Embarking on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, especially within the realm of electric platforms, kits, tools, cars, and motors, demands a foundational understanding of electronics. For enthusiasts eager to build their own electric vehicles or platforms, choosing the right electronic components is paramount. This guide will walk you through the essential elements – motors, Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs), batteries, receivers, servos, and Battery Eliminator Circuits (BECs) – ensuring your electric platform is not only functional but also optimized for performance and longevity.
Motors, ESCs, & Batteries: The Power Trio
The selection process begins with the motor, the heart of your electric platform. Motor choice is intrinsically linked to the thrust you require and the propeller size you intend to use. Manufacturers typically provide specifications detailing the thrust a motor can generate with a specific propeller, alongside its amperage draw. For instance, if you aim for a combined thrust of approximately 1720g, as in our example, two motors each delivering 860g of thrust with a 10×4.7 propeller would be suitable. These motors might draw around 12 Amps each.
Once you’ve identified your motor, the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) comes into play. The ESC’s primary function is to regulate the power delivered to the motor, controlling its speed. It’s crucial to select an ESC that can handle the motor’s amperage draw. A general rule of thumb is to choose an ESC with a higher amperage rating than your motor’s maximum draw to ensure it operates efficiently and avoids overheating. In our example, even though the motors draw 12 Amps each, a 40Amp ESC per motor was chosen for enhanced cooling and safety margin, despite a 25-30Amp ESC being technically sufficient.
Batteries are the energy source for your electric platform. To estimate flight time or operational duration, you can use a simple equation:
*Flight Time (minutes) = (Battery Capacity (Ah) / Motor Amp Draw (Amperes)) 48
This equation incorporates the 80% discharge rule, which advises against depleting lithium polymer batteries beyond 80% of their capacity to prolong their lifespan. For example, a 2200mAh (2.2Ah) battery paired with a motor drawing 12 Amps would yield approximately 8.8 minutes of operation. Therefore, for extended operation, consider using multiple batteries or batteries with higher capacity.
Receiver: The Command Center
The receiver acts as the communication bridge between your control system (transmitter) and the electronic components on your platform. The number of channels your receiver needs is dictated by the functions you want to control. For basic control with Elevator, Ailerons, Rudder, Flaps, and throttle, a minimum of a 5-channel receiver is necessary. However, it is often prudent to opt for a receiver with more channels than initially required. This provides flexibility for adding future features or accessories without needing to replace the receiver. In our example, an 8-channel receiver was selected to accommodate the 5 essential channels and offer spare ports for a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) and potential expansions.
Servos & BEC: Control and Power Distribution
Servos are actuators that translate electrical signals into mechanical motion, enabling control surfaces like ailerons, elevators, and rudders to move. The size and type of servos you choose should be appropriate for the scale and demands of your electric platform. Larger platforms often necessitate larger servos, which inherently draw more current.
If the combined current draw of your servos exceeds the capacity of your ESC’s internal BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit), an external BEC becomes essential. A BEC regulates the voltage from the main battery down to a level suitable for the receiver and servos (typically 5V or 6V), ensuring a stable power supply. In scenarios where multiple high-current servos are used, like the example using six servos each drawing 400mA (totaling 2.4A), an external BEC is crucial to prevent overloading the ESC’s internal BEC and ensure reliable servo operation. The external BEC directly taps power from the battery, bypassing the ESC’s BEC for servo and receiver power, thus isolating and safeguarding the power distribution.
Total Electronics for Your DIY Electric Platform
To summarize, the core electronic components for a typical DIY electric platform include:
- 2x Electric Motors
- 2x Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC)
- 1x Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC)
- 1x 8 Channel Receiver
- 6x Servos
Selecting the right electronics for your DIY electric platform is a critical step in ensuring its successful operation. By carefully considering factors like thrust, amperage draw, battery capacity, channel requirements, and servo power needs, you can build a robust and efficient electric platform tailored to your specific project goals within the broader spectrum of electric platform kit tools for do-it-yourself cars and motors.
