Something that I have noticed when using a programme card at our car racing club every week is the vastly different amount of information that can be displayed on the same program card when it is connected to different ESC’s.

I was programming a full spec (eye wateringly expensive) racing ESC at the club on Thursday night (not mine) and I have never seen so many adjustable parameters come up on the display of the same Hobbywing programme card that I was using on other cars ECS that night.

Being fascinated by this experience, I connected the same card to several other quite expensive (but not so silly priced) racing ESC, but they only displayed a fraction of the adjustable options that were so clearly visible on the “very top” of the range ESC.

To double check and confirm this, I connected up again to this very top-end ESC, and it opened up the same amount of mind-boggling options as I worked my way through the programme card.

What this does prove, is that the parameters that can be accessed is not necessarily dependent on the type of programming card used, although different cards will be needed for different ESC, the ESC itself is made with a limited range of adjustments (that can be accessed) depending on the model and the type.

I will still be working my way through all of my Sea King ESC and try them with any of the program cards that I have - just in case I can extract any more information using a different combination of card and ESC.

My programming cards are also updated online occasionally to give me the best chance to access any available information that each type of ESC being used is able to share.

Bob.

If you want to keep the (aircraft) Esc set up a reverse switch relay dpdt and switch on transmitter. It’s a channel control mechanical relay but make sure it can handle current. Other way is a servo to throw a mechanical slide switch. Used in old days to turn electric glider motor on/ off . On other thing I found is the motor control on two stick RC transmitters is they aren’t centered. I used aileron stick for motor n rudder fir rudder on my DX6 when using as ship control. If you use relay then normal motor stick is fine as low is low then flip switch n its low reverse.

I guess I’m still old school at 83. Working on multiple ships and my uncles ships to sell. See pics n on eBay. Good winter projects.

Simple schematic for engine reverse n pic of module with relays (10a 30v) takes one channel forward or reverse then motor stick used to move from stop to full in direction.

Eric's ESC may not be faulty Chris - it may simply be a forwards only speed controller that does not have the facility to add reverse to it when programmed.

I will be working my way through all my SeaKing ESC's using various Hobbywing program cards over the next couple of weeks to see if any of them will be able to get a reverse function to work.

I like my SeaKing ESC as they deliver a lot of power smoothly - far better than the air cooled Surpass 120amp ESC that I have in my Sea Commander.(shown here).

The second picture shows my 150amp SeaKing (branded Turnigy) ESC in my Rapier that has performed flawlessly since the boat was restored during the Covid lockdown-down - but has no reverse!

As a matter of interest I set-up two different Hobbywing ESC at our car club last night with no problems.

The car ESC have a lot more complex options available for adjustment than a water-cooled boat ESC does, and it is not too unusual to make small adjustments during the evening between races to our various types of ESC as the track conditions change or a new car set-up is needed.

I am confident that if any of the Sea King ESC that I have can have the reverse function programmed into it, I already have the program cards to do it with - so I really am hoping that my previous failed attempts can also be "reversed" 🤣.

Bob.

Eric - sounds as though it's faulty then.

Chris

Thanks Chris/all, for a very informative discussion around my ‘small’ 😳 reversing problem! As it happens, I’ve got a programming card and that I tried and it didn’t work that way either - conclusion - it’s forward only! Thank you gentleman.. it’s been a pleasure. Eric 👍

Hi Eric

Sorry, we've gone off at a tangent, no change there! 😂

You've probably ordered a new ESC now, which is probably the best course of action. I'm confident that you would be able to program your HobbyWing Seaking ESC with the HobbyWing LED card but given the age of your ESC it might be defective and not worth getting the card for?

Chris

Morning Bob.

I think I've cracked it, once I get my teeth into something! 😁

I was going to ask you when you bought your Seaking ESCs and where from but when you mentioned they were taken from commercial boats the penny dropped.

It should have done so before given RTR being on the ESC you pictured. As I said, HobbyWing don't supply a 90amp V3 directly to the hobby market via the usual suppliers but another search threw up instructions for a range of Seaking V3 RTR ESCs including 90amp.

I didn't download them as I don't trust the site but they are all programmable using either the Tx or card including for reverse.

So my thoughts are that they are a trade range supplied to commercial manufacturers of RTR boats. This would explain the minimal instructions as the boats arrive already set up and as many are high speed/race boats with flexi-drives then you don't want reverse.

You can find the odd places, like the one I linked to, still selling them, but they aren't the mainstream modelling suppliers, so maybe old stock, and they are listed as unbranded.

Chris

Hi Kenny

Good that you're back in the hobby. Don't worry it's not as bad as it sounds from these posts! Problems tend to arise when you are buying models with older equipment installed or as with Bob's Seaking ESCs there is very little info. available even on the Internet.

But if you buy currently available ESCs and their program cards they are a doddle to set up. For all my builds (7 plus at least 3 others in the pipeline) I use the HobbyWing Quicrun and Seaking range of ESCs.

Chris

I appreciate this honest modern/ reality post!
Wow. Programming. I have a lot to learn after sort of stepping out of the hobby with 5 unfinished hulls designed and built scale scratch 20 years ago. Programming? OMG!🙄
yup ... getting older! Still willing ( able? ) to learn !

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your ongoing efforts to help me get any of my Sea King ESC working with a reverse function.

I will drag out my collection of programs cards and give it another go.

I am petty sure that my Sea King 90 (all three of them) are genuine HobbyWing as they are a standard fitting on the Inception and Alpha 1000.

Bob.