Which BEC to get for Hurricane?

[curriemart]

I'm getting a Hurricane very shortly and rather than using a seperate BEC battery I was thinking about using a suitable BEC linked to the main batteries to run the rx, gyro, and servos.
I've searched but cannot find a definitive answer regarding the current draw for these items.

Can anyone tell me what the estimated maximum current draw will be for the following:-
3 x Futaba 3001's, 1 x 9254, GY401, and a Spektrum 6100 RX and what, therefore, would be a suitable BEC to run off the main batteries?
Or is it better just to use the Gaui BEC with a step-down regulator to reduce the voltage to 5v to use the 9254 servo?

[Pinecone]

Dimension Engineering SmartBEC or Castle BEC.

Although there have been osme problems with Castle ones. Mine was DOA, but when I called they shipped a replacement out same day and included a stamped return envelope).

[bcritch]

Pinecone: That is the first bad thing I have heard about them,( I have not gone out to look for negitive feed back about them though) but I am glad that they proved that there customer service is as good as there product.

I also use them on my Trex set up, and I am very happy with them. I tried to find some current draw info for you, but was unable to find it, but I have seen it before, so I know it is out there. That is why I went with a seperate battery for the radio, and you can get the Align BEC with a voltage regulator for that 9254, as well it has nice led light bar on the BEC to tell you how full that battery is. I can get two flights( probably could get three, but why push it?) on me RX battery between charges, which is nice. I will keep looking for that info later today and if I can find it I will pass it on to you.

[miladyazdi]

ok so I have used the gaui stock bec without the step-down regulator and my 9254 works no problems. Just luck or am I missing something??????

[curriemart]

Thanks for info so far.
The 9254 servo should only be used at 4.8v!
At 6.0v it will work, but it's life will be pretty short as the motor/electronics are in danger of burning out. Check out the Futaba website and you will see they do not even quote any speed figures for this servo at 6.0v.
I've had a search for current draws with this and other servos but cannot find them yet which is why I'm wondering what amperage of BEC is required to run all the equipment.
I have a 2 cell lipo I can use with the Gaui BEC but I just think that the ideal solution is to do away with the seperate BEC battery altogether.

[curriemart]

Pinecone- I actually have a Smartbec but it only gives out 1.25A and, therefore, is probably not powerful enough to run my setup.
Are you thinking of the Sportbec which is rated at 3.5A and which is switchable between 5v and 6v? Again, I don't know at this time whether 3.5A is sufficient amperage to run my setup.

[curriemart]

Just read the Dimension Engineering website which states that the Sportbec is capable of handling 4-6 standard size digital servos, up to 8S lipos, with a switchable output of 5-6v, so that would seem to fit the bill nicely.
The next question is- why aren't most people using a BEC like this to power the Hurricane rather than carrying a heavier battery receiver pack, especially when the BEC is only $30?

[L0stS0ul]

I'm using the CC BEC. Working great for me. The main reason I got the CC BEC is the ability to adjust the voltage to anything I want.

[erbrou]

I am using the sportBEC, to this day, works fine for me.

[bcritch]

The 9254 is only a 4.8v servo, that is why I said you can get the regulator that Align sells with its BEC, and then you will be alright.

[curriemart]

Thanks for replies so far- I can get a step-down voltage regulator to take the Gaui BEC output from 6v to 5v for only about $9 so that I can use the 9254 servo.
However, for $30 it appears I can use the Sportbec, which has the advantage of doing away with the Rx battery and I don't then need the step down regulator either. Seems to make sense to me, so long as the Sportbec is suitable (which is seems to be)

[erbrou]

However, for $30 it appears I can use the Sportbec, which has the advantage of doing away with the Rx battery and I don't then need the step down regulator either. Seems to make sense to me, so long as the Sportbec is suitable (which is seems to be)Let me suggest you to put a step down regulator anyway, the switch is relatively easy to move without knowing it, and you do not want to burn your expensive tail servo. Or at least, do something to retain the switch...

[Pinecone]

Yeah, the SPORT BEC. Sorry. The SmartBEC is the ParkBEC with lipo cutoff built in.

For a larger heli separate pack is OK, but with these new BECs, I don't see a need for it.

[curriemart]

Pinecone - thanks- the Sportbec it is then.

erbrou - thanks for advice. I'll check switch once I receive the Sportbec and make sure to secure it and/or I may go for the step down in any case, as that will give me 6v to the cyclic servos and 5v for the 9254 tail servo.
In either case the whole setup will negate the need for a seperate battery pack which, seems to me, to be unnecessary surplus weight to carry and something else to worry about regarding keeping it charged!

[Pinecone]

Best, run the SportBEC at 6 volts and use the step down. It makes you cyclic servos faster and more torque.

[Happy|Harry]

i have used a lot of the available BEC's and the only one's i'd suggest to others to try in a 500-550mm bladed heli are the CC-BEC and the Hyperion TiCool-BEC, i personally wouldn't use anything with a lower output than those in this size heli :)

phil

[curriemart]

Too late to change! I've ordered the Sportbec!
If it doesn't work I'll be sure to post a reply to let others know, however, the information so far indicates that the Sportbec is being used by others on the Hurricane with no problems so I'm confident at this time that it should work okay.

[hopntod]

Does anyone have experience with the western robotics 5-6 V bec?I just ordered one and plan to use the stepdown before a 9254.
Todd

[ukgroucho]

Hyperion TiCool SBEC. 5v/6v selectable with a jumper. Up to 10S.

Claimed 4amps continuous and 5 amp peak although I've seen some dispute as to whether it can really deliver that.. However, in my 10S Hurri it has been working just fine. DS821 cyclic, 401/9254 tail and a AR7000 spectrum Rx.

[Pinecone]

The only thing with the Sport BEC is with the stock ESC you can't hook it up like normal. YOu have to run it like a totally separate BEC.

IOW, you can't put it in line with eh ESC connector because you need to power the ESC.

[Mikej]

The only thing with the Sport BEC is with the stock ESC you can't hook it up like normal. YOu have to run it like a totally separate BEC.

IOW, you can't put it in line with eh ESC connector because you need to power the ESC.

Yep - I had exactly this problem with my 3DX-500, fortunately I found something on Dimension's site that explained the different approach needed - now everything is fine

[kgfly]

You might find this set of bench tests interesting: http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/showthread.php?t=112551
Post #6 for the results of the BEC tests
Posts #26 and #27 for some conclusions

Short story
SportBEC or Hercules BEC. Nothing else comes close to these in terms of living up to their specifications under full load.

[bstock]

Thanks for the link Ken... that was excellent information to have!