RCCrawler Forums

Goatsniper · 09-12-2011, 05:52 PM

If I install a 25 amp micro fuse on the positive side of my ESC between the battery and the ESC will the fuse blow before the ESC? Hopefully stopping me from blowing my ESC.

Here is a pic like I was thinking about

Charlie-III · 09-12-2011, 06:03 PM

Likely.....NO.....diodes are better for this type of protection. A fuse will usually blow AFTER the ESC is dead. Solid state devices have a faster fail time than most fuses.

Goatsniper · 09-12-2011, 06:13 PM

So exactly what type of diode would i need to put in front of the esc to protect it from blowing?

Coops · 09-12-2011, 10:07 PM

I'm failing to see how a diode could help?

Charlie-III · 09-13-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coops

I'm failing to see how a diode could help?

I'm assuming he was looking for protection from shorts, thus a diode is a "one way valve".
If it is to prevent an overload, some ESC's already have a current limiter and/or temp limit in them, otherwise just try & use some sense when pushing it hard. To size a fuse (for load) as well as a quick clear/blow (to also help prevent ESC damage) you will be dancing a very fine line of protecting the ESC but not clearing the fuse when you get a spike due to a bind, etc.

Goatsniper · 09-13-2011, 08:02 AM

yeah that is what i was looking for. I was hoping to blow the diode/fuse before the ESC blew. thanks for your help

Coops · 09-13-2011, 08:32 AM

Are you having problems blowing ESC's?

A diode will conduct one way only, under load or fault as long as you hook it up right it will pass current. They are more for protecting against hooking DC up backwards, rectifying AC, free-wheeling circuits for when you open a DC circuit and in the case of a zener diode will also bleed off voltage kind of like a regulator.

Unless Charlie means installing (for example) a 30A diode which will blow when you over load it. I wouldn't trust this though as I'm sure the time to clear will depend on how much current you put through it. I don't think it's a spec that would be listed for a diode. Could be wrong though.

Your best bet is probably going to be reducing the load on the ESC if they are getting hot and blowing. If it's due to binding the motor then set up a slipper clutch to keep the motor from locked rotor.

Goatsniper · 09-13-2011, 12:18 PM

I just blew my first esc but i knew it was going bad. i was just wondering if put a fuse/diode in line it might save this esc from blowing in the future. i figured replacing the fuse/diode would be cheaper than esc

Ty@Tekin · 09-13-2011, 12:51 PM

I wouldn't and havent ever seen anyone do it. ESCs with reverse polarity protection have been around for awhile but it robs performance in most applications to have it in there. Just don't plug your battery in backwards and you'll be fine, I don't think adding any kind of diode or fuse is a good idea, it may just mask a real problem you could have in your setup.

indiana mudcat · 09-13-2011, 01:07 PM

The real answer is a weaker motor or better yet a stronger ESC, if you blew one ESC why wouldn't you replace it with a better one?

Goatsniper · 09-13-2011, 02:34 PM

i blew the stock AE-2 ESC it has had a little glitch in it for a while and i had read that if the sidewinder esc (which is what the AE-2 is close to) started doing this is was on its way out the door. I replaced it with a sidewinder 1/10 and was thinking about doing the sidewinder micro but didn't want to blow my new sidewinder micro esc. I figured that would be a good way to try it out with out messing it up.

indiana mudcat · 09-13-2011, 05:19 PM

Forget the Micro. Period.

Your original problem was more than likely you needed a BEC. I've blew many battery packs and several motors and never hurt a 1/10 sidewinder, but have had to run a BEC in every setup I've tried.

Goatsniper · 09-13-2011, 06:26 PM

I had the CC Bec on that set up. i just have a sidewinder micro and wanted to see if it could run the truck without blowing. I have a sidewinder and the CC bec in it now. It seems like it would be too much trouble to try sidewinder micro, and I don't want to take the change and blow it. I'll stick with the sidewinder.

09-12-2011, 05:52 PM	#1
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	Inline Fuse for ESC? If I install a 25 amp micro fuse on the positive side of my ESC between the battery and the ESC will the fuse blow before the ESC? Hopefully stopping me from blowing my ESC. Here is a pic like I was thinking about

09-12-2011, 06:03 PM	#2
Charlie-III I wanna be Dave Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: 07456 N. NJ USofA Posts: 8,314	Likely.....NO.....diodes are better for this type of protection. A fuse will usually blow AFTER the ESC is dead. Solid state devices have a faster fail time than most fuses.

09-12-2011, 06:13 PM	#3
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	So exactly what type of diode would i need to put in front of the esc to protect it from blowing?

09-12-2011, 10:07 PM	#4
Coops Pebble Pounder Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 136	I'm failing to see how a diode could help?

09-13-2011, 08:02 AM	#6
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	yeah that is what i was looking for. I was hoping to blow the diode/fuse before the ESC blew. thanks for your help

09-13-2011, 08:32 AM	#7
Coops Pebble Pounder Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 136	Are you having problems blowing ESC's? A diode will conduct one way only, under load or fault as long as you hook it up right it will pass current. They are more for protecting against hooking DC up backwards, rectifying AC, free-wheeling circuits for when you open a DC circuit and in the case of a zener diode will also bleed off voltage kind of like a regulator. Unless Charlie means installing (for example) a 30A diode which will blow when you over load it. I wouldn't trust this though as I'm sure the time to clear will depend on how much current you put through it. I don't think it's a spec that would be listed for a diode. Could be wrong though. Your best bet is probably going to be reducing the load on the ESC if they are getting hot and blowing. If it's due to binding the motor then set up a slipper clutch to keep the motor from locked rotor.

09-13-2011, 12:18 PM	#8
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	I just blew my first esc but i knew it was going bad. i was just wondering if put a fuse/diode in line it might save this esc from blowing in the future. i figured replacing the fuse/diode would be cheaper than esc

09-13-2011, 12:51 PM	#9
Ty@Tekin RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tekin, ID Posts: 1,940	I wouldn't and havent ever seen anyone do it. ESCs with reverse polarity protection have been around for awhile but it robs performance in most applications to have it in there. Just don't plug your battery in backwards and you'll be fine, I don't think adding any kind of diode or fuse is a good idea, it may just mask a real problem you could have in your setup.

09-13-2011, 01:07 PM	#10
indiana mudcat RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: reelsville Posts: 1,871	The real answer is a weaker motor or better yet a stronger ESC, if you blew one ESC why wouldn't you replace it with a better one?

09-13-2011, 02:34 PM	#11
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	i blew the stock AE-2 ESC it has had a little glitch in it for a while and i had read that if the sidewinder esc (which is what the AE-2 is close to) started doing this is was on its way out the door. I replaced it with a sidewinder 1/10 and was thinking about doing the sidewinder micro but didn't want to blow my new sidewinder micro esc. I figured that would be a good way to try it out with out messing it up.

09-13-2011, 05:19 PM	#12
indiana mudcat RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: reelsville Posts: 1,871	Forget the Micro. Period. Your original problem was more than likely you needed a BEC. I've blew many battery packs and several motors and never hurt a 1/10 sidewinder, but have had to run a BEC in every setup I've tried.

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09-13-2011, 06:26 PM	#13
Goatsniper Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gaffney Posts: 284	I had the CC Bec on that set up. i just have a sidewinder micro and wanted to see if it could run the truck without blowing. I have a sidewinder and the CC bec in it now. It seems like it would be too much trouble to try sidewinder micro, and I don't want to take the change and blow it. I'll stick with the sidewinder.

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