Esc trouble

**mrben** · 15-03-2012, 02:19 PM

HI, I bought an unused stock blade 400 a couple of weeks back and the first time I powered it up the esc burned out - apparently this is a common problem so I bought a 25a hobbyking SS esc to replace it...
Managed to get of the ground this time but when I tried to program it I had to stall the blades (by grabbing them because it decided to spin up on the kitchen table). You guessed it that one went poof too.
So I ordered another and it came yesterday. I've used about three or four batteries just getting to grips with the helicopter and this morning after about 4 minutes very light use I disconnected the battery to the esc to move the heli and when I reconnected it I got another poof and that esc is toast too!

I have ordered a hobbywing fentium 30A esc as a replacement for £15 pounds...

I checked the tale belt isn't too tight and have been very careful not to mishandle the helicopter but I am a complete noob on my first ever heli and am getting very frustrated.

Any advice or tips as to why I'm on my fourth esc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

**astra 8vt** · 15-03-2012, 03:39 PM

change the motor ?? if everthing else is ok and the mesh isnt to tight then i would look at the motor next

**CPN** · 15-03-2012, 04:46 PM

The stock esc is underpowered, I would personally not have anything less than a 40a esc on the blade.

**mrben** · 15-03-2012, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by astra 8vt

change the motor ?? if everthing else is ok and the mesh isnt to tight then i would look at the motor next

I don't have a spare motor nut I have checked the mesh and it doesn't seem too tight from comparing to youtube vids etc.

**mrben** · 15-03-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by CPN

The stock esc is underpowered, I would personally not have anything less than a 40a esc on the blade.

Yes this I know, the replacement I ordered is a 30-40A maybe I've just been unlucky?

**cjcj1949** · 15-03-2012, 09:57 PM

Some escs are rubbish. If they don't work send them back and get a refund. I use a 40A JP EnErG for my 450. The programming is a bit fiddly but once set the esc is ok and has been in use for about a year. Stalling the blades will produce a lot of current, but if enough current had been flowing to blow the esc you wouldn't have been able to hold them. You might have an intermittent short on your motor. 450 motors for about £10 have enough power for starting 3D. No need to pay more.

**mrben** · 15-03-2012, 10:06 PM

Thanks CJ, I suspect that to have 3 consecutive failures would point toward something other than faulty esc's... Any suggestions as where the short may be? I tried to remove the motor earlier but didn't have a long enough allen key. It did look like a short when I re-connected the battery as there was quite a large spark from the xt60 connector. I really don't want to blow the new esc so any ideas of what to look for would be appreciated.

**astra 8vt** · 15-03-2012, 10:13 PM

for the sake of £10 i would change it get a cheap one from giantcod and give it a try if it blows your esc again then you no you have problems else where but i would still say motor did it on my old boys one about a month ago motor blew and took out the esc but as it i thought it was the esc i just changed it and then again bang another one gone motor had short inside somewhere didnt bother looking for it just binned it after i took a hammer to it

also check over the wires just incase they are rubbing on something aswell

**mrben** · 15-03-2012, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by astra 8vt

for the sake of £10 i would change it get a cheap one from giantcod and give it a try if it blows your esc again then you no you have problems else where but i would still say motor did it on my old boys one about a month ago motor blew and took out the esc but as it i thought it was the esc i just changed it and then again bang another one gone motor had short inside somewhere didnt bother looking for it just binned it after i took a hammer to it<br>
<br>
also check over the wires just incase they are rubbing on something aswell

<br><br>Sounds like  a plan. I'm a complete noob so if you could give me an Idea what to get it will save me a morning of googling!

**mrben** · 25-03-2012, 08:11 PM

Quick update, Bought a new esc and motor and so far all is well. Now on with the job of learning to fly it!

**cjcj1949** · 26-03-2012, 12:42 AM

Sorry I missed your post on the 15th. Glad you are sorted. The big spark is normal and is due to the large currents charging the capacitors on the esc. If you push the connectors in firmly you won't get it so much.