I've recently saw a few 210 mini quad builds with ESCs mounted on the underside of the arms. Looks like this is a good way to protect the ESC from props hitting them, especially during a crash. Also, when the quad is flying forward the ESCs are not exposed forward so again potentially protects them In a crash.

Anyone had experience with this? Any downsides? One I can think of is the ESCs are susceptible to hitting the ground when landing.

I have only done it once and the only thing that was an issue for me was the wires to the motor and to the FC and PDB had to come back over the arms and eventually one rubbed through onto the frame..and well, killed an esc..LOL

You are correct about hitting the ground when landing.  Additionally, if you happen to be flying over wet grass and land then ESC is more exposed to the potential of getting wet.....not generally a good thing.  In my opinion it is exposed to more general wear and tear when mounted underneath.

(20-Aug-2016, 03:06 AM)sirdude Wrote: You are correct about hitting the ground when landing.  Additionally, if you happen to be flying over wet grass and land then ESC is more exposed to the potential of getting wet.....not generally a good thing.  In my opinion it is exposed to more general wear and tear when mounted underneath.

Spot on !

How do you guys generally protect the ESCs from bent props hitting it. The props nowadays are more durable but bend instead. This poses a pretty big risk of a bent prop hitting and damaging the ESCs.

(20-Aug-2016, 04:35 AM)NoxNow Wrote: How do you guys generally protect the ESCs from bent props hitting it. The props nowadays are more durable but bend instead. This poses a pretty big risk of a bent prop hitting and damaging the ESCs.

Don't CRASH!!!!  LOL, just kidding


Generally I do not do anything apart from heat shrink them. some esc's come with the protective esc covers, but I never use them.
I live on the edge.

You can mount them as close to the motor as possible, then maybe the propeller tip will hit the arm instead.

I am sure it's because I don't fly enough (or fast/hard when I do fly), but when I crash, things usually quit spinning.  And I've yet to break an arm on my CF frames (done it on my plastic printed brushed micro, though - but that doesn't have esc's). How prevalent a problem are prop strikes on ESC's?

The bottom line is that no matter what you do, crashing is just the price of doing business and a damaged ESC is just collateral damage if it happens.  There is only so much you can do.  I crash ALOT and have never had a prop (although I've bent/broken a lot of them) damage and ESC.