Discussions

Posted by Franc on August 20, 2014 at 1:23pm

I forgot to order the power module and i have 4x Opto ESC.

can i use an older ESC just to power the board? which input can i use?

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apm, battery, esc, lipo, module, power, supply

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Johann van de Venter August 21, 2014 at 12:33pm

Just keep in mind that Opto ESCs dont have a BEC onboard so there is no 5V output on the servo leads. You will need an ESC with a BEC onboard
- Franc > Johann van de Venter August 21, 2014 at 12:48pm
  
  yep, i have one Mystery with UBEC... I will try tonight!
  
  thanks everybody!
T3

Stephen Zidek August 21, 2014 at 4:23am

I have successfully done this a few years ago. Works fine. I had been running off one of the motor ESCs, but it kept browning out the ESC and causing that motor to cut for 1-2 seconds (too much heat I think). So you're right to use a fifth ESC to power the APM, at least until you can get a real PM.
MR60

Hugues August 20, 2014 at 2:53pm

Hi,

If the old ESC has a BEC producing 5V (less than 5.5v) you could use it to power APM ( from the output rail with JP1 on) or make a custom cable to use APM power port (JP1 off). However a PM would be better, cleaner (electrically speaking), provides V,I measurements.
- Franc > Hugues August 20, 2014 at 3:58pm
  
  yes, i will order the power module anyway, but it's just for a temporary / weekend solution...
  - MarkM > Franc August 21, 2014 at 3:23am
    
    Will be fine.
    
    I use an apm 2.6 in my Fms Cessna with the motor esc powering the output side and an sbec to power the input side (jp1 removed) and the minimosd.