User guide

ManualsBrandsGreat Planes ManualsAir equipmentBL-8 Brushless ESC - GPMM2070

ElectriFly’s

™

BL-8 Brushless ESC is designed for powering small, brushless motors for 3D aerobats and flat-foam airplanes. The

BL-8 ESC is capable of delivering 8 amps of current continuously, or 9 amps of surge current, and has numerous programmable

features including battery type (NiCd/NiMH or Li-Po), soft-start, brake, timing and more.

INSTRUCTIONS

Input Voltage: 5 – 10 NiCd/NiMH cells, 2-3 Li-Po cells

(20V input w/o BEC)

Output current: 8A continuous max., 9A surge max.

BEC: 5V / 1.5A

Operating frequency: 8 or 16kHz programmable

On resistance: 0.013 ohms

Brake: on / off

Acceleration: soft, hard or automatic

Low voltage cutoff: programmable

Max. temp. cutoff: 230°F [110°C]

Dimensions: 0.87 x 0.16 x 0.83" [22 x 4 x 21mm]

Weight: 0.42oz. with wires [12g]

• Great for small, high-performance airplanes, from flat foams to

built-up 3D’s.

• Fully proportional forward with brake.

• Very smooth throttle response.

• Custom BEC circuit handles up to 1.5A – great for models

requiring up to three high-powered servos.

• Li-Po compatible, as well as NiCd and NiMH batteries.

• Other programmable features include:

• Brake Control: On/off.

• Safe-Start: On/off, prevents accidental motor spin at start-up.

• Switching frequency: 8kHz or 16kHz, to optimize battery run-

time and cool operation.

• Low-Voltage Control: Reduce or cut motor power, but maintain

radio control.

• Timing: Soft (7 degrees), hard (30 degrees for outrunners),

or automatic.

• Reverse rotation.

• Includes over-temperature protection.

• Pre-installed universal radio connector, micro battery connector,

and 2mm female bullet motor connectors.

Please read and follow these instructions carefully before using.

• Do NOT apply an input voltage that exceeds the maximum

specification above.

• Do NOT apply currents to the motor that exceeds the maximum

specifications above.

• Do NOT allow the input or output connectors to accidentally touch

each other while power is applied. Make sure all connections are

insulated electrically.

• Do NOT allow water or moisture to make contact with the ESC’s

circuitry as it can cause permanent damage.

• Do NOT place the ESC in a location inside the airplane where air

cannot flow. Always provide a path for external air to flow freely

across the ESC while in operation.

• Do NOT attempt to touch a rotating motor as personal injury can

result! If setting up the motor/ESC on the workbench, make sure

the motor is securely attached and that nothing is connected to the

output shaft BEFORE applying power.

• Always connect the power battery just before flight, and disconnect

the battery immediately after the flight has ended.

The BL-8 ESC is designed to work with brushless motors of all types –

except motors that include sensors. Its adjustable timing makes the

BL-8 a great choice for great operation with inner-rotating and outrunner

type brushless motors. Do NOT attempt to use the BL-8 ESC with

traditional brushed motors as permanent damage may result!

IMPORTANT!! The ESC should always be mounted in a location

which allows good airflow for proper cooling!! Failure to allow

good airflow over the ESC during operation can cause severe

overheating, resulting in thermal shutdown and/or permanent

damage to the ESC!

Determine the best location for the ESC on the fuselage. If the

location of the ESC is not vented or ducted to allow airflow inside and

out of the fuselage you will need to create one or more vents or ducts.

For some airplanes, mounting the ESC in front of the firewall or next

to the motor might be good options. Other airplanes only allow for the

ESC to be mounted behind the firewall, in which case air vent holes

will need to be cut in the firewall, and air exit holes may need to be

cut in the tail end of the fuselage.

Mount the ESC to the airplane in a way that minimizes the amount of

shock and vibration to the ESC. Attaching the body of the ESC to the

model with double-sided foam tape or Velcro

is recommended. It’s

also a good idea to try and locate the body of the ESC as far away

from the electric motor as possible, to help avoid any unwanted

electrical interference.

This ESC has a built-in “BEC” or “Battery Eliminator Circuit” which

takes power from the airplane’s main power battery and supplies it to

the receiver and servos. The BEC delivers this power through the

receiver connector. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect a

separate battery to the receiver. Always connect the ESC’s receiver

connector to the receiver’s throttle channel (see your radio’s

instruction manual for details). IMPORTANT!! The BL-8’s BEC

circuit is rated to handle up to 1.5A of current for short bursts –

NOT continuous 1.5 amps of current. If your application will use

higher powered servos it is very important to make sure to

mount the ESC so that a large amount of air can flow over the

ESC during operation.

The BL-8’s

receiver

connector is a

universal style

plug, and will

connect

directly to

most R/C

receivers

without need

for physical

modification or re-wiring.The orange “signal” wire on the ESC’s receiver

plug should be in the same position in the receiver slot as the white wire

STEP 2 – THE BEC CIRCUIT & RECEIVER CONNECTION

STEP 1 – MOUNTING THE SPEED CONTROL

COMPATIBLE MOTORS

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

SPECIAL FEATURES

SPECIFICATIONS

™

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
™ INSTRUCTIONS ElectriFly’s BL-8 Brushless ESC is designed for powering small, brushless motors for 3D aerobats and flat-foam airplanes. The BL-8 ESC is capable of delivering 8 amps of current continuously, or 9 amps of surge current, and has numerous programmable features including battery type (NiCd/NiMH or Li-Po), soft-start, brake, timing and more. ™ SPECIFICATIONS Input Voltage: Output current: BEC: Operating frequency: On resistance: Brake: Acceleration: Low voltage cutoff: Max. temp.
PAGE 2
on Futaba®, the blue wire on the newer Airtronics “Z” connector, the yellow wire on the Hitec “S” connector, or the orange wire on the JR connector. WARNING: This connector is NOT directly compatible with the old Airtronics connector style. Use an Airtronics Servo Adapter to connect this ESC to the older style Airtronics radios. STEP 6 – NORMAL START UP The BL-8’s normal start-up procedure is very simple, as follows: A. B. C. D. Turn the transmitter’s power switch to “ON.
PAGE 3
Battery type NiCd: Ignore (no indication): Series of tones (cuts at 50% of initial battery voltage) 2-cell Li-Po: (cuts at 5.6V) 3-cell Li-Po: (cuts at 8.4V, factory default) Reduce throttle power (factory default): Cut motor power: F. REVERSE ROTATION: The ESC will sound a series of tones as shown below to indicate the direction of motor rotation can be reversed. If you do NOT wish to change the direction of rotation wait 5 seconds after these tones sound and skip to the soft-start feature below.
PAGE 4
armed and ready for operation. Skip to Step 8 if you do not wish to make any other programming changes. To CHANGE ANOTHER programmable feature disconnect the battery from the ESC and return to Step B above. L. ACTIVE RPM CONTROL: The ESC will sound four different series of tones to indicate the four RPM control options as shown below. To CHANGE the RPM control setting, move the throttle stick to minimum when you hear the tones that match the setting you wish to have.