Cheap UBEC?? - RC-Monster Forums

jhautz · **Cheap UBEC?? -** 08.03.2006, 02:17 AM

I found this for really cheap compared to the Koolflight UBEC.
The Ultra BEC 23V. http://www.hextronik.com/accessories.html

I'm thinking about trying it in my rustler to take some load off of the ESC(Warrior 7020). Any downside beside $10 wasted if its junk? Just don't want to fry my reciever or something. Or worse, the ESC.

Its only 23V, but I'm only running 3s lipo in the rusty. I wouldn't even try it on 5s or 6s. It is kinda cool that its 5 or 6v selectable though.

Thoughts? Anyone tried it?

BrianG · 08.03.2006, 09:33 AM

I guess you could just give it a try and see. I think you'd just damage the RX and any servos if the UBEC went bad. Since you will most likely be removing the red wire from the ESC throttle connector, I don't think the ESC would get damaged.

squeeforever · 08.03.2006, 11:26 AM

I don't think you will have much of a problem. I use a $12 one very simliar to that on my E-Revo and it works great.

Rtsbasic · 08.03.2006, 03:47 PM

I use a cheap one from Ebay with my Emaxx, works brilliantly.

squeeforever · 08.03.2006, 04:02 PM

Yea. Mine was from Ebay as well. Don't remember who I got it from, but it had red heatshrink :p.

Mike.L · 08.03.2006, 04:29 PM

whats the retail price of this bec?

jhautz · 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike.L

whats the retail price of this bec?

$9.99 + $9.95 shipping at UnitedHobbies.com Just serach UBEC.

I actually just bought the red one off ebay today. It has a Higher input voltage limit.(8s vs 5s) Is it any good? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Rtsbasic · 08.03.2006, 04:57 PM

Yup mines the red one as well, with a jumper to change between 5v and 6v.

Can't remeber who I got it from, its like this one, but different heatshrink:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3A-Switch-Mode-U...QQcmdZViewItem

squeeforever · 08.03.2006, 05:29 PM

Yes. Thats the exact one I got and even from the same person (several other sites sell them aswell).

Rtsbasic · 08.03.2006, 05:43 PM

Thats the exact one I have. Works a treat, small enough that I just put a rubber band around it and attached it to the power leads.

jhautz · 08.03.2006, 08:12 PM

So if these cheap UBECs are good. How does Koolflight get away w/ $40 for theirs?

glassdoctor · 08.03.2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhautz

So if these cheap UBECs are good. How does Koolflight get away w/ $40 for theirs?

Retail markup baby!!

I just got one for $15 from unitedhobbies (hong kong) and I'm guessing the other cheap sources have a china connection of some sort and without the typical middleman and markups. We aren't getting them from Tower or Horizon that's for sure.

They won't get away with it if the big boys start selling them cheap too.

btw I have no idea if mine is good, I haven't even tried it yet. It looks like the red one but mine has clear shrink.

BrianG · 08.03.2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhautz

So if these cheap UBECs are good. How does Koolflight get away w/ $40 for theirs?

Like glassdoctor said, it may be retail markup. If that is true, why pay more? Why not place an order for some stuff here and then go to XYZ no-name shop and get the UBEC for $20? One word: Service. Mike will be there behind his products if there is a problem and we all know that from experience. Can the same be said for XYZ no-name shop? I guess for only $10-$15, it might be worth it to take a chance. Maybe.

Other possibilities for a substantial difference in price elsewhere: other versions are knock-offs, there was a LARGE volume buy, a defective batch was created and someone bought them and weeded out working ones, etc.

MetalMan · 08.03.2006, 08:47 PM

I have the same red one, but I got it from XUS Hobby. Works great!

squeeforever · 08.03.2006, 10:24 PM

Yup, Brian is exactly right. I wish Mike sells the red one because I had to have a super small one and the Koolflight was to big as well as the fact that still being in highschool doesn't help. Kinda gotta pinch the pennies...