How to get any esc/fc to work reliably with a 2s Li-Ion battery

[@michaelprice3031]

Just did this with my 20A Spedix lite ESC and works like a charm! Was 6.3V but now cuts off below 5V. Yay!

[@eyeflytinkerings]

This is so great, so glad to hear the video helped! Now you can fly those Li-Ions down to the end ^^

[@jekaex3m]

Great explanation Nik, thanks!

[@AerialWaviator]

Great info. Working, soldering on FC or ESC is always intimidating, but think you did good job of helping people understand. Dave_C recently posted (rather teased) an upcoming 2s build (3.5" props). So expect we'll see more talk of 2s in 2022. Ever since getting my 4" explorer I've been thinking about doing a 2s build. It's a very interesting and challenge problem with no off the self solutions at this time. Wanting to do a 4"-6" build, but still thinking through details. Again, you video was helpful. Thanks.

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Thank you so much for your comment. It was the first time for me to do a video like that, and i learned a lot from it. And yes, i've been in contact with Dave_C briefly regarding this as well - looking forward to what he'll come up with. I have been working on a light 7" 2s build, which was quite interesting. I hope to continue the project next year and share some details here on this channel. Good luck with your project!

[@AerialWaviator]

@@eyeflytinkerings Cool project. Look forward to seeing how that 7" turns out.

[@yvesporters3379]

Very usefull info, and thx for sharing!!!

[@eyeflytinkerings]

thanks for taking the time to comment, glad the video helped :-)

[@hookprobe]

really great topic. thanks for sharing your knowledge Sir!

[@changeagent228]

Good video. I have enjoyed good results with the Vista without a regulator. It will work down to 5.5v then below that the signal degrades and bitrate drops to single digits before blacking out.

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Thanks for the feedback! I've had similar experience with the Vista.

[@eyeflytinkerings]

I'll upload another video soon where i'll point out the 12v regulator on many different ESCs by just looking at the product pictures at BG. If you have a certain ESC in mind for your build, please let me know in the comments - i‘ll then include it in the video.

[@tscUnhold]

How about this one: betafpv.com/collections/components/products/toothpick-f405-2-4s-aio-brushless-flight-controller-20a-blheli_32-v4

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@@tscUnhold 👍

[@TRAZExYT]

Hi sir, Can you please answer my question, So i am building a smart vaccum cleaner just like (roomba) based on ardiuno uno.I decided to get a brushless motor for the sucking part(2200kv 6t) and i am only gonna use a power of 40-60%.My question is can i use a 12v 2600aH li-on battery for running the motor? (Ardiuno is also powered up by bec and direct power supply from the battery,I would greatly appreciate if you answer my question :)

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Hi there! Sorry, i‘m only good with drones ;-) But if the motor is rated for 12V you should be fine i guess. Good luck :-)

[@MRJFPV-zy4cx]

so, i have a JHMCU em-40a 4 in1 esc, I FOUND THE 12V REGULATOR, CANT FIND THE DIOED, how can i sen the HD closeup images to you, for your thoughts on it

[@VacuousCat]

What about the low voltage cutoff in the ESC firmware? Is this limitation still there? (BL Heli_s specifically)

[@RaffaelloKWOS]

Hi, I've just done your mod and checked the same voltage on my ESC. I would like to explain in italian the mod. Can I use part of your video, mixed with my tests to explain why the mods is necessary using 2s Li-ION on a 250g drone?

[@RaffaelloKWOS]

I have this ESC: HAKRC 8B35A. Thank you for your video!

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Glad to hear the mod worked for you! And sure! feel free to use parts of my video - please put a link to my video in the description though please and clearly state that it's taken from there :-)

[@RaffaelloKWOS]

@@eyeflytinkerings Sure and I will also do a mention to you in the video.

