ESC settings

[bandicoot]

Im going brushless and need some speed controller settings advice. Although most of the options seem quite self explanatory I would like some opinions. ESC is a Sonix but im guessing most of the features are standard across most makes...

Brake on/off
Cut off mode reducepower/shutdown
Cutoff threshold low/med/high
Startup mode normal/soft/supersoft
Timing low/med/high

I was guessing that break - off, cutoff mode - reduce power, cutoff threshold - med, startup mode - super soft, timing - low

Does this sound anywhere near ok??

thanks

[robgt]

Brake off - yup!

The Cutoff threshold is for your pack protection - check the actual cut off voltage per setting in the manual. you can comfortably cut off at 3v per cell without damaging the lipo.
A lower cutoff setting will give you a longer flying time.

See what the startup feels like on supersoft. If it spools up painfully slowly, try the soft one instead. Just don't have it so you "add a little throttle and the motor chews the gear" fast

The timing depends on the motor you are using with that ESC, but for the other settings, yes - seems about right to me.

Cheers,
Rob

[bandicoot]

Thanks Rob, I thought thats what i would need to do but think its better to ask than to balls something up then ask,

The motor is a 3800kv Brushless Motor
No load current:2.6A
No load RPM :42200

Im guessing that the timing is to do with the electro magnets that drive the thing...

[robgt]

Yes.
The fewer the poles in the motor, the lower the timing needs to be to work it accurately.

I would try a mid-timing setting first and see if it governs well. If not, change it and test again.
When the timing is right, the headspeed will remain fairly constant!
Cheers,
Rob

[bandicoot]

Thanks for your help

[Smoothound]

As Rob said but I'd be inclined to go for a higher cutoff voltage than 3.0v per cell. If you can I'd set for 3.2v if you can and then see how much you put back in at the end of the flight. You shouldn't really be charging more than 80% of the packs available discharge

[robgt]

You shouldn't really be charging more than 80% of the packs available discharge

This would depend on the pack being used.
Enerland and Saehan based cells, yes - this is good advice.
These cells are Lithium cobalt based and have a much steeper discharge curve at the end of the discharge, which you don't want to get near to, as this is where pack damage can occur. A higher LVC will prolong the life of your packs.

Lithium manganese based packs (Kokam) have a much shallower end of discharge curve allowing a lower LVC without getting near to damaging the pack.
Cheers,
Rob