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pixelseventy2 View Drop Down
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  Quote pixelseventy2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Power switch
    Posted: 14/Aug/2012 at 2:07am
Hi all. I'm building a Quad, with 28-22 motors, 10x4.7 props, hobbywing fentium/flyfun 18A ESC and the HK Flight Controller. I'm looking for the best way to add a power switch, rather than having to plug and unplug the battery. As far as I can tell, the FC gets it's power from all the BECs, so there's not an easy way to put a switch on one of them. Any recommendations?

Also, I'm having a few issues with the motors not all starting at the same time. I've run the throttle calibration, and will try again, but I suspect one of my motors might be iffy. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks
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klaw81 View Drop Down
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  Quote klaw81 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16/Aug/2012 at 11:29am
There's a relatively simple way to add a switch:

Using a fine-tipped screwdriver, pry out the little gold plug for the power (positive) lead of 3 of the ESCs servo plugs. This will disconnect the power supply from the integrated BEC in each of these ESCs. There's a little video on how to do the above process here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clNvfjhMQ5w

Put an inline switch on the 4th ESC's servo lead and voila! Make sure you tie back and insulate the exposed power plugs from the disconnected ESCs so they can't short out.

This process is completely reversible - you can simply push the little contact back into the main plug and it will work perfectly again.

The control board and Rx shouldn't have any trouble at all running off a single ESC's integrated BEC - after all, it's designed to run multiple servos which have much larger current draws.

A slight variation on this is to remove ALL of the ESC power leads, and use a stand-alone UBEC to power the board and Rx. Put a switch on that line and you will achieve the same thing.
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pixelseventy2 View Drop Down
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  Quote pixelseventy2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17/Aug/2012 at 6:15am
Thanks, that sounds like a good solution. Will give it a go. I've got a couple of servo extension cables that I can modify to include a switch too.
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Owll56 View Drop Down
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  Quote Owll56 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17/Aug/2012 at 7:00am
However this might turn off the RX, the batteries will still slowly discharge into the ESC over a period if time, I had a large coaxial heli that had a similar switch the batteries were always discharges after a long period to the point of very low cell voltages. This could have just been because of the type of ESC in this heli, but I would check with an ammeter to see if there is a current discharge with the switch turned off, it maybe very small but will discharge the batteries over time.
DOH! Gravity
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PierHenri62 View Drop Down
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  Quote PierHenri62 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17/Aug/2012 at 2:58pm
ALWAYS REMOVE THE BATTERIES when you do not use the plane or the quad, even for a dhort moment!!
You are playing with lipo, not Nimh!!
Your idea of a switch is good only to carry your model from the stand to the airfield, no more!
This is VERY dangerous.
Plus: a lipo must be kept with good charge.
Never let it slower than 3.3v per S
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