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HobbyKing introduces SimonK, timecop designed AfroESC

Posted by Mark Harrison on July 2, 2013 at 10:00am

For quite a while, people have been wondering

- When will ESCs be readily available with SimonK firmware pre-flashed?

- When will some easily obtainable ESCs support I2C, so that flight controllers can read motor status?

HobbyKing has provided the answer, with the newly introduced AfroESC. It's licensed from both SimonK and timecop.

I've started collecting information here, and will update when more information is available.

http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2013/07/afro-esc-simonktimecophobbyking.html

(short link)

Highlights:

- SimonK preflashed

- Open Source software

- licensed

esc, simonk, timecop

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Comments

Rob_Lefebvre July 2, 2013 at 2:35pm

The whole "inefficient" and "wasted head" arguments against linear BECs is misguided IMO. Yeah, they waste a little heat. But in an application where you have ~1 Amp, it's not much. In the grand scheme of things, on a multi-rotor with at least 3000 mAH batteries, it's meaningless.
Cliff-E July 2, 2013 at 2:07pm

@Mark:

I heard that switching BECs can put out harmful radio interference, causing reduced range. Is this true?
This is true for a lot of the switching BECs on the market. This is because it is relatively easy to make a switching BEC that gives you 5V and powers your servos, but it is not easy to come up with a design that is free of radio interference. This takes hundreds of man hours, dozens of design revisions, expensive test equipment and extensive beta testing. As long as you keep the BEC at least 2 inches away from your receiver, antenna and other electronics, you will not experience any glitching. (Excerp. from Dimension Engineering).
Stefan Gofferje July 2, 2013 at 1:32pm

John Arne,

I didn't write servos :), I wrote 3DR radio, MinimOSD and a 2way RX, e.g. FrSky or OpenLRS and maybe some additional sensors... I can't find it spontaneously but I recently read that 3DR is shipping the APM 2.5 with a 1.1A fuse since a short while, instead of the 500mA fuse, because there were some problems with "full" configs.

I know that a linear BEC is supposed to produce "cleaner" output but it's terribly inefficient and produces a lot of heat. "Clean" output can also be achieved with an LC-group.
Developer

John Arne Birkeland July 2, 2013 at 1:00pm

Stefan, this is a pure multicoper ESC. As Mark said, the linear 0.5A BEC is only supposed drive the autopilot electronics (no servos since gimbals should have dedicated power). Using linear also means cleaner power for the sensitive sensors and less interference with FPV equipment. And no problems when connecting multiple ESC's together.
robert bouwens July 2, 2013 at 11:56am

finally we have the rpm feedback.

now some realtime fft and we have a clearer view on vibrations :)
Stefan Gofferje July 2, 2013 at 11:50am

@Mark:

Take an APM, 3DR-radio, MinimOSD and some better RX, let's say FrSky or OpenLRS and you are past the 500mA... That was IIRC the reason why 3DR upgraded the APM's internal fuse from 500mA to 1,1A.
Moderator

Mark Harrison July 2, 2013 at 11:31am

Morli, click the link instead of copy/paste... the ning platform truncates and adds the "...". I added a "(short link)", can you try that one?
Scott Berfield July 2, 2013 at 11:29am

Not so sure abou the brand name, but the specs look OK. And it is nice that they are actually licensing the FW.
Ryan C Smith July 2, 2013 at 11:26am

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__39708__Afro_ESC_30Amp_Mu...

here is the new products page too

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/HobbyKing_New_RC_Products.asp
Admin

Morli July 2, 2013 at 11:23am

Mark,

I could not find this product in HK search. Link to it in HK please.

Also easybay-rc blog link does not work for me but I assume the trouble is with DNS as many other sites do give me same error for last 3 days. Other ISPs here have the same problem.