Hi
i am amassing the parts to build myself my first FPV, it's a 250 class racer, watching peoples build videos on youtube i have noticed a lot of people put there ESCs under the arms (if you know what i mean) is it not better to put them on top of the arms so the prop wash cools the ESCs? or am i missing something?
Thanks in advance for any and all help...
I'd place them on top for that reason but i suppose it is a personal preference dictated by the frame also. Some people don't like to look at the clutter i guess?
Not finished my 250 but I got a Quattro 4x12 ESC (4 in 1) and mounted it on the underside of the top part of the frame. The leads are long enough to plug directly into the leads attached to the motors. Very neat and plenty of room for the F/C, receiver and 5.8 Tx.
I used to have the 20A ESC quattro, i was tempted to add the legs directly to the ESC box frame!
I am using the Tarrot 250 airframe with 4 individual ESCs, just waiting on a couple of parts so i can build it...
People do it for neatness really. The ESC`s don't get hot enough to warrant direct air needing to be blasted down onto them.
I choose on top / bottom depending on if the ESC be potentially damaged being on the bottom, if so then looks take second place. If the arms have legs or spacers to land on then potential damage is somewhat doubtful. If though its landing straight onto the unprotected arms with the ESC`s underneath then damage is just a matter of time.
Serious question, why don't more people use a 4 in 1 ESC?
About the same weight as 4 singles, less wiring and untidiness, can be mounted within the main frame so better protected. I know some people have their favourite makes so the choice is limited, but for a newcomer to 250s I don't see that as an issue.
From my own personal point of view :
They limit your installation stopping you from installing ESC`s on arms.
If one of my ESC`s break I have only to replace the single ESC at a very small cost, if the all in one goes its a complete whole new unit at a much higher cost and much more involved process to swap it.
Wiring is dictated by the boards layout which may not be practical with what you want it fitted to.
I have seen no advantage to using one vs separate ESC`s to date.
im with coyote on this, i am currently building my first 250 and whilst it may make for a slightly tidier install having a more modular system would be the more cost effective approach in the long term and soldering up a harness for the power isn't that much of a job even i managed it ;D
If there were any that were definitely any good then I'd definitely use one, placing weight out on the arms is not really ideal, it's just more inertia for the motors to overcome in order to stabilise and maneuver. As for one ESC breaking I don't believe I have ever had any ESCs fail on me so I'm not too fussed about that. It should also be a tidier, lighter install. I'm going to predict that fairly soon there will be more specific ones developed for mini quads and that most people will be using them.
This is the one I'm installing. Let's see how it goes. Certainly a breeze to install on the frame (underside of top plate).
www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__69353__Favourite_Sky_3_Quattro_4_x_12A_Brushless_Quadcopter_ESC_2_4S_1A_BEC_BLHeli.html (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__69353__Favourite_Sky_3_Quattro_4_x_12A_Brushless_Quadcopter_ESC_2_4S_1A_BEC_BLHeli.html)
Personally I've never had an ESC fail, but I've only been at this for a few years. They are certainly more likely to fail if they are exposed on the arms in a crash.
I'm a big fan of 4in1s myself. They keep the weight central and make for a nice tidy build.
I understand why people don't like them, and I say this whilst grasping a large piece of wood, but I've never had one die on me yet.