Lepton Build: Which ESC??

[mbfjr]

Im putting together a Lepton kit. I see some of you are using the CCPhoenix 80, and others are using the 55-10-32 Jazz. Can I get some feedback? Is the Jazz worth the extra $120 or is the CC80 "good enough"? Tell me what has worked for you.....thanks

[mudbogger2]

The Jazz is woth the extra to me. Super smooth slowstart and a flawless govenor.

Some are using the CC80 so good enough does alpply.

[Finless]

Yep and the Align 75 ESC at $99 is working well for me on 4S.

Bob

[z11355]

the Align 75 works well as does the CC80 or Jaz$

[mbfjr]

Bob- are you using throttle curves with the Align ESC? Or does it have a governor function?
Mudbogger...I agree with your thoughts on the Jazz....I finally ended up with one on my Trex after frying 3 Quark 33's and a coup[le of Align 35's. But I've heard great things about the CC80 - smoothe spool-up and governor too....Just wanted some input and firsthand experience on what is working

[Finless]

No I am not using governor just curves.
So if you want to save a few bucks the Align 75 is a good deal... If you going to spend the money I would go Jazz and skip the CC80.

Bob

[eheliflyer]

I am currently using the CC HV 45 with Medusa 3.5 amp 6V bec on 5S with the 1.52 program and the slow start is very good and the governer is amazing.

[ArthurKnowles]

I'd suggest the Jazz 80-6-18 if you want to use the built in BEC. The 80 has a 4 amp BEC vs. a 2 amp BEC of the 55. As for the others, whatever you use you'll probably need an external switching type BEC of 3 amps or better.

[xircom]

Is that 4Amp BEC of the Jazz 80 of Switching Type ? If not, definitely extra BEC needed.

Anyone Experience with the Jeti Spin ? That one definitely has Switching Type of BEC, and some data logging functions. Rest is same as Jazz, although Jazz has much more automatic functions, whereas Jeti has got quite many settings (using the Box).

The Jazz has this 'automatic agle adjustment' to the motor, not just generic, but even online during the flight under different loads, and that is something which seems to make it definitely a winner for me. So as Mudbogger says, if you have the money, Jazz 80 is probably nicest.

[ArthurKnowles]

Yes, the Jazz uses a swithing type BEC. One of the really nice features of the Jazz is its ability to run at partial load indefinitely. So long at 100% throttle does not exceed its maximum rating, you can run it at any partial throttle setting for as long as you want without damaging the ESC. Not something that is recommended for most other ESCs.

[xircom]

This I don't understand, so that would mean having current gov settings at 80% for all the time is not recommended, unless I have a Jazz ? 100% is definitely too much for the heli, and cannot be hold when pitch is high ... I thought above is true for efficiency at least ... thanks !

[Gscott]

I think it depends on the ESC. I just finished setting up my new 80amp Jazz with my Hacker 10XL running on 4s. At 50% throttle I have a HS of 2400 in normal. Idle 1 is set to 60% with a HS of 2700 and Idle 2 is set to 70% with a HS of 2900. Headspeeds were all checked twice with a tach.

[ArthurKnowles]

It does depend on the ESC, but if I recall correctly CC does not recommend recommend low partial throttle settings for their ESCs either. Something about the fact that ESCs operater at full current, but pulse on/off to limit RPMs and that type of operation can overheat/stress the MOSFETs. It's usually why if you want to do something like that then you should pick the next size ESC, according to what I was told by CC, for the operating headroom.

What CC recommend is something like ... heck I'll just go online and get it ...



If you can’t gear to get the headspeed you want at about 75% throttle in ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ by gearing you need a different motor or battery voltage. If you cannot get the headspeed you want at about 75% throttle in “Heli: Fixed Throttle’ your helicopter is not set up right and will not work in correctly in ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ or either ‘Governor’ Modes


The full text is at

http://www.castlecreations.com/downloads/cl_beta_info.html

[xircom]

Oh I think that means, that you have to have enough headroom for the high pitch, even using gov mode, if you cannot reach your desired HS with 75% throttle in gov mode, probably the system would be too weak to increase power once you increase pitch as well ... hmm, that's how I read it :?

