Still working on my first build.   I am using DYS 16a ESCs and DYS 1806 motors.   The first time I plugged in a lipo 3s battery, 2 of my ESCs smoked out.   So I replaced them with 2 new ones and no smoke.   After some testing of motors through Cleanflight and USB cable, another esc and motor smoked out.   So I ordered new ones.

The other day I got my replacement ESC in the mail, so I flashed all 4 with BLheli & blheli bootloader (had to use the file for 20 amp since there was no 16 amp).    Tonight I plugged in the quad to a lipo and one of my previously good ESCs (nothing changed on this one) went up in a little smoke and some heat, and caused the motor to smoke out also.   I immediately unplugged the lipo and checked continuity between positive and negative on the PDB, and I had it.   Had to unsolder everything from the PDB one by one and found the short between positive and negative in the smokey ESC. 

Are these ESCs really that touchy?   Am I doing something wrong?   Need help.

These ESCs are tiny and vulnerable to soldering imperfections, especially the so-called "solder balls" which look like, surprise, small balls made of solder.
Most respectable members of community suggest thoroughly checking both sides of PCB for possible shorts by aforementioned solder balls before using the ESCs for the first time.
There also been numerous reports about DYS ESCs failing miserably, but the exact problem is unknown. May be a drop in production quality.
Just my 2 cents here :-)

When I first got the original motors wired up, I tested them via CleanFlight and spun them fast.  I have since learned that this is a no-no.  How can I test the motors to make sure they aren't bad and the culprit for my burning ESCs???

sounds like there is a fault in the build, or your ESC is just fault, might be worth recording it next time you plug things in ...
I have never seen anyone burn so many ESC and motors the first time they plug them in...

I have 8 DYS 16A esc and none of them have given me any trouble. I took a chance and bought them from hobbyking for their small size despite reading about problems with them. Still, they shouldn't give you this kind of trouble. Either you have the worst of luck and got some escs from the bad quality batch or you have a short circuit somewhere.

Are you using a carbon frame and the escs are in contact with the frame somewhere? That could result in the shorts.

BR,
Henrik

I am using a carbon fiber frame and a full size pdb (UBAD Kunai v2).    Should I be putting some sort of plastic washers between the frame and posts, and the PDB and posts?  

What kind of test could I do with my multi-meter to see if I have current running through my frame or posts?

(14-Feb-2016, 01:42 AM)Tony Schroeder Wrote: I am using a carbon fiber frame and a full size pdb (UBAD Kunai v2).    Should I be putting some sort of plastic washers between the frame and posts, and the PDB and posts?  

What kind of test could I do with my multi-meter to see if I have current running through my frame or posts?

I solder my motors directly to the esc so I remove the plastic around the end. To make sure that I have no contact with the frame I put some isolation tape around the frame where I mount the esc. Do that and there should be no accidental short circuits.

I have missed that you use a pdb, I guess that you have soldered the esc to the pdb? In that case, check all the circuits so that you do not have a short or a fault in the pdb itself.

My guess is that the pdb is the fault in this. Try to do a test build without using the pdb and see if it works.

BR,
Henrik

Post some pictures of your build, your ESC / motor soldering please so we can advise on how you can improve it or prevent problems.

(14-Feb-2016, 03:37 AM)Oscar Wrote: Post some pictures of your build, your ESC / motor soldering please so we can advise on how you can improve it or prevent problems.

I have it all torn down right now.  I am going to start tomorrow building it up bit by bit.

(12-Feb-2016, 04:44 AM)Tony Schroeder Wrote: Still working on my first build.   I am using DYS 16a ESCs and DYS 1806 motors.   The first time I plugged in a lipo 3s battery, 2 of my ESCs smoked out.   So I replaced them with 2 new ones and no smoke.   After some testing of motors through Cleanflight and USB cable, another esc and motor smoked out.   So I ordered new ones.

The other day I got my replacement ESC in the mail, so I flashed all 4 with BLheli & blheli bootloader (had to use the file for 20 amp since there was no 16 amp).    Tonight I plugged in the quad to a lipo and one of my previously good ESCs (nothing changed on this one) went up in a little smoke and some heat, and caused the motor to smoke out also.   I immediately unplugged the lipo and checked continuity between positive and negative on the PDB, and I had it.   Had to unsolder everything from the PDB one by one and found the short between positive and negative in the smokey ESC. 

Are these ESCs really that touchy?   Am I doing something wrong?   Need help.

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