Question about BECs

[NitroVal]

Im looking at the Castle 240 ESC ( http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRJL6&P=7 ) and trying to make sense of how the BEC works.. Its list is as so:
Cells w/ BEC: 5-12 NiCd/NiMH, 3S LiPo
Cells no BEC: 5-20 NiCd/NiMH, 6S LiPo
Does this mean if you wanted to run 6S, it would require an external BEC?

[NorthernBoater]

Yes
You cannot use the internal BEC with 4s-6s.
You need an external 4.8-6V source.
You would need to pull the pin for the red wire.

[NitroVal]

Ok, thanks

[domwilson]

I thought that the Hydras were able to go to 4s using the BEC. Now it is only 3s?
Most other controllers will do 4s or more with BEC. Are there others out there that are running hydras 4s or higher with BEC?

[domwilson]

Is there anybody running the Hydras on 4s or higher with the BEC? If so, are you having any problems?

[Flying Scotsman]

Also, do not run a low voltage Castle ESC on 6S...5S max ...4S is a better option and buy your ESC from OSE

Douggie

[domwilson]

Yep..I bought both of mine from OSE. Got some sweeeet deals from Steve.
But back to the BEC thing...anybody?

[Flying Scotsman]

Dom, I use an external power source on all my ESCs regardless of power.

Douggie

[domwilson]

I've been reading so many bad thing about Castle controller's lately that I'm afraid to run them. They work fine on the bench, ok..my dining room table. But the real world is a different story. I've been debating on dumping them and getting some more himodels.

[785boats]

Well at least, according to the specs, the BEC will deliver 5A all the way up to the 8s voltage rating on the HiModel ESC. I think I read somewhere that they use a voltage switcher rather than a voltage regulator. They don't have the heat problems converting the higher voltages that the regulators have.
Cheers.
Paul.

[domwilson]

Yep. I read that too. How is their warrantee service?

[785boats]

The good thing is I've never had to find out.
Out of the three I've got one of them won't start up. It's a suspect programming chip/memory. I must try a full reprogramme on all parameters & see if it comes good. I did that on one of the others that wasn't running properly & it's still running fine now.
But I understand that Himodel are pretty good about warranties.
The thing is, like I've posted somewhere before, I've only run them on 4s at about 80-100A . So I can't personally vouch for anything higher than that.
All the best.
Paul.

[domwilson]

But at least they don't blow up on plug-in
It's just that programming with the TX sucks...