E-flite 40-Amp Pro Switch-Mode BEC Brushless ESC - Manual

Thank you for purchasing the E-flite ® 40-Amp Pro Switch-Mode BEC
Brushless ESC. This is a high-quality, efficient sensorless brushless elec-
tronic speed control with an integrated switch-mode BEC. It can operate
without the need for a separate receiver battery to power your servos and
receivers, saving you weight and complication. It is capable of up to 40
amps continuous current when using 3- to 6-series Li-Po battery packs.
You can drive up to 7 analog or 6 digital standard-sized servos with the
BEC on any recommended input voltage. This ESC also features an ex-
posed, finned heat sink aluminum case with lightweight plastic endcaps.
Additional features include safe power arming along with advanced pro-
grammable features such as low voltage cutoff, braking, timing, throttle
input range, and more, making this truly a ‘pro series’ speed control.
Features:
• Up to 40 amps continuous current with proper air flow
and 55 amps burst current (15 seconds)
• 5V switch-mode BEC capable of 2.5 amps continuous
current on any recommended input voltage
• Drive up to 7 analog or 6 digital standard-sized servos
with the BEC on any recommended input voltage
• 3- to 6-cell Li-Po, 9- to 18-cell Ni-MH/Ni-Cd input voltage
• Finned heat sinks
• Programmable motor braking
• Safe power-arm mode prevents accidental starts
• Programmable low voltage cutoff with settings for 3-cell
Li-Po (9V), 4-cell Li-Po (12V), 5-cell Li-Po (15V), 6-cell
Li-Po (18V), or 70% of battery starting voltage
• Programmable throttle input range (1.1ms–1.9ms or 1.2ms–-1.8ms)
• Programmable soft start for helis and airplanes
• Auto motor shut down if signal is lost or there is interference
• Programmable timing—5 user-selectable ranges–use
with a large variety of brushless motors
• Utilizes new smaller Mosfet technology to minimize weight
• Radio System Power On/Off Switch
• Optional RS232 Serial Link and software available for
PC programming
• Pre-wired connectors—E-flite EC3 on battery input and
3.5mm female gold bullets on motor output leads
Specifications
Continuous Current:
40A*
Max Burst Current: 55A (15 sec)*
Length: 68mm (2.7 in)
Width: 33mm (1.3 in)
Height: 13mm (.5 in)
Weight: 62 g (2.2 oz)
Cells: 3-6S Li-Po or 9-18 Ni-MH/Ni-Cd
Battery Input Leads: 13 AWG with E-flite EC3 Connector
Motor Output Leads: 13 AWG with 3.5mm Female Gold
Bullet Connectors
* Proper cooling required
Optional RS232 Serial Link & Programming Software
Programming your ESC will be much faster and easier when you purchase
the optional RS232 Serial Link and programming software. This will
allow you to update your ESC using your laptop or PC. You must have a
Serial Port on your computer or you can purchase a separate USB to DB9
adapter (available at computer retailers).
EFLARS232 RS232 Serial Link/Programming Software
Servo Ratings with BEC Enabled:
Drives up to 7 analog or 6 digital standard-sized servos with the BEC on
any recommended input voltage. This also includes up to 7 standard ana-
log or 5 standard digital and 1 retract servo, perfect for 25-sized warbird
conversions.
Some servo combinations we have tested in various models include:
• 4 JR SPORT ™ MN48 (JSP20040) analog mini servos—E-flite
Diamante 25e ARF and J-3 Cub 25e ARF
• 4 JR DS3421 (JRPSDS3421) digital mini servos—E-flite Eratix 3D
25e ARF
• 7 JR MC35 (JSP20030) analog micro servos and 1 JR RT88
(JSP20080) retract servo—25-sized warbird
• 4 JR MC35 (JSP20030) analog micro servos—15-sized
sport aerobatic
• 6 JR SPORT MN48 (JSP20040) analog mini servos—E-flite Ultra
Stick 25 ARF & 15-size sport plane
Some other brands and models of servos may have significantly higher
current draw. Digital servos and binding servos of any kind typically have
higher current draw. As a general rule, mini and micro servos draw less
current which may affect your servo usage as shown in the examples
above. We recommend the use of a Hangar 9 Servo and Receiver Current
Meter (HAN172), installed between the throttle lead of the ESC and
receiver, to confirm current draw of the actual servos used. Also, always
be sure to position the ESC for maximum airflow since cooling can signifi-
cantly aid in the performance of the BEC.