[@f0xvibes]

Thanks for sharing this. Works perfectly for me. I've an other questions. I've an jhemcu ghf420 35A, same like the one you showed as second. My problem: the solder pad of the Vin is removed. I like to solder my video out from the cam direct to the next component after the VIN. According to the osd schematic, it should be a be a capacitor and/or resistor. Can you please help find this component which is directly connected to vin? I would really appreciate your help. Otherwise I've to buy another one, just to measure continuity between vin and a capacitor... They are really expensive today.. and as you know, flying without osd isn't a option ;-)

[@eyeflytinkerings]

oops, sorry to hear. I just checked with my board, and the 3 capacitators directly next to V+ (as well as the 2 next to V-) all have continuity with the side facing towards them.

[@f0xvibes]

@@eyeflytinkerings thanks for measuring and fast answer. I have no problem with the v+ pad. My video in/ VIN is removed...

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@@f0xvibes oops, my bad. Just checked for the VideoIn, and i couldn‘t find a connection to any close capacitator or resistor sadly :-(

[@mathewkriss1323]

Really great content watched right to the end. I was thinking where to tap the signal for the esc's on the aio whoop type boards once an esc blows it could still be used in a wing build .. any suggestions... Like me others probably have some f4 aio's laying around with damaged esc's waiting to be repurposed .... look forward to your next vid cheers

[@eyeflytinkerings]

thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Regarding using the FC after the ESC got damaged: Well, the first thing that comes to my mind would be connecting the motor(s) directly to the pins on the f4/f7 chip. You can see the pin layout here: oscarliang.com/betaflight-resource-remapping/ Or try fixing the ESC by replacing the damaged parts :-)

[@Pukkaras]

Thank you for your video! But i have a small question. After i will made ths mode with 12v regulator, could i use then 3S liPo battery (4.2*3=12.6Volts) ? 0.6 volt does matter ?

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Yes, indeed you can. Just never connect a 4s pack (>12.6v), as this will cause damage (as the 12v regulator is gone).

[@Pukkaras]

@@eyeflytinkerings A question: On the video i see, that In the ESC you have L78L12 stabilizers chip and mine ESC also, they lower the voltage from a maximum of 35 volts to 12 volts exactly (by the way, according to the manufacturers data, they work from 11.4 volts minimum, that is, I don't understand how we can supply 7.4 volts, but apply that can)). ). We bypass the stabilizer (make a jumper) to supply a voltage of 5.5-6 volts, but after that we cannot supply a voltage of more than 12 volts, since further along the circuit, apparently there are elements that are not designed for a voltage of more than 12 volts. What if you solder out L78L12 to L78L05? The L78L05 operates with an input voltage of 5-30 volts. Then can we connect 2s liion - 6s lipo batteries?

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@@Pukkaras hmmm... i'm afraid i'm not experienced enough to answer this question. Maybe someone else can chip in?

[@Pukkaras]

@@eyeflytinkerings so I also do not have enough experience to answer this question myself ((I will try later to ask a question in the inav telegram chat, there are smart guys there, maybe someone could answer.

[@MRJFPV-zy4cx]

I am using a Matek H743 and JHEMCU EM-40a 4in1 esc, I'll do the ESC mod but anything for the FC?, it has a 9v regulator too?, making a 2s ardupilot setup with 18650s

[@eyeflytinkerings]

Hi there! The 9v regulator is usually on the FC, not the ESC. Also it‘s a pulldown-regulator, so it won‘t work either way if you‘re feeding it less than a certain value. I suggest not using it but feeding your digital link directly from battery voltage (on a 2s system).

[@sweetcollegegirl960]

I have a quadcopter With specific actions F450 frame 920kv motor 1045 Propeller 30A Simonk Esc Apm2.8Fc NEO M8N GPS FSI6 RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER I USE 2.2AMP 30c BATTERY PACK TO MY QUADCOPTER AND GET A FLIGHT TIME OF 7 MIN. I want to increase my flight time the way I found to us Li ion battery pack iam unable to calculate how many amps I required and which Li ion cells suite for me and in which configration My quadcopter weighs 1.2 kg without battery but soon I will reduce weight to less than 800 gram and use Li ion cells Pls help me I dont know the amp draw of my quad pls say how to check sothat I can calculate

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@Sri Charan p: Please see this video i've uploaded that explains how to get the answer to your question. If one element it's in their database, just search for something comparable. --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6eqaYx8rbV6opo

[@helidrones]

What about replacing the regulator by a buck-boost converter?

