CC Hydra 120

[hebner]

Any one using a Hydra 120 with the BEC on 4S, I want to do away with the RX pack without letting the out.

[sailr]

Good question! I'm getting ready to use one too hoping to use the BEC!

[D. Newland]

Manufacturer says up to 3S only.

I used a separate rx pack for a while, then started using the BEC on 4S setups to try to simplify things, then stopped again. I was noticing the voltage regulator on the circuit board getting hot.

[sailr]

Bummer

[teach]

Local club member has used it on his 10th scale. Says he never had issues. Not saying it's ok just passing on some info.

[Hydromaniac]

I run all my spec boats on 4s running cc hydra 120s using the bec on all of them, never had any issues at all I do run spektrum radios and rxs,

[Fluid]

You can do whatever you want to do. Just realize that some folks have had big problems running the BEC on 4S, others have had no problems...yet. No one has had a problem running a 5-cell receiver pack of at least 1000 mAh.

I can say that the Castle ICE controllers - which use a different design BEC than the older Hydras do - have been trouble-free for me up to 8S.


.

[hebner]

Thanks to everyone that has replied, I appreciate all the input.

[sailr]

Thanks. If Rod has luck using the BEC on 4S that's good enough for me! Probably because the spec boats don't draw that many amps to begin with. I'm putting on in my new 1/10th Scale modern and will hold my breath and use the BEC!

[D. Newland]

Amp draw has nothing to do with it. Pack voltage does.

Bench test it. Plug in a freshly charged 4S pack into a Castle 120, using the BEC, and put your finger over the ESC control board, right where the rx wires are soldered. Just to the right of the rx wires is the voltage regulator. Touch there. Does it get hot?

That's what I noticed, and stopped using the BEC. Once you take the edge off the pack voltage (by running it), it's probably fine.

the time when I plug in a fully charged 4S pack to when I actually start running the boat is what I was worried about.

[785boats]

Unfortunately the Castle Hydra series still use the old Linear Voltage Regulators for their BEC. Most ESC's now use the Voltage Switching type as they are much more efficient. This allows for a higher input voltage to be used without the heat & failure problems in the BEC. If a manufacturer specifies a max voltage for their BEC respect what they say. They are using the old Linear regulators.
Paul.