Low Voltage Cutoff?

[the.ronin]

How do you guys manage low voltage? Specifically, when do you know when it's time to swap batteries?

I know there are low voltage buzzers you can attach to the balance leads and thats certainly an option.


I had thought all ESCs had some sort of low voltage cutoff mechanism until I found I had run a 2S to 0% capacity. That sucked.

 

[spoo76]

Most people use a halfway decent ESC that is "lipo capable" which usually just means it has an LVC. Even most RTR ESC's have one. Otherwise a voltage alarm is the best option when an upgrade isn't ideal. Which ESC are you running that doesn't have one?

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[the.ronin]

Hmm I always thought Castle was reputable enough. I drained my lipo using a Mamba Micro ESC.

So normally then it will just cut power and the receiver goes into failsafe right? I fly drones so we see a voltage level indicator in our goggles.

 

[altd896]

Anything else attached to the battery plug? BEC or hv servo, lights etc?
The ESC lvc only cuts motor power, anything else still drawing power doesn't get disconnected.
Even just leaving it sitting with the ESC turned off but the battery still plugged in will drain it.

 

[spoo76]

Castle is plenty reputable and definitely has a LVC. Do you have a castle link to check your settings?

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[turboturro88]

Most people use a halfway decent ESC that is "lipo capable" which usually just means it has an LVC. Even most RTR ESC's have one. Otherwise a voltage alarm is the best option when an upgrade isn't ideal. Which ESC are you running that doesn't have one?

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even my amazon $30 esc/brushless motor combo has a lipo cutoff.

 

[QuesoDelDiablo]

Yup, if a Castle esc drained to 0V there's something wrong in the settings or the esc itself is nfg. More likely a settings issue though.

 

[the.ronin]

Thanks guys. Yes, I have a bunch of electronics tapped off lipo but all in all pulling no more than 2 amps max - more like 1 amp. These are LEDs, etc.

I did JUST get the Castle Link in the mail. I will definitely use that to check the ESC settings. Good to know there is onboard low voltage cutoff on most every ESC. The good news I was able to charge the lipo (Gens Ace / Tattu never fails me) and it is not puffed at all with both cells keeping decent voltage range balance.

 

[Natedog]

Most people use a halfway decent ESC that is "lipo capable" which usually just means it has an LVC. Even most RTR ESC's have one. Otherwise a voltage alarm is the best option when an upgrade isn't ideal. Which ESC are you running that doesn't have one?

X2

Anything else attached to the battery plug? BEC or hv servo, lights etc?
The ESC lvc only cuts motor power, anything else still drawing power doesn't get disconnected.
Even just leaving it sitting with the ESC turned off but the battery still plugged in will drain it.

X2

Castle is plenty reputable and definitely has a LVC. Do you have a castle link to check your settings?

Yes, crawling not quite as important, but I've found that on go fast/high amp draw RCs to set LVC at 3.8v per cell or maybe slightly lower! I've puffed several 'good quality' lipos using the default ESC LVC. :ror:"thumbsup"

 

[spoo76]

X2







X2







Yes, crawling not quite as important, but I've found that on go fast/high amp draw RCs to set LVC at 3.8v per cell or maybe slightly lower! I've puffed several 'good quality' lipos using the default ESC LVC. :ror:"thumbsup"

Come to think of it I've done exactly the same thing with older castle micro ESCs in faster cars that are geared high.

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[Voodoobrew]

In fast cars that have a standard LVC it is more likly that you are puffing the batteries due to pulling more amps than the battery is rated for. Because of the voltage sag the LVC will go off in a fast car before the batteries drain as much as in a crawler.

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