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Hi I'm going to use brushless motors for the first time. I have a brushless ESC. Can I run two motors off of one ESC like brushed motors or will I need two brushless ESC's 🤔
Kevin
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". (Edmund Burke)
Hi Spitfire, Sorry NO! This is because the ESC needs feedback from the motor providing info on the position of the rotor and thus provide the correct phasing; either via a shaft position sensing system or by the back emf of the coils in the more common 'sensor-less' types for models. It can’t do this simultaneously for two motors I'm afraid. You'd confuse the poor thing and give it the 'collywobbles' 😉 You can drive two BL ESCs from one channel using a 'Y' lead or use two channels for independent motor control like in 'Tank Steering'. Cheers Doug 😎 PS If you do drive two BL ESCs from one channel you MUST disconnect the Red supply lead (BEC) from one of the ESC leads to prevent damage. If you use a separate RX supply battery you MUST disconnect both Red leads from the ESCs to disconnect their BECs.
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
Hi Spitfire Yes you need to isolate one of the BEC supplies from the ESC (red wire). You can cut the wire but I prefer to remove the connector from the plug, you will find a small tab holds the connector in place and if you carefully lift this tab with a scalpel blade the connector will pull out of the plug and can be taped to the other leads. It will then be available for future use should you need a BEC supply. Good luck
I'm very new to this brushless world and not quite sure what a ESC or BEC is yet. Is one of them a speed controller. I think I'm being a bit thick here and do not want to cut or remove the wrong red wire. As there a few. May have to send you guys a photo
Kevin
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". (Edmund Burke)
Not thick at all, you only learn if you ask questions.
ESC = Electronic Speed Control.
BEC = Battery Eliminator Circuit.
As to the rest I'm sure another member will put you right, try RNmunich he is well up on electrics.
Cheers Colin.
Hi Spitfire This is one of your brushless ESC's. As you have indicated the wire is the red one with a brown wire and yellow wire either side and the black bit is the plug. If you turn it over you will see the tab that I suggested lifting to remove the red wire and tape to the brown and yellow wires.
The BEC is contained within the ESC and if you do not disconnect one you will encounter all kinds of trouble.
Keep asking the questions we have all been there and mistakes can be costly.
Thanks Dave yes that’s what I was thinking. How much is this going to cost me if I get this wrong. New motors new ESC. Thanks for your help. Being as you have saved me, the cost is time and yours and others so I’m going to make a donation to the web site for up keep. That the lest I can do.
Kevin
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". (Edmund Burke)
Can you help with this Dave on the ESC I have three wire to context to the motor
Red Blue and Black. On the motor the wires are Orange Yellow and Blue.
What goes where
Attached Files - Click To View Large
Kevin
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". (Edmund Burke)
Hi Spitfire, this is the easy bit 😉 it doesn't matter!! 👍 If you then find the motor runs backwards when you shove the stick forward then just swap over any two wires. Cheers Doug 😎
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
Yes Colin, in essence that's all a brushless motor is! Cheers Doug 😎 PS: How's KGV getting on? I'm still into Sea Scout and PT boat renovations / conversions. But I know what my next 'new build' is! See pics, 'undreds of bits an' pieces 🤔😉
Attached Files - Click To View Large
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
Hi Spitfire Glad to hear that you will be supporting the site's running costs. Stephen (Fireboat) runs this free site entirely on donations so every little bit helps. Doug has answered your question re wiring the brushless motor to the ESC. I would just add that you should not swop any wires whilst the battery is connected. I would also advise that you fit a fuse between the main battery and the ESCs. Brushless motors can draw very heavy currents when stalled or overloaded. A fuse rated just above your running current and no more than 50% of your ESC rating. I am assuming here that your wiring is capable of carrying this current? If you haven't got one I suggest you purchase a wattmeter so you can measure the current drawn under load (hold the boat in water and run at full wack). This must not be greater than the Motor or ESC rating. A smaller prop will reduce the current. Please keep us posted