Hello everyone, I was given an opportunity to review a unit of Hobbywing XRotor 12A 4IN1 1-4s, a 32bit ARM (48 mHz processor) option in the ESC market.
This unit was provided for a test by our friend Sandra from Banggood, thank you. This ESC uses custom firmware developed by Hobbywing. According to information provided on manufacturers website, apart from using a 32bit processor, their 4in1 integrated ESCs are featuring most of the standard features we see on ESCs these days:
The unit is also supposed to be “splash proof”, making it safe to use in damp environments. This is unfortunately only mostly true - it is covered with something that looks like some kind of transparent lacquer (called “nano-coating”), while the motor pads as well as exterior pins on mosfets are exposed and not secured in any way - that would require the user to use their own waterproofing.
It comes neatly packed in a box:
Lifting the plastic inside shows some M3 screws, tubular standoffs as well as a folded manual - it is also available as a PDF here:
http://www.hobbywing.com/products/enpdf/...4in1en.pdf
Nylon hardware set provided in the kit:
Waterproofing:
The build:
I have decided to put this 4in1 ESC on my Airblade Assault 130, using this as an opportunity to clean this build a bit at the same time.
The build would use:
Pack size: 800-850mah 3s
During bench tests, the ESCs proved to spin the motors very smoothly, I have tested the motor blockup protection by stopping the motor with my fingers (as this is a small motor) and it actually continued to try syncing and spin the motor. Looks like it works like any other ESC I've tested.
I actually got it below 200g, 850mah pack included and was REALLY curious how it would fly with about 6:1 thrust-weight ratio.
So… what happened during a pre-maiden check with the props on?
Some marvel comic “KABOOM” anyone? ;-)
Yep. Quad used an underslung lipo and tripped during motor startup. One of the motors got blocked and instantly released the magic smoke, ESC did as well.
Unfortunately, that is all I can tell about this ESC. I want to stress that I am far from judging an entire product line but this single accident - a lot of things could have happened here, I could have left a solder blob somewhere, the motor itself could have been used up and cause a short. It was spinning during bench tests and I have inspected both components and didn’t find a reason for this though.
Best,
Konrad
This unit was provided for a test by our friend Sandra from Banggood, thank you. This ESC uses custom firmware developed by Hobbywing. According to information provided on manufacturers website, apart from using a 32bit processor, their 4in1 integrated ESCs are featuring most of the standard features we see on ESCs these days:
- Active braking
- Motor block protection (more on that later)
- Various communication protocols support - Oneshot125, Oneshot42, Multishot
The unit is also supposed to be “splash proof”, making it safe to use in damp environments. This is unfortunately only mostly true - it is covered with something that looks like some kind of transparent lacquer (called “nano-coating”), while the motor pads as well as exterior pins on mosfets are exposed and not secured in any way - that would require the user to use their own waterproofing.
It comes neatly packed in a box:
Lifting the plastic inside shows some M3 screws, tubular standoffs as well as a folded manual - it is also available as a PDF here:
http://www.hobbywing.com/products/enpdf/...4in1en.pdf
Nylon hardware set provided in the kit:
- 4 long M3 screws
- 4 M3 nuts
- 4 8mm tubes (standoffs)
- 4 5mm tubes (standoffs)
Waterproofing:
The build:
I have decided to put this 4in1 ESC on my Airblade Assault 130, using this as an opportunity to clean this build a bit at the same time.
The build would use:
- Airblade Assault 130 frame
- Xracer F303 3.0 FC
- DYS 1306 4000kv motors
- Micro camera
- Aomway 200mw vTX
- DIY micro linear Vee antenna (to be used first time)
- Micro MinimOSD
Pack size: 800-850mah 3s
During bench tests, the ESCs proved to spin the motors very smoothly, I have tested the motor blockup protection by stopping the motor with my fingers (as this is a small motor) and it actually continued to try syncing and spin the motor. Looks like it works like any other ESC I've tested.
I actually got it below 200g, 850mah pack included and was REALLY curious how it would fly with about 6:1 thrust-weight ratio.
So… what happened during a pre-maiden check with the props on?
Some marvel comic “KABOOM” anyone? ;-)
Yep. Quad used an underslung lipo and tripped during motor startup. One of the motors got blocked and instantly released the magic smoke, ESC did as well.
Unfortunately, that is all I can tell about this ESC. I want to stress that I am far from judging an entire product line but this single accident - a lot of things could have happened here, I could have left a solder blob somewhere, the motor itself could have been used up and cause a short. It was spinning during bench tests and I have inspected both components and didn’t find a reason for this though.
Best,
Konrad
Find me on Youtube and Instagram. I currently fly: DRC Aura, NOX5R, Minimalist 112 and drive a scrap RC car