Newbe BEC connecting question

[doug micheletti]

Ok... I am building a smallish quad and am using a power board with an adjustable BEC output (2-5v)and also a dedicated 12v BEC output. My understanding is that the 12V is for powering the flight controller on the + (center) pin at position 1 esc - correct? My ESC's all have built-in bec's so I need to cut the center wire on each?

My question if all the above is correct - do I just bring up the 12v from my board and connect it to the previously cut wire in the plug for the #1 ESC? Do I need to bring up a ground wire as well, or will the one positive wire be all I need? If I need a ground - how is it connected?

Thanks in advance for your input!
Doug

 

[tylorwashere]

If the esc's have linear Bec's then you leave all the wires connected to all the pins, I'm pretty sure.

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate what FCB do you have some need to have just one power in or it will damage the FCB , it will tell you what ESC will power the FCB in the manual ( the KK use motor 1 to power I use this board and all my power wires are still in place ) Dont cut wires just pull the pin and cover with heat shrink if you ever get a BEC fail you can then use one of the other ESCs without having to try and solder the cut wire , If the BEC is linear make sure the ESC is well cooled as Linear run hot compared to a switched BEC
So if you can give us a bit more info or a link to the FCB we can check more on what you need to do

 

[doug micheletti]

Sorry - I am using a KK2 board again as i have some experience setting these up now and it might shorten up the curve. ESC's are EMAX BLHeli 20A. The board I have for power distribution for the ESC's has the 2 BEC's on it and I thought it was recommended to use a separate BEC and not the ones on the ESC's. Given the size of these - next time I will use the small ones without buil-tin BEC's to gain some space. I had a really hard time cramming these into the available space. I have my other quad running with all four esc's having power still and no problems - just trying to learn a bit and get some better habits.... Right now - this quad is about 1.5 lbs with battery and FC and is 315 size. Coming out about right so far....

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate if you not using the BECs in the ESCs then I would pull the reds from the plugs ,but dont cut them , you may have to keep reds in till you have calibrated them but after pull them

 

[doug micheletti]

Sounds like I was just planning to make work for myself. I will save the extra 12v power for when I add a camera to this quad and just power the FC off the ESC. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
Doug