What ESC amd what batteries do I need?

[Angus TaylorParticipant @angustaylor79395]

[Angus TaylorParticipant @angustaylor79395]

I know that this might seem overly-ambitious but I am planning on building a WW2 Cruiser ((HMS Glasgow ) – my grandfather was the foreman at Scotts of Greenock when it was built – based on a Fleetscale hull (HMS Liverpool)) with 4 props and 4 motors. The plan is to use 4 Standard Motor 555s upto 40mm 9v-30v, 5 pole, drawing 1amp approx. The questions are what ESC do I need and should I power at 6 or 12 volts?

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I think in all probability, Fleetscale could advise on this??

 

The two 555`s i use on my Manchester (57″ and 40mm 5-blade props) run at 12v, as they are very slow on 6. BUT there are loads of different 555`s about.

 

I assume you mean 40mm props?  If your total draw is only 4A, then a 15A ESC should be more than adequate, However a 25A one would leave scope for upgrading and be more resilient in case of motor jam-ups etc.

 

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

If your motors are rated  9-30v then they won’t be much good on 6v! 12v would seem to be a much better bet. 1 amp seems to be a very low draw and may refer to no load current, in reality it could be quite a bit higher when the model is underway. As in all these situations it’s a bit of a ‘suck it and see’ situation. You really need to get a motor, shaft and prop installed and see what the current draw actually is. As far as an ESC is concerned it will depend on how many motors you expect it to control. If you want decent handling then you will need the port and starboard motors to be capable of operating independently in which case the ESC needs to be able to handle the total amperage of two motors at maximum revs.

 

Battery capacity needs to be matched to the overall current draw. If you are using lead acid cells then the practical battery capacity is 50% of the nominal rating, So, for example, if each of your motors draws 3 amps at max revs then you will need a total nominal battery capacity of 24 amps to give one hour’s running at full speed. In practice of course you will not travel at this rate all the time so running time will be extended. Lead acid batteries don’t much like being depleted below 50% of their capacity which can result in long term damage. 

 

It is all just logic in the end!

 

Colin

 

 

[Angus TaylorParticipant @angustaylor79395]

Wow this could get confusing

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/HMS%20Eagle%20-%20Graham%20Heald.pdf

You don’t need two 12v batteries but 555 motors are not noted for liking 6v – they’re very slow on that supply.

PM me for further info if required.

Dave M

[Author]

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