[ArthurKnowles]

Not quite, but here's the CC text that proceeded what I posted...


To get your electric helicopter to fly well and for the new helicopter throttle settings to work properly you need to set your helicopter up correctly. The Heli Throttle types will not compensate for an improper system set up and you may damage your motor, your ESC or your batteries. To make sure your helicopter is set up correctly start with ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ mode. In ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ adjust the endpoints on your transmitter until the system will arm with the stick in the bottom position and the red LED comes on solid on the ESC at full throttle (Solid red LED means full throttle on the ESC). This gives you a full throttle range on your transmitter which assures that your throttle percentages will be correct. Now set the heli up to get the head speed you want at about 75% throttle in ‘Heli: Fixed Throttle’ mode. Gear as needed to get the desired headspeed at 75% throttle on you transmitter. Set up like this your motor will be running within its efficient operating speed with enough headroom that the motor can maintain this speed with hard collective use. Gearing here is the key. Once you get the headspeed you want at about 75% throttle in ‘Heli: Fixed Throttle’ mode your helicopter will fly well in either ‘Heli: Fixed Throttle’ or in one of the governor modes. If you decided to use the governor adjust your throttle curve to a straight line that gives you the same headspeed as you got at 75% throttle in ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ mode. Start with Heli: Governor Low’ If you cannot get this headspeed in ‘Heli: Governor Low’ go to ‘Heli: Governor High.’ If the heli is set up right in ‘Heli: Fixed Endpoint’ mode it doesn’t matter what throttle % gives you your desired headspeed in governor mode.


The gist is you need to provide the appropriate gearing to get the ESC to operatge with sufficient headroom to control the rotor RPM. One part not mentioned though is the setup of fixed heli mode where you actually calibrate the ESC by using the onboard LED to find full throttle. That's a critical step in setting up the govenor to operate. And there is more about their setup I suggest anyone with a CC ESC read.

[jlr]

I picked up a Jazz 55-10-32 for my Lepton based on the reputation of the Jazz ESCs on the web. After reviewing the instruction manual I'm wondering if I would be better off with the 80-6-18? I'm planning on running 4S only (with a Kora 15-12), so I'm within spec for the 55-10-32, but near the low end voltage wise. Other than picking up the built-in BEC of the 80-6-18, is there any other reason I might want to swap?

One more data point... I don't see myself running anything larger than 6S anytime soon.

Thanks!

--Jeff

[xircom]

I don't see any other reason than bigger size built in ESC ...

[jlr]

I don't see any other reason than bigger size built in ESC ...

Thanks for your input.

Actually that brings up another question of mine. The manual indicates that the 55-10-32 doesn't have any BEC, but the receiver plug has 3 wires going to it. Does it really not have a builtin BEC? If not, why the 3 wires and should I disconnect the red wire or leave it connected?

Thanks,

--Jeff

[rotodingo]

-1 Jazz 55-6-18 is strong enough even on 5S since you will have an average amp much lower. The 55-6-18 can handle extra high spike of current. No need of a 80A.

-2 I suggest to use a separate BEC anyway because you can have 6V on some of them. The built-in bec of my 55-6-18 delivers 4.88V. My U-bec is already giving me 5.23V on 5V position. This 0,35V of difference is already really visible. Tail rotor servo is much faster. If i select 6V i have 5.95V. I'm sure any servo rated for 4.8V is able to withstand it since a 4 cell batt well charger is near the 5.5V. And 5.75 if just out of the charger. At 5.95V we are a lot closer from 4 cells voltage than 5 cells voltage (around 6.7V charged, 7V just out of the charger). And it will really boost the servos. My tail rotor servo is made for 6V. It's alot faster with the U-bec on 6V mode.

Nicolas