[@eyeflytinkerings]

This would also provide the esc/fc with a steady voltage. However: 1. as the ESC will be powered by the converter, you would need one that is rated for enough Amps... and thus it will need to be rather large. Extra weight you don't want no a 2s Li-Ion build (as they're mostly light-weight) 2. you will not have information about the battery voltage in betaflight any longer (so also not in the OSD), as long as you don't provide this info otherwise (which makes everything more complicated and increase the total weight. So i fear this won't be a viable alternative.

[@helidrones]

@@eyeflytinkerings I am assuming the 12V regulator is just for the low power electronics, not for the FETS which run directly from the battery voltage. Am i correct?

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@@helidrones yes and no. The 12v is just intermediary between the battery and the other onboard regulators (for us mostly relevant is the 3,3v regulator, which feeds the fet drivers and the fets). But it's always the 12v as the first element of the voltage supply of the esc/fc.

[@eyeflytinkerings]

@@helidrones btw: Love your projects! Have been watching the variable pitch stiff before, totally down my alley :-)

[@helidrones]

@@eyeflytinkerings Thank you. 😀 There are also some regular quads in my fleet, that could benefit from 2s Li-ions, so i will inspect some of my ESC for regulators and diodes. As it comes to variable pitch, i am steadily reducing weight and rotor count.

[@tscUnhold]

If there ever is a Hammerhead with 2S Li-Ion it needs to be named Hammerhead "Lora-Edition" :-D

[@eyeflytinkerings]

i was thinking of „de-Lora-n“ 😅

[@sesesp]

Hi! Thanks for this informative video! I am planning to build a little Wing with inav that runs on a 1s liion with similar motors like the nano long range from dave C. The problem I am facing is the escs. I found these: Flashhobby-Super-Mini-7A-BLheli_S-1-2S which are 1S capable. But I don´t know if they will work down to 2.5V. I asume there will be some kind of 3.3v regulator in there. Do you think it is possible to get them working down to 2.5V? Maybe it might work just fine. The escs in the AIO board of the nano long range also seem to work down to 2.5V... It would be great to hear your opinion! Here is a link to the esc: de.banggood.com/Flashhobby-Super-Mini-7A-BLheli_S-1-2S-Brushless-ESC-0_83g-Support-DShot600-for-RC-Drone-FPV-Racing-p-1707052.html?gmcCountry=DE&currency=EUR&cur_warehouse=CN&createTmp=1&ad_id=468695191128&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyN-DBhCDARIsAFOELTm1ifAb-SH1rvdK3WG28ZI70ryk7606Jg78FBw2yfM4MahW8-DGLCAaAkoIEALw_wcB

[@eyeflytinkerings]

hi there! I'm afraid that a 1-2s esc is a different kind of thing. There is no 12v-regulator that sits between the battery and further regulators, so this whole method is not working here. Most likely you only have a step up/down converter that feeds the chipsets. You need to test how it behaves when feeding it 2.5v. My guess is that this will be working just fine.

[@sesesp]

@@eyeflytinkerings Hey thanks for your fast answer! Yeah I think i will order them and give it a try.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

@@sesesp In my experience 1-2s esc usually don't like going below 3v maybe 2.7 give or take depending on the vreg the problem is similar to running 2s li-ion on a 4s rated esc they use a ldo that adds .1-.3v drop. I've had better experience with 1s only esc like the agfrc 4a Also I looked up your specific esc and it looks like a re branded dys 7a and they cut out at 2.7 in my experience. You could try removing the ldo but, I can't say if that mcu will handle 4.2v

[@sesesp]

@@thirtythreeeyes8624 Thanks for your answer! I tested the esc on 2.5V with a power supply. It started up and started to spin the motor which seemed promising. I tried with a br2205 2300kv though which was the only I had laying around. This motor turned so slow at this voltage I have never had seen before but there was no much difference from low throttle to full throttle. I have to retest it again with a higher kv (11500kv which I plan to use). I write again here if it works.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

@@sesesp Always test with battery as well the current capabilities of li-ion drop substantially below 3v