Before first use, please refer to “Servo Ratings with BEC Enables” notes for
BEC usage guidelines. You must follow these guidelines for safe operation.
If you are using more than 7 analog standard servos, more than 6 digital
standard servos, or servos with higher current draw than the BEC can
deliver, you will need to disable the BEC. If you wish to disable the BEC,
you must remove the red receiver wire lead and connector from the receiver
lead housing, and then insulate it properly to prevent shorting. When
operating with the BEC disabled, E-flite recommends the use of a separate,
high-power, external BEC (like the Ultimate BEC), or receiver pack and
switch using the following items to ensure trouble-free operation:
1. JR 1100mAh 4.8V Ni-MH receiver battery (JRPB4240),
or similar
2. JR Switch Harness (JRPA003), or similar
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE USE
Before you connect your ESC and begin flying, take a moment to look it
over. The input power side has a black (negative) and red (positive) wire
along with an E-flite EC3 Male Device Connector. The motor side has three
13-gauge wires (blue, red, and black) with 3.5mm female gold bullet con-
nectors on the ends.
The black and red wires with the EC3 Device (DEV) Connector will connect
to your power battery. The red wire connects to the red wire on your bat-
tery pack, the black wire connects to the black wire on your battery pack.
If the wires are reversed, the ESC may be damaged.
YOU MUST ENSURE
THAT YOU CONNECT THE BATTERY POLARITY PROPERLY TO PREVENT DAMAGE
TO THE ESC. Reversing polarity will void your warranty, so always double-
check this connection. Use only a genuine E-flite EC3 Female Battery
(BATT) connector on the battery so it matches the EC3 Male Device (DEV)
connector on the speed control. The throttle lead connects to the throttle
channel on your radio receiver.
WARNING: For your safety, when checking the startup function of the ESC or
making programming changes, please remove the propeller to prevent any
potential injury. You should always treat the motor and propeller as live and
dangerous, remembering it could start at any time, and keep any body parts,
clothing and tools clear of the propeller arc. NEVER LEAVE THE BATTERY CON-
NECTED WHEN NOT FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AND ALWAYS REMOVE THE BATTERY
FROM THE MODEL BEFORE CHARGING AND WHEN FINISHED FLYING.
When flying in hot weather, we recommend checking on the condition of
the ESC, battery, and motor after each flight. You may want to consider
letting the electronic components cool to near ambient temperature
between flights. We also recommend throttle management when running
near maximum levels of current draw during extreme conditions. It is not
recommended you fly an entire flight at full throttle. If this is done, it is
possible to cause permanent damage to your motor, battery, and ESC.
Using the 40-Amp Pro Switch-mode BEC Brushless Controller
This controller is very simple to use, and for safety, will not arm the motor
until the throttle stick has been held in the Idle/Off position for more than
1 second. The controller will indicate the soft cutoff voltage setting every
time you plug the battery in by first emitting a low, long tone, to indicate
startup. Depending on the selected cutoff voltage (default is 70%), you
will then hear the respective number of medium length mid tones to
indicate the cell count or a musical tone for the 70% cutoff, helping you
to confirm the setting before every flight.
Radio System Power Switch
The ESC is equipped with an On/Off switch intended to cycle the power to
your receiver/radio system on and off. This helps to prevent the radio system
from being powered on and arming the ESC prematurely (before you are
-1-
40-Amp Pro Switch-Mode
BEC Brushless ESC Instructions