I notice modern ESCs don't have caps on them anymore.  Are people putting caps on them themselves or are they just not needed and a single big cap at the lipo is enough?

I've never added a cap to an ESC. But then again I've only built five total, all 4S, and only added a cap on one. And that one has a 4n1 ESC. I've seen them on individual ESC's on larger builds. I'm wondering myself if I'll need individual ESC caps on my 10" build.

Deal

Capacitor on individual ESC is a last resort if a single ESC on lipo pad doesn't clean up the noise. On large build, where there is plenty of room, people do tend to put it on each ESC. If you look at my Xclass build, there are capacitor on each ESC and the lipo pad. This is recommended by the manufacturer. But the lipo capacitor is smaller because there are caps on each ESC. Can you imagine how big of a capacitor you would need if you only have a single capacitor on the lipo.

Thanks guys. I can def see the need for caps for X-Class to keep the video clean. What about 250 class on 6S you still think no need for caps on ESCs? A single 1000uf at the lipo? Last time I built with individual ESCs, they always had caps - but we did not use a cap at the lipo rather an LC filter at the camera / vtx.

(04-Dec-2019, 08:51 PM)the.ronin Wrote: Thanks guys. I can def see the need for caps for X-Class to keep the video clean. What about 250 class on 6S you still think no need for caps on ESCs? A single 1000uf at the lipo? Last time I built with individual ESCs, they always had caps - but we did not use a cap at the lipo rather an LC filter at the camera / vtx.

That is a long time ago. 250 ESCs haven't had Caps for years. I have a 6S build, the video is pretty clean with just 1000uf. At least for the components I was using. Just have to get good ESCs like the Tekko32, which has very little noise, even without caps.

depending on the stress you do with the sticks to the copter.... and during crashes; caps can help to protect electronics ...
its a build of mine in progress, new frame, old electronics... probably they dont work. i receive this used esc from a top racing pilot, there is a huge 2200uf 25v cap - it was in use with 6s. i wonder why he add such a huge cap, but sure there sould be a need... because he add it x-)

(04-Dec-2019, 07:23 PM)Deal-E-O Wrote: I've never added a cap to an ESC.  But then again I've only built five total, all 4S, and only added a cap on one.  And that one has a 4n1 ESC.  I've seen them on individual ESC's on larger builds.  I'm wondering myself if I'll need individual ESC caps on my 10" build.

Deal

Maybe.....you can try without but have to rebuild/design after the fact if  you need them.  That can make a clean build look less clean.  Or, you can do it at the outset, and be done with it.  The miniscule amount of additional weight and cost won't make a difference.

(04-Dec-2019, 09:45 PM)voodoo614 Wrote: That is a long time ago. 250 ESCs haven't had Caps for years ...

Oh man are you saying these are outdated then?

(05-Dec-2019, 02:59 AM)the.ronin Wrote: Oh man are you saying these are outdated then?

Cap and 5V BEC. Classic.

Believe it or not this dude is still in business lol. I just got a couple PDB's from him. Took like 3 weeks so nothings changed lol.

I try to always use a capacitor just for the protection against voltage spikes..... The video cleaning up is just a happy side effect in my case. The main reason I use them is for protection though.

Is it possible for the capacitor to make performance take a hit? I been wondering this.