Hey all,
I'm attempting to put together my first diy rc project. It's just a simple line-of-sight tricopter, although eventually I'd like to work my way up to FPV and automated flights, so I've been lurking around this site.
Anyhow, I had the thing fully assembled (except leaving the props off the motors) and was setting up my transmitter. When attempting to set up the throttle, one of the motors started to smoke and before I could even cut the throttle down, the ESC paired with it was smoking as well. NBD other than the time setback since they were cheapies from hobbyking, but can someone here please clarify for me the product specs and ratings which are commonly given for ESCs and brushless motors?
In my example, this is the pair that I was using:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4312
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6634
What's the purpose of the "max performance voltage" of the motor? As the max current of the motor is 11A, should I have been using an ESC with a max output of 11A? I'm just interested in general at how one uses the specs in order to properly pair ESCs and motors.
Thanks.
Replies
Motors draw current like liquid through a straw, your ESC provides that power. Assuming you are running a typical setup (3-4 cell lipos) then you need to make sure your ESC can provide more current than your motor will need.So if your motor needs 12 amp
wityh a 15 amp peek (the harder you work it the more current it needs) then a 20amp ESC is about right (25% margin). ESCs need ventilation to because they get warm and heat is the enemy. You could go silly and use a 100 amp ESC (think bigger but this is inneficient.
Best
D