E-flite 40-Amp Pro Switch-Mode BEC Brushless ESC - Manual (Page 2)

-2-
ready) when the battery is plugged in, making it safer and more convenient
to handle the model before (and after) flight.
However, the On/Off switch is for short-term use only (like when you are
at the field). This is because even if the switch is in the off position, when
the battery is connected, some power is still being consumed by the ESC.
It is critical that you always disconnect the battery from the ESC when you
are done flying, when you are traveling to and from your flying destination,
and when the model is being stored.
Leaving the battery plugged into the
ESC for an extended period of time, even with the switch in the off position,
could cause permanent damage to your battery as a result of overdischarging
(especially if you are using a Li-Po battery).
Connecting the ESC to the Motor
The three wires from your motor connect to the three female gold bullet
connectors on the ESC. The order of connection to the motor is not impor-
tant; you can plug any motor wire into any connector. When you test the
system, the motor runs backwards, you can simply unplug and switch any
two of the motor wire plugs connected to the ESC.
Mounting the ESC
Choose a location that has good airflow and offers good protection. The
smooth section on the bottom of the heat sink case is designed to accept
adhesive-backed hook and loop or 2-sided tape. Do not cover the top of the
heat sinks as this will greatly reduce their effectiveness. Mount the ESC
with a combination of hook and loop, 2-sided foam tape, and/or tie wraps.
Starting Your Power System
1. Turn on your transmitter and ensure the position of the
throttle stick is set to Idle/Off.
2. Plug the battery pack into the controller. You will hear 1 low long tone
to indicate startup, then the respective number of medium-length mid
tones to indicate the cell count or a musical tone for the 70% cutoff,
followed by 3 rising tones to indicate the controller is armed.
3. When you move the throttle stick upward, the motor will run. If you
continue to move the throttle stick upward to the full throttle (high
position), the motor will run faster. If you lower the throttle stick below
the start-up position, the motor will stop running.
4. Check servo motion as part of your preflight check. It is very
important you make sure linkages are free-moving with no binding.
Remember, when in the programming mode:
Full Throttle = Stick Up
Idle = Stick Down
The default settings (from the package) for your E-flite 40-Amp Pro
ESC are as follows:
• Voltage cutoff set at 70%
• Brake set to Off
• Timing set at 15 degrees
• Throttle Input Range set at 1.2ms to 1.8ms
• Start-up Rate (Acceleration Delay) set at 0.25 seconds
• PWM Frequency set at 8kHz
• Operating Mode set to normal (airplane)
Entering the Programming Mode
1. With the battery disconnected from the controller, and the transmitter
turned on, first move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms)
position. Leave it in this position and then connect the battery to the
controller.
2. Wait for 5 seconds, and the ESC will give two sets of fast ringing tones
to indicate you have successfully entered the programming mode.
3. Once you hear these tones, move the stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.7ms) for 5 seconds, and the controller will beep 1 time, indicating
you are now in Menu 1.
4. The controller will now wait 5 seconds for you to make your selection;
your programming options are either full throttle (>1.7ms) or idle
(<1.3ms).
5. When you have made a valid selection, the control will beep once with
a lower tone, and you can move the stick back to center for the next
menu item (2 beeps, 3 beeps and so on). If you do not make a
selection within 5 seconds, the controller will move to the next
menu item.
6. If you want to make changes in the programming menus (see specific
instructions below) move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms)
position. You will have 5 seconds to make your selection.
7. If you want to advance to the next menu, allow the programming to
skip to the next menu after the 5 seconds have expired.
Programming Menu 1 – Voltage Cutoff
Use this option to set the voltage at which the controller will shut down
the motor to prevent damage to your battery when it reaches the cutoff
voltage. You will know your battery pack has reached auto cutoff when
you hear the motor “pulse” repeatedly.
1. Move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position to
make changes to the voltage cutoff programming.
a. To select 3-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 3 short
beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
b. To select 4-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 4 short
beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
c. To select 5-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 5 short
beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
d. To select 6-cell low voltage cutoff – You will hear 6 short
beeps. Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
e. To select 70% cutoff – You will hear 7 short beeps. Move
the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The
controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the
program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to
advance to the first selection again.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT 70% CUTOFF: This option will activate the soft
cutoff at 70% of startup voltage. For example, if your pack measures 15.0 volts
at startup, then the soft cut will occur at 10.5 volts. The 70% cutoff option will
check the startup voltage every time you plug the battery into the controller,
so beware of using partially charged packs, as the system cannot protect your
Li-Po batteries if you are using the 70% cutoff and connect a partially charged
pack. You will know your battery pack has reached soft auto cutoff when you
hear the motor “pulse” repeatedly. We recommend you land your model as
soon as you hear the motor pulse (indicating the pack voltage has dropped to
the cutoff voltage level) to prevent over-discharge of the Li-Po battery pack, and
to prevent sudden power loss.
Programming Menu 2 – Brake Type
The default setting is Brake Off. This option gives you the choice to have
the ESC stop the propeller during flight (Brake On) or allow it to windmill
(Brake Off). Use the Brake On options for folding propellers.
1. Move the stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms) for 5 seconds, and
the controller will beep 2 times, indicating you are now in Menu 2.
2. Move the throttle stick to full throttle (>1.7ms) position to
make changes to the Brake Type programming.
a. To select No Brake/Brake Off – You will hear 1 short beep.
Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
b. To select Soft Brake – You will hear 2 short beeps. Move
the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms).
The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set
the program selection or leave in full throttle for 5
seconds to advance to the next selection.
c. To select Medium Brake – You will hear 3 short beeps.
Move the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and
1.6ms). The controller will beep 2 times, indicating you
have set the program selection or leave in full throttle for
5 seconds to advance to the next selection.
d. To select Hard Brake – You will hear 4 short beeps. Move
the throttle stick to center (between 1.4 and 1.6ms). The
controller will beep 2 times, indicating you have set the
program selection or leave in full throttle for 5 seconds to
advance to the first selection again.