Possible Mamba Monster/Max feature?

[BrianG]

Patrick,

Just thinking out loud here.

You stated in a previous post that sometimes the ESC temperature monitor doesn't react fast enough (temp changes are fairly slow by nature) to prevent catastrophic failure.

So, would it be possible/advisable/practical to add in a feature that watches for drastic dips in voltage, something like 15% of the normal running voltage, and stops the ESC operation? A voltage dip that high lasting more than a few hundred ms could mean the batteries are not up to snuff and/or a problem where the ESC is about to burn up. Shutting the ESC down and throwing an error code would hopefully alert the user that something is wrong. Basically, have the ESC watch for abnormal running conditions where there is a large surge of current (which usually causes a drop in voltage). This is somewhat similar to the LVC operation, but instead of an absolute voltage cutoff value, it would be relative to the voltage at any given time to compensate for the changes in voltage during the battery cycle.

I know huge surges in current are possible at startup, so the dip would have to last for something like 0.25-0.5 second for the ESC to differentiate between normal operation and abnormal operation.

I'm just thinking of ways to limit collateral damage if an ESC is on its way out, a motor has a shorted phase, or the motor's magnet has blown apart. Just an extra layer of insurance.

[Arct1k]

Nice idea for sure but I think it might be hard to go from sensing to shutdown before the ESC reaches the critical point for self destruction or becomes too sensitive to avoid shutting off with "normal" voltage dipping...

It would be nice for the ESC to have some basic data logging - Max amps, lowest voltage, Ahrs used etc

[BrianG]

Yeah, I know it may be difficult. It may not be practical, but I just figured I'd throw it out there.

[magman]

Hey Brian, would it be possible to somehow intergrate some kind of a fuse set up which would blow the fuse in the event of a voltage spike/dipping?

[BrianG]

I brought that up a while back and the consensus was that the connections would introduce too much resistance. Besides, it would have to be a slow-blow type and soldered directly to the wires and small enough not to be too clunky.

[magman]

It was just a thought from the less engineering section

[brushlessboy16]

I love the idea, but i say let them sort out the BEC issue first.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by magman

It was just a thought from the less engineering section

Oh, that's fine. I'm no engineer either. Sometimes the most obvious ideas are overlooked because people tend to be tunnel-visioned sometimes and just don't think of it.

Originally Posted by brushlessboy16

I love the idea, but i say let them sort out the BEC issue first.

Yes, but the BEC thing is most likely a hardware issue. The idea I have can keep the software guys busy while the hardware guys are working on the BEC.

[brushlessboy16]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Oh, that's fine. I'm no engineer either. Sometimes the most obvious ideas are overlooked because people tend to be tunnel-visioned sometimes and just don't think of it.



Yes, but the BEC thing is most likely a hardware issue. The idea I have can keep the software guys busy while the hardware guys are working on the BEC.

what ever works

I have watched voltage when running in real time, and when smoking in real time, not much difference...Everyone with NiMh would be getting shut downs constantly, and the lipos would even get hit now and then. I know I have had 2 second drops in voltage on enerland lipos while on the track. I dont think it would work correctly, and would be very aggrivating in the long run. I wish we could do something like that, I have smoke no less than 10 of em(various brands) without a thermal.

[BrianG]

OK then, how about comparing v dips with motor rpm? If the voltage dips and there is no change in motor rpm, something bad must be going on.