficiency Motor Poles – 14 or more
Expected Performance – Good balance of power and efficiency
1.Move the stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms) for 5 seconds, and the controller will beep 3 times, indicating you are now in Menu 3.
2.Move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position to make changes to the Timing programming.
a.To select 5 Degrees – You will hear 1 short beep. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
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