Losing grip – Hobbywing FOC and Castle Mamba X?
Hobbywing AXE R2-FOC or Castle Creations Mamba X – you would possibly marvel which one to spend your cash on? So do I. Or, moderately, so did I till I attempted them each. Ever since I put a Castle Mamba X in my Axial Yeti in 2016, I’ve been keen on the system, to the purpose the place I now personal 4 of them. However, final yr when my SCX10 received to heavy for the Mamba Micro X it was working, I made a decision that it was due time for some sincere comparisons.
Long time no write by the best way, life’s gotten in between. It occurs.
Anyway, there’s quite a bit to be stated for sticking with one thing that works – in my case Castle – however it may be very enlightening to strive one thing new. As fond as I’m of the Castle ESC’s auxiliary channel, I’ve been intrigued by the FOC system ever since I examine it. I do know that it’s been round for a couple of years or so now, however humor me.
According to Hobbywing with Field-Oriented Control (FOC) “the motor and ESC are in a position to match the RPM of the motor to your throttle place beneath all driving situations.” Sounds cool, however what does it really imply? It signifies that present terminology has gotten previous.
What we name digital velocity controls should be referred to as digital throttle controls as an alternative (ETC), whereas the FOC system must be referred to as an digital velocity management. See, with a Mamba (or any conventional) ESC, at any given throttle place of your transmitter the ESC delivers a certain amount of energy to the motor. Depending on circumstances, that quantity of energy will make the automobile go sluggish (uphill) or quick (downhill). Just like once you’re strolling and speaking on the identical time. Come uphill, your velocity will go down for those who nonetheless need to have sufficient breath left for speaking, whereas downhill you’ll have the ability to stroll sooner on the identical quantity of exertion. Told ya, throttle management, not velocity management.
A FOC system however turns issues round. At any given throttle place the ESC will make the motor flip at a particular velocity, altering the quantity of energy delivered relying on circumstances. Less energy because the automobile begins going downhill, and vice versa, on a regular basis preserving the velocity steady. Cool, proper? Kind of as for those who have been strolling on a treadmill and your mate modified the incline up and down, with out altering the velocity. In order to not fall off or stumble, you’d should both work more durable or go straightforward relying on the wims of your mate.
That’s it for idea, what about actual life? Well, right now I’ll simply say that it’s a moderately totally different driving expertise. Have a have a look at the image above, that’s a 9 pound crawler. In order to go down that hill, I didn’t let go of the brakes as per a conventional ESC. Rather, I pulled the set off and crept down an inch at a time. Now there’s loads of opinion available on this type of driving, however nobody can argue that the Hobbywing FOC definitely delivers a formidable quantity of management.
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