Electronic Speed Controllers - ESC's

[Paulrjordan]

>From: Randal R Largent <ranjudl@juno.com>
>To: pjships@hotmail.com
>Subject: Speed Controls
>Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 20:33:46 -0700

>Hi Paul,
>I am currently building a model of a 1924/25 Gold Cup racer, 6 inch
>beam, 29 inch length and am learning the R/C world as I go along. I
>found a scrap heap motor and am making the stuffing box etc.
>I am appalled at the prices of speed controls and am wondering if you
>know if there is such a thing as a $10.00 one in existence? It would
>appear that I do need one and may have to bite the bullet and pay the
>bucks but I would rather not.
>Do you have any good suggestions?
>Thanks,
>Randy

Hi Randy:

I was just cleaning up my PJShips emails and came across this one you
sent which I don't think I ever answered.. my sincerest apologies!
I'm posting it here as it may be of interest to other Paddleducks who
may also have some useful ideas on the subject.

Speed controllers..ok..yep they can get expensive and the most
economical one seems to be the little Hi-Tec..for around 30 pounds
(US$ 35.00 and CA$54.00). There isnt really much alternative to
ESC's except if you want to go back to the old slide resistor
technology known as a "Bob's Board". It's a primitive type of
variable resistance unit which can be picked up very inexpensively.
They're robust and I still see them in a number of very GOOD
models but they still require a servo to run them.

My own obsrvation is that, although I use Hi-Tecs, often on ship
models you don't really need digital proportional control.. Let's face
it there are usually only three essential speeds levels needed..stop ,
half and full!

So therefore you could ALMOST use an old servo with a wiper touching
momentary on/off switches and a reversing circuit. On the other hand,
by the time you've bought a servo, rigged up all the wires and f*rted
around mounting switches etc, testing it all out and ending up with
something akin to the dog's "brekky"....a Hi-tec doesnt look too
outrageous!

In mini models up to 24" I use a converted servo as an ESC..in
fact thats what powers my 30" "Director" with twin engines and it
hasnt let me down yet. Don't overlook using these servos as vey
effective ESC's in smaller models.

In a nutshell...I suggest you don't stint on your control systems
(pretty much the heart of your drive system!)and equip your model with
a reliable ESC which, when amortized over it's life, is still a pretty
good bargain.!

PJ

[Edward Matthews]

Whilst I agree with your sentiments, it is possible to make your own
speed controller at a fraction of the cost of a new ESC. Take a look
at http://www.ktis.net/~wzumwalt/home-speed.htm for one example.

It's not something I've tried, but there are schematics around if you
want to give it a try.

P.S. This is from "Old River Bills" website, but please don't hassle
him with questions about it right now... He's just undergone MAJOR
heart surgery and has had a really rough time recently, so he's not
really up to answering dozens of emails.

Regards
Eddy

[Joe E Brown]

Bill can handle some emails now. He's doing better and needs
something to occupy his time since he can't do much physical work for
now. I use his ESC in a couple of my boats and they always work good.
It'd a little hard to get adjusted to going into reverse because you
have to push the throttle forward for reverse too, but it works and
cheaply too.
TJ

[John Roberts]

Hi,
How can I get the wiring diagram enlarged enough to read it but not so
large as it gets when I click on it. That way is is so large that I can't
get it all on my screen or in my printer.
Thanks,
John

[Joe E Brown]

i usually download the file to my hard drive and then open my
graphics program ( I use CorleDraw) and size the file to the size of
the page I want to print. Some printers will have software that can
be adjusted right before you print it out. Most of the time is
says "Fit to page"

good Modeling,
TJ

[Randal R Largent]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I had just about decided to give the HiTec a try.
I guess my major concern is that because I really don't know what I am
doing (but am quite handy, I can figure out how to do most things if I
have good directions) I would hate to burn up a $30.00 ESC if I can
escape that!
All these advertisements that state 20 turns etc. certainly dont' help
the matter. As I stated I have scrounged up a used motor that I don't
have a clue how many turns it has and actually don't know if it will do
what I want at all.
Another thing that I wonder is can an ESC for airplanes work for my
model? Because of the way I have built it I am quite limited in the
space where all this radio stuff goes. Some of the ones advertised by
Tower are very compact and about the same price.
Thanks Eddy for this possibility which I will definately be checking out
.
I also read with keen interest the Sodazap posts because I have created a
few gaps in my planking (ahem, there's that handy part again) and rushed
out today and bought some superglue. Can't wait to try it.
This is a great Forum.
Randy

[Dallinson]

Randy
I have not seen any mention, in the on going discussion of speed
controllers, of the Electronize kit. This retails at Pds19.95 and is not
difficult to build. It is a saving of nearly Pds8 over the ready made
article. It is good for up to 10 amps continuous on any voltage up to 24v.
You will need a good magnifying glass to read the color coding on the
resistors!!! but otherwise it is quite easy to build, if you just follow
the very clear instructions. More details if of any interest.
Incidentally, Eddy there are some car controllers that do have a full
reverse. Some classes of car racing that do not allow reverse, but most
"hobby" controllers let you go backwards!! However I would still not
recommend them, as they are mostly very small and are unlikely to be rated
for continuous operation. Electric car racing is very much an
"on-off-on-off-on" flat-out 5 minute blind, and then let everything cool
down!!!
Happy paddling.
David

[Randal R Largent]

Thanks David.
Do you have a source for the Electronize kit? I would like to at check
it out.
Thanks Eddy,
I checked out River Bill's site and thoroughly enjoyed it, and even
though he consistantly stated (not for speed boats) I think I learned a
couple of things.

SODAZAP:
This product certainly is not a cure all for shoddy workmanship (the area
on the bow of my model that the 14 year old on the jetski ran into it)
that's going to be my explanation for anyone that might ask in the
future, but it did work real nice on a couple of the lesser sized cracks
I ended up with.

I bought a Futaba Radio that came with a merchandise rebate so I have
decide to put that amount toward a HiTec unit.
I would like to get this thing done so I can start getting serious about
a paddle project.
I grabbed that Skibladner photo for my wallpaper here at home and at
work!
Thanks again for all the input.
Randy

[Dallinson]

Randy.
Electronize can be viewed on www.electronize.co.uk
Tel/Fax (0)121 308 5877
Address:-
Electronize Design
Unit 11 Mere Green Close
Sutton Coldfield
B75 5BZ
The kit I quoted was a Type 43X Speed Control at Pds19.65.
The price quoted includes postage to any country. "There are no add-on
costs" is states.
Mine kit worked first time and has been great ever since.
Good luck
David