Colibri ESC

Return to Main Page	Jacques Wakae's "Colibri" ESC Click to Contact Jacques
"Colibri" Prices & Order Info Product Description General Specificatons Component Specifics Auto Shutoff Features	Click picture for a large view ESC-"COLIBRI" and ESC-"COLIBRI-PRO" 4 Amp "Indoor/Slow Fly" Speed Controllers
Contact Information

General Description

The ESC "Colibri", as I call it, is similar to the 'JMP-France type 7' as sold by WES-Technik.
( currently DM125 incl. Postage, about $AU125)

board is 0.8mm fibreglass double sided 1oz copper, size = 16mm x 6mm x 4mm
mass without wires is less than 1 gram , typically 0.6 - 0.8 gram
supplied with short leads for motor,battery and servo (no plugs) Your leads can be attached if mailed with order.
supplied with clear unshrunk heatshrink
Return to Top of Page

Specifications

Technology:   4 MHz RISC Microprocessor,
     13A HEXFET power MOSFET
     5V 800ma low dropout regulator
Features:   Safe-Switch-On
Control range: 1.2ms to 1.8ms
Valid pulse range: 0.8ms to 2.4ms
Motor battery: 5 to 9 cells (15V absolute max)
Current:   4 Amp. continuous, 6 Amp. max(short time)
BEC:    5.0V, max. 0.8A
Motor RPM reduction: Below 5.1V
Modulation frequency: 3 KHz
Voltage drop: < 17mV /1A
Size:    16mm x 6mm x 4mm
Mass (w/o wires): < 1.0 gram

control range is from 1.2ms to 1.8ms
valid pulse width is from 0.8ms to 2.4ms
motor modulation frequency is 3 KHz (actually 3125)
at full trottle, FET is hard on.(no modulation)
at low throttle, FET is fully off .
throttle resolution is 2.5%
throttle response is 100% linear
throttle response time is Tx frame dependant, typically 0.4 ms
motor starts to reduce power when battery supply goes below 5.1V approx.
motor reduction can be disabled by shorting pins 1 & 2 of the microchip.
software features 'Safe-Switch-On', ie. you have to go to low throttle first.
motor shuts down after 0.5sec on loss of valid signal.
Return to Top of Page

Component Description

Microprocessor is by "Microchip" PIC12C509 (RISC architecture)
8-pin SOIC 200 mil package
Internal clock running at 4 MHz
operating voltage 2.5V to 5.5V
power consumption < 2 ma @ 5V, 4 Mhz
---------------------------------------------------------
FET is a 13 Amp HEXFET SO8 package made by International Rectifier
VDss =30V, RDS on = 0.011 ohm @ 10V Vgs, 0.018 ohm @ 4.5V Vgs
Due to the extremely small size of the PC board and subsequent minimal
heatsinking capabilities, I rate it at 4 Amps continuous, 6 amps max.
(BTW, same FET as used in the Schultz 7 amp controller)
---------------------------------------------------------
Voltage regulator is an REG1117 5V SOT-223 package made by Burr-Brown
output current 800ma max
output regulation +/- 1% max
Dropout voltage 1.2V max at current = 800ma
(at motor cut-off the supply voltage to the receiver will be a minimum of 3.9V)
internal current limiting
thermal overload protection
absolute max. input voltage = 15 V
---------------------------------------------------------
Flyback diode is a 1 amp Schottky in a Melf package
Return to Top of Page

Throttle Cutoff

The standard "Colibri" shuts the throttle on loss-of-signal and expects you to go to low throttle first before it will allow you to reengage the motor.
Not recommended if flying inverted and low.

The "Colibri-Pro" shuts the throttle on loss-of-signal but re-acquires the previous motor setting when signal is regained.
The "Colibri-Pro" has a faster throttle response and a Micro-LED to indicate controller states.(LED consumption is 8ma when full on)

The controller's motor cutoff can be disabled by jumpering pins 1 & 2 of the micro. That would mean that the micro would die at 2.5V + 1.2V for the voltage drop through the regulator (3.7V at the battery), that is fine as long as anybody's receiver and servos will still work on 2.5V. The controller without a voltage regulator, allows you to use the controller straight from a battery of 5.5V MAX. down to 2.5V MIN. Good for people trying very light, small motor/battery systems.
Return to Top of Page

Prices & Ordering Details

In the USA you can now order from Dave Lewis at HomeFly.Com
US$39.00 as of May 99. If you let Dave know what connectors you are using he will install them at no charge.

"Colibri" $AU49.00
"Colibri-Pro" $AU54.00

Within Australia:
ADD $AU3.00 P&P Australia

Overseas Orders:
ADD $AU10.00 for P&P/bank charges

Payment:
Australia: Cheque, COD, or Money Order
Over Seas (except USA): Bank draft, International money order, or Credit card
USA: Bank draft, or Credit card

Payments made out to 'J.L.Wakae'

For credit cards: Fax details to + 61 3 6327 1140
Stipulate amount in Australian dollars
Return to Top of Page

Contact Information

Postal Address;
RSD 23, Danbury Drive
Riverside, TAS. 7250
Australia

Phone: (03) 6330 1676
E-mail: jacques@vision.net.au

Return to main Page