CC adjustable BEC how does it work?

[no mods]

im considering using a lipo and CASTLE's adjustable bec on my 6 servo hanger 9 sundowner plane for RX power, with castles bad rap on components recently im kinda concerned and not sure if if it a a bad idea or not but my question is a little easier to answer. when using a say 3s lipo that naturally outputs 11.1 volts and the BEC is set to output 6 volts. where does the other 5 volts go...? heat? or is there something that im not understanding? this being said would i see a difference in say a 2s pack vs a 3s pack in terms of longevity if they were both the exact same MAH rating?

would a 1400 mah 3s lipo last longer than a 2s 1400 mah lipo.??

fill me in brothers...

[jhautz]

Originally Posted by no mods

im considering using a lipo and CASTLE's adjustable bec on my 6 servo hanger 9 sundowner plane for RX power, with castles bad rap on components recently im kinda concerned and not sure if if it a a bad idea or not but my question is a little easier to answer. when using a say 3s lipo that naturally outputs 11.1 volts and the BEC is set to output 6 volts. where does the other 5 volts go...? heat? or is there something that im not understanding? this being said would i see a difference in say a 2s pack vs a 3s pack in terms of longevity if they were both the exact same MAH rating?

would a 1400 mah 3s lipo last longer than a 2s 1400 mah lipo.??

fill me in brothers...

Its a switching bec. Think of it like the ESC at half thottle. It switches the power on and off really fast and basically reduces the voltage that way.

The old style linear regulator acts like what you described. It turns the excess energy into heat by basically running it through a resistor. Not as efficient cuz the excess is wasted as heat.

1400 * 11.1v = 15540
1400 * 7.4v = 10360

More total energy in the 3 s pack vs the 2s pack so the 3s 1400mah pack will last longer.


As far as the CCBEC goes.... I persoanly am not a fan. Had one fail and put 18.5v though everything. toasted Rx, servo, trasponder, etc... almost $300 in damage. I have some cheapo $15 BECs that I have been running way longer than the CCBEC lasted and have never had one fail.

[hemiblas]

I have had good luck with my cheapie BEC too, but after hearing stories like yours I am afraid to run it in anything. My receiver costs 90 bucks to replace with the new 2.4 ghz technology.

[BrianG]

Patrick from CC said that any switching BEC can go bad and take out servos/receivers. However, it seems that there are more reports of this happening with CCBECs than others. WesternRobotics and Koolflight BECs use a single integrated IC that contains the brains and main FET. DimensionEngineering and CC use a more discrete design. I've never had an issue with any of these, but maybe try one of the others if the CC leaves you a little hesitant.

[bdebde]

I noticed that the new MGMs with built in switching BEC have BEC short circuit